Carol, a reader, submitted the following:
I highly recommend adopting an older dog. We were fortunate enough to adopt an old Newfoundland about 1 1/2 years ago. She was rescued by the fire department from a storm drain which she had somehow gotten stuck in. They think she was stuck there for several days.
She was taken to the local animal shelter where they had to completely shave her because of all the mats. Afraid that no one would adopt a bald, elderly and very large dog, a worker called my sister to inquire if she knew anyone who would adopt this dog, and my sister called me. I didn’t hesitate to say, “Yes.”
We only had Suzie a year before she had to be put to sleep, but during that year I fell in love with Newfoundlands. Suzie was the sweetest, most gentle and patient dog I have ever had or known.
She spent her days indoors with us, sprawled out so she looked like a big black bear sleeping in our house. At night she went outside to sleep in a giant dog house my husband built for her, with a giant dog pillow for warmth and comfort.
We miss Suzie.
Carol