Snuffles

[NinaA]

I feel so awful. I missed all this somehow. Poor Leonard. I can't even imagine your sorrow. So many of us followed you from the beginning. We looked on with joy and amusement as you were smitten by Snuffles the Newfoundland. So many of us remembered when it happened to us. Over the years he won over your mother and we cheered. He won over everyone he met. You two were fated to be together. Your loss is our loss, too, because we have had it happen to us, but you, almost every day, expressed your love for this dog, and we all love you for it. One thing that got to me was that Snuffles and Moonlight are about the same age. I see her struggling sometimes and it reminds me of others with Newfs who are doing the dreaded countdown to "that day". One reason I haven't been on here so much lately is that we have lost our last two Labs in the last few months, and Moonlight, our only dog now, is not doing very well. It's hard to look at the pictures of the young, healthy dogs, and know that now, at a certain age, I have no business tackling a 140 pound dog that neither me nor my husband, nor both of us together can lift if we need to. Last Newf. I hope not. I wish not. And now I see that Snuffles is gone and I grieve with you Leonard, and I grieve for my upcoming loss. Having been through the loss of a special Newf before, I can tell you that you will never get over it, but you will adjust. New Normal. We say it at our house every day now. I can also tell you that you have a huge support family here, and that will help. Talk to us about him. We need to hear it too. Also, I would encourage you to take the plunge again. The pain that you feel now will more than make up for the joy you will receive. You two were quite a pair and we certainly would like to keep hearing about your experiences. Don't leave us.

 

[lmfoltyn]

Oh, so well said!! We adore Snuffles and Leonard and we do feel his pain as many of us have gone through it before and as much as we love our new babies, there is no replacing the loves we have lost. Almost 3 years later the sting is still there for me and my husband after loosing our Dexter...we miss him every day...our wish for Leonard is he will rescue another newf and give him the love that we all know he has for Snuffles. It is with such trepidation that I look and see another rainbow bridge posting...our newfs are never with us long enough...RIP and godspeed Snuffles...we miss you!

 

[Leonard and his bud Snuffles]

WOW! Thanks. I am in a hurry, so no time to respond now, but I wanted you to know I have seen this!

 

[victoria1140]

Doesn't matter how old or young they are it hurts like he'll when you loose one .

even now l still miss Beau and the munchkin

takes time to adjust but Nina might be worth considering if moonlight passes a senior rescue and there are amazing lifting aids nowadays to help you.or even foster a dog .

 

[Leonard and his bud Snuffles]

I feel so awful. I missed all this somehow. Poor Leonard. I can't even imagine your sorrow. So many of us followed you from the beginning. We looked on with joy and amusement as you were smitten by Snuffles the Newfoundland.

Thanks again NinaA. I am pretty much over the sorrow and enjoying the memories. Snuffles' "Aunt Ellen" is a scrap booker and just brought me two books she created over the years a hour ago. It was fun looking through the pictures with smiles instead of tears. Funny, in early 2004 I really had no idea what a Newfoundland was let alone every seeing one. In less than a year later, I was walking a puppy, and June 29, 2006, that then 2 1/4 year old dog became my first ever dog. Never having kids and being a loner type, he brought me LOTS of joy. Having to care after a living creature's daily needs has a lot of satisfaction. He sure helped me meet some fantastic folk in real life as well as online.

Can't say "He won over everyone he met", but if they had no fear of dogs, the person was easily won over. I have some friends who I have known since I was a toddler. The late mother was our housekeeper for like 30+ years. I grew up with some of the kids and we still keep in contact with kids, grandkids and other family members. Much of the family is afraid of dogs, and they never would warm up to Snuffles. I had to laugh I think it was last fall. Snuffles bit/nipped a bike rider I think in the 1st year I had him. Anyway our Vet had a check the chip day. So I took him just for a day out since this was after he blew his ACL and not getting out much. There was a lady at the table in front of us, and Snuffles just sprawled out on the floor right behind this lady. I told the lady to be careful since Snuffles was almost at her heels. She says, I know Snuffles. He is the one that bit me. At least she did not freak.

I am sorry you have or going to loose so many dogs in a short period. That has to really be hard. I know what you mean about getting another big dog. Right now I have decided no new dog. My mother will be 92 in August. Although in reasonable good health, things can happen very quick. Also when she is at the Bridge with Snuffles, I do not really want this house. I sure don't want to have to try to move with any pet let alone a large dog. And if a pet is for life, that is something can not guarantee in my mind right now.

Anyway again thanks for your special post.