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Wanderer at Rest: The new Finn
Published
9 years agoon
By Jamie Balke
Explore Big Sky Columnist
When I first adopted my dog Finn last year, I didn’t know why he lacked energy. The vet estimated that he was between 8 and 9 years old, but he walked slowly and then, disturbingly, started losing hair.
For the first few months, we attributed Finn’s slow walking pace to a lack of cardio training. But after the sudden hair loss, we took him back to the vet and blood tests revealed he has low thyroid function.
Luckily, there is a medication that can address this issue, and Finn is like a new dog. He’s still the slightly neurotic, 80-pound lap dog that we fell in love with, but now that he’s feeling better, we’re getting to know the true Finn.
Apparently he can bark. Previously, he rarely made a peep, but now is making his opinions known. It’s a rather quiet, awkward bark – kind of like a person trying to sound like a dog – and Finn employs this newfound skill to herd us around the house. He doesn’t like it when we’re not all in the same room, under his loving, protective gaze. Now he can tell us about it while shepherding us around, ensuring compliance by applying his mighty frame oh so gently to the back of our knees.
Finn is also applying his new barking talent to wake me up and assist him into my bed. He usually decides around 4:30 a.m. that his fleece-lined, memory foam dog bed simply will not do. This requires hoisting his back legs onto my mattress, because he still hasn’t the knack for jumping.
Finn doesn’t limit the use of his newfound energy to barking. He also chases me around after I get out of the shower, trying to lick my legs. I‘m not sure why he’s taken up this particular hobby, but given what a thoughtful caretaker Finn is, I suspect he’s trying to help me dry off. Either that, or he enjoys watching me sprint from the bathroom to the closet, trying to dodge him as I get ready for the day.
These interesting quirks aside, it has been tremendous to see Finn transform into a happy, healthy dog. Right before he went on his medication, when he was at his lowest point, he could barely walk around the block. Now he’s able to go on day hikes with us, and recently we scaled the five-mile Triple Tree trail. He happily hiked for more than two hours on this beautiful trail south of Bozeman.
At the dog park, Finn used to look intimidating and was mostly uninterested in other dogs. Now he’s Mr. Social. He never enjoyed water before but now plays in the streams and ponds he used to avoid. Occasionally, upon our return, he vomits up the untreated water all over the living room floor.
We couldn’t be happier.
Jamie Balke will be forever grateful to Finn’s wonderful veterinarian and her technician for bringing Finn back to life.
Megan Paulson is the Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Outlaw Partners.
Upcoming Events
march, 2024
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February 26 (Monday) - April 21 (Sunday)
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My Barking Dog is a nightmare comedy
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My Barking Dog is a nightmare comedy that tells the story of Toby and Melinda, two lonely people whose lives are forever changed the night they encounter a starving coyote at their apartment building. Over time they grow to expect him, leaving ritual offerings to entice the coyote every night. Toby and Melinda forge a connection over this visitor and share curiosity and concern about his presence in the city. The coyote expands their world–until, one night, their world is shattered. Their lives are pushed suddenly into uncharted territory, sending them on a surreal odyssey that changes their city–and the world–forever.
Directed by LX Miller. Starring Max Schneider and Denise Hergett
Verge Theater is continuing their mission to provide accessible theater to our community. Tickets for My Barking Dog are Pay What You Wish with a suggested price of $35. Audience members are offered the opportunity to select the price point that is comfortable for them when purchasing tickets.
My Barking Dog runs March 15-17, 22-24, 28-30
Performances on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays begin at 7:00 p.m., with Sunday matinees offered at 3:00 p.m.
Suitable for ages 16 . No animals are harmed in the staging of this production.
Tickets are available online at www.vergetheater.com
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15 (Friday) 7:00 pm - 30 (Saturday) 8:30 pm
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Verge Theater
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Saturday, March 23rd 6:00-8:00pm We will combine the heart-opening powers of cacao with the transcendental powers of breathwork and sound. Together, these practices will give us the opportunity for a deep
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Saturday, March 23rd 6:00-8:00pm
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March 23 (Saturday) 6:00 pm - April 23 (Tuesday) 8:00 pm
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Santosha Wellness Center
169 Snowy Mountain Circle
29mar3:00 pm4:00 pmGood Friday Mass: St. Joseph Catholic Mission3:00 pm - 4:00 pm Event City:Big Sky
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Friday of the Passion of the Lord St. Joseph Catholic Mission
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Friday of the Passion of the Lord
St. Joseph Catholic Mission
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(Friday) 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm