Happy Got Day Finn!

reposted from twistedandpurlednyc.com/

My Big Birthday Present

Most people who know me know to expect this from me, the day after my birthday.

In fact, I have gotten in the habit of taunting my friend Marianne about the day after my birthday (and a couple of other days in the year, but I know this is the one that “gets” her every time), to get the tissues ready.

Because I tell the same story every year, and it starts like this:

It was the day after my birthday. I bought a car, I bought a crate, and I drove down to Maryland to pick up my dog.

This is the ninth year I will be telling this story. It starts this way, every year. Some details get added, some are omitted, and every year I am gladder that I get to tell the story again.

It almost doesn’t matter any more why I decided that I wanted a border collie to begin with. What really matters is that rescue after rescue told me that I COULD NOT have  a border collie, not in New York City.

Never mind that I was trying to adopt my first dog ever. I knew (I did, right?) an adult border collie was going to be “difficult”. But how dare they deny ME providing a home for an unwanted dog!?!? Those were the magic words. “You cannot”.

I did finally convince someone to let me adopt a 4 year old male border collie though, nine years ago.

People tell me that Finn is lucky to have found me. I think he was totally meant to be mine. He knew that he found his sucker when he saw me. Played aloof a little, then gave me a big stare, then his goofy smile.

I will never forget the first day I got him to NYC. He was so scared he was practically crawling on the street as I tried to walk him from my garage to my apartment. Automatic doors opened and he jumped. I thought he would never go to the bathroom on concrete. Thank goodness he’s the kind of dog that  would sell his soul for food because he had never seen stairs before and back then, I lived on the 4th floor of a walk up. I coaxed him up, with food, inching up the stairs. It took me 45 minutes.

Then, he turned into a total stalker. Of me. He stared and stared and stared. I lost 5 pounds in the first weekend that I had him because I could not eat while he was staring at me. “Dogs need exercise”, they tell you. So I ran and ran.

I should have publicized it as the new diet. “The Border Collie Diet”.

He has taught me many things. In the last nine years, I have taken many adventures because of him. I have touched sheep (a lot, and not just because they are yarn about to happen). I have learned that communicating with another species is a different kind of challenge — dogs are so….literal. I have learned about canine structure and behavior. Most of all, I have learned what true companionship is all about.

I don’t believe that dogs give you unconditional love….until you earn it. Once you earn it, though, then I think you become the sun, moon and goddess of their universe. Really, I don’t think I can do much wrong in Finn’s eyes at this point.

In fact, as I write this, all 50 pounds of Finn are lying on my feet. And snoring. Because he’s an old guy. He’s a very good boy.

I hope, with all my heart, that I get to write my day after my birthday story for several years more. Marianne, please pass the tissue.

Happy adopt-a-versary, Finn. Thank you for a great nine years!

Nemo and the Dogs

One of my favorite things to do is to snow shoe hike with the dogs. And, thanks to Storm Nemo, we got a nice dump of sugary, powdery snow. While the ~8-10" we got in NYC is almost all gone, our favorite hiking haunts are still full of the fluffy stuff.

Please click through for some fun photos of MABCR Alum Finn and Lucy hiking in the snow....

Adoption Update: Finn!

Jaclyn,

Just a note for you.  Please pass this on to the folks at MABCR. Finn is doing well and he seems to be settling in on the very well on his 1st day in his new home.  

I do not understand why this dog was in a rescue.  I have had him with me all day today and have yet to see anything bad or negative with this guy.  He did get on the couch but responded very quickly when I said "no", and then followed with "off".  A few cycles of that I and I have not seen him on the couch since.  

I took him over to a friends house while I was installing a laminate floor and he was very well behaved all day.  He loves to play fetch and he seems to know all of the basic dog training lessons.  He is house broken, understands no,  sit, down, stay, leave it,  drop it, out, and heal.  He is very rough on a leash but responded very well this morning when I took him for a walk.  I had him healing fairly well in about 10 minutes; somebody has taught this guy to walk on a leash in  the past.  

I have also noticed two additional tricks like shake (verbal Que being paw) and he will sit up on his hind end and then walk on his back legs on command.  I have not figured out the actual command yet but he was doing that today.  He did this when I asked him to speak.  He is very smart and very responsive to voice commands.  

I bought him a knotted rope at the pet store and we spent about an hour playing with that.  He seems to understand the difference between toys and was going to fetch a particular toy when I asked.  I was able to get him to switch from his rope, to a blue squeaky ball, to a tennis ball, and back to the rope by simply saying "no, go get me the (insert toy)".  

I plan on taking him to the local dog park tomorrow and see how he does off leash.  They have a very large fenced in area that covers several acres.  Oh, buy the way, he seems to be doing OK with my cat who appears to be coming to some sort of uneasy peace with Finn. He is paying much more attention to her than she cares for though so I am fully expecting him to have scratch marks on his nose before long.  All and all not a bad 1st day for Finn.

When I talked to you yesterday you had said that Finn attached him self to you husband, well he seems to be doing the same to me.  He is not responding as well to my wife Mitzi and prefers to follow me everyplace I go in the house.  Also when you said that he seemed to want to climb into your lap, well he will actually do that.  I had a 55 pound lap dog today, by surprise.

Patrick

MABCR Finn!

I'm Finn.

I don't like my picture taken.

At all.

But these ladies insisted.

So....maybe I'll just show you how long my tongue grows.

see?

OK, I'll pose.

That's enough now...

Sigh.

One more...that's it now, I'm outa here....

Twelve Years Old. -- Happy Got Day Finn!

And Happy, Happy Birthday!

Finn's human wrote a very nice blog post in honor of his Got Day. His Birthday was a few days ago, and in honor, I am reposting Finn's Got Day Post for all of you here...Please click through for a nice tribute and some wonderful photos...

Twelve Years Old. » Twisted and Purled:

"12 years ago today (GASP!), a little border collie puppy was born. I bet Hot Fudge Sundae was a really really cute pup. Because all puppies are, but especially HFS because he inspired someone to name him HOT FUDGE SUNDAE.

Now, HFS was determined to shake this “sweet” image. And you know border collies can be very single minded (or OCD, but it’s his birthday so let’s be a bit nice today)."

'via Blog this'

Finn's Got Day

Seven years ago last Saturday, Kei adopted Finn. Anyone who says a border collie cannot successfully live in Manhatten, needs to meet Kei, Finn and Lucy (also an MABCR alum).

Finn came into rescue from a situation where he had been tied or kenneled because he chased livestock. Well, of course he did. His name was Hot Fudge Sundae. Finn wants you to know that was horribly embarrassing and he is really glad he got a new name...and a new home. He adores his dogma, and tolerates his little sister.

Happy Got Day Finny-Finn-Finn!

Adoption Update -- Finn (was Holden)

He's doing really well!!  You are right - confidence has increased daily. 

I am amazed how easily the cats accepted him - but then he's so unassuming, and I have very mellow cats, so maybe that's not such a surprise. 

Cate's accepting him too - kind of funny, she's not used to anyone playing the way she does and, on one hand, you can see she enjoys it - but, on the other, you can see her get annoyed when he's "got her number."  It's pretty funny to see the surprise on her face when that happens.  Clearly she likes him. When I brought him back from his first vet check up on Friday, she ran over to greet him as we entered the house, tail a-waggin', like he'd been gone forever.  There have only been a couple of instances where she seemed to say, "Kid, you're getting on my nerves!!" but he responded very well to her "corrections." 

He settles down beautifully in the house, he responds to his new name, he's doing really well on leash, and his recall is getting better daily.   No accidents in the house.  He starts "Charm School" this weekend, and I think he'll really enjoy it. I'm looking forward to bringing him back to Yappy Hour showing a little more of a confident swagger!!

We are quite smitten with him, in case you can't tell.
:-D

Laurie

Adoption Update: Finn (was Knox)

Hello All, 


I am happy to report that Finn(Knox) and I completed our course at k9 gym.  We had a great experience there.  They really taught me to be a better owner!  


Finn is doing great, and the kids have taught him lots of tricks including sit, shake, roll over and spin!  They are all much more comfortable around their big puppy and give and receive tons of love each day.  He's a great dog!  


Thought you would enjoy a picture of a more grown up pup with his boys. 


Thanks to you all, 


Carrie 

Adoption Update: Finn (formerly Holden)

Hi Sarah,

 Finn is doing very well here - we are delighted.  He wouldn't leave the safety of the kitchen for the first day, but he has gradually expanded to the rest of the house. He's now mingling with the cats and is initiating some play with Cate.  We took him for a couple of long walks and he really does beautifully on leash, little to no tugging.  It's funny, he seems to feel more confident and secure on leash than off of it. I am really seeing what you mean about confidence building, and I've seen some progress ever day so, like you, I'm really encouraged by that.  He's responding well to routine and tomorrow I'm going to start looking for a good local trainer or class so we can get some basic skills. I think he'll enjoy it and, at the same time, will gain more confidence from understanding what's expected of him.  Does that seem like a good game plan for him?

Take care and, as always, thanks for your help!

Laurie

Adoption Update: Finn

Hi Sarah;

I thought that you would enjoy this photo of Finn enjoying his new "part time" job - helping raise cheetah cubs! An article on him was just published in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums magazine - I'll scan and send you a copy as soon as I can. I also have a friend working on a story about him for Dog World. He's still famous (and well loved).

Chris

Holden Goes Home -- with 'sister' Cate!

Holden went home this morning with his new family, including MABCR Alum Cate! Holden is on the left, Cate on the right!

Adoption Update: Finn

Dear Philly Zoo Friends,

In honor of the 150th Anniversary of the Philly zoo, I wish to congratulate you all for your years of devotion in the field of conservation locally and globally as you have contributed not only to CCF, but to species' conservation and protecting wildlife around the world.

CCF is grateful to be a partner of the Philly Zoo to protect the cheetah and its habitat and I wanted to personally thank you during this momentous milestone for the Zoo. I know you all are aware of our most recent association with Chris Bartos and Finn and the scat-sniffing dog program, well it is remarkable the success we are having here in Namibia thanks to you, your kind donation to CCF and Chris's extraordinary time in training Finn who is doing great!!

Thank you from all of us here at CCF Namibia and congratulations to everyone for 150 years of excellence and service to protecting endangered species around the world.

Cheetah purrs and thanks,

Laurie

Dr. Laurie Marker, DPhil
Founder/Executive Director
Cheetah Conservation Fund

http://www.cheetah.org/

Please help us save the wild cheetah. Donate Now.
The Cheetah Conservation Fund is supported globally by affiliate non-profit organizations in the United States, United Kingdom, Namibia, Canada, Japan, Holland, Italy and Germany. Visit the 'About CCF' Section on our website to learn more about donating through a local organization supporting CCF at http://www.cheetah.org/

Adoption Update: Finn

Hello All!

Louis and I would like to thank you all for the wonderful opportunity you provided us for adoption.

We love Finn and he is a great dog that will make a perfect addition to our family. Finn has adjusted very well, is learning quickly and seems to be happy with his new home. It couldn't have worked out better.

Thank you for your attention to detail and your dedication to the adoption process.

Michelle & Louis