Sharing one’s life with a Newfoundland has many delightful rewards. Such as when we experience one of those “special” moments with our pride and joy. We have all had them. And, on rare occasions, something memorable happens, something that goes to the very depths of our eternal soul and will live there through all eternity. Keaton, my little Landseer boy, gave me one such blessing a few nights ago….
With winter coming on here in Oz Keaton’s coat has become thick and fluffy. So much so that he appears larger than Liquorice! Her coat is much thicker but it lays back against her body. I called them inside yesterday. Keaton immediately got up and came over to me, Liquorice just lay where she was and looked at me with her beautiful dark brown eyes. So I “brushed” Keaton’s coat with my hands and was thinking how relatively small he was under all that fluffed up coat. I straightened up and called Liquorice again. Still no enthusiasm on her part however Keaton sat in front of me and balanced himself on his rump and raised both front paws. Almost “begging” style, something he does but I have never seen Liquorice do! He received an ear massage for his efforts. Then I straightened up again and gave a few short whistles to Liquorice, something that she likes to hear. 🙂 Keaton sat on his rump again but this time he started to stretch up, gently touching me with his front paws for balance. As I whistled he started to stand. His head came up higher, then higher. His whole body followed in slow motion with his front paws barely touching but lightly walking up my chest. Keaton just seemed to grow before me, his whole body looming upwards until he had his paws touching my shoulders and his tongue sampling my hair. He seemed to be making himself as tall as possible, stretching even higher with his tongue. His eyes were almost at my eye level! His expression seemed as surprised as I am sure mine was. There was no sudden movement. His paws placed no pressure on me at all, just feeling to balance himself. He was enormous!!! I was totally speechless at the gentleness by which he stood up on his hind legs. Keaton merely gave me a couple of licks and slowly lowered himself back down. All I could do was gape in wonder into his soft eyes as he smiled back at me. It seemed that neither of us believed what happened. Then he did it again as if to convince us both. He simply “grew” before my eyes once more, gave the end of my nose a single lick and lowered himself back down again! To me it was one of those “special” shared moments that will last a lifetime. 🙂
Arthur Witten
Liquorice
Keaton