Doug in Full Color!
Doug in Dog-Cat Vision
After Luna passed away, we were so heartbroken, Russ and I decided to never get another dog. We would spend Joy’s golden years with her and be done.
Joy and Doug are Very Good Friends. I love this photo of them in Colorado. I needed a unique front for a card for Dr. Zann at Sirius Veterinary Orthopedic Center so I used this beautiful duo. Last I heard, the card is still up :)
I had also vowed long ago to never adopt a Boxer or a Golden - two of my very favorite breeds - because of their shorter lifespans, mainly due to premature cancer. I doubled down on this stance after losing Luna (a mutt) to premature cancer.
EVERYONE who has read this far knows the flawed logic in BOTH those paragraphs. And EVERYONE knows how this turned out.
If you have not yet met him, let me formally introduce you to Douglas Halas Finch. He does not shake, but he does fist bump, and he is over the moon excited to meet you.
Doug is our extrovert. In a family of introverts, we very much needed his outgoing over the top friendly and ridiculous self.
Dougie’s favorite word is also his favorite place! Do not say “Lowe’s” unless you are heading there with Doug. Context does NOT matter. If you are talking about hardware stores and accidentally say “Lowe’s,” guess what! You are now on your way to Lowe’s with Doug.
Doug is our optimist. Not that the rest of us are not, but in a family where all the humans deal with depression, we very much needed this happy, playful, always 110% engaged dog.
So here’s what happened…
Knowing it was perfectly safe (see the first two paragraphs full of my flawed logic - it was actually NOT safe thank goodness), anyways, knowing it was perfectly safe, I had Russ and Amanda and Abby come with me on a bed check for a pup I had neutered for an amazing rescue in town, Golden Retriever Rescue in Nebraska - GRRIN. We were not looking for a dog, much less a Golden, and with his gorgeous looks and sweet personality, I knew he would be adopted in a second as soon as he was available. Everyone in the family loved this Golden pup, who was, for now, named Halas. Halas was resting comfortably post-op so we spent some time with him and Abby gave him a toy and we headed out.
On the drive home, Amanda was unusually quiet. I looked over to Abby and she had tears running down her face. I glanced at Russ, “can we? He glanced back, “I was about to ask you.” And we were suddenly on the road to adopting a dog, a heartbreaking Golden at that.
Well Douglas Halas Finch has not yet broken our hearts, but he has been such a bright spot and a healing presence during what had been a pretty dark stretch.
Super sweet, super fun, never met a stranger, and exactly the larger than life, playful, soulful goofball we didn’t know we needed. (Abby knew).
Doug does NOT like being away from Abby. When Abby was out of town, Amanda and I counted the days with Doug.
Since he is so gorgeous, I will end with ALL the photos. Love you Doug Dog. So very glad I went against My (not actually) Better Judgement. You are the best. I cannot imagine this stage of life without you buddy.
Doug and Periwinkle are Friends.
Doug and Lucky are also friends. As much as a wrecking ball as he can be, he is so careful and gentle around his little lizard friend.
Dougie was made for trips to Colorado - as was I.
After over a decade of Joy - our mostly Lab - being afraid of water, she decided to try swimming again 2 years ago because Doug was having so much fun, and she loves it! What a good friend you are Dougie!
Dougie gets his bandana changed by Abby every few days. He looks good in ALL the colors. Also, if he is getting too mouthy, he knows to put his bandana in his mouth to help him be good.
Sometimes Dougie falls asleep with Flashy Ball in his mouth after he and Russ have played Flashy Ball outside before bedtime.
Dougie loves Uncle Dave! Notice the bandana :) He REALLY wanted to be a Good Boy. You are Dougie. You are.