…but we don’t have a cat. So, we will have to make do with Hikari, our Newfoundland. Both Hikari and Kai were rescued. Our dogs came through That Newfoundland Place—a wonderful organization devoted to rescuing Newfoundland dogs. Click on the image to make her bigger.
Category Archives: Our Newfoundlands
Newfoundlands and Snow
Hikari on the Kennebec
We had a taste of summer this week. The air was filled with heat, light, and fragrance. We took Hikari, our Newfoundland dog, down to the Kennebec river. Click on the image for a larger view.
Our Newfoundland Hikari
Hikari is our Newfoundland dog. She is only a 100lb/45kg—small for a Newfie. Her name Hikari (光) is the Japanese word for sunshine or light.
We are strict with our animals. Absolutely no dogs on the furniture. Except for the couch. And the bed. She has discovered that if she looks us in the eye and tilts her head to one side, she is more likely to get a treat. Newfoundlands are easily trained, almost as easy as their owners.
Newfies make great companions. Hikari is our second dog. Kai was our first. We rescued both of them. Newfies are not without their downside—drool on the kitchen ceiling is hard to clean and, if we could learn to spin their fur, we could have a second income. Click on the image for a larger view.
A Man’s Best Friend
Two years ago today, I lost my best friend Kai. He was a beautiful Newfoundland dog, whose life ended at the age of seven to osteosarcoma—bone cancer.
My wife Naomi and I rescued Kai when he was three. Newfoundlands are known to be gentle giants, and Kai was no exception. To see a 150lb dog hide behind your legs in hopes of protection from having a shower from his mistress wielding a garden hose was priceless.
But Kai was my dog. It is odd the bond you can have with an animal. Naomi noticed the pride he would show in public when I walked him. When I was working, he would lay down at my feet or put his head in my lap. He would also join me on the couch when I was taking a nap—not an easy thing to do when the couch was just big enough for me, never mind the huge Newfoundland trying to climb over my body. We were inseparable for the four years he was with me.
I miss my friend.
