Jasper the Friendly Newfie

By Brian and Joy Pape

We saw a young man in our building with a BIG fluffy puppy-looking dog. Matty, the young man, and Jasper the dog with cuddles and drools, greeted us. Here’s why our neighbors, Matty and his brother Corey are so intrigued by Jasper.

From Corey

My brother and I grew up with several large breed dogs, two Great Pyrenees, three Newfoundlands, and one Havanese, or as we called him “the step dog.”  In fact, it was our Valentine’s tradition to go to the ‘Meet the Breeds’ show at Jacob Javits Center each year.

I’ve lived in New York City for 14 years. My mom always wanted me to have my own dog—and so did I. I’ve always been enthralled with Newfoundlands or ‘Newfies.’ Their kind and sweet demeanor balances out their size, and you cannot forget their drool or as we call it, ‘love juice.’ It was a great joy in my life growing up with dogs. I plan for my children to do the same.

In 2019 we lost our mother, Jane, to colon cancer, a moment in time which shook my entire family. My mom was a dog lover and she passed that love on to us. After her passing I always knew I would name my dog with a ‘J’ name, after her. When it was our turn to have our pick of the litter from our dear friends at Kloofbear, I knew I wanted a male Landseer. Their coloring and overall personality are incredible and they are so cool to look at.

I first met Jasper in February of this year. I would read him a long list of “J” names to see if he would react. Nothing stuck. Then I stopped at Stick Stone and Bone shop near my West Village apartment and I saw a stone that looked just like him. Lo and behold, it was a Jasper stone. I read the qualities of the stone and I immediately knew this represented what I wanted in my life as well as both my mom’s qualities and what Jasper would mean to me. 

“Jasper is known as the supreme nurturer. The stone possesses exceptional grounding abilities to keep you calm. Jasper acts as an anchor, keeping you rooted in the present and alleviating regrets from the past and anxieties of the future. Jasper ….gives you courage … The essence of jasper is to show you that with the right mindset the possibilities are endless.  It ignites a flame of motivation within your soul.  Jasper is fuel…that will propel you forward even in the face of obstacles. Its nurturing energy will magnify your determination and serve as a constant reminder of your incredible potential and unwavering perseverance.”

I couldn’t think of a more fitting name for my boy.

From Matty

One of the most special things about dogs, I’ve learned, is presence. No politics. No agendas. No desire to fit in or out. Just what’s right in front of them. When I look at Jasper, different things come to mind: sometimes it’s “please don’t walk in your own pee.” Lots of times it’s “no, don’t eat that.” Other times it’s “I’m so glad to have you next to me today.”

I’ve had a bad habit of connecting the beautiful things in my life to the moments that weren’t so beautiful – from experiencing sickness at a young age to coping with the loss of my mom. I’d connect the triumphant moments with the painful ones I overcame. I’d follow the “what doesn’t kill you makes a bad ass story” trope. But I don’t think of any of those things with Jasper; with him, I’m just present. I’m finally here. 

Instead, I’m trying to figure out how to clip in Jasper’s new collar. I’m laughing at myself for forgetting a poop bag on our morning walk. I’m napping as he lays next to me following his breakfast that he eats in 45 seconds. I used to wake up begrudgingly. Social media scroll. Thinking about whatever tasks needed to be done for the day. Now, I wake up to a big slobbery kiss.

We start the day at the Hudson River boardwalk and bump into random people who seem like they’ve never met a dog like Jasper before. They cuddle him, laugh with him, and smile. And all of a sudden strangers don’t seem so strange. 

Some people say they can’t believe he’s a puppy. Some marvel at his large paws. As we move on from interaction to interaction with laughter and smiles, I realize I’m taking in the joy Jasper gives to people.  The funny thing is that to him, bringing smiles and laughter is natural. I don’t think he longs for more.

When we get back, he inhales his breakfast and lays by my feet until I go to work.  I take the train home and now it seems so slow, as if it stops at every single street until it finally reaches Christopher Street. I power walk to the apartment, open the door, and Jasper is waiting to greet me, ready for our next walk. Ready to bring more joy into the city I’m lucky to call home. 

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Learn more about Corey and Matty on the National Kidney Foundation’s Story-Taking One Kidney Up Mount Kilimanjaro.