Gus the Newfy
Prelude
I have been looking for a canine companion for six months, since Maxzines' passing.
I have been put off by the so called shelters turned puppy transfer business. The shelters have got the idea they can charge $400 for a dog from some Caribbean Island with 20% pit bull infused in every single animal.
I think it is deceptive, euthanasia is not the answer, but puppy farms and shelters now have the same objective, profit, not good.
Just by chance, I stopped for coffee at the Village Market. I use to go there regularly, since they had the best coffee in town and they had a bench outside to sit in the morning sun and have a muffin and coffee and watch the town traffic cruise by. But, since last Fall I have gotten into roasting green coffee beans and have gotten spoiled from, That quality of coffee.
The owner was behind the counter and asked how I'd been. Somehow she asked if I had a dog yet? Would I be interested in another Newfy?
She knew of one that was being "givin up"....
I said sure I'd be interested, I had been doing daily searches on "the Internet" and informally looking around.
So this situation with the Newfy just fell in my lap.
5/19
Gus arrived 8:30am
He immediately seemed comfortable in his new surroundings.
He is personable, and non-threatening to everyone he has met so far.
[Sonja,John[guy looking @ Dodge,Denise].
He even took to Fiona, the Beagle well.
Noon
Took Gus for a ride in the Van.
Gus did not respond to "lets go for a ride".
He did climb into the open drivers door of the van while I waited on the other side with the sliding door open.
Promising.
To be determined:rabies shot paper work
call vet for check-up
get some food
fee ?
medical records
Water st connection
how many hours does he sleep during the day
tick & flea guard
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5/28/2007Whoa it has been 10 days since Gus Entered Our World !
Gus has been quite happy to be around me.
He has separation anxiety, never wants to be alone.
Gus sleeps long and well. 8-10 hours a day.
He has no problem sleeping if I am close by, online or whatever.
Aurthur Stickney called a few days ago, said he was getting Gus's paperwork together[actually someone in NH was doing it].
Gus didn't cost anything,a plus, up front anyway.
+ Gus Pluses
well behaved around children
has good hips, moves very well, very fast dog, he can cover alot of territory in quick gait.
sleeps thru the night with out roaming in the house.
Sleeps in separate room no problem.
Holds his business,thru the night with ease.
He is a right hand dog, always wants to be right next to you, right in the middle of the action with no let up,breathing right in your face.
Gus will "SIT" on command
- Gus's Negatives
he wants to be "in your face" all to often, rather annoying at times.
doesn't know "NO" well at all
not well trained at all
attention span is all of 10 sec
may have some sort of breathing issue?
Snores very loudly.
Eats his food very fast, choking himself in the effort.
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May 31,2007
Bought Gus a kiddie pool @ Walmarts $9.99 on sale
cannot find my mattress air pump, to pump me up....
Gus literally bounded over to see Sonja when she got home, kissed her hand, and sprinted back to the back door to tell me Sonja just got home.[ very humorous]
The Beef Bones Glenn bought for Gus, finally got some attention. Gus worked on one for a hour making a mess and getting as far into the marrow of the bone as his teeth and tongue could reach.[ I advised Glenn" don't buy anymore"]
The bones in the frig turned rancid, I had to throw them out...
Gus and I spent the majority of the day in the Van, taking Mom to Dr. appt.,running around for 6-7 hrs.
Madeline[ from the Village Market] came over to the Post office to greet me. She had heard that I took Gus and wanted to say congrats. Her newfy[ Gus's mom] is close to being "put-down". She is sad about that, but knows it is time.
June 4,2007 Sonja and I, along with Gus traveled to Marshfield, Ma.[12 miles down rte 139 off rte 3] to have breakfast w/ Glenn.
Very nice area, on the water, with lots of beaches and nice homes and eateries.
The breakfast was good but ultra-over priced[$50 breakfast for 3?]
Gus enjoyed the ride, and was a an easy rider.
Later in the day back in Hamilton @ Mom's house.
Gus met Riley and Eric/Carol for the first time. Gus doesn't stress out at all around kids at all. good to know.
He takes them in stride and lets them "hang" on his back.
June 11,2007
The Big "G" puked again this morning. Since I got up at 4 a.m. to take a undocumented pee, I had the pleasure of stepping in it, as I slept-walked to the toilet. After the Sun came up, I was able to inspect the contents of said puke. Carrots and hot dogs were quite apparent, along with Blue Seal Krunchies.
Damn, I did give Gus a bed time treat, little did I know I would be dancing in it before the sun came up...
On a paternal note, Gus got let out this morning,as usual, did his business[no need for play-by-play] and disappeared, not unusual.
I made myself breakfast, needing that first shot of java more than I needed to put on my shoes and chase down a canine.
Plus, it is sink or swim time for the Gus-ter. I do not want to tie him up, outside the door. He has to decide he wants to and knows how to come "Home".
He did come back 45 min later, proud of his adventure and return. Progress...
On my quest to be totally undermined by My Canine Obedience Training...
I set-up a wading pool, something all dogs have access to, in a World meant for Canine Bliss.
Dogs have really set them selves up, Right in their world.
Free Food regularly.
Rent Free, Roof over their Heads.
Able to Sniff areas I would get slapped silly for.
Nap When-Ever
Plus,Hang its' Head out of moving automobile with shit-eating grin, and not be embarrassed.
And to show that Canines have evolved to a much higher level....[possibly surpassing cats].
Training Humans to immediately pick up their hot poop with their hands.
God, I would love to slap every canine that grins at me on that one.[What do you think that tail Wag is all about]?
June 22
Well, the Gus-ters' fur is coming in as smooth as a fleece throw. I am reconsidering the white hair as maybe genetic rather than from age greying. Not that it matters. All Newfys I have seen have some white hair somewhere. Gus doesn't, which is the basis for my suspicions.
Have I had Buyers Remorse? Undoubtedly, I have thought what the [!@#$] did I do this for.
These thoughts are particularly evident during a peaceful evening of TV completely interrupted by continuous really [cough,gagging,hanging]smelly FARTS, care of the Gus-ter. I swear he has some cow gene hidden in his DNA.....
The kiddie pool is a non-starter. Gus is not interested in the least. In the trash.
Gus didn't win any points by putting bite marks in my Mom's cats' head last week. I really wish he hadn't done that.
Annie is no worse for wear, but the Gus-ter has been put on notice, and entering the Hamilton abode now includes segregation of Annie before Gus can join us.
