“Fall in love with a dog, and in many ways you enter a new orbit, a universe that features not just new colors but new rituals, new rules, a new way of experiencing attachment.” -Caroline Knapp
Shortly after my youngest child left for college, I found Annie. The silence of the empty nest was deafening, and an undeniable urge to nurture took over.
Annie was one of forty-four Newfoundland dogs rescued from a cruel commercial breeding operation after the owner’s passing. These dogs were the forgotten remnants of an unethical business that had thrived for years, churning out countless puppies with no regard for their health. Heart problems, eye diseases, skin issues, joint problems, and cancer were rampant within their bloodlines, carelessly passed down through generations.
The breeding dogs suffered unimaginable neglect. They were forced to live in squalor, denied veterinary care, and irregularly fed with inadequate fresh water. Human kindness was a foreign concept to them.
Annie was the epitome of a dog in desperate need of nurturing. She was withdrawn, terrified, and her spirit seemed utterly broken. We took each day as it came, with me approaching her slowly, quietly, and gently. I allowed her all the time she needed to learn to trust and to grasp the potential of our relationship. When she was ready, our bond began to blossom, growing into an unbreakable connection.
Alt text: Annie the Newfoundland dog, a large black and white breed, sits calmly on a porch with a gentle and slightly sad expression, showcasing her rescued past.
I was determined to compensate for her lost years and provide her with the best life imaginable. I also felt a strong desire to introduce her to the world. She had been hidden away and neglected for far too long. Social media became my chosen platform, a safe space to share her story and introduce her without overwhelming her with direct human interaction.
The outpouring of love Annie received online was both humbling and overwhelming. I captured the many beautiful facets of her personality through photographs, and our Instagram account quickly gained traction. By the time she passed away, we had amassed 3500 followers, all sending messages of love and unwavering support.
Through this online community, we forged countless friendships. Though most were virtual, we stayed connected, sharing life’s moments, exchanging stories, offering advice, and united by our shared love for our dogs.
I also began to write about Annie’s journey, which marked the start of this blog. Theresa, with her black rescue dog Sammy, was among our earliest followers. She resonated deeply with Annie’s story, “Annie’s Second Chance,” and followed each new post, often leaving thoughtful comments. She fell in love with Annie from afar, celebrating her progress and milestones. When Annie passed, Theresa reached out immediately, and we shared our grief across the miles.
Last week, a card arrived from Theresa, and I paused before opening it, knowing it contained her heartfelt condolences for Annie. Inside, I found a gesture that overwhelmed me with emotion. She had made a donation of a dog bed and cover to the shelter where she had rescued Sammy, all in Annie’s honor.
Alt text: A close-up of a sympathy card and a donation acknowledgment from a dog shelter, honoring Annie the Newfoundland with a dog bed donation in her name.
Annie had never known the comfort of her own bed before joining our family. When we set up her crate with a soft, plush liner, she immediately snuggled in and let out a sigh of contentment. Her crate became her sanctuary, her “turtle shell,” as we called it. When anxious, she would retreat inside. When feeling confident, her chin and paws would peek out. Waking up, she’d rub her face into the bumper. In moments of pure joy, she’d push her hind feet against the back wall and roll around in the softness. Her bed within her crate was the only place she ever felt secure enough to expose her belly. It was in this bed that she peacefully took her final sleep, and we ensured her bed accompanied her on her final journey.
Alt text: Maisie, a brown Newfoundland puppy, gently interacts with Annie, the older black and white Newfoundland, highlighting their developing bond and companionship.
Alt text: Annie the Newfoundland dog gazes directly at the camera with a soft, loving look in her eyes, showcasing her gentle and expressive nature.
How could Theresa have known that a bed donation was the most meaningful tribute to Annie? Despite never meeting in person, she truly knew Annie and cared deeply for her. Could Annie have somehow sent Theresa a message, guiding her intuition? Did Annie communicate her belief that every dog deserves the comfort of their own bed?
I ask this because I believe Annie sent me a message too. The day after she died, grief consumed me. Sleep evaded me the night before. Bedtime had always been a cherished ritual, beginning with Maisie and Winn going upstairs first, as Annie would only follow once they were already in our bedroom. Annie would ascend at her own pace, and I would follow, turning off the lights before we walked together down the hall to our room. Annie would settle into her Big Barker bed, where I would administer her eye drops and shower her face with kisses.
That first night without her was agonizing, and the following day was shrouded in sadness. Kind friends visited in the evening, trying their best to distract me from my sorrow. I was drifting through the conversation when suddenly, Annie’s scent enveloped me, close to my face. Her medication gave her breath a distinctive sweetness, and it was undeniably overpowering. Startled, I tried to remain composed. I glanced around the room, and within minutes, it happened again, though less intensely, and a final time, even fainter, like a soft brush against me. I interpreted it as Annie’s way of reassuring me she was okay and still with me. This would forever be her home, the place where she found love and happiness.
I understand it sounds unbelievable, and I cannot offer concrete proof, yet I cannot dismiss what I experienced. The day after Annie’s passing, a woman named Ann contacted me, offering to create a sympathy card for Annie. Ann and I were strangers, and normally, I would decline such offers. But something compelled me to accept. We exchanged messages, she read Annie’s story on the blog, and selected photos from Facebook. She later told me she had to pause working on the card because she felt like she was receiving “signals” from Annie. The next morning, she changed the card’s layout and swapped some pictures. The finished card was incredibly beautiful, and upon receiving it, I thanked her profusely. Ann then revealed that the last-minute picture additions were images from very special moments Annie and I shared. Ann felt Annie had guided her, indicating these photos were particularly meaningful and needed to be included. Unexplainable, perhaps, but again, I cannot definitively say it didn’t happen.
Alt text: A beautifully crafted sympathy card for Annie, featuring a collage of heartwarming photos of Annie the Newfoundland dog, expressing love and remembrance.
Annie enriched my life in countless ways, connecting me with a wonderful community of people. Her past suffering motivated me to learn about ethical breeding practices. I would never have found Winn and her incredible breeder without first understanding the horrors faced by dogs in unethical breeding operations. Connie and Tracy introduced me to the Newfoundland Club of America, taught me about draft harnesses, and showed me that dogs and chickens could indeed coexist peacefully. Ashley, whom I met through Instagram, introduced me to the North Central Newfoundland Club and encouraged my participation in water and draft tests. Pam and I also connected through Instagram and now support each other at local Rally Trials. So many people offered comfort and support through messages, cards, and gifts after Annie’s passing.
Alt text: Annie the Newfoundland dog stands proudly in a harness, showcasing her participation in draft tests and her active, engaged life after rescue.
Annie was truly exceptional, unlike any dog I had ever known. Her communication was subtle yet profound. It didn’t take long for me to understand her cues and what she was conveying. She was always close by, and even when not physically present, I felt her nearness and knew where she was. I miss her deeply, yet I still sense her presence.
I am eternally grateful that I could share her final, golden years with the world. Thank you to all our friends, near and far, who also fell in love with her.
“No animal I know of can consistently be more of a friend and companion than a dog.” -Stanley Leinwall
P.S. After finalizing this post, I went upstairs to shower. Upon returning, I found Winn had shredded Theresa’s and Ann’s cards all over the floor. I believe she misses Annie just as much as I do.
Alt text: Winn, a brown Newfoundland puppy, playfully peeks out from under a table, hinting at her mischievous side and the playful dynamic within the dog family.
