Opalbay Newfoundlands

10/12/2023

When your big kid asks if you want to go for a spontaneous Christmas-lights-and-custard run, you do not have to think about it for very long.

When you’re big kid says, “I’m going to stay an extra day longer this weekend if that’s okay,” you do not have to think about it for very long.

When your big kid asks, “Can you save some of the Christmas decorating to do when I’m home?” you do not have to think about it for very long.

When your big kid wonders if you want to stay up and watch a movie with them, you do not have to think about it for very long.

When your big kid texts and asks, “Can I call and talk to you for a minute?” you do not have to think about it for very long.

When your big kid messages that they have good news to tell when they get home and wonders if you’ll still be up, you do not have to think about it for very long.

When your big kid says, “Can I get your opinion on something?” you do not have to think about it for very long.

When your big kid wants the two of you to bake something together, you do not have to think about it for very long.

When your big kid asks if you can make their favorite meal the next time they’re home, you do not have to think about it for very long.

When you are the parent of a big kid, you do not have to think about any of this for very long, if you even have to think about it at all, because you’re already thinking about your big kid a lot of the time.

And because the years with them may be short, but your love for them is longer still.

Love this from Guilty Chocoholic Mama - Elizabeth Spencer

10/12/2023

My Elwood took Best of Breed and Best Puppy in Group at the Dog of the Year Champ Show last night , professional photos yet to come.

03/12/2023

My Sydney. I adore her.

03/12/2023

The babies went out got their 2nd weekend of shows. Our first shows it was my gorgeous girl Sydney ,Opalbay Shakem Up Sydney that was best baby puppy. But this week my man Jake , Opalbay Shake ur Tailfeather that took the 1st place in both shows and did and awesome job. Jake is being shown by Annette Hary and he has moved in with the family . We took a few pics. Not great ones sorry Hot night and tired babies Pic 1 Jake

03/12/2023

Elwood returned to the show ring for his first show since June, a huge boy now, at only 10 months He was Best Puppy in Group for Show 1 last night , he was so good on such a hot night! . A great start to what I think will be a big future for this young lad, And a few quick photos,Opalbay On A Mission

24/11/2023

For those that might be interested, I’m putting in an order for the Carbon Fibre hair Combs I order from the USA. These work out to be around $20 and each including postage to Australia.
I put an order or 5 for myself every 5 years or so as these combs last and are amazing to use. I tend to give them away to you guys..so need more lol Those that have used these know how easy these are to get through newfy coats.

Let me know Asap if you are wanting me to add any to the order for you. I’ll be ordering mid next week .

B.W. Boyd 10 inch Carbon Comb 298 Heat resistant Static free Glides through the hair effortlessly Strong & lightweight. Unique feature on the BW 298 has very fine teeth for 2 inches on one end of comb, and medium spaced teeth on 3/4 quarters of comb. Each tooth is 1 1/4 inches deep.

Full Length: 10 inch

11/11/2023

Sable Chief was the Newfoundland dog that served as the mascot of the 2nd Battalion Royal Newfoundland Regiment during World War I.

He was first presented by the Canadians to the Regiment’s 2nd Battalion in April of 1917.

Chief became well known for the immense size and dignified demeanor. He was known to march alongside the troops, keeping in step throughout, and it has been said that he would stand at attention during the playing of the Newfoundland National Anthem. Chief was regarded among the troops as a general morale-booster, and he often visited wounded soldiers.

In 1918, Sable Chief was struck and killed by an automobile, and his remains were given to a taxidermist for posterity purposes. Significant restoration work has been completed on his pelt throughout the years; and to prevent further deterioration, Chief was placed inside a protective glass case for continued protection.

Sable Chief is currently on rotating display at The Rooms in St. John's.


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Through your generosity, the Legion helps all of Canada’s Veterans and their families.

If you can, donate today: https://legion.ca/donations

09/11/2023

A red belly black came for a vist this afternoon. Creeping me
Out . I spotted him in the ground garden. I hate these guys coming anywhere near people and animal areas. Thankyou Lockyer valley Snake catchers for relocating this one

13/10/2023

09/10/2023

07/10/2023

Exercising a large breed puppy like a Newfoundland requires special attention and care due to their rapid growth and potential joint issues. While exercise is essential for their physical and mental well-being, it's crucial to strike a balance to avoid overexertion and potential harm to their developing bones and joints. Here are some safe exercise guidelines for a large breed puppy like a Newfoundland:
Short and frequent sessions: Puppies have lots of energy, but their bodies are still growing and developing. It's best to provide multiple short exercise sessions throughout the day rather than one long, intense session. Aim for about 5 minutes of exercise per month of age (e.g., 10 minutes for a 2-month-old puppy, 15 minutes for a 3-month-old puppy, and so on).

01/10/2023

READY FOR YOUR NEW PUP?
I will bark and I will whine
Just give me a little time
I came from a group and now are one
So please include me in your family fun
I will poo and I will wee
It will get better just wait and see
So give me love, hugs and cuddles
And forgive me for the occasional puddles
The more you teach me the more I know
And through patience and love, our bond will grow
The love you give I'll return 10-fold
And stay by your side as we grow old
I will chew anything left on the floor
And watch out for me when you open the door
I am not a toy, a car, or a phone
I might play up when left alone
SO if you are worried about hair on the couch and p*e on the floors
You might have to rethink if I should be yours

01/10/2023

Puppy Socialisation Checklist

A good article to remember some of the exposures we should allow for our pups.
I find that local markets are a wonderful positive way to socialise pups, go early , when it’s not too hot, go calmly and slowly, let the pup meet people , sniff and explore. Take cool water and remember those baby legs will need lots of rests.

Socialisation is one of the most important roles of a new puppy owner. Puppies’ brains develop considerably from 6 weeks-16 weeks of age. During this time, the puppy learns a lot about their world. It is a unique window of time that will impact the puppy for life. Socialisation is the process by which your puppy is exposed to as many facets of life as possible.

Puppies that are well socialised are more secure adults, and more adaptable adults. If nothing else is done, the most important thing a puppy owner can do is expose the puppy to as many things as possible. To be beneficial, these exposures must be positive.

Puppies should be exposed, in a positive or neutral way, to as many things as possible. Negative experiences that occur during the socialisation window can affect a puppy for life. Some recent research suggests that puppies need to be exposed to things several times over the socialisation period.

Puppy Socialisation Checklist

A special thanks to the folk on the DogzOnline Forums for their collaborative efforts in establishing this list.

Weird things
Big plastic objects
Plastic bags
Balloons
Umbrellas
Mirrors
Big balls
Thrown things
Shopping trolleys
Prams
Fast movement
Kids toys
Wind socks
Brooms
Vaccuum cleaner
The wind
The wind blowing bushes/trees
Flags
Balls and frisbees
Tents
Flashlights

Travelling
Escalators
Lifts
The car

Other animals
Puppy school
Big dog
Little dog
Shaggy dog
Smooth dog
Goats
Cows
Sheep
Alpacas
Chickens
Horses
Cats
Bull breed dogs
Rabbits
Birds

Different Types of People
Men
Women
Boys
Girls
Shuffling people
Slouched people
People with glasses
People on crutches
People with walking sticks
People with walking frames
People walking strangely
Babies
Parties
People on roller blades
Wheelchairs
Fat people
Thin people
Tall people
Short people
People in dress ups (masks, costumes, big hats, etc)
People in big coats
People with beards
People with sunglasses
People of all races
Bald people
People exercising (running, jogging, star jumps, etc)
Children and babies
Dancing people
Busking people

Different surfaces
Bean bags
Tiles
Floorboards
Bubble wrap
Different walking surfaces
Wobbly bridges
Heights
Agility Equipment
Gravel

Water stuff
Sprinklers
Hoses
Being wet by the hose
Water
The beach
The bath
Swimming pools
People swimming
Water feature
Rain

Places
Skate park
Bus depot
Train station
Shopping malls
Loud fun places ( e.g.show, fair)
Football game
Supermarket
School
Coffee shop
Building site
Bunnings
Wreckers yard
The gym
Tennis game
Office
Place with crowds
Main roads

Moving and making noise
Lawn mower
Bikes
Vaccum cleaner
Skate boards
Scooters
Bus
Train
Tractors
Whipper snippers
Ride on lawn mowers
Bob cats
Cars
Trucks
Motorbikes
Sirens
Hair dryer
Suit cases
Go Karts
Wheelie Bins
Remote control cars
Ceiling fans
‘Life sized’ pictures of people
Glass sliding doors
Boats

Noises
Fireworks
Storms (e.g. thunder and lightning)
Parties
Music
Cheering
School bell
Sound effects CD
Saucepans
Radio
Lawn mower
Loud noises

Leads
Opening mouth
Cutting nails
Grooming (as appropriate to the breed)
Clippers
Being tethered
Having ears cleaned
Having eyes cleared
Having every part of the body handled
Being picked up
Teeth cleaning
Being bandaged
Elizabethan collar
The vet

01/10/2023

We have had a busy week at Opalbay with babies heading to their wonderful new homes.
Greg and Bec have their beautiful little lady DiDi, our little guy, who’s not so little anymore Norman has gone to his wonderful family Michael, Skye and Mason, Im so pleased to say Annette is in love with her big boy and he’s settling into his new home with 2 other newfs, this is Bruno and will be shown in partnership with myself, I can’t wait to see what these babies will achieve! And Rupert the big grey bear has headed home with his family today , Leigh and Rene. Martha heads off on a road trip tomorrow to meet her new parents in NSW. And 3 roughians are here with me, My show girl, Sydney, show brother Jake and little sister Eleanor .

Congratulations to all these amazing families , im sure your lives will change for the better with your new babies!

30/09/2023

TEETHING

Newf puppies, like all puppies, will chew. Puppies will also nip, and while puppy teeth may be small, they still can hurt, and still can do damage to flesh and furniture alike. Since you never want your dog’s teeth to impact human flesh, and preferably not to impact your furniture or your house, addressing teething issues is of paramount importance.

Puppies chew and nip for multiple reasons. As with human babies, they will feel discomfort as their teeth grow in, and to relieve this discomfort, puppies will chew. They also chew because dogs’ mouths are one of the main tools they use to explore the world and to interact with the members of their pack – and in this case, that means you. Chewing and nipping, then, are an essential and unavoidable part of the growing up and socialization process for puppies; our task, as dog owners, is to manage this process so the puppy learns what it needs to learn and that our furniture, and fingers, survive unscathed.

Early socialization – think “puppy class” – is an important part of educating dogs as to the proper way to use their mouths. Be ready, also, to intervene when your puppy engages in inappropriate chewing, and that means promptly redirecting your dog to something he or she is allowed to chew. And that means, of course, having plenty of puppy-appropriate chew toys available.

Keep in mind that it is a normal puppy behavior, and as such should not be punished or suppressed so much as properly directed.

Around the age of 12 weeks, puppies start to lose their baby teeth. During this point in time, their gums may likely become red, swollen, and irritated. You will notice these little pooches will find ways to relieve their teething discomfort by chewing on absolutely everything in sight. If you do not look for a remedy, your furniture, shoes, and even your walls might take the brunt!

The key to helping your pooch get through this chewing phase is to give proper soothing distractions for his teething problem.

1. Chew Toys. Giving your pet one or two chew toys at a time will help a lot in minimizing the teething discomfort he’s going through. However, do not give your pup too many toys at once as it can train him to chew on whatever is at hand. Look for toys in pet supply stores that are made of hard rubber material and can be filled with dog biscuit or peanut butter. This way, your pup can be encouraged to focus on the toy instead of the other items around the house.

2. Cold Chews. You may also opt for commercial toys for dogs that are designed to be frozen. The coldness can greatly help in soothing the aching gums and teeth of your pup. You can make your homemade frozen chew by simply twisting a wet rag into a stick-like shape and then freezing it.

3. Ice Cubes. Fortunately, some pooches have no problem chewing on ice cubes to relieve their teething discomfort. Now, if your pet does not appear to be interested in chewing on plain ice cubes, try freezing beef or chicken broth as a substitute. You may also try dropping a few ice cubes in his food bowl when he is experiencing intense chewing needs.

4. Herbs. Herbal plants such as chamomile and lavender have soothing properties that could significantly help calm your pup during tough teething periods. Make a tea out from these herbs. Let it cool and then pour some over your pet’s dry food. You may also try injecting the tea into his mouth using a syringe. Freezing the tea into ice cubes and then allowing your pooch to chew on them is also recommended.

Tips

When your furry little pet is teething, it is advisable that you do your part to lessen the tempting chewing opportunities at home. Keep your floor picked up and make sure that your shoes are set aside in the bedroom or closet. Move those things set in your pup’s eye level to higher ground. As much as possible, confine your pooch to a puppy-proofed room in the house when you need to leave the house for a long period of time. Don’t worry and be patient, your dog will eventually grow out of this crazy phase!

24/09/2023

Martha , love love love 💗

24/09/2023

Sterling ❤️

24/09/2023

Mum time and a beautiful sunset growing in the sky

24/09/2023

Norman. Such an awesome baby. My 300g fighter! Caught up to everyone and is the sweetest man ! We had losts of cuddles today.

24/09/2023

The beautiful Martha , light pink collar

24/09/2023

Sterling , green collar

24/09/2023

Fav photo today ,

24/09/2023

Little Norman is spending his Sunday with a spot of bird watching

24/09/2023

Sunday update … our beautiful Delilah, (now Didi) has gone home with her wonderful family and will be a little sister to their gorgeous Opalbay boy Dudley. She has the best life in front of her!
Congratulations Bec and Greg on you new bundle of joy! 💜

18/09/2023

18/09/2023

Delilah nearest the fence, is fascinated with the cows, she is such a confident brave girl, always looking to learn. 💜

18/09/2023

Bark at mum cause she’s silly

18/09/2023

Mr Green needing sunglasses 🕶️

18/09/2023

Pool noodle and games with mum

18/09/2023

Just borrowing the hose ..

10/09/2023

03/09/2023

Time for 6 weeks old puppy pics. First adventure on the grass! And finally their batteries ram out and they all fell asleep 💜