Newfoundlands are well known for being gentle giants and they make friends everywhere they go.
While human friendships are their favorite, they’re also known for befriending animals too.
We’re not talking about dogs and cats, more like animals in the wild.
I remember this time a few summers ago, we were sitting outside on the patio and it was starting to get the dark.
Odin and Lou were in the back corner of the yard so I called them up.
As they were walking up, I noticed something small walking next to them.
It wasn’t Finn, it was a skunk!
They invited a skunk to come sit with us.
Then there was Leroy, Leroy attracted all kinds of things.
Frogs, toads, butterflies, groundhogs, and birds.
There was always something hanging around him when he was outside.
Now there’s Lou, who’s a friend to everyone but mostly to toads.
Scooby Lou has been hanging out with toads for the past 3 years.
He loves following them around the yard and every summer he patiently waits for them to come out and play.
I’ve been lucky enough to document their friendship over the years and it’s adorable.
And then I had an idea, to turn this unexpected and adorable friendship between a dog and a toad into a children’s book.
It’s been an idea for awhile but with a lot of encouragement from my family and friends pushed me to get it done and out into the world.
The Real Life Story Turned Into A Children’s Picture Book
This cute interaction is now a picture book plus a coloring book and will be part of an Adventures With Lou & Todd Series because I couldn’t keep this much sweetness to myself.
We’ve seen Lou drip a little drool on Todd. We’ve watched them hop around together in the yard.
And we watch Lou wait for Todd every summer.
Every time I see these 2 together, it reminds me that friendship doesn’t have to look a certain way.
It doesn’t have to be loud or busy.
Sometimes it’s just about being there with a wagging tail, a quiet hop, a little drool and whole lot of heart.
Why This Silly Little Friendship Matters
In a world where everything seems to move a little fast, Lou and Todd’s slow and steady friendship is a reminder to pause.
To notice the little things.
To find adventures in our very own backyard.
And that friends came in all shapes and sizes.
Their friendship is funny, cute, a little weird and honestly, one of the most wholesome things I’ve ever seen.
And now it’s in the form of a book, so kids and adults can smile at the idea that even a giant dog and a tiny toad can be friends.
One fluffy. One bumpy.
Check out the Adventures of Lou & Todd picture book and coloring book now available on Amazon!
Perfect for young readers, animal lovers and anyone who believes that friends come in all shapes and sizes.
How Did Todd Get His Name?
If you’re wondering how Todd got his name, we name all of our backyard friends.
We’ve got Stanley the Squirrel, Steve the Skunk, Adam the Ant, Dorothy the Deer, Gary the Groundhog and many more.
Todd just seemed to fit for a Toad.
We also have tiny toads that are Tiny Todds because I haven’t thought of another name yet.
