The saying goes “If you want to learn what someone fears losing, watch what they photograph.”
Well if you look through my SD card and my cell phone pictures you would see that Sherman and Leroy take up a very large portion of that space.
Every year that they’re with me they take up a little bit more and perhaps that’s because with every year that passes the fear of losing them grows bigger inside of me.
In 2018 I took well over 1,000 pictures of the boys trying to capture each moment as best as I could. Just as some of the pictures were better than others, the moments were the same. Some good and some not so good.
Narrowing all those pictures and moments down to just 18 was tough but here’s what I came up with.
My most favorite photo of 2018 happened early in the year and of course, on the snowiest day of the year.
It’s not often that I can get a picture of both the boys together let alone both looking proud and at the camera. I remember this day well because it was late March and bitter cold.
We didn’t have much snow last winter and this was the biggest storm to come through and I made it my mission to get out there and snap as many pictures as I could. I took over 300 pictures and it was worth the tingling in my frozen fingers.
Up next, in no particular order,
This was on the same day as the first picture. Sherman rarely looks into the camera so anytime that I can capture his sweet, rich golden eyes it’s a big plus. I normally don’t take pictures standing above the dogs but this one worked out great and the snow sprinkled all over him made it even better.
The camera has always loved Leroy and Leroy has always loved the camera. I probably have at least a dozen of these close-up shots of him but I like this one with the small dusting of snow on his nose and the hint of a frozen droolsicle. His coat is so thick here, and he’s solid.
This is probably one of the healthiest pictures I have of him in 2018. A few months later he would lose 30 pounds and most of the beautiful, thick brown coat.
A rare back shot but this describes perfectly what Leroy does every morning. He sits and surveys his land and listens to the birds sing in the woods. I watch him do this almost every morning and sometimes I go and sit beside him. Coincidentally, this picture was taken the day before the above snow pictures.
Notice there is no snow left in the yard
Bath day. Every time I give the boys a bath I bring out the camera because there is nothing better than a wet Newfie. Well, there’s one thing better than a wet Newfie and that’s a wet Newfie that tilts his head. I swear Sherman was happy about his bath even though he looks totally pathetic in this picture.
Leroy, on the other hand, was not at all happy about his bath and was really just as annoyed as he looks in this picture. The only reason that he’s posing is because I’m holding a cookie.
What’s better than one pathetic looking wet Newfie? TWO! I think this was the first time that I was ever able to get them sitting next to each other after a bath. Maybe after 10 years, they’re finally getting the hang of this picture thing!
Epic slobber by Leroy. I had to capture this one because it was almost a ground toucher and it was thick and strong. Fellow Newf owners will appreciate this because it’s not every day that a slobber string doesn’t break before it reaches the ground! I have to say that this was a proud moment for me. This was April 2018.
A fluffy Sherman. This was after a blow out with the blaster and he hadn’t really been brushed out completely and his hair was a frizzy mess bit his face was as cute as can be. His silver muzzle and chin really show his wisdom.
Getting Sherman to pose and look at the camera is always as a challenge. Getting Sherman to pose and look at the camera while wearing a prop is near impossible. I don’t know why it went so well with this. Maybe it’s his age.
The downfall. While not the best picture, this is when Leroy was going downhill bad. You can see the muscle atrophy in his head but what you can’t see is how weak he was. I used a sling to help him walk to the side of the house because he could barely walk on his own.
This picture was taken in June in the beginning of June and a few days later we would rush him to the hospital not knowing if we would be bringing him back home.
Again, not the best picture but a HUGE milestone when Leroy turned 10. This was the end of June and he was starting to turn a corner. He would still have months of recovery ahead and rehab but he was celebrating double digits.
Sweet Sherman laying among the dandelions. This was on one of our many trips out to the front yard where Sherman and I would sit in the cool grass right before dusk in the summer. I always love our grass time together.
Three months after we thought we were going to lose Leroy he was down at the lake meeting our friends Ralphie and Boss from California. Our very first Newfapalozza and it was a blast as we met Newfies from all over Ohio. A day we will never forget.
October! My all-time favorite month and what better way to start it off than with Sherman and big, orange pumpkin! Sherman’s not new when it comes to pumpkin pictures and he knows exactly what to do when a pumpkin is placed in front of him!
Dr. Leroy! With all he went through this year I wasn’t sure if Leroy would dress up for Halloween but since he was doing so well I decided to do a super easy costume and one that fit what he went through this year. As always, Leroy played the part perfectly.
12! Sherman turned 12 this year and it was the best day ever! I feel truly blessed that we were able to celebrate this birthday with Sherman and I’m hoping birthday 13 will be just as sweet!
These 2 silly reindeers always making me laugh and keeping my heart warm. Even though the busiest and most stressful time of the year they can make sit and laugh for hours.
2018 was a tough year for Leroy but he made it through and continues to battle his disease and we are by his side for each step.
2018 and was also a tough year for Sherman as he continues to slow down and age as gracefully as he can and we will continue to be his side for each step.
I leave 2018 with feeling blessed and with no regrets. I enter into 2019 with no expectations, only love and hope.
Susan
Wednesday 23rd of January 2019
What delightful photos of your boys! I enjoyed all of them, and your captions. Thank you, thank you. I'm so grateful you share these gems with us. Susan
noofmitchell
Monday 31st of December 2018
Beautiful photos of Leroy and Sherman. One can never have too many photos of these gentle giants. Best wishes to you and your boys for 2019.
Jen
Tuesday 1st of January 2019
Thank you! I agree, there is no such thing as too many pictures! Happy Newf Year!
Tails Around the Ranch
Monday 31st of December 2018
Such wagnificent photos! Here's to a 2019 full of love, health and happiness.
Jen
Tuesday 1st of January 2019
Wishing you the same Monika!! Thank you <3
Kim Ciancio
Sunday 30th of December 2018
Thank you for sharing your Newfies! I love reading about them. God bless them with health this upcoming year! Kim
Jen
Tuesday 1st of January 2019
Thank you Kim and Happy New Year to you!
Diana Stoll
Sunday 30th of December 2018
Sherman and Leroy are absolutely beautiful.
Since we lost our Glory in September (she was almost 10 1/2), I'm struggling to have the holiday spirit this year. I really like your sentiments for the new year: "no expectations, only love and hope." That's perfect.
Thanks for sharing these lovely photos showing special moments with your pups. I wish you many more!
Jen
Tuesday 1st of January 2019
Thanks Diana. I'm so very sorry for your loss of Glory, I can imagine how much that your heart is missing her suring the holidays <3