As soon as we moved into our first house, I knew we could FINALLY get a Newf! We had waited years, dreaming of owning a purebred, show-quality Newfoundland. But with the new house came the expenses of a new back yard, etc., and we just didn't have the extra $2,000 for the dog. My husband told me I could have a Newfoundland as long as it was a puppy & it was free. I said, "No problem. I'll just pray & God will give it to us." I then called all the phone numbers for breeders & rescues that I had stored up over the years, asking each one for a purebred, show-quality female Newfoundland puppy... for free. Some laughed & most were rude, saying I'd NEVER find anyone to GIVE me what I was looking for. Finally down to my last Roladex Card, I dialed the number but was disappointed to learn it was not a Newfy Rescue, after all. The woman on the other end of the phone said she didn't do that anymore, "Why? What do you want?"
I said, "Never mind. I'm sorry. I was looking for a Newf Rescue." "I just breed now. Why? What do you want?"
"Never mind. I'm sorry I called the wrong number."
"WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR???!!!"
I told her what I was looking for and our financial situation.
"You'll NEVER find ANYONE to give you a purebred Newf for FREE!!!"
"I know. That's what EVERYONE has told me. Thank you."
"That's so weird..."
"What?"
"...because I have this puppy..."
"???!!!"
And she proceeded to tell me she had a purebred, female Newf pup that she was about to put down because the vet diagnosed it with a heart murmer. But then he had gone on vacation, and she was waiting for him to get back to euthanize the pup. I said, "If there's any way for us to take the pup home, I would greatly appreciate it!" She said that if the vet didn't return within a week, she would let us have it!
Well, we did pick up the 3-mo.-old purebred female pup whom, she said, would have been a show dog, had it not been for the diagnosis. We promised to spay her. She warned us that she could drop dead at any time. So my husband said, "We'll just have to pray God heals her, then," and named her "Miracle."
Miracle has been a BEAUTIFUL, caring Newfoundland, a definite show stopper in any crowd, excellent with children. She taught my youngest to walk! Our baby would hold onto Miracle's furry rump. Then Miracle would stand up slowly & do s-l-o-w circles in our living room with baby attached. For every step of Miracle's, our baby would take two baby steps -- ADORABLE!!
We've had Miracle's heart checked over the years, every time with the report that it was in excellent health. Miracle lived to be almost 10 1/2 yrs. old, a ripe, old age for a Newf! Today, Thanksgiving Day, we had to put her to sleep because of a tumor.
We are very thankful to God for bringing Miracle into our lives!