Letter from the President

It is difficult to believe it is already June. This year has gone by quickly.

Rescue started the year with three dogs from 2025. We have taken in eight dogs this year, with more waiting to enter rescue. Thankfully, rescue has not been too busy so far, as our expenses have increased and donations have decreased.

Obie has been in rescue for almost a year. He was found as a stray in Howard County, Maryland. His skin was in horrible condition, and he had anxiety issues. He was intact, so we had him neutered. He is being treated by a dermatologist and a veterinary behaviorist. His care is expensive, but he is doing so much better. Please consider donating to support his care.

Sadly, many of the dogs we are taking in have behavioral issues, such as resource guarding or problems stemming from a lack of proper training. We hope everyone looking to adopt a Newf understands that we do our best to work with these dogs and prepare them for adoption. We also hope that, if you are interested in adopting, you will be patient and consider adopting from our rescue. We do more than many rescues to help the dogs that come into our care. Your donations help us provide them with the proper care they need.

Despite the cooler weather, we had a great turnout for our Spring 2026 picnic. Watch for information about the Fall 2026 picnic. We are always in need of volunteers to help with fostering and transportation. We also have other volunteer opportunities available, so if there is an area in which you would be interested in helping, please reach out to us.

Thank you, Paul Katinas, Colonial Newfoundland Club President, for asking me to chair Rescue for the NCA Newfoundland Nationals in 2028 in Tennessee. I am honored to take on this responsibility. I have not attended a Newfoundland National since 2014. I took my rescued Newf, Chance, with me, and he marched in the Rescue Parade. As many know, rescue is very important to me. I spend much of my personal time volunteering for our rescue. It is both rewarding and heartbreaking.

Personally, it has been another challenging year. Fred's melanoma returned in his mouth and was removed, but the mitotic index was very high, which means it will most likely spread or return. He also experienced a setback with his mobility, which may involve neurological damage. He is slowly improving. The edema in his knee continues to be an issue, and the surgeon believes his body may be rejecting the plate from the TPLO. Fortunately, he does not have an infection. The plate can be removed, but because of the cancer, I am not sure I want to put him through another surgery.

Fred turned 10 in February and received a Living Legend Award from the NCA. We celebrated with a small birthday party attended by some of his Newf friends.

Wags,

Donna, Fred, Emrich (Corgi), Edgar (Pyr mix), and Daisy (Maremma)