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PW It's a commitment that has taken the family and their dogs around Canada and the US. for dog trials and charity functions. It also means occasionally making room for about 300 pounds of overnight company in a queen sized bed. There's Bubbles, at 95 pounds. Baby at 115, with puppies Rolly and Scarlett making the difference "We got into the dogs " a family try gel the kids involved," says Shamn Burnett of their two children Melissa, 10 and Danielle, T. brighton Indepefndenl Bubbles is by virtue of genetic fate a Newfoundlander but to the Bumens, nonh of Ctstleton on Jakobi Road, she's family. Although pound for pound Bubbles and three other of Burnett's Newfs are stronger than a horse. "Nobody ever told them they had to be dogs," jokes Larry BumetL The Bur-nous have a registered kennel, but their dogs are an extension of the 'family unit. Their hobby is not only one that links the companionship and loyalty between animal and human, but also one that links that relationship with the community. by BORIS NIKOLOVSKY Hannibal's Tiny Bubbles - just Bubbles for short - has a name that rivals the most distinguished academic in terms of leans that follow her title. The Ito-horsepower-black-barrel-of-mr on-four-paws has letters for being a companion dog, a waler rescue dog and a drafting dog, just Io name a few. Burnetts started making rescued dogs into the rescuers Family makes keeping Newfs a hobby The Burnclls spend many weekends away from home, appearing in parades with Bubbles towing a carriage, known as drafting. The family travels at their own expense appearing for charities, or giving The owner had a stroke in the garage and collapsed. It was cold. Matilda curled up before her uwner and kept him warm before he was found the next day. But all the while recognizing a dog's practical uses Larry stresses that "First and foremost the dog is a pet, The human has to work with the dog as a team! Continued from page 1 pickup waking up to frost on the windows. It means often parading in freezing weather. and doing 6ermmstratiims in foul weather. "The crazy things we do for dogs, " jokes Sharon Larry recalls Matilda, an eight-year-old Newt, who was credited by a doctor of saving its Cobourg owner's life. never lose their puppiness and are natural baby sinus The Bumett's got their rust dog before they were married about 13 years ago when they rescued a mixed breed Newt". Then their mission mmed into rescuing Newfs from bad homes, trying to nurse them back to proper health and then Theirkidsleamhowtogmomandshow altera the dogs. old but As they bring the dogs inside their home, The 1 they dwarf some of the fumiture as they one - head In the back porch. Out there, it's a in any genuine NewGarama with a wrestling Thes black mass that covers a good section of "peep the porch. These guys are bouncy. But pull 51 placing them in suitable homes. rn the Out or those rescues, they grew more ing in and more attached to the breed all the doing while realizing the positive side of dog- human friendship. tugs, " They started to turn the dogs from resumes to rescuers. Win a Male on in N.gMottMtt. mm as had Cushion. Bubbles, right, and Baby, Ian. share the as it might seem tor Larry and Sharon Burnett oh, T0ftt1ttdthi-sRoltt and “Samar , V5134» 4, i . rrvr__"_ IIs: .5411: I “' _ , M & K V"; . _ " ~ IN _ i. " " RN . = "-%& - K, ‘41:?" _ 4 " " Elia),' x tit' AL Wd . I 'ire')srr, = <3 mm r irf, "f " , KW" ' _ ittk '4' f _ =e _ : Jr J, a T, Vr Tm comfortable in the knowledge that Bubbles is the only water rescue dog within 100 miles," says Larry. Newfs are also described as unquestionably loyal, powerful dogs that Continued on page 9 after a while they snooze IO recharge the old batteries. The life of a Human Newf is an envious one - eat, play, sleep, - not necessarily in any order of preference. These are dogs that are described as family spends about "people inside a dog's body." They can road. In the past they pull 58 times their body weight compared C lessons on water rescue seminars, more 's , handling and obedience training. Sharon JI the \\ is also expert at making custom fit ldog- t harnesses. They do it all for their own, and the 3 t . from u dogs', enpymem. . - A On a chilly day, they agree to do a water demonstration. Sharon dons a wet suit and winces getting into the frigid waters. vBublwles, who‘g also bush smart and helped Larry pull four cords of wood out of the forest last year, gets set to go to She First retrieves a lifejacket, brings it back and lets it go into Larry's hand. That's to get her warmed up and let her have some fun. On the second trial. Sharon sits in the boat, Stranded and no motor. "Help dog, help dog," she shouts. Whoosh, away goes Bubbles, swimming out to the boat. She grabs a bumper in the water and slans w pull towards shore. Rescued Newf swle. Although Bubbles has 'webbed feed (her breed is known for helping east coast fishermen to haul nets), "Any dog that can have fun can learn water rescue," says Dvuring'nie warmer months, they can he usually seen training every night at Little to a horse than can do 28. They are good tempered, and one that isn't is usually because the owner has gone bad, says For these guys and for charity, the family spends about 20 weekends on the road. In the past they slept in the back of a _ Continued on page 8