Merlin

    My Magnificent Merlin, my beautiful Bear, Newfoundland & Gentle Giant, left us today to run free at the Bridge and he has taken a piece of my Heart with him. 

From the moment we picked you up as a Puppy, we had a special bond, you were always my gentle bear. My protector who would always sit on my feet, right in front of me, when we met someone new, putting yourself between me and them. A babysitter for the other animals including the Ponies, we often wondered if you thought you were a Pony. The times you would steal our things, but never chew them, just hold them in your slobbery jaws. A lover of Children who you would let hug you tight and you'd never move, just drawl all over them. You'd make us laugh how you'd do that woof, throw yourself on the floor and roll over for your belly to be tickled or to be hoovered. Silly Bear. How if we throw a Snowball and it hit the floor, you would dig in the Snow to try and find it.How you used to shake your head and cover us and everything else in your slobber, that could travel at jet speed. Visitors were warned never to wear nice clothes when visiting, because they would always go home with some of the "Merlinators", slobber somewhere on their person.

It was an honour to have such a magnificent beastie in my life. How I will miss you slobber chops, until we meet again.
R.I.P Merlin aka The Merlinator (Mileoak De Villiers) 15th March 2005 ~ 22nd January 2015

Merlin looking over the stable door into the Kitchen.

Give me a Cuddle

Merlin & Katie

Merlin babysitting Moses

This leaf came home attached to the slobber

Merlin in his Paddling Pool

He grew into those Paws

Playing Peek A Boo over the Wall

Merlin carrying off Harry's Coat

Merlin with his Rugby Ball