One day, we were in North Vancouver visiting Ken's Mum. We were just
                    about to leave when I saw the ad for "Pets Unlimited." Among the list of pets
                    needing adoption, there was a Newfoundland dog listed. I couldn't wait! I
                    started dialing, but couldn't get through. So, on the way home, we stopped at
                    phone booths along the way. I finally got through right at a busy intersection &
                    could barely hear the lady! Looking back, I guess it seems kind of silly not to
                    wait until we got home. But, I thought that possibly this dog would be in the
                    Vancouver area & we didn't want to wait one extra minute!

                    I was told to call the next day for details on the dog which the woman said was
                    still available. I then learned that Henry had been looking for a home for two
                    years! I still can't understand why we never heard about him sooner! He was
                    on the Sechelt Penninsula, so we had to wait until the following weekend to
                    come and see him. This entailed a trip by ferry & could be combined with a
                    visit to my parents who lived near Gibsons. Our sons were small, so of course
                    we had to be sure that Henry would like them. There was no doubt in our
                    minds. We were on our way to pick up our dog!
 
 

                    The day finally arrived! We left really early so we would make the ferry in
                    plenty of time! All we knew about our new dog, was his name, that he was a
                    purebred Newfoundland, neutered male & about 5 yrs. We wished he was
                    younger as we hoped to have him a long time. We believed that the lifespan
                    was about 8 yrs.

                    When we arrived, Henry got up to greet us, tail wagging! He was let off his
                    chain & went straight to his food dish while the boys pet him. He was not
                    aggressive & enjoyed the attention. The people were very nice & had a huge
                    Great Pyrenees which was not tied up. The property was fenced.

                    After the usual questions on both sides, I was handed Henry's health record.
                    The couple exchanged worried looks. So, I thought I should look at it carefully.
                    I noticed Henry's birthdate was Dec 6, 1980. I pointed out that this would
                    make him 7 1/2 yrs! They said, "Yes, we were afraid that you wouldn't come
                    to see him if you knew his actual age." They asked if we were angry. Well, of
                    course not! We wanted Henry regardless of his age.

                    He was healthy & nice tempered. He had been in several foster homes over the
                    past two years. Henry was born on Galiano Island. His breeder is Nancy
                    Quist. I was told that his registered name is Henry 1st. The couple who had
                    Henry since a puppy had a marriage breakup. The woman, Katrina kept him.

                    It seems that Henry was lonely & started to wander to the neighbours while she
                    was at work. Eventually he just disappeared. Apparently, there were ads &
                    posters put up & everyone in the area was on the lookout for him. Six months
                    later, he was found 60 miles away! He seemed to be living on his own, right out
                    in the middle of the forest! Since then, he remained in foster care. He
                    apparently was found in good condition other than his matted coat.

                    I wondered why none of the foster homes had wanted to keep him. I was told
                    that he would go through any fence made. If we took him, we were to agree to
                    keep him tied. This was really odd, as the adoption contract clearly states that
                    the dog must never be tied. Well, we thought we would deal with that later, as
                    the contract was to be sent to the head of the rescue group.

                    Henry eagerly jumped into the back of our truck. We had a canopy on it. He
                    promptly pushed the blankets out of the way & lay down, ready for his ride.
 
 

                    After picking up Henry, we could hardly wait to get to know him! We drove
                    straight to my parents' place. Well, it was love at first sight for all! After our
                    visit, we drove to the ferry & drove the three hours home. I don't remember
                    how many stops we made to walk Henry.

                    Once home, we reluctantly put Henry on his chain. Our yard was fully fenced,
                    but I had promised. We thought we should get him settled in before letting him
                    loose. We brought him into the house for the night. He was obviously not house
                    broken! In fact, he liked to come in the house for his pats, but made it clear that
                    he was an outdoor dog!

                    The next morning, I decided to take him with me to meet the animals. After he
                    looked like he wanted to eat the cats, I put him on a leash. We just walked
                    around the corner of the house, when, he took off! I was airborn! The leash
                    pulled out of my hands, & before I could catch up, Henry had the chicken wire
                    ripped open & he was dashing through the fence into the trees with a chicken! I
                    tried calling him. Was he deaf?

                    As I was climbing over the fence & getting scratched by blackberry bushes, he
                    was back through the fence & had another of my hens! This was quite
                    upsetting. These chickens were all elderly pets & all had names! So I ran &
                    called for Ken to help as I tried to protect the remaining chickens. Henry took
                    off through the bush. I climbed over the fence again & Henry paid no attention
                    as I called him. I found my two poor hens laid neatly together under a tree.
                    They probably died of heart attacks. It looked as if they were to be a future
                    meal. I caught up to Henry & brought him back & put him on his chain while
                    we made repairs to the fence & chicken coop. Henry obviously didn't
                    understand that he had done anything wrong.

                    I called the rescue group regarding the contract which I was about to send
                    along with a donation. I mentioned that I was told to have Henry tied up, but
                    that the contract said that dogs must not be tied. The lady said that Henry was
                    the exception to the rule & to cross that part out. She asked, "you haven't let
                    him loose, have you?" Henry has been looking for a home for two years
                    because he was not happy anywhere.

                    Well, we really believed that Henry should not have to be on a chain. We made
                    him a nice slider, so that he had lots of freedom, while making our fences
                    stronger. They were never strong enough! Henry has always been a cheerful
                    dog & very energetic. Only his greying muzzle hinted at his age. We thought
                    that maybe he needed a friend for company. Though he had made friends with
                    Buddy Boy, our old pony, we tried to find another "second hand" Newf. We
                    never have recieved a call about one. Gradually, Henry learned to come to his
                    name, to sit & lie down, etc. He even stopped trying to eat all my critters. He
                    had his food available at all times & was loved. He even stayed in the yard,
                    though he was put on his slider at night. He was part of our family & he knew
                    it.
 
 

                    Well, before long, it seemed that Henry was the center of our lives. We took
                    him to the lake where he liked us to throw sticks into the water for him to swim
                    out & fetch. He pulled the boys up & down the snow covered road on a sled
                    or plastic bag.

                    I had a pony cart & none of the Miniature Horses were trained. So, one day, I
                    hitched Henry to it. A neighbour child came over, so the three boys sat in the
                    cart while I led Henry up the road. As a precaution, I had two leads. One to his
                    collar & the other to a choke chain. Well, Henry thought this was great fun!

                    We started a trot. But then he started going faster & faster! We went over the
                    crest of the little hill & I was trying to stop him! I couldn't let go & leave the
                    children, but my legs have never gone so fast! I turned him down a gravel road
                    hoping it would slow him down! The boys were laughing gleefully! I was in a
                    panic! Finally, we slowed down & stopped! I was gasping for breath &
                    couldn't talk! Henry & the kids looked at me like, what was my problem?

                    I just couldn't believe this was an eight year old Newf! So, I got hold of the
                    breeder & also his original owner to ask his Birthdate. From both I was told his
                    Birthday of Dec 6,1980. Over the years, Henry has never lost his cheerful
                    exhuberance. Gradually, he started to tire more easily after a game of fetch, &
                    we no longer let him pull the sled. Never again did he pull that cart! Henry has
                    never suffered signs of hip dysplasia, or any other serious health problems.
                    Henry was a rescue, though different from most. Henry was much loved & well
                    treated. He was just lonely. The rescue group said that he had finally found his
                    family.
 
 

                    Henry started to get a little stiff as well as Buddy Boy & myself. It seemed the
                    damp climate was doing us no good. We sold the house & moved to Lone
                    Butte. The climate is dry here, though more extreme. We fenced our ten acres
                    & "Henry proofed" about two acres around the house. The boys took turns
                    walking Henry up & down the road wearing a red shirt so the neighbours
                    would get to know him & not mistake him for a bear, in case he left the yard.
                    He never has.

                    We noticed that Henry & Buddy were no longer stiff! Henry still played &
                    fetched & they both seemed young again! We knew that as he was nearing age
                    12, we couldn't expect to have him too many more years. We started to hunt
                    for a puppy for Henry to teach. Our first requirement was that she was to be
                    from a bloodline of excellent temperament & longevity. It was an eight hour
                    drive each way. We were able to see parents, Grandparents, & many elderly
                    Newfs.

                    We brought Katie home. Well, Henry became a puppy again! He played with
                    her & taught her to relieve herself in the trees & not on the lawn, He taught her
                    to fetch. Once she had learned, Henry would no longer retrieve for us. Then,
                    we brought Rastus home. They are great buddies. There has never been a
                    squabble between the three of them. Some say, that when we brought Henry
                    home, he just started his life over.

                    As Henry nears his 17th Birthday, I reflect on what a joy he has been to our
                    lives. He has given us so much. He is now blind in one eye & has a heart
                    murmur. He has Canine Geriatric Vestibular Disease & suffers bouts of vertigo.
                    But, he is our same dear Henry, cheerful & demanding love & attention. And
                    yes, he does get it! :o)
 
 

                    We lost our beloved Henry on July 21, 1998.

                    Thank you for letting me share Henry's story. I'm sorry it is so long. There is so
                    much I have left out. Have a great day!

                    Joanne Seabloom

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