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In the Company of Newfies: A Shared Life
Finally back in print, In the Company of Newfies is one of the most beautiful books ever written about dogs. It has become a classic and a collectible. It is a book of love and loss...for owners of all breeds, not just Newfoundlands. Thousands have found, after the loss of their dogs, enduring comfort in it. Thousands have found eye-opening insights into the hearts of their dogs. Lerman recounts a year in the life of one litter, and in the lives of the rest of the dog family in her household who help to rear and train the pups. It is a year of many victories and some losses, and it is through both that the reader experiences a full sweep of the emotions dogs and humans share. By book's end, the reader will have laughed at the antics of the irrepressible Toby; admired the quiet strength and intelligence of the mother, Molly; delighted in the growing maturity of the pups Rosie and Silky; cheered as Ishtar takes her first championship ribbon; and wept for the death of noble Ben. Couples read it out loud to each other. In the Company of Newfies is a visionary book filled with stunning insights that teach us much about the profound bond between human and dog, about the almost limitless possibilities in our relationships with them. Lerman's observations, keen and deeply intuitive, reveal dogs' thinking and behavior in new and wonderful ways. Reading her book, it is hard to deny her belief that dogs want to commune with people, want to leave their wild selves and join our human community. Perhaps only a novelist of Rhoda Lerman's skill and sensitivity could have ranged so freely to tell us so much.
- GenresDogsNonfiction
178 pages, Hardcover
First published September 28, 1995
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
September 5, 2018
How apt the title of this book is… A Shared Life. Speaking from experience, I can tell you honestly that living with a Newfoundland (or two) is not about owning a pet, it’s about sharing a life. When I finished this book I was anxious to connect with Rhoda Lerman either through Facebook or email, but I learned that she passed away in 2015 and I’m several years too late to thank her.
Rhoda was a believer, as am I, that most Newfs don’t even consider themselves dogs… they believe they are human like us. She writes about her dogs with passion and emotion, lovingly describes the relationships she enjoyed with each of her Newfs. I understood completely how each one could be special in their own way and no two relationships would be the same. She doesn’t just write about the sweetness and love, she expresses her frustrations and the ways she feels she failed at times… much of which is so relatable. Reading about communication, and listening for what the animals are trying to say, and it makes me worry. Did I miss what my own Newfs were trying to tell me? I probably did. Probably often.
We shared most of the last twelve years our lives with two wonderfully unique and loyal Newfoundland dogs. They are both gone from this earth now, it’s been 37 days since we lost Murphy, and their absence has affected me so much more than I ever could have even imagined. I am caught between that feeling of wanting to share my life with another Newf right this very minute, and also unable to bear the thought of someone other than Murphy or Ellie snoring away, laying at my feet while I’m working during the day. There are days I would give just about anything to look into Ellie's soulful, so very human eyes, or lay my head against Murphy’s huge chest and hear his heart thumping in my ear. But I also believe that pieces of them will come back to me, eventually. When I’m finally ready.
I think anyone who has known the love and devotion of a dog would appreciate this book.
Rhoda was a believer, as am I, that most Newfs don’t even consider themselves dogs… they believe they are human like us. She writes about her dogs with passion and emotion, lovingly describes the relationships she enjoyed with each of her Newfs. I understood completely how each one could be special in their own way and no two relationships would be the same. She doesn’t just write about the sweetness and love, she expresses her frustrations and the ways she feels she failed at times… much of which is so relatable. Reading about communication, and listening for what the animals are trying to say, and it makes me worry. Did I miss what my own Newfs were trying to tell me? I probably did. Probably often.
We shared most of the last twelve years our lives with two wonderfully unique and loyal Newfoundland dogs. They are both gone from this earth now, it’s been 37 days since we lost Murphy, and their absence has affected me so much more than I ever could have even imagined. I am caught between that feeling of wanting to share my life with another Newf right this very minute, and also unable to bear the thought of someone other than Murphy or Ellie snoring away, laying at my feet while I’m working during the day. There are days I would give just about anything to look into Ellie's soulful, so very human eyes, or lay my head against Murphy’s huge chest and hear his heart thumping in my ear. But I also believe that pieces of them will come back to me, eventually. When I’m finally ready.
I think anyone who has known the love and devotion of a dog would appreciate this book.
August 7, 2021
First let me say ‘In the Company of Newfies’ was a great book. I give it a 4.5. It is one I want to read again. I have had two Newfies in my life, so could relate to a lot in this book. Reading it really makes me want to go out and get another Newfie. But with all the great things about Newfoundland’s, there still is a lot of hair and slobber, so I can appreciate the trade offs I have with my cockapoo.
There is a lot to say about this book.
First let me mention that often pages are filled with one paragraph or close to it. There also is a lot packed into each paragraph so a lot to take in. I collect quotes or excerpts from books and other sources, and in this book, there is a lot I could want to save. But so much makes it hard to stop and say this portion is what I want to carve out. That is one of the reasons I want to read it again.
Second, the author is so wonderfully observant on the dog’s behavior. With that she offers wonderful insights on what she feels is going on. Great stuff. I envy her that in her. For her to notice it, remember it in such detail, and relate it to us is wonderful.
Third, I like how she doesn’t hold anything back. I think she is more of a dog person than anyone else I have met or read about. A lot of us let our dog sleep in bed with us, but several very large ones? A lot of us make allowances for how neat and tidy our house is to accommodate for the dog, but multiple big harry dogs are a lot, I know from just having one. She writes about it all. And almost all of it is great, with the exception being some passages where she is equating her feelings in a mother earth way that felt a bit weird. I take it as it is and just appreciate her being honest with us to share her thoughts
The details on raising puppies are great. I would recommend anyone whose dog is going to or wants to have puppies to read this book.
Lastly, one element of the book I want to comment on the emphasis on showing dogs, and working toward attaining Champion titles. When I got my first Newfie, I put my toe in the water of showing her. My dog Lady, like one mentioned in the book, chose to limp when entering the ring, perhaps to get out of doing it. I understand the appeal of confirmation, and the good and bad of showing dogs. Some people may not relate to it, or feel that too much emphasis on show qualities may take away from qualities that could be more important. In this book it is an important element. Even if AKC confirmation is not something I was into, it is important to the author and so I want to cheer along with her and support those that do. The dog show toward the end helps the book have an element to build up to. However, I contemplate what the book would have been without it and without the references at times to the full AKC names. I think it would have still been a great book, with great details for you to feel you knew each of the great dogs.
There is a lot to say about this book.
First let me mention that often pages are filled with one paragraph or close to it. There also is a lot packed into each paragraph so a lot to take in. I collect quotes or excerpts from books and other sources, and in this book, there is a lot I could want to save. But so much makes it hard to stop and say this portion is what I want to carve out. That is one of the reasons I want to read it again.
Second, the author is so wonderfully observant on the dog’s behavior. With that she offers wonderful insights on what she feels is going on. Great stuff. I envy her that in her. For her to notice it, remember it in such detail, and relate it to us is wonderful.
Third, I like how she doesn’t hold anything back. I think she is more of a dog person than anyone else I have met or read about. A lot of us let our dog sleep in bed with us, but several very large ones? A lot of us make allowances for how neat and tidy our house is to accommodate for the dog, but multiple big harry dogs are a lot, I know from just having one. She writes about it all. And almost all of it is great, with the exception being some passages where she is equating her feelings in a mother earth way that felt a bit weird. I take it as it is and just appreciate her being honest with us to share her thoughts
The details on raising puppies are great. I would recommend anyone whose dog is going to or wants to have puppies to read this book.
Lastly, one element of the book I want to comment on the emphasis on showing dogs, and working toward attaining Champion titles. When I got my first Newfie, I put my toe in the water of showing her. My dog Lady, like one mentioned in the book, chose to limp when entering the ring, perhaps to get out of doing it. I understand the appeal of confirmation, and the good and bad of showing dogs. Some people may not relate to it, or feel that too much emphasis on show qualities may take away from qualities that could be more important. In this book it is an important element. Even if AKC confirmation is not something I was into, it is important to the author and so I want to cheer along with her and support those that do. The dog show toward the end helps the book have an element to build up to. However, I contemplate what the book would have been without it and without the references at times to the full AKC names. I think it would have still been a great book, with great details for you to feel you knew each of the great dogs.
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June 14, 2018I received this as a gift when I got our Newfie and I wasn't expecting it to be anything more than a book about the breed. It was such a good read and is good for anyone with a pet. It explores the relationships we create with them and the personalities our pets have in a way I had never thought of before. Very emotional.
September 26, 2013
A charming book relating how the author acquired one Newfie and it slowly grew to 11 (which I have trouble wrapping my head around and we have two).
June 4, 2020
One of my favorite books of all time. I keep it on my nightstand, just in case I need to be lulled into a peaceful, happy sleep. Rhoda brings you into her shared life with her beloved Newfoundlands, and you are so happy to be a part of this shared life! Her love, pure joy, and understanding of her dogs shines through in every page. You get to know her, and all her canine family members. Once I finished , I could not understand why anyone would not want their own Ben, so I went in search of my own. Following Rhoda's suggestions, I was not disappointed. I owned and was owned by one of the most magnificent dogs I have ever encountered in my over 30 years of dog fostering and ownership. If you have or had dogs with whom you share(d) a great relationship, you will relate to Rhoda's observances of her dogs behaviors. You may also learn a thing or two about animal behavior, which can only help your relationship with other creatures. Considering a dog? Read this book. Love dogs? Read this book.
August 4, 2020
You will laugh, you will cry. My favorite book of all time, for Newfoundland dog lovers and people that love dogs of any breed. A classic. You won't be able to just read it once, a book you read over and over.
July 20, 2011
This was a great "Newf" love story that really opened our eyes to the breeding of these beauties!! We were on a waiting list to get a pup from breeder, but 4 breedings in a row failed to produce.
February 27, 2023
I'm sorry, but this book is anthropomorphizing at its best/worst! I have really only read about 1/2 of this book. I don't know what I was expecting, but it wasn't this.
Perhaps I'll pick it up again someday and give it another try.
Perhaps I'll pick it up again someday and give it another try.
May 9, 2021
One of my favorite books. The author has rare insight into the hearts of dogs.
March 9, 2022
Finally finished. I’m not a great fan of dog breeders. But it was obvious the author loved her dogs.
January 14, 2011
Whether you have Newfoundlands or not, this is a great dog book. If you love dogs like I do, and especially if you have helped with whelping, then you will really like it.
I suggest this book to all who love dogs!
I suggest this book to all who love dogs!
April 3, 2009
This is the most amazing book & not necessarily for Newfie owners. This book is for anyone who's life is fortunate enough to be surrounded by dogs.
August 26, 2014
Love dogs, read this.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews