After an absence of some years I am returning “home”, to the Newf List.
Some listers of long standing may remember me, or better, they may have memories of my little darling Liquorice, young master Keaton, and their “oldies”. Sadly, Liquorice and Keaton live on only as wonderful memories. As we all know, the passing of our Newfoundlands is devastating – hearts become filled with grief, and, as we don’t love our lost ones any the less, unknowingly at the time, grief expands our heart, and then as the grief recedes there is room for a new Newf in the heart that aches. There entered young master “Ruggles” into my life – named in memory of Charlie Ruggles, an old time movie actor.
Ruggles is a Landseer boy, now two and a half years old, and like every Newfoundland everywhere, Ruggles is the bestest Newf in the whole wide world! Newfoundlands only come as “bestest” – the superlative beyond “best”!
The last few years have been very difficult being carer for aged parents, then parent; and now only Ruggles. Ruggles and mum shared a special bond.
She never found fault or criticized anything about the little fellow – despite “fault finding” and “criticizing” being her constant pastimes.
Ruggles probably extended her life as in mum’s final months her system would fail and delirium would set in where mum would range over time and space and personalities except for the one constant, Ruggles. Ruggles proved to be her anchor, even at her delirious worst mum’s thoughts were for Ruggles, his wellbeing, that he be cared for and loved while otherwise there was no sense or reason in what she was saying. For mum, Ruggles was a “reality” she could return to, cling to, until she would surprise the doctors and recover.
Her last few weeks were spent at Queen Victoria Gardens, a nursing home, where Ruggles and I visited for hours daily, and they really looked forward to seeing each other. The pain and discomfort mum felt, Ruggles “felt” also, and on many bad nights it was a struggle to get a reluctant Ruggles to leave his “mum’s” room. Ruggles was with her when mum quietly passed away, and he let her pass, quietly. Some considerable time later, when we were leaving, I took Ruggles over to let him have one last look at mum, however Ruggles knew that “his mum” was not laying “there”, that “his mum” was elsewhere, and no longer in pain. His calm acceptance of that fact helped me deal with the sad loss of my mother, and the little fellow has since filled the void as that chapter of our lives ended. Now Ruggles is helping his dad reconnect with life.
Ruggles loves going for his regular walks around the lake at Harrington Park, and meeting people who in turn love meeting an oversized black and white puppy. He attracts attention wherever he goes, and people of all ages there know Ruggles by name or reputation. Ruggles brings smiles and frequently laughter to all who see his most handsome self – and does that boy know how to ham it up for extra attention!
Hope that has not been too much information or too long-winded. I just wish to reintroduce myself and introduce to the list a very special little boy named Ruggles.
Arthur Witten
Ruggles, bringer of smiles.