20+ Weeks with Service Dog in Training Finn!
I've had the pleasure to enjoy pup Finn's company for almost five months now. He's an intelligent and joyful little thing, as long as he's not chewing up every thing I own. I don't think I quite forgot how difficult the puppy/ puberty stage was, but I definitely didn't overestimate myself..
Finn's daily life consists of bothering his older dog brother, staring at the cats and playing clown whenever people think he's cute. (I have to put on his "service dog" vest constantly so people actually leave us alone.)
Obviously we're also adding actual service dog events to his routine. Like getting groceries and accompanying me to bigger events. He also enjoys boarding the train and going to therapy with me. He'll just nap on the floor, very hardworking, such prowess.
Unfortunately, having Finn does not take away my diagnoses, he just makes it easier for me to deal with them. I probably hadn't been in a shop by myself since before covid, and now I've went, multiple times(!) I'm still learning to take up space, which is made harder because of having a service dog. Suddenly anonymity is a bit harder to achieve.
Everything regarding my adoption and it's traumas is currently on the back-burner, but personal goals have been achieved! I'm volunteer/ working about six hours a week now, which doesn't sound like a lot, but if you'd keep in mind that at first I didn't leave my house unless I had to walk my (older) dog... I'm also I'm the process of getting my driving licence, hoping for another month or two.
At this point in my life, Finn doesn't really help with stressful situations or panic attacks yet (thankfully the older dog is still there!). But his presence in my life does encourage me to take steps I previously thought were too scary and unknown. He's got another year-and-a-half to tune into my emotions (and I to his) before he'll become an official service dog, and by that point I will mourn the disappearance of his little puppy face but be proud of our accomplishments thus far!
If you've made it this far down, thank you for reading my little ramblings.
Take a look at the links down below, I'd be ever so grateful ♡
× crowdfund because my healthcare/ social services won't help
× instagram for weekly (obligatory) updates
× bluesky because I thought it'd be fun but I'm scared of social media already
