We like to share beautiful Newfoundland photography when we can (we try our best to get great shots, but we’re not artists!). Thanks to our neighbour at The Doctor’s House, Paul Seymour, for sharing this gorgeous shot of our ponies enjoying their lunch and a sunny day. And have a great weekend!
Lottie
We’re not the only people around with new animals in our barn (Eweness is still doing great – stay tuned for updates!). Clifford also has a new Newfoundland pony, Lottie. She is, without doubt, the nicest looking pony I’ve seen – sleek, elegant, so feminine. And no wonder – she is Monty’s daughter, actually. What a beauty she is!
Pretty Ponies
There is one thing for certain – The Doctor’s House, an animal sanctuary, has some beautiful residents. I never thought I’d be responsible for ponies, but then again, I never thought I’d be doing so much that we do out here in our new lives as Innkeepers and Restauranteurs. I wouldn’t trade it – or them – for anything.
Thanks to our genius chef, Anna Dohey, for capturing such great photos and passing them along. You can see more on our Facebook page. Anna is also behind our New Year’s Eve menu, which we’re excited about. Clearly she is a woman of many talents!
Summer Memories
Here is a great picture recently sent to me by Paul Davis, Minister of Child, Youth and Family services and a good friend of mine. He took it when he, his wife Cheryl and special friends came out to The Doctor’s House to celebrate his clean bill of health and victory over cancer.
Paul is a singular human being who has done a lot for individuals and the public at large. He is an important part of the Newfoundland mosaic, and it is our honour to count him a friend and to have welcomed him to our Inn.
This picture certainly reminds us of the warmth of the summer sun. Thankfully, winter is better when we’re cozy, and when Christmas is coming. We’re so excited for Christmas at The Doctor’s House this year (all of The Berry’s family is coming) and for the fun New Year’s Eve we’re starting to plan. It’ll be here before you know it.
Newfoundland and Labrador Pony Pals
Because of our friendship with Clifford George, we now know lots more about the efforts to save the Newfoundland pony – and, why it’s important to do so. We’ve also met more people involved in the cause. These pictures are from one such person,Byron Hierlihy, of the Newfoundland Pony Pals Project. Byron tells me photos above are of the “Afternoon with the Newfoundland Ponies, ” a fundraiser held in Bay Roberts last summer. They we working to raise funds to assist the Change Islands and Cappahayden Newfoundland Pony Sanctuaries.
As a result of this fund raiser and the similar one in Cupids, the group was able to donate $1500 to the Change Islands Sanctuary new barn fund and establish the Debbie Bray Memorial Newfoundland Pony Rescue and Assistance fund (you might remember what Clifford and Shirley shared about their friend Debbie from this post). A team also went to the Cappahayden Sanctuary for a day to help put a brand new lifetime roof on the pony/hay barn (pictured below) . This included a donation of $1800 worth of materials.
These are motivated individuals doing good, important work. If you’d like to get involved or attend any future events, please email me or leave a comment, and I’ll get you in touch with the right people. And God bless the Newfoundland pony (I know we love ours!).
Joe Friday’s Bridie
Looks like Joe Friday can add another title to his resume – ‘Horse Whisperer!” Well, maybe that’s going a little far – but he is starting to form a relationship with Bridie, this beautiful resident at The Doctor’s House. I see a great friendship in both of their futures!
I try not to promote (too) heavily on the blog, but I think some of our readers might be interested: our realtor Mark Glynn is offering a Facebook contest to win a night at The Doctor’s House. Enter here, and you might get to meet Bridie in person! 
Bridie and Guests
Mike and Gloria, who had been in the Blueberry for three weeks, came to tour The Doctor’s House. Needless to say, we spent time with the ponies. Here they are with Bridie – Joe Friday’s pony. Needless to say, it was a fun day, and everyone enjoyed the Inn, and the ponies Gloria kept saying that all she could say was ‘aaaahhh.’ I told her that it was appropriate since our tag line is ‘open your eyes and say aaahhh!.’
Pony Show
Nearby our cottages is The Horse and Pony Protection Association of Newfoundland and Labrador, (HAPPA-NL) a sanctuary where you are free to visit (or volunteer!) – which I did with the beautiful Berry and my beautiful daughter, Kathryn, this past Christmas.
HAPPA-NL is the only organization of its kind in Eastern Canada, and their policy is never to turn away an equine in need. Plus, it’s a great place for a photo-op!
HAPPA-NL is also the second passion of famous Newfoundland artist, Whiteway resident and new friend, Clifford George. Clifford will be having an exhibition called The Presence of Absence at the Christina Parker Gallery in St. John’s from March 16th-April 7th. I can’t recommend checking out this exhibit enough – Cliff is one of this province’s great treasures, and his work is truly stunning.