We feel very privileged to have the Southern Alps & a plethora of alpine lakes on our back door step. Here 17- month-old Henry and Wellington celebrate Wellington’s eleventh birthday with a winter dip in Lake Coleridge.

...Henry had a ball even though he is not yet an accomplished swimmer.

Henry's older brother Kiwa however, has had lots of experience in the water and is a real aquatic pro.

Here's Kiwa doing a spot of diving at Lake Brunner.

Henry is pictured here with Michelle at a Newfoundland Club walk in Bottle Lake Forest in Christchurch.

Here, Henry is eighteen months old and weighed around 63 kilos.

Here's Henry at twenty months old. He and Wellington had been for a swim in Lake Coleridge and on the way home we couldn't resist this photo opportunity . Dog Box corner is an intersection in the middle of nowhere, up in New Zealand's Southern Alps.

At this time Henry weighed around 66.5 kilos.

Even at twenty months, Henry is still as cuddly as ever. Here he joins his 'Grandparents', Alan & Margaret, on the couch.

Henry joined some of his Newfoundland friends to attend his first Christmas parade in 2007. Michelle adorned his backpack with Christmas decorations and as we walked through the streets, we heard children referring to Henry as "Santa Dog" or "Santa Bear".

After adjusting to the noise, Henry seemed to enjoy the event just as much as the kids.

Where Henry lives in Canterbury NZ, the winter of 2008 took hold on July 07 and the first snow fell between 1:30pm and 5:00pm, giving coverage about 10cm deep.

Henry didn't experience snow at home last year and relished the novelty this time around.

Henry at 28 months has leaned right down to around 61.5 kilos, which surprised us as he has consistently lost weight over the past few months.

However, he is in fine condition and spirit...

...and the fact that we exercise him much more now that his bones have developed has no doubt been the largest contributing factor.