The Newfoundland world suffered an irreparable loss on January 29th in the passing of Margaret Booth Chern. As owner, with her husband Vadim of Little Bear Kennels, she produced many champions and made significant contributions to the breed she loved so deeply. To her, Newfoundlands were the greatest of God's creatures, possessing attributes, which could only be the result of divine inspiration.
Margaret had been a member of the Newfoundland Club of America for many years, and when Regional Clubs were suggested she was instrumental in organizing the New England group, becoming its first and only President. Her enthusiasm made this club an educational as well as a social entity for she was ever generous in sharing her great knowledge of Newfoundlands with newcomers to the breed. She was highly respected and much sought after as an AKC licensed judge and thoroughly enjoyed this facet of her world of Newfoundlands.
We who knew her well were always happy to be with her, for her field of knowledge beyond her beloved Newfoundlands was vast, her conversation exuberant and her wit scintillating. There was never a dull moment where Margaret was, for her very presence gave a certain indescribable something to every gathering.
She will be sadly missed for a Newfoundland event without Margaret will be greatly subdued.
CHARLES FINTER
February 17, 1981 marked the passing of a long-time member of the Newfoundland Club of America, and one of the founders of the New-Pen-Del Newfoundland Club. For over 20 years, Charlie Finter was a valuable asset of the Newf fancy in general.
Charlie began in the late 1950's with his first dog. "Smokey" (Ch. Iwindyls Minstrel Man). He traveled extensively throughout the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states competing in the breed ring. Charlie, standing outside the ring with a Newf on lead, soon became a fixture at almost every dog show.
Most of us remember how this man took a 3 1/2 year-old dog, chained, beaten, and starved by his former owners and showed him kindness. He fought disease and mistrust, feeding him not only food but love and patience. It took almost a year but soon he was taking BIS's at matches, and from there he went to point shows. "Booze" (Ch. Mr. Booze of Pouch Cove) was a symbol of what love and patience could conquer.
Though Charlie saw five Newfs to their championships, he still preferred the Match Shows. It is here that he stood, with Newf on lead, ready to answer any questions like "Is that a black St. Bernard?" He guided the newcomer offering them his years of knowledge in showing, feeding and grooming and steering them away from pitfalls.
All of his life Charlie showed people how to love and care for this magnificent breed. and it is for this that we will remember him the most.
by AI D'Orio
Drawing by Harrison Weir (1824-1906)
The anecdote I am now about to give is from the pen of the Rev. J.E. Atkinson, a good and scientific naturalist:
"Walking with a favorite Newfoundland dog of great size, one frosty day, I observed the animal's repeated disappointment on putting his head down, with the intention to drink, at sundry ice-covered pools. After one of these disappointments, I broke the ice with my foot, for my thirsty companion's behoof. The next time it seemed good to the dog to try and drink, instead of waiting for me to break the ice as before, he set his own huge paw forcibly on the ice, and, with a little effort, obtained water for himself."
From: Rev. R.O. Morris, B.A. Dogs and Their Doings. N.Y., Harper & Bros, 1872, p. 16f.
(reprinted from NewfTide 1976)
