1. What is the most distinctive feature of the Newfoundland breed of dog?
2. Why was Rocky feeling sad and not eating well when the family first met him?
3. What did the family plan to do to help Rocky regain his appetite?
4. How did the family members, especially Danny, initially react to Rocky’s large size?
5. What does the video suggest about Rocky’s personality and behaviour?
6. What special feature of Newfoundland dogs is mentioned in the video?
7. How did the family seem to feel about welcoming Rocky into their home?
correct answers:
1d, 2b, 3d, 4d, 5c, 6a, 7c
Transcript:
Very placid and relaxed, sweet, laid-back nature. They need that, don’t they? They want something that’s going to really help Danny sort of calm him down and… He’s a big teddy bear, isn’t he? Likes a big bear hug. Yeah! Oh, wow. He’s a shepherd across Newfoundlands. And Alfie’s training to be a lifeguard. Yeah, yeah. They obviously love the water. And he wants a dog that he can take out in the water with him. One dog really stood out to us that just seemed to tick a lot of the boxes. He’s called Rocky, but it’s not a small dog. Yes. Can it cycle? It’s a medium, isn’t it? Um… Keep going. Oh, my goodness. Have you ever heard of a Newfoundland? Yeah. Oh, my word.
THEY LAUGH
How big’s a Newfoundland? It’s not small. Yes. They are a water rescue dog. So, in terms of what you wanted a dog for, they’re bred to go in the water and rescue people. He’s crossed with a German shepherd. Oh, my!
THEY LAUGH
He loves his cuddles. He loves his snuggles on the sofa. He will sit in your lap. He thinks he’s a lap dog. We’re going to have to buy you a bigger car. So, would you like to meet him? Yes. Yes. Great. I’m really excited for you. Rocky! You’re all right, mate. How’s it going, boy? Let’s go, buddy. Seven-year-old Rocky was dropped off a few weeks ago when his previous owners found they couldn’t juggle his care with building their new home. Hi. This is Rocky. One thing Newfoundland is going to have to be prepared for is the slobber. Especially when they shake as well and it flies on the ceiling, it flies on the walls. It’s a bit of a pain in the neck. It flies on the ceiling, it flies on the walls. Nice little chin rub. Oh, nice. Nice little chin rub. Is that good? Rocky had always lived with another dog. Now he’s on his own. He’s been quite sad, not really eating that well and he’s losing a bit of weight. So we’re trying to do everything we can to make him feel better and get his appetite back and find a new family and kind of get him back to full physical and mental health. I don’t know how Dan sees the world. And I’ve kind of always said he’s a bit different. As he gets older, you kind of notice things more. It’s probably going to come there. It’s going to be, like, this height of, like… You’ll be able to see it in the windows. I am scared. Deep breaths, everyone, deep breaths.
The Coxen family are waiting to greet gentle Giant. Rocky. Let’s go and meet some people. I’ve got butterflies. This way. Come on in. Here he comes, I think.
HE GASPS
Come on, come. Oh, my! Hey, guys. This is the very handsome Rocky. That’s the coolest thing ever. At the moment, he’s, like, a little bit sad, so he might not act how he will when he’s fully settled in the home, but he is an absolutely lovely dog. I have got some hot dogs for him. He probably isn’t going to eat them. He’s just not feeling himself. But I thought I’d leave them there for you guys anyway to see if he’ll take a couple of treats. And if he doesn’t eat them, I’m starving. Feel free. They’re still warm. Has he got some steak in his bag? Hello. I’ve just been for a sniff and I’ve come to say hello. Where’s he gone, Rocky? He’s amazing. Come down to him, Dan. Russell, stop hogging. I’m not, look. I know, I know. He’s come to me. He’s come round everyone. Oh, Dan, he’s a little bit nervous. He was a bit tentative, wasn’t he? He is a little bit overwhelmed, I think. Come on, go give him a fuss. Come on. He’s a bit nervous. Just go fuss his ears. He is a chilled dog, isn’t he? Hey, Rocky. Nice knowing Alfie. Let’s see if he likes me later. Don’t worry if he gets any slobber on you. He’s off his food a little bit, isn’t he? Keep trying, aren’t I? Go on, Rocky. Come on, Rocky. A dog that won’t eat for weeks or months is very, very rare. That dog is depressed. And just like with people, it is a real emotion. Nobody can understand that dog’s issue quite like somebody that’s going through exactly the same thing. Rocky!
MUSIC CONTINUES
Massive. Isn’t it? It’s going to be really good for Dan. Yeah, I feel calm when I, like, stroke a dog. It’s just, like, relaxing and keeps him calm. Oh, maybe you are. He’s going to eat you, Dan! Oh, Rocky, what are you doing? You’re pinning me down. You’re pinning him down. Good boy, Rocky. Yeah. He does like you, Danny. You all right, Dan? You all right? Come here. Come on in, you man. I’m going to keep your hand flat. There we go. Yes! Thrilled now. He’s ate all of it. He’s ate it all. That’s good. Good how he’s eating, though. Well done, Danny. She’s getting so much from just seeing how happy they are. Right, Dan, are you going to go for a weight? When we saw Rocky come through, the second they saw him, they just knew that was their dog.
WHISTLES
Rocky, come on. Good boy. Come on, I know. Come on. To have your own bear in your house is pretty amazing. He really likes this. When you give him a fuss, there’s room for all four of you to fuss him at the same time because he’s so big. Rocky’s a horse. Is that his new name? Yeah. Rocky! Rocky is eating like the king. We have got the leftovers. Surely he wants some bacon. The butcher gave us, like, some lamb bones, and that’s probably, like, his second or tied first favourite food. Want to go for a walk to the beach? Come on, Rocky. Good boy.
| placid | békés |
| laid-back | laza |
| to stand out | kitűnni, kiemelkedni |
| to tick a lot of the boxes | Sok feltételnek megfelelni |
| Oh, my goodness! | Ó, te jó ég! |
| water rescue dog | vízi mentőkutya |
| cuddle | ölelés |
| snuggle | összebújás |
| lap | öl |
| lap dog | öleb |
| slobber | nyáladzás |
| a pain in the neck | “púp a hátán” valakinek |
| sniff | szimat(olás) |
| tentative | tétova |
| overwhelmed | meghatott/meglepett, hogy elakad a szava |
| Go give him a fuss! | Menj és foglalkozz vele! |
| leftovers | maradék |