Free Days with George

by Colin Campbell

  My grandfather Seymour Wylde Howes III, receiving a medal for bravery from General Bernard Montgomery for saving Allied soldiers from drowning at Juno Beach in World War II.

  Here I am as a kid at my grandfather’s cottage in Nova Scotia after doing one of the many “free days” activities we loved so much—fishing.

  Visiting my beloved grandfather. He was 91 and I was 42. He passed away a few weeks after this photo was taken.

  (Left to right) George, me and Todd on our way to California. By this point, George refused to remain in the back of the truck and commandeered the passenger seat, leaving me crammed in the tiny middle jump seat.

  Still on our way to California, George enjoys running around in a field somewhere around Nevada. He’s happy because he’s finally got the front passenger seat.

  George and me a few weeks after arriving in Los Angeles. Here we are on Hollywood Boulevard, star-gazing on the Walk of Fame.

  George running free for the first time at Huntington Beach in 2009.

  Playing ball with George—one of his favorite things to do.

  A very young and goofy-looking George in 2009.

  George has always had a soft spot for little dogs. At Huntington Beach in 2009.

  George always looks extra cuddly after a bath. Here he is in L.A. in our full-sized SUV, which he makes look like a MINI.

  George relaxing in our California home in 2009.

  Hallowe’en in Los Angeles, 2009. George doesn’t normally do the “dress up” thing, but he looked pretty funny for the the five seconds those devil horns stayed on his head. He was clearly not impressed.

  George and I are picking up a rental surfboard for the very first time in 2009. I had no idea that I wasn’t going to be riding solo.

  Huntington Beach, 2009. George refused to let me surf on my own, so here we are going out on a board together for the very first time. George already looked like a pro.

  George was comfortable on a surfboard right away.

  Rinsing away the salt and sand at Bruce Jones’s Surf Shop, Sunset Beach, 2009.

  At the Surf City Surf Dog competition, the very first time George entered. He’d put on a great show in the first round, and here, as we awaited the finals, I kept wondering what was going on in that big head of his.

  All warmed up, waiting for his heat.

  The beach was packed, and George stood on his board, surrounded by competitors, awaiting the next round.

  One of our “whisper moments” captured here just before the final round of the surfing championships in 2009.

  Waiting in the surf for our big wave. As he always does, George is looking me straight in the eye.

  Getting George on the board in 2009.

  There are not many pictures of George’s first solo ride, but here he is discovering me in the water behind him.

  George shaking off at the end of a long day of surfing.

  Coming to shore after the finals in 2009. We had so much fun.

  This is the face of a champion.

  Getting George’s life jacket on at the Surf City Surf Dog Competition in 2010.

  George nibbling at my ear.

  George meeting some well-dressed surfing dogs in the small division in the Surf City Surf Dog competition in 2010.

  George was always a favorite of the “puparazzi” whenever he was at the beach.

  George in early takeoff, catching a wave. That’s me and a volunteer just above the crest of the wave.

  George carving it up.

  George enjoying a post-championship drink at a Mexican restaurant in Huntington Beach.

  A few years later, George and I arrive at Huntington Beach for the 2014 Surf City Surf Dog competition.

  As usual, the camera crews and “puparazzi” record all the action as the small dogs begin their heat.

  George and I relax in the sand before we get ready to hit the waves.

  Here, we sit on the shore and rest after George let me know that he’d had enough for one day.

  George was a much older dog when he entered the competition in 2014. With age comes wisdom, which you can see on George’s face.

  A few days after the 2014 competition, George and I went out surfing on our own and had a “free day” together at the Newport Beach jetty.

  Another fabulous ride at Newport, 2014. Who said old dogs can’t do new tricks?

  Ever the lifeguard, George gently leads me by the hand out of the water to safety.

  There’s nothing like a good run and shake after a perfect day of surfing.

  One of my favorite pictures—it totally sums up our “free days” at the beach together.

  George always makes sure that I’m all right when we swim together. Nova Scotia, 2014.

  George having a nap on the couch in 2014—proof that he can make himself comfortable anywhere. It’s too bad the photo can’t convey the snoring.

  While George is a very large Newfoundland, he thinks he’s a Chihuahua.

  George and his buddy Charlie, the very best of friends.

  Enjoying the setting sun at Cherry Hill Beach in Nova Scotia.

  Walking together on the waterfront in Toronto, 2014.

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  The following people have played a large part in inspiring me and helping bring this book to life. I would like to acknowledge and thank all of them:

  To Sandra Nicholson and all of the tremendous volunteers at Newf Friends for all the great work they do in helping Newfoundland dogs in need, and for giving me the opportunity and privilege to adopt George.

  To everyone who has had the courage to “save a life” and adopt and love a shelter dog of any breed—these dogs give back every bit of love they get. There is a bit of George in all of these beautiful animals.

  Thank you to all the friends I have spent time with at dog parks and beaches over the years—so many great people, dogs and memories. And a big thank you to all my “non-dog” friends for your support and encouragement—in particular, Mike and Cluny Nichols, Matt Kenny, Steve McAllister, Gino Reda, Charlie Horsey, Adam Larry and everyone at MKTG and the NHLPA.

  To Catherine and John, Todd and Warren—for your friendship and support in the early years. I miss you very much.

  To Cassie and Carole Anne Strong, my “California family,” for all the love and support you both gave to George and me, even when I was lost. It helped and means more to me than you will ever know. Thank you.

  To my brother, David—thanks for all of your love, support and encouragement, not just with the book, but with everything we have shared over the years—so proud to have you as my brother.

  Thanks to the extraordinary author Lisa Gabriele for planting the seed in my head that I could write this book and for introducing me to Nita (and to Charlie the cat).

  Thanks to Evan Rosser for your help in the early days of writing.

  Thank you to everyone at Penguin Random House for their hard work and assistance. Thanks to Jennifer Lum for the fabulous book and jacket design. Thanks especially to my amazing editor, Nita Pronovost. Nita, thank you for your friendship, encouragement, mentorship and patience—and for your clear love for George. This would not have happened without you—thank you with all of my heart.

  And finally, to George, 140 pounds of fur and love. Your love will always live inside my heart; your fur all over the floor and on my clothes. Both will remain with me forever. You give me so many free days by simply being you—the sweetest, gentlest dog ever.

  ORGANIZATIONS TO CHECK OUT

  If Free Days with George has inspired you to get involved with animal associations in your own community, here are a few suggestions to help you get started. But first, a disclaimer: a Newfoundland dog is a lot of work. They are not for everyone. Adopting George is one of the best things I’ve ever done, but I am also aware that these dogs require a lot of specialized care. Before bringing home any pet, do your research to find an animal that suits your lifestyle and capabilities.

  1. Newf Friends: www.newf-friends.c
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  This is where I got George, and my first-hand experience is that these volunteers are incredibly caring and helpful. They operate throughout Ontario, Canada, and into some of the neighboring American states. I can’t recommend them highly enough!

  2. Athletes for Animals: www.athletesforanimals.org

  This organization was founded by National Hockey League Players’ Assocation member, David Backes—a great hockey player, animal advocate and captain of the St. Louis Blues. I’m a big fan of David’s, both on and off the ice, and I love to support all athletes who help animals in need.

  3. Newf Rescue: www.newfrescue.com

  Considering rescuing a Newfoundland dog? This website is full of helpful information about the breed, from tips on grooming and training, to an extensive list of Newfoundland rescue clubs across North America.

  4. The Humane Society of Canada: www.humanesociety.com

  The Humane Society is well known for its work protecting dogs and cats, but did you know they also defend horses and farm animals, lab animals, wildlife and the environment? These folks pound the pavement seven days a week, working across Canada to support animals and other shelters.

  5. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA): www.aspca.org

  The ASPCA has chapters across the U.S. This organization runs programs that provide local and national leadership in three key areas: caring for pet parents and pets, providing positive outcomes for at-risk animals and serving victims of animal cruelty.

  6. The Newfoundland Club of America: www.ncanewfs.org

  While this club and its website have a ton of research available online, the NCA is also a parent organization to a large network of regional clubs. If you live in the USA and have a Newfoundland, this is a great resource.

  7. The Newfoundland Club UK: www.thenewfoundlandclub.co.uk

  If you live in the United Kingdom and are interested in Newfoundland dogs, this club (founded in 1886) has a wealth of information on the breed, its specific health issues, dog shows and more.