Liquorice is the cute little black Newfie puppy that has become a part of our family. She came into our home last Thursday and has settled in wonderfully. Liquorice now responds to her distinctive name, finding whoever said it to receive pats, tummy-rubs, tickles etc. So far Liquorice has filled each moment she has been awake with the excitement of exploration. There are few things in her, for now limited, reach that she has not poked or prodded with her nose or mouthed, as we would use our fingers, learning the texture and substance of each new item she finds in her domain. She loves exploring. And she making me explore too. Going into our rarely used lounge and dining rooms and the billiard room. Maybe, searching is more accurate, for I seek her little “presents”, which thankfully so far have been few. A couple of times now I have been in a position to see what the underside of the billiard table was like! It’s not much – once would have done. <vbg> Ma found her first one yesterday and was not a happy camper. I did not reveal that I was three or four up on her already, plus one in the vestibule! Lol!
Her first full day with us Liquorice stayed in the rooms we use, kitchen/meals area, family room, vestibule and my home office.
That first full day, Liquorice found the oversize saucer of water we keep under a very “thirsty” pot plant in the vestibule. She amused herself taking small drinks from it and paddling in the saucer with one paw. Liquorice would soak a front paw in the water, you have no idea how much water a Newfoundland puppy can hold in its’ paw, and then she went splat, splat, splat to see how far she can go before her paw runs out of water! <vbg> She ran back through the little puddles and then enjoyed repeating the antic trying to improve the distance covered before running out of water again. LOL! I’m thankful that it is a tile floor. My mother refilled the saucer once thinking the plant was very thirsty that day! She had not known just how much water I had been mopping up. Liquorice, of course was delighted with the saucer being refilled.
A doormouse, that blocks open the door into the vestibule, has intrigued her greatly. It is actually a brick (for weight) on end, dressed up to look like an 18 inch high mouse in a granny costume complete with dress, bonnet, ribbons, “glasses” and a basket filled with little flowers. Someone must have spent hours on it. Liquorice just cannot pass it without tugging on its dress or sleeves, not destructively but with innocent curiosity. Usually she tries to carry the little basket of flowers for granny. And it’s such a rude granny. As granny falls over she always snatches the basket away from little Liquorice. Still, Liquorice thinks, if granny is tired, she will just have to drag granny to a quiet spot to rest. Liquorice does not hold a grudge.
Our puppy adores those noisy plastic shopping bags. She has made off with two from my office, emptying their contents on the floor. The spare bags from a container by the back door have been spread around the room several times. Touching or carrying a grocery bag instantly grabs her attention.
Hosing the garden early morning or evening inevitably yields a very soggy pup, one in total rapture, but also totally wet! <vbg>
In the brief time she has been with us Liquorice has turned our house into a home once more with her little antics, the odd positions she sleeps in and her happy smiles. Every moment for Liquorice is a delight! My father seems years younger and my mother seems much happier too, at least if stays out of the billiard room! <vbg> The way they both laugh as Liquorice plays with her “wiggly giggly” ball, pouncing on it cat-like. Or at the fun Liquorice can have with a simple piece of paper! I hope Liquorice likes children. She now has three in her new home, aged from 46 to 82!
It is marvelous to have a Newf again.
Puppy training has already begun.
She acknowledges the odd “No” that I may have to “growl” at her (I can be a big meanie at times <g>) and the cheerful “Good girl” I say when she stops after my growl. To Liquorice the words would be meaningless but the “No” distracts her and the “Good girl” is her reward AND doesn’t she put on a big smiley-face! It will not be long before Liquorice will have it all worked out.
I, on the other hand, have been taught to “come”, “lay down”, “clean that up” and “play”. <vbg> My “fetch” still needs some work. I will fetch a little treat when she wants a toy or I will bring a toy when she wants a treat. But she graciously accepts what I bring her and allows me a second chance! Liquorice is a typical knowing Newf. <vbg> With every little thing we do or say she rewards us with the most delightful smiley face. Her broad pink tongue, curled up between her needle-like lower canines, the only color to contrast her jet-black form.
Liquorice must believe humans make great companion animals as they are so easy to train.
She does not realize that I have been trained before!
Liquorice is going to spoil us rotten! <vbg>
Arthur Witten
Liquorice – Fetch!