match.dog
"HOW I MET MY TRUE LOVE" love stories about real dogs + their humans By Kelly Talbot - Rye, NH
Sailor Blue
Lots of drool, drool everywhere is what we were told. If you get a Newfie you will have drool on your ceilings, we were warned. Though a whole lot of slobber would not deter us from welcoming into our lives our very first Newfoundland. We have always been a Golden Retriever family after having grown up with Luke, after buying our first house and adding Max and finally in welcoming Champ who would grow up along with our three children. We will forever have a soft place in our hearts for Goldens. After losing Champy in the summer of 2019, my husband and I agreed that we were done. Nothing could ever replace Champ, and we did not even want to try. While we would be forever animal lovers, we would not be getting another dog. The next four months were very lonely as I watched the beach sunrise each morning smiling at all the dogs frolicking around and chasing balls into the crashing waves. I felt that feeling that many of us have. The feeling that something was missing from my life. I knew while I could not replace Champ, I missed the love of a dog.
So, the search began. I’d always dreamed of having a Newfoundland. We’ve been a “big dog” family so the 120- to 160-pounds did not make us nervous. We began our search scouring the Newfoundland rescue sites hoping that there may be one in need of a forever home. Our timing was off as we searched and searched. Finally, our dreams were answered; and we connected with a breeder who matched us with a beautiful ball of fluff that we would name Sailor Blue. She was black with a white blaze on her chest in the shape of a heart! Our life has not been the same since. We welcomed our huge puff ball of fur and spice into our lives in August of 2020. Sailor quickly grew from an adorable puppy into a beautiful 120-pound Newfie and is still growing. It is unbelievable that she will turn two this month.
Walking in the town forest each morning is one of our favorite adventures. It’s always a thrilling surprise to see what other dogs may be rounding the next tree. Sailor tries her best going up to engage each and every dog whether they are exceedingly small or exceptionally large. She has, thankfully, learned over time to determine at their greeting if they are up to play or if they simply want to continue on their way with a sniff and a wag. While food was most certainly a motivator for our past pups, for Sailor it was not. For Sailor FUN was the motivator. While most puppies would dive into their overflowing toybox to find the loudest squeaking toy, Sailor preferred to grab the nearest shoe in the entryway as she knew a chase would ensue. Like a child she learned over time, and now her favorite pastime is her squeaking toys. Be careful what you wish for! Favorite memories of her puppyhood include digging holes large enough to climb into at the beach, wrestling with her best friend (a black Russian Terrier), gulping down a whole mackerel as her favorite snack and dragging the hose over to her pool while simultaneously barking to let the whole neighborhood know that she was ready for the pool party to begin.
It’s been amazing to watch Sailor grow up over these past 2 years. Growing larger by the week. And to be honest, we’ve never had to clean our ceiling! Needless to say, that gap in my heart is now overflowing with the love from our little bear. Sailor has not only warmed our hearts, but she has warmed the heart of her big brother, Henry our Ragdoll. Henry was not too sure what to think that first day when Sailor arrived with her massive personality. Since then, they have been inseparable.
P.S. Lesson learned…never say never. There is always more room in the heart for the unconditional love of a dog. 14 seacoastbarkmagazine.com
