Marley is a beautiful 3 year old purebred Newfoundland. She has been spayed, wormed, and is up to date on all her shots. She is on heartworm preventative and flea/tick preventative.
Marley originally had a lot of behavior issues. She had known almost nothing, except being left in an outdoor pen and being ignored or neglected. On the first day, Marley cried all the way home and had to be carried into the house for the first time. She was petrified of vehicles and new surfaces. She was also petrified of her new collar and anything having to do with her change in lifestyle. The best way to describe it is that Marley was in shock. Everything had suddenly changed in her new life. Everything was new to her. She had never had a collar on, not ridden in a vehicle since she was a baby, never been away from her Mother, never had much attention, or anything else.
She originally growled at everybody and everything, including my two dogs and every human that she encountered. Yes, she even growled when she saw the cat from over 50 foot away. We finally figured out that Marley was “resource guarding”. Marley had made up her mind that I was her #1 resource and she didn’t want anything, or anybody close to me.
The non-stop growling was pretty upsetting to me at first, until I learned from club members what she was doing. I will not deny that the first month or so was very long and trying.
Since that time she has grown into a beautiful, well mannered, young lady. She has performed something close to a miracle by turning around to the point that most of the people I know are impressed by her transformation.
At this time I will also tell you that Marley is somewhat of a special needs dog. Marley was born with all 4 legs, but at the tender young age of 10 days old, had her right rear leg amputated.
Marley had an injury to her rear leg, and due to the infection, had to have her leg removed in order to save her. I am sincerely hoping that the lucky family that ends up adopting Marley will not tell her that she is handicapped in anyway. Marley does not know anything different than what she is right now and she does not see herself as being handicapped. For the most part she is your average, everyday dog and does act like it.
That being said, there are a few considerations to keep in mind. Marley will never be a long distance hiker. She will give you everything she has, but does tend to tire more easily than a 4 legged dog would. Marley needs to have water on a smaller, more frequent basis. She should not be allowed to drink as much as she likes at one time because her rocking style gait will make her cough up water. Marley is able to do a full flight of carpeted stairs, but after several trips up and down, she starts to stumble when her back leg gets tired. She also needs to have her crate well padded to prevent pressure sores on her hind leg stump.
Marley still has a tendency to bark when the vacuum sweeper is ran, or the mixer in the kitchen is used. The barking has decreased tremendously since the time she first arrived, but a verbal reminder usually gets her to quit.
She has not had any formal obedience training. She does however learn routines quickly but can be a little willful or stubborn at times. When she decides that it is not something she really wants to do, (like go outside for her last potty break before I go to work at night) she will run the opposite direction and try to avoid that last outside trip before she has to go in the crate for the night. When I walk up to her crate and tell her that we need to go outside, she will come willingly at that point and go outside. At bedtime I just tell the dogs “let’s go night - night” and she willingly runs to the bedroom and gets in her crate. She does not bark while I’m sleeping.
Marley does know her basic obedience commands. She knows how to sit, come, lay down, stay and etc, but will sometimes ignore you until a suitable reward is offered. She also knows words such as “who needs to go outside?” “be nice to the kitty” “kennel up”.
Marley was originally used to doing her bathroom duties anytime or anyplace since she was an outside dog. When I am at home she does not have any accidents at all.
She has had absolutely no accidents in the past couple weeks.
Marley has a few really unique characteristics. When she gets pretty tired she will put her butt on the linoleum and slide it across the floor while runs with the front legs. I think it’s her way of conserving energy. Then when she gets over to the carpet she will get up and run on all 3 legs again.
Marley likes to be close to her humans. She likes to be close most of the time and is typically following me everywhere.
Marley has had one unsuccessful placement in a home with a small child. I feel that the best home for Marley would be a home with a single female adult, a couple, or a couple with older children. We would require that the children be at least 14 years of age or older. From my experience with Marley, she does not take redirection or instructions from smaller children.
Our adoption fee is $300.00. A fenced yard with a minimum height of 4-feet is required for adoption.
If you plan on submitting an application and you are out of our region, once your application is approved we require that you come to our area to meet the dog and foster family. If that goes well you will be able to take your Newfie home with you.
To request an application or contact us with any questions please use the email link in the contact info. below.
To see more Newfoundland rescues or to learn more about our rescue program please use our website link in the contact info. below.
To learn more about the Newfoundland breed click on the Newfoundland Club of America link below.
