Finn’s 8!

Forever young 🐶

Though 100% of people who meet him still guess he’s a puppy, Finn turns 8 today!

When we adopted him as a pup, I quickly learned he was a different beast than his predecessor, @khanonearth. Khan was the chillest dog ever. Finn is…not as chill. It was a big transition for me and a major test in letting go.

"He’ll settle down when he's 3," they said.

He grew right past that, never less excitable.

In most ways, Finn today at 8 years is the same as he was at 8 weeks. He still gets soooooo stoked to meet new beings or see old friends. He still looooves his lovies (soft stuffed animals).

But he doesn't hide under the couch or do zoomies every day at 5:30pm. And he's still growing and maturing and trying new things.

When he met our new landlord for the first time yesterday, he was literally the most well-behaved, perfect dog I could imagine. When he went on a boat last weekend, for the first time in his life, despite his life-long timidness around water, he was a natural. And when a toddler toddles toward him, he will lick their face, as sure as his lick will be gentle.

Finn's medicine 💘

I learned to celebrate his energy, and eventually marvel at it. 

Indeed, he’s a remarkable vessel of youthful exuberance, immeasurable patience, undiscriminating love, and unquestioning forgiveness. He’s one of Mother Nature’s purest expressions of the beauty of life and interconnection between lifeforms.

This creature is ALL LOVE.

I’ve never seen an ounce of aggression in him. Only innocent, unfiltered LOVE IN ALL CAPS. He inspires me to be more loving, when I’m open to inspiration.

I trust that some day I'll better understand why this guy was my companion for the part of the journey we're spending together. With Khan, that clarity came after he transitioned to the spirit realm. , I'm good knowing that he's a source of medicine that's good for you and me.

Dare you not to smile. 🤭

When we're on a walk, I witness what a gift Finn’s presence is to those around him. Their reactions to him - smiles, laughs, compliments - remind me what a privilege it is to be the human who accompanies him on trails and 'round town, as he reliably brings smiles to faces.

I envision this “smile force field” - an invisible bubble, or aura, emanating around him as he trots, big ears flopping. Everyone who enters into it and locks eyes on him immediately crack a smile.

Just this morning, when walking by the Gravenstein Apple Fair - a big annual gathering to celebrate the local apple harvest - he got three comments from three different passersby within 90 seconds of each other: 

• “Your dog is magnificent”
• “What a cutie”
• “Hi baby!”

Nurture + nature 🫂

I credit his seemingly inFinnite well of love to the care he received from his mum, Laura, during his early, formative years. It was a kind of gentle nurturance that I’m not sure was or is within my capacity. When she reminded me of his birth date because I couldn't remember it, she said, “it’s okay, it's a mom thing.” I think that applies here, too.

Four-paw drive 🐾

From city to suburb, beach to mountain desert, snow to sweltering heat, homelife to nomadism, Finn has adapted to every environment and lifestyle. He's been a steady and stable symbol of home, wherever we are together.

Give Finn a Cookie 🍪

I’m celebrating Finn today, and you’re invited to do the same. Recently, I started giving him a treat every time he gets a compliment on our walks. So, let’s do the internet equivalent — I’ll give him a cookie for every complimentary comment he gets - ready, set, spoil him!

🥳 🎉 🧁 🎈