A tourist attraction was distracting passersbys at the outdoor café, me included! Everyone, young, old and in between could not pass by the180-pound Newfoundland dog, a Newfie, without an ‘OH!’ and a head rub!  The attention-grabbing dog, Guggenheim, is five years old and once the runt of his litter and named after his artist mother, Stephanie’s, love of art.

“Guggenheim is home to my favorite paintings,” said Stephanie. “He has multiple nicknames; G, Guggs, Guggy, G-Unit, and Big G, to list a few!

Newfoundlands are known for their stubborn streak, and Guggenheim wears the crown. He randomly halts our walks in rain or shine, or snow. When he lays down, that's it. I’m stuck because we're on Guggenheim time. If I dare to leave the house without treats, well, let's just say we're going to be ‘stuck’ a while. Passersby find it amusing, but when I have somewhere to be, moving a dog larger than most humans is no small ‘feat’. So, if I'm late, Guggenheim's the one to blame!
     
I always thought it would be my husband’s snoring keeping me awake at night, but nope, it’s my dog who can be heard a mile away.

Every morning, at my mom's waterfront cabin, Mr. Gee wanders off on his self-appointed role of patrolling the dock, keeping a watchful eye on children, barking to announce that he is their lifeguard. It's amazing and adorable witnessing him naturally doing what the breed is known for, effortlessly navigating looking to save a life.

One of Guggenheim's odd behaviors is his fascination with deer. Whenever we're at our cabin, he loves to sit and watch them from a distance, never attempting to chase or harm them. We posted a video on Instagram that went viral, receiving five million views capturing a delightful moment between Guggenheim and a fawn, as they stood two feet apart, nose to nose, exchanging curious gazes. They seemed to form an unlikely connection. Eventually, Guggenheim grew tired and returned to me, leaving the fawn behind. It's safe to say he's not cut out for the role of a hunter.

When I created Guggenheim's Instagram account, it was simply a way to keep track of his photos and videos. I never imagined it would become a great platform for connecting with other dog owners, learning about new products, and exchanging ideas about big dog breeds. It's a wonderful community of dog lovers and a fun way to share Guggenheim’s best moments while recording lasting memories. I'm grateful for the support and engagement we've received from his 25 thousand followers.”  Guggenheim_thenewfie

According to Stephanie, Guggenheim's appetite is no joke. He devours seven cups of food a day.

“When it comes to treats, this Newfie is a master manipulator,” added Stephanie. “He unleashes his stubborn side to score a treat almost every time. Needless to say, he has a bit of a weight struggle and isn't the biggest fan of exercise. Yup, it's a constant battle!

I always wanted a Newfie because my father’s wedding gift to my mother was two Newfies. He died when I was very young. Having a Newfie is more than a pet, it is an invaluable connection and love to my dad.”