Newton

Newton

Newton is the dog that makes people smile without even trying. Affectionate, soft, and deeply attuned to those around him, he has an incredible sense of presence, equal parts comedic ham and steady companion.

At an agility trial once, I watched him circle a group of my friends seated on the turf. He visited each one with a kiss, then sat with his back pressed against them, asking for pets. A few minutes later, he’d move on to the next person and do the same, like a furry, self-appointed therapy provider. That moment made it clear we needed to share him beyond our immediate circle. Now a registered therapy dog through Therapy Dogs United, Newton has made visits to local nursing homes and college campuses and has participated in large-scale community outreach events.

At home, he’s Mr. Relaxed. Newton spends most of his time snoozing belly-up on the couch or curled in his favorite open-door kennel. But at the sound of a treat bag or the sight of his beloved tennis ball or frisbee, he flips instantly into work mode. His food drive is unmatched, and he absolutely lights up for disc.

He’s dabbled in many venues, but took on the task as my Novice A agility dog, and we've learned everything side by side. In competition, Newton is calm, confident, and steady. He always shows up with quiet consistency and a clear head, which earned him his Master Agility Championship title in 2023.

As we progressed through agility together, it became clear that Newton’s greatest joy wasn’t the sport itself, it was doing something with me. He showed up, trial after trial, because he loved being my teammate. After earning his MACH, I made the decision to step back from serious agility competition and focus on the things that truly light him up: disc and therapy work. These are the spaces where he radiates happiness; chasing down a frisbee with pure joy, or quietly leaning into someone’s hand during a therapy visit.

At his core, Newton is pure love. He’ll nudge your hand off your phone for attention, gently drape his paws on your lap just to be close, and smile with his whole body. He’s the dog who reminds me to slow down and enjoy the little moments, a steady soul, and a constant companion.