Our dear old “border spaniel,” Finnegan, was born 25 years ago today.

Finnegan arrived in my home as an 8-week-old puppy. He had already been sharing my bed, my couch, and my comfy armchair for 14 years before Bill came into my life. He gladly made room for the new two-legged critter and was a devoted companion to both of us until he left this earthly dimension at the age of 17 years and 4 months. He was a medium-sized dog with a big attitude and an even bigger spirit – and Border Collie smarts.

Stephen King once wrote of a departed friend saying,

He will always be part of my heart’s neighbourhood.

Those words are eloquent in their simplicity, a beautiful turn of phrase. They pretty much sum up how I feel about Finnegan.

Bill decided we should declare Finnegan’s birthday our personal holiday and celebrate it every year.
So here’s to you, little friend. I hope you’re in some parallel universe, thinking up new schemes and sticking your nose where it doesn’t belong. We miss you.

Photo by Sue Curwin taken at Saints Rest Beach, Saint John, NB.