Sherman’s life motto was “ignorance is bliss.” My husband and I would giggle over Sherman’s dumb stunts and supposed lack of intelligence. However, he was the happiest dog I ever knew.
He might have been the happiest being that I have ever known.
He might have been the happiest being that I have ever known.
It was with heavy hearts that we let Sherman finally rest in peace this week. The past few months were agonizing for us and him as we watched his health deteriorate. Although he had pain medication, it was apparent to us that he wasn’t comfortable anymore. His ability to walk was gone and he didn’t understand why. His normal happy mood was replaced with confusion and frustration.
Now, all we have are memories. It was a happy journey to take a look back at this beautiful soul who was our friend for over ten years.
Now, all we have are memories. It was a happy journey to take a look back at this beautiful soul who was our friend for over ten years.
I could maybe only remember a few times that he either growled in surprise or anger. While he was not a fan of getting his toenails cut, he would just run away instead of fighting.
He was not one for confrontation. He let our first bloodhound Buford take food directly out of his mouth without so much as a growl. He shared a food bowl with bloodhound Clem.
He never played tug of war with rope toys. He would always let you have it back.
He was not one for confrontation. He let our first bloodhound Buford take food directly out of his mouth without so much as a growl. He shared a food bowl with bloodhound Clem.
He never played tug of war with rope toys. He would always let you have it back.
He was a lover, not a fighter.
He loved a lot of things.
He was what I called my “fruits and veggies guy.” He would pick blueberries off the bush. I would have to run interference when my mom was picking berries. He would run straight for the berry bucket.
He picked veggies out of the garden even taking down a fence or two in the process. He would pluck cucumbers, tomatoes, pumpkins, and peppers off their vines or plants.
He was an avid lover of pizza.
Whenever we brought any home, he was front and center to scarf up the crust that my husband wouldn’t eat. In fact, in his final days, he was presented with several whole slices of his own. Their consumption culminated in tail wags.
He absolutely loved snow and the cold.
That was his kind of weather.
He loved a lot of things.
He was what I called my “fruits and veggies guy.” He would pick blueberries off the bush. I would have to run interference when my mom was picking berries. He would run straight for the berry bucket.
He picked veggies out of the garden even taking down a fence or two in the process. He would pluck cucumbers, tomatoes, pumpkins, and peppers off their vines or plants.
He was an avid lover of pizza.
Whenever we brought any home, he was front and center to scarf up the crust that my husband wouldn’t eat. In fact, in his final days, he was presented with several whole slices of his own. Their consumption culminated in tail wags.
He absolutely loved snow and the cold.
That was his kind of weather.
He also liked to short cut across the ice on the neighbor’s pond when it froze over. Which normally wasn’t a problem until recent warmer years meant the ice wasn’t thick enough to hold him.
One day, I was distracted. He traversed across ice that wouldn’t support him. It creaked and groaned as I frantically called to him. I’ll never forget how the ice fluctuated with his movements. Luckily, he made it close enough to the edge before he broke through. I was able to pull a very soaked Sherman to safety and he was able to make it home to get dried off. It was a scare that I did not wish to repeat again.
One day, I was distracted. He traversed across ice that wouldn’t support him. It creaked and groaned as I frantically called to him. I’ll never forget how the ice fluctuated with his movements. Luckily, he made it close enough to the edge before he broke through. I was able to pull a very soaked Sherman to safety and he was able to make it home to get dried off. It was a scare that I did not wish to repeat again.
He completely adored my dad who lives next door. If my father was out, Sheman would make the 50-yard dash across the field to greet him and receive some attention. When my dad was working on our porch roof, Sherman made the effort to attempt to go out a second story window to greet him. The admiration was mutual as my dad would stop what he was doing to stop and give Sherman some pets.
Aside from his infatuation with my dad, I’m not sure there was anybody Sherman met that he didn’t like. If they were willing to pet him, he was all for it. A diligent guard dog, he was not.
His dislikes were few. He hated heat and humidity. Our portable air conditioner was his best bud in the summer until we got central air installed half-way through his lifetime. Regular dips in the neighbor's pond helped him cool off too.
  | He wasn’t very fond of wearing costumes or hats. However, his laidback attitude and hunger for treats led him to participate in quite a few photo shoots over the years. He did have a vendetta with porcupines. While walking him at night several years ago, I saw him sniffing something and then pulling abruptly away several times. Then it hit me… porcupine. It was then an emergency trip to the vet to get quills removed. Nonetheless, years later a porcupine found its way into our yard. The only way I knew for sure was that Sherman was overly interested in catching a scent from up in the conifer trees. That porcupine was relocated to not cause any emergency vet bills. Over the ten plus years, Sherman has seen several changes in his fur family. He lost his Saint Bernard predecessor shortly after his arrival at our home. |
Moose passed away after only 3 years of life due to lymphoma. Sherman was an avid apprentice during Moose’s limited time with him.
 |  After Moose passed, Sherman then became the target for bloodhound Buford, who was 3 years older than him. Buford tormented Sherman. Buford took his treats, toys, and food. However, an ever-tolerant Sherman just took it in stride. Buford was Sherman’s bully and buddy for six years before passing away.  |
Before Buford’s passing, little black fuzz butt Sadie entered the picture as a young energetic pup.
While Sherman wasn’t the most active dog we have had, he still had enough energy to entertain the little girl. Sadie would later become pack leader.
Sherman had no desire to challenge her or anyone for this position.
Additionally, as a younger and faster pup, Sherman did enjoy a good goat chase.
As an older dog, he yielded to them often bringing up the rear of our walking posse.
By walking behind the goats, he was able to avoid the inevitable headbutting.
Sherman had to deal with several new feline friends over the span of his life. Timus as a kitten took some interest in the big-hearted dog. He didn't mind cats. However, when their affections got to be too much he would simply get up and move away.
Then Clem came along. The elder Sherman was willing to let the younger Sadie take on the harassment of a new puppy. Clem turned out to be kinder and less of a bully to Sherman than his predecessor, Buford.
As Sherman’s stamina began to fade, Gus Gus entered the scene. Sherman managed to find enough strength to play with the younger Saint Bernard. He was a great mentor.
I was so hopeful that Sherman would be able to carry on for several more years. At a January vet appointment before his 10th birthday, he was the picture of health. He loaded into the car and pranced right into the office. He received a good bill of health.
However, there were omens that this may not last. I posted a photo of Sherman on a Saint Bernard Facebook page saying that Sherman was 10 years old. Several well-meaning but ominous posts stated that things may start to go downhill after that milestone. This appeared to be a glimpse into the future for us.
However, there were omens that this may not last. I posted a photo of Sherman on a Saint Bernard Facebook page saying that Sherman was 10 years old. Several well-meaning but ominous posts stated that things may start to go downhill after that milestone. This appeared to be a glimpse into the future for us.
Sherman began to fall during our daily walks. The walks were shortened, but his stamina kept dwindling. It soon became apparent that Sheman could easily become stuck in an area that was acres from home and we wouldn’t be able to get him safely back. In October, Sherman retired from walking with the rest of the fur gang.
A vet visit that month for pain meds revealed clean bloodwork, but his mobility issues continued.
Over the next few months, his ability to move greatly diminished. His lifestyle of being content was fading away. However, he could still manage a tail wags here and there despite his discomfort.
Over the next few months, his ability to move greatly diminished. His lifestyle of being content was fading away. However, he could still manage a tail wags here and there despite his discomfort.
As I looked back over more than 10 years of photos of Sherman, I could see so much life in his eyes. There was so much energy in his play. He had so much love to give and that will be greatly missed.
That’s just the nature of things ‘round here.
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