family life, spiritual life

When God sends a dog and a half…

JOY journal

Finnegan is sleeping more innocent like than he should be. He’s no doubt tired after a two short walks — post breakfast and post lunch given my work-at-home lifestyle — and running away to see his girlfriend this afternoon. (Luna’s a lovely golden mix with whom he normally has set, mommy-monitored play dates.)

Finn inside the fence, where he’s supposed to be during outdoor times.

It’s technically my fault that he got out. I forgot to latch the garden gate after taking brush to the curb. But, he didn’t have to go off like a shot. Without me even knowing about it until Luna’s mom called me from work to report her husband had Finn trapped in their backyard like the rat dog he is.

After a series of easy, breezy dogs, we have clearly adopted a canine set on perma teen. He makes his own plans, follows directions only when he feels like it and responds to a direct “no” by flopping to the floor with a thud and a literal grumble.

This proves to me, once again, that God has a sense of humor. I say this, because we actually prayed as a family that God would direct us to exactly the right dog before we went to the shelter. Our beloved Miles — a herding dog mix with the personality of a surfer — died suddenly earlier this year. My mother, nearly 94 and part of our household for 11 years, followed soon after. Our eldest daughter left for college a bit after that.

Finn’s day bed. He also sleeps on the couch and on wingbacks covered with vintage blankets. At night, he’s an unrepentant bed hog and aggressive cuddler.

It’s been a hard, raw, exhausting year. It would have seemed that a sweet furry wisp of a dog was surely in order. But, no, God sent a dog’s dog, a real dog, a dog and a half. Part Target dog (English bull terrier) and part juvenile delinquent — Finn has pushed our dog-wrangling skills to the limit.

I’ve prayed hard for this dog — mostly that he won’t be a neighborhood menace. I’ve prayed for myself — also that I won’t be a neighborhood menace. (Our neighbors are actively helping me in this respect. They “good boy” him if he doesn’t bark when they’re walking past our fence. Some even bring him treats for the same.) But, five dogs into life, I’ve been reduced to buying a dog training manual, an anti-pull harness, a seat belt and lots and lots of baby wipes for the car. (Did I mention he has motion sickness?)

We have made some progress.

If pillows aren’t where he wants them, he rearranges them.

We’re past house breaking and neutering. We’re past grabbing anything left on the floor — such as the wallet of a teen daughter — and chewing it into teeny, tiny bits. We’re past growling at baby strollers and men with beards. We’re past yanking my shoulder nearly out of the socket if there’s a squirrel, another dog with an attitude or some good-smelling garbage in sight. We’re past dognadoeing on the furniture. We’re past — for the most part — trying to nip people’s fingers if a pet ends too quickly.

No doubt plotting his next escapade.

But, we’re still in the throes of putting a stop to tearing through the garden plants — while barking and chasing after trucks or boys on skateboards who have the temerity to be going down the lane outside our picket fence. (My husband has put in so many zoomie-blocking bamboo stakes it looks like some kind of tropical jail out there. But, some of our perennials are still goners as Finn’s also digging holes.)

And, now, he’s watching the garden gate like a hawk for any slip ups on our part.

They’ve been my slip ups so far. Twice. In one week. He’s been to Luna’s both times. The first time was high weekend while everyone and their dog, literally, was out enjoying the weather. There was a parade of people and one of those dogs — an old and slow one who got loose in the fracas — trying to help us. The people (not the dog) were offering treats, whistling, yelling “Here, Finnegan” and grabbing for his collar as he slalomed like an Olympian through the crowd.

I can’t get a moment of peace with this dog in the house. I can’t think long or deeply. I can’t do a lot of things that I might be inclined to do at the moment. And, that might be the point of a dog we aptly but accidentally named after one of fiction’s most rascally boys.

Finnegan. Finn. Huckleberry Finn. Good Lord! And, rather surprisingly, I mean that as a praise.

At least for now. If Finn starts chewing tobacco or involves a river raft on his next escape, he’s outta here.

Published by JOY journal

After a long career writing for local newspapers — and, on rare occasions, for publications such as The Washington Post — Nora's word life is now focused on blogging and occasional writing projects of special interest. Also the author of several books, Nora lives in Appalachia with her husband and a goodish dog named Finn, who is delighted whenever the family's two adult daughters are home from college.

30 thoughts on “When God sends a dog and a half…”

  3. Gosh what a lot of cataclysmic events to absorb. Only 6 months after my beloved Lulu died, three weeks ago I said goodbye to my sweet Lily. Had no idea how strong those attachments were but as something of a hermit they kind of were my life, aside from Bible studies. The whole adoption process seems daunting and exhaustive, though I hope to have another furry friend one day. Cheers to you.

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  7. Nora, how delightful to meet Finnegan. He certainly is a handsome fellow who seems to have a knack for keeping you on your toes. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about his escapades, including his Olympic like reflexes. Luna must be quite flattered by her suitor’s unexpected visits. Thank goodness when he does slip out, he has a final destination in mind. Maybe he will be the inspiration for a series of children’s books.

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  8. ❤️❤️🤣🥰 I have a 11 month grandson who I think who will be keeping me on my toes. Your adventures with Finnegan reminds me of my busy boy! Keeps us moving!!!!

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  9. Nora, I’m so sorry for your losses. Even having a child leave for college is a loss in a sense.
    I think the most telling statement here is, “I can’t think long or deeply.” And maybe that’s why Finn at this point. After so much recent loss, thinking TOO long or TOO deeply could be overwhelming. Perhaps a lively, humorous distraction is in order to keep your grief in small doses.

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  11. What fun, Finn would get on well with Omelette across the road who is a springer/ cocker spaniel cross and is either barking at everything going past or escaping; passers by might wonder why a middle aged man is yelling Omelette.

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