We picked up Georgie the day before the ice storm last year, so he’s been with us for a year. He was 4 months old and 57 pounds. George had gone out with a family but was returned to the breeder. They said someone in the family was allergic. We brought Memphis up there with us. She approved. Our first adventures with George were walking around the neighbourhood right after the ice storm.

What a strange time. Everything was covered with ice. Large limbs had fallen from many trees. The silver maple next door lost a 20 foot limb while I was out front clearing ice and snow. It missed the hydro wires by a hair. Other areas were not so lucky, and many pockets of Toronto were without power for days.  George didn’t care. He just wanted to explore his new environment and make friends with us.

George is a lovely dog, still full of puppy playfulness, even at 16 months and 140 pounds. He’s not done growing yet, but his growth has slowed right down. People think of Newfs as slow and lazy, and it is true they do get that way (ask Memphis!), but a young male Newf is a handful. Everything is a toy and everyone is a playmate. In the evening he’s usually in play mode until about 9 pm, then he conks out, usually close to one or the other of us.