Finnigan

Approximately 15 000 years ago humans and dogs made a deal.

Aligning itself with the furless biped, the wolf gained access to a relatively steady supply of food that freed it from many of the burdens of puppy rearing for prolonged periods after the pups are weaned, reproductive freedom for young females, and greater ease and efficiency in hunting… The biped gained a hunting partner who greatly increased its take, a guard against the dangers of the night, a guide in life and death, a beast of burden, a traveling companion, and a lap dog.

— Mark Derr, How the Dog Became the Dog: From Wolves to Our Best Friends (2011)

This unspoken agreement carried through centuries, vast distances, stark changes in culture and environment, and became even more intensified as considered breeding practices took hold.

When you take a dog into your house you are – knowingly or not – signing your name to this contract. There are plenty of those who break it, who fail to uphold their end of the deal. But when it comes down to it, it’s not luck. It’s just honestly upholding the agreement. Feed your dog, water it, exercise it, teach it, provide it guidance, offer it affection, keep it safe. Give your dog the opportunities to make choices, to use its senses and to discover new and novel things. Love your dog for who and what they are, wholly and unconditionally.

He weighs 25 lbs and has floppy ears and is about as unlike a human as a dog can be, but our home is the same home and we are both happy to open the door, sink onto the sofa, and be together.

Yesterday, after giving him a little piece of salmon as a treat with his dinner, he was staring at me as we sat on the sofa.

“What is it, Milo? What do you want?” I asked him. He hopped off, walked to his empty food bowl, stuck his nose in, and then looked at me.

What I said: Awww!

Camera: *pans over past the hula hoop*

Mm Haley’s ribbon wall is jam packed and I don’t even have room for certificates and things (might put those in a book?).