ben brantley’s blog

That’s Zamba to you.

Several months ago we began our search for a Newfoundland (a.k.a. “newfie” or “newf”) puppy. Several breeders, stillborn litters, and heart murmurs later, we found our Zamba:

She’s been with us at home for six days now, having spent a nice, long 11 weeks with her litter before making her way up to Nederland from the Colorado plains. Needless to say, this must be what having a kid feels like: short bursts of sleep interrupted by whining and carting puppy up to try to use the bathroom in the frigid night air. (Okay, it wasn’t frigid.) Howling and yowling when the “baby” is separated from the family for more than 60 seconds in her crate. Peeing and pooping on the hardwood floor. A trip to the vet every other day.

It’s been fun!

As you can tell, Zamba is a thirsty dog. She drinks constantly. She also prefers to stay wet, because it is “hot” here. While she’s at it (wet), she might as well roll in the mud, too. Zamba weighs about 30 pounds and will grow anywhere from 2 to 5 more pounds each week between now and probably November. She does plenty of eating to go along with that drinking.

Zamba does a good job of following her Pack around, including Chaco. (He, on the other hand, is not quite sure what he thinks just yet. You can pretty much tell there is a mixture of interest and disdain in Aussie brain when he keeps an eye on her around the house. At the river, he is, however, all business — solely sticks, roots, and stones for him.)

Today I took Zamba to the Miners’ Day parade in town. This was a fantastic chance to give her exposure to all manner of people, sights, and sounds. We saw old people, young people, big people, little people, crying babies, fire engines and sirens, bicycles, skateboards, little yapping dogs, big dogs, puppies, and even a half-eaten chocolate chip cookie someone left on the trail. It took about two hours to wander down First Street, to the lake, and back, but it was worth it!