Bilbo the Newfie gets his lifeguard job back

Newfoundlands have a long history of saving lives in water disasters. They are large dogs with powerful muscles, a waterproof coat and web toes which allow them to swim with speed and power.

Two years ago Bilbo, a Newfie, was a celebrity at Sennen Cove in Cornwall, England as the only dog in the UK who was a qualified lifeguard. To get his job, he had to pass fitness and swimming tests. He wore a lifeguard vest with water safety messages printed on the sides. As he went about his duties, Bilbo gained a lot of fans. He appeared on TV and even had his own website to promote water safety.

Then some people who like to make rules took over running the beach and fired Bilbo. Dogs were banned from the beach. For a while he got around that by sitting in his owner’s beach buggy during patrols since technically he wasn’t ON the beach.

But the people who like to make rules decreed that it was against the rules for passengers to ride in beach buggies and Bilbo was again banned from the beach.

However, 1500 people signed a petition to Queen Elizabeth and Prime Minister Gordon Brown to bring Bilbo back to the beach and the people who like to make rules backed down. Bilbo will again be on duty as a lifeguard this summer.

Comments

[Khyra]

What a handsome khanine!

I might have to visit and pretend I need his help!

Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra

[schnoodlepooh]

we're glad he is back on patrol. he is doing an important job.

[cube]

Yay! The people who like to make rules don't often have the best judgement here in the USA either.

[Col]

Hooray for Bilbo!! :-)

[Marion]

Wow, what a beautiful dog! For some reason, perhaps because my last dog, before the two who live with me now, was a black Newfie mix, I always thought the breed was only black. I'm so happy the people that delight in making rules backed down and Bilbo is back!

[MJ]

Why is it that some people resemble a donkey's hind end?