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What City and State do you live in? Columbia TN
How many newfoundlands do you currently live with? 3 -- Jobs, Jupiter and Justin
Are you an active breeder? No
What attracted you to the newfoundland breed? The first Newfie I ever saw was carrying his owner's umbrella across the snowy Connecticut College campus in 1967. I was smitten, and asked Dr. Woody if Sam could hang out with me for a few hours. Yearbook dorm photos were taken that day, and over half a century later I still smile at my freshman dorm photo with Sam sitting next to me. I'd been captivated by his temperament, and I knew that when I grew up I'd have my own Newfoundland.
What areas of sport/competition interest you? (Conformation, Draft, Water Rescue, Therapy, Rally, Obedience, other)? draft, water rescue, scent work
Do you handle your own dog? Always
Have you earned titles with your dog/s? Tell us about them? When training Jeter for our first water test in 2014, I experienced the intimacy I'd felt when training my horse Joker as a child. Jeter earned both junior and senior water titles at this test, and went on to earn 31 titles in water, draft and scent work. Jobs, Jupiter and Justin have cumulatively earned 45 titles through mid-April 2023. Although Jeter never achieved the WRDX title, training at this level was stimulating and fun for both of us. My favorite test is DDX due to the intimate journey of figuring out with my partners the precision required at this level. (With Jeter's and Jobs' 15 titles and with Jeter's, Jobs' and Jupiter's non-qualifying tests I've tested 30+ times at this level, enjoying every experience on the course.) Scent work is fun and has taken me more into the world of dogs than any other training experience. Titles are fun and a testament to actualizing goals; but for me the intimacy of training partnership trumps titles.
Do you remember the first time you met a newfoundland? I remember my first encounter with a Newf 56 years ago like it was yesterday. I've described this meeting as a Tony-Maria moment. I was smitten by the dog's sweet temperament and happy presence, and knew that when I grew up I must have a Newfoundland.
Do you allow your dogs on your bed or furniture? I join my dogs on their furniture (dog beds and their 2-car garage doghouse boat platform) rather than on inside furniture.
Do you groom your own dog? No
How to often do you trim your dog's nails? Do you or someone else trim the nails and how do they do it? I carry a comb, brush, scissors and nail clippers on my daily adventures with my dogs which allows me to groom daily and trim as needed.. I clip my boys' nails biweekly. All of this -- especially combing as they sleep -- is my meditation.
Tell us something cute or sweet that your newf does? Justin falls asleep in my lap; Jupiter sits in my lap while I massage his spine which he seems to like; Prior to our daily walks Jobs plays with me by walking so close to me that I can't move in any direction as I attempt to move forward, and he seems to be smiling as he cuts me off. I chuckle daily while smooshing his huge front paws during grooming.
How has the newfoundland dog impacted your life? Do you have a fond memory that you would like to share? I am a better person in many respects because of my decades-long journey with Newfoundlands. For me they are the most beautiful and the most loving animals on the planet. I feel peace caring for them; enjoy every aspect of learning with them; and wish our species could be more like them.
Tell us your biggest Newfoundland brag? Interestingly, my biggest brag is 3 DDX tests I don't remember because I was on another level with Jeter and with Jobs on the course. When Jeter earned his DDX2 at the 2017 National and when Jobs earned his DDX1 and DDX2 at OWNC in 2019 I was so in the moment with them that I didn't realize when we'd completed the course. This special connection with my dogs is everything!
How many newfoundlands do you currently live with? 3 -- Jobs, Jupiter and Justin
Are you an active breeder? No
What attracted you to the newfoundland breed? The first Newfie I ever saw was carrying his owner's umbrella across the snowy Connecticut College campus in 1967. I was smitten, and asked Dr. Woody if Sam could hang out with me for a few hours. Yearbook dorm photos were taken that day, and over half a century later I still smile at my freshman dorm photo with Sam sitting next to me. I'd been captivated by his temperament, and I knew that when I grew up I'd have my own Newfoundland.
What areas of sport/competition interest you? (Conformation, Draft, Water Rescue, Therapy, Rally, Obedience, other)? draft, water rescue, scent work
Do you handle your own dog? Always
Have you earned titles with your dog/s? Tell us about them? When training Jeter for our first water test in 2014, I experienced the intimacy I'd felt when training my horse Joker as a child. Jeter earned both junior and senior water titles at this test, and went on to earn 31 titles in water, draft and scent work. Jobs, Jupiter and Justin have cumulatively earned 45 titles through mid-April 2023. Although Jeter never achieved the WRDX title, training at this level was stimulating and fun for both of us. My favorite test is DDX due to the intimate journey of figuring out with my partners the precision required at this level. (With Jeter's and Jobs' 15 titles and with Jeter's, Jobs' and Jupiter's non-qualifying tests I've tested 30+ times at this level, enjoying every experience on the course.) Scent work is fun and has taken me more into the world of dogs than any other training experience. Titles are fun and a testament to actualizing goals; but for me the intimacy of training partnership trumps titles.
Do you remember the first time you met a newfoundland? I remember my first encounter with a Newf 56 years ago like it was yesterday. I've described this meeting as a Tony-Maria moment. I was smitten by the dog's sweet temperament and happy presence, and knew that when I grew up I must have a Newfoundland.
Do you allow your dogs on your bed or furniture? I join my dogs on their furniture (dog beds and their 2-car garage doghouse boat platform) rather than on inside furniture.
Do you groom your own dog? No
How to often do you trim your dog's nails? Do you or someone else trim the nails and how do they do it? I carry a comb, brush, scissors and nail clippers on my daily adventures with my dogs which allows me to groom daily and trim as needed.. I clip my boys' nails biweekly. All of this -- especially combing as they sleep -- is my meditation.
Tell us something cute or sweet that your newf does? Justin falls asleep in my lap; Jupiter sits in my lap while I massage his spine which he seems to like; Prior to our daily walks Jobs plays with me by walking so close to me that I can't move in any direction as I attempt to move forward, and he seems to be smiling as he cuts me off. I chuckle daily while smooshing his huge front paws during grooming.
How has the newfoundland dog impacted your life? Do you have a fond memory that you would like to share? I am a better person in many respects because of my decades-long journey with Newfoundlands. For me they are the most beautiful and the most loving animals on the planet. I feel peace caring for them; enjoy every aspect of learning with them; and wish our species could be more like them.
Tell us your biggest Newfoundland brag? Interestingly, my biggest brag is 3 DDX tests I don't remember because I was on another level with Jeter and with Jobs on the course. When Jeter earned his DDX2 at the 2017 National and when Jobs earned his DDX1 and DDX2 at OWNC in 2019 I was so in the moment with them that I didn't realize when we'd completed the course. This special connection with my dogs is everything!
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