Adventures of Finnick (and Friends)

Breaks my heart…

Was searching for something in my picture folders today and stumbled across this picture. I want it not to hurt when I see this face. I want her memory to bring a smile. But it still hurts so damn much when I know I’ll never see her look up at me like this again. On the day this was taken I looked down at this sparkling face and I thought I saw a bright future. I didn’t know I’d be saying goodbye less than two years later. I miss her so much.

One of my favorite things to do is think about Next Dog, and what Next Dog might be, and where Next Dog might come from, even though that is likely to be 4-5 years down the line. A lot can change between now and then – but it’s fun to think about.

I have a shortlist of breeds I think about a lot, but would love to hear suggestions!

Strongly prefer:

Decent potential for off-leash reliability. 

Reputation for long, vigorous lifespans. Obviously there are no guarantees, but a decent shot at 12 or more years with a dog is really important to me.

More inherent biddability and drive to work than what I’m used to. I think I’m pretty fluid in how I’d define this – considering the dogs I have already, I don’t feel too scared off by breeds that have a tricky to motivate, “what’s in it for me?” reputation. (So even a sports prospect puppy in a “non-traditional” breed might be a good fit?) I already spend time every day training and thinking about training, but currently find my appetite for it surpasses Chalo and Priya’s. I would love to not have to work quite so hard next time around, in that sense. More god-given (dog-given?) food and toy drive would be fun.

Reserved, aloof nature around strangers; cuddly with me. 

Medium-sized, athletic, rustic, leggy build. 30-40 pounds is The Ideal, but not of utmost importance. 

Short, wash-and-wear coat, with minimal daily grooming requirements. 

Would prefer to avoid:

High likelihood of needing a crate-and-rotate situation. I don’t mind some selectivity with other dogs, but reasonable potential to live harmoniously with Chalo and Priya is very important. 

Gregariously excitable, needs-to-meet-everyone, would-jump-in-the-car-of-a-total-stranger personalities

INTENSE physical exercise requirements, at least by my personal definition. I’m willing, ready, and able to do more than my current dog exercise routine (a structured 1-2 hours a day, including hiking 3-5 times a week), but it’s important to me that a dog be able to tolerate a couple physically low-key days here and there without bouncing off the walls.

Barking for the sake of barking.

Drooling.

Docked tails.

Currently dabbling in, and would like to continue dabbling in:

hiking hiking hiking

useless tricks galore

agilitating

obedience and rally

HIKING HIKING HIKING

Thinking often about these (I recognize they don’t all unanimously tick off all my boxes – but it’s a loose list where I’m willing to compromise on some things):

Kelpies

Australian cattle dogs

Rhodesian ridgebacks

German shorthaired pointers

Whippets

Cirneco dell’Etna

Canaan dogs

Loves to chase birds.

“Get away from me I don’t want your cuddles” personality.

Small.

Fluffy.

If you hit the jackpot, your dog might never stop.

You don’t even KNOW what barking really is yet.

If you didn’t have an aversion to grooming I’d say an Aussie with a natural tail. They’re great off leash, trainable, aloof with strangers, cuddly, and have an off switch. In my opinion the grooming isn’t so bad , they get wet and dirty and once they dry the dirt just falls off. The trimming they require is very minimal as well.

I’d also add silken Windhounds , rat terriers, and Koolies !