Dog Photos

Man Lovingly Recreates Childhood Photo with Beloved Dog

by Amy Drew

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Gordon Delacroix, here at age 15, cradles a baby Birdy.
Gordon Delacroix, here at age 15, cradles a baby Birdy.

 

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Five years ago, Gordon Delacroix of Brussels, Belgium, recreated a photo he’d found.

“I was just going through old pictures and stumbled upon that one, I checked in my wardrobe and (embarrassingly) the same sweater was still just sitting there, so I thought why not redo the picture?” Delacroix told ABC News.

The photo was of himself and his dog, Birdy, then just a pup, standing in front of his grandmother’s house in Belgium.

This year, as Birdy, now over 15 years old, is set to battle a probable cancer diagnosis, Delacroix – lead singer for a band called the Recorders – decided to do another, then posted the three to Reddit.

“The one I took [the other day] was mostly because I thought people might enjoy it or find it interesting; it’s also a great memory to have of my best pal!”

The images show him at 15, 25 and 30, Birdy aging alongside – the dog is now a handsome gray-muzzled senior, his master now burly and bearded.

 

The first recreation: Delacroix at 25.
The first recreation: Delacroix at 25.

 

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The internet, not surprisingly, approved of the sentimental posting. At press time it had nearly 2.3 million views with lots of sweet comments in response.

All the details, from the sweater to the positioning of the photos mimic the original, with Delacroix sweetly holding his best friend like a child. “He is definitely my best friend,” he said. “He’s a part of my at this point.”

While there was no mention of a bucket list (the pair have shared a zillion memories – sledding, beach days, recording sessions; Birdy even appeared in one of Delacroix’s band’s videos), the musician is doing whatever he can to savor his time with Birdy, days he knows are likely limited.

 

 

Distinguished gentlemen: with Birdy at 30.
Distinguished gentlemen: with Birdy at 30.

 

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“He could easily be great for another six months, but it’s also possible that he’ll get very sick again soon and this time for the last time,” he said. “It breaks my heart just to think about it, but we’ve had so many great years and adventures together.”