Forever's Sea Lady Ruffian
Born December 24, 2010
Almost a year after losing both Greg and Rufus, I have opened my heart and our home to this beautiful Newf girl, who comes to us from Mary K. Porod's Forever Newfoundlands in Newport, Vermont. As Rufus' breeder told me when I called for her advice, "I know Greg would be happy to have you walk through life with a Newf at your side." I believe my dearest husband is smiling now. Named for the great filly, Ruffian will be my companion and cherished friend. We plan to enjoy many adventures together, including obedience, water rescue, and draft training.
Ruffian's puppy pictures (Row 1 + Row 2 L.) were taken at thirteen weeks old. She had new professional pictures ( Row 2 C. & R.) taken in December 2011 by J.J. Photos ©, just a few weeks before her first birthday! She is a now abig, beautiful girl!
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Ruffian at Play
Ruffian made the trip from Vermont to New Hampshire and then to her new home in Maine. She is an exuberant, joyful, smart, affectionate little girl. Here she is at play.
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Row 1 L: Ruffian with puppy friend Rosy C: Ruffian with Greg's brother, Kent, at Rockland Harbor R: Ruffian (@11 months) taking over the big bed! Row 2 L. Ruffian and "Mom" on Popham Beach R: Ruffian posing with her "Mom" at her party Row 3 L. Ruffian at Potts Point with our friends, The Fosters C. Ruffian in her wading pool R: Ruffian wading at Potts Point Row 4 L. Ruffian at NCNE Newfie Fun Day C. Ruffian @ 9 months old sporting her pink bandana at Newfie Fun Day R. Ruffian with the Newfoundland piper and canine friends at Newfie Fun Day |
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Ruffian at Work
Ruffian began Obedience Classes and Puppy Socialization Groups. Here she is learning new skills. She has successfully completed Puppy Class, Basic Obedience 101, and the first Canine Good Citizen class. She is now enrolled in Basic 201/Companion Dog Training and in Rally-O class.
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Row 1 L: Ruffian at obedience class C: Ruffian using the agility hoop R: Ruffian learning "Down" Row 2 L: Ruffian practicing recall with Megan R: Ruffian playing with baby Huskie |
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Ruffian & Water Work
Ruffian began her swimming lessons with melody Horne at Doggie Dome Spa in New Durham, NH. Melody proclaimed her a natural!
She swam fearlessly, stood and jumped from the raft, and even floated in Melody's arms! On her second visit, she swam strongly, but needs to work on her retrieve. On her third, she did learn to retrieve the bumper and follow Mom's instructions. In her fourth, she retrieved a life jacket, practiced her retrieve, and learning the beginnings of "Pull." In the past few sessions, she has learned to circle a swimmer, "rescue" two people, and pull the full weight of a floating person. She will work here and at Marches Pond with the NCNE Water Rescue Training Group. In her sessions at the lake, she continued learning to pull various objects and to ride and dive off the rowboat without a life jacket! (At one point she spotted a duck and swam after it halfway across the lake, trying to rescue it, perhaps?) She displayed fearlessness, stamina, enthusiasm, and intelligence: a true water dog!
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