Welcoming Finn: Our Heartwarming Journey to Adopting a Rescue Lab Mix Puppy

Well, here we are! We’ve officially expanded our family by adopting another dog. Allow us to introduce Finn (formerly known as Finneus), our newest addition: a cuddly, utterly adorable, and occasionally mischievous 4-month-old lab mix rescue puppy. His arrival was certainly an unexpected delight, transforming our household in the most wonderful way.

The Unexpected Call to Foster: How Finn Entered Our Lives

You might be wondering how this beautiful turn of events came to be, especially since adopting another dog was absolutely not on our radar. The story truly began just a couple of weeks ago. I stumbled upon a heartfelt posting from a local rescue organization here in Bend, Oregon, called Street Dog Hero. They were making an urgent plea for foster families in the area.

The situation was pressing: a shelter in Guadalajara, Mexico, had recently lost its lease and was forced to close its doors. Street Dog Hero stepped up heroically, organizing the transport of over 30 dogs by bus, covering more than 2,700 miles, to bring them to safety and new homes in Oregon. The sheer scale of their effort and the desperate need for foster homes immediately caught my attention.

Fostering dogs has always been something I’ve wanted to do at some point in my life, a silent dream waiting for the right moment. However, the timing never seemed quite right until this particular plea. Life often throws opportunities at you when you least expect them, and this was undeniably one of those moments. The urgency of the situation, coupled with a rare window of availability in our lives, felt like a sign.

When I saw that Street Dog Hero was in immediate need of placements, I didn’t hesitate to reach out. There were several young puppies, including Finn and his littermates, who desperately needed a temporary home. My heart went out to these little ones who had already endured such a long journey.

Our older dog, Marley, has always had a wonderful temperament with puppies, often acting as a patient big brother. This was a crucial factor in our decision, as we wanted to ensure any foster pup would integrate well into our existing pack. Considering Marley’s gentle nature and the need for foster homes, taking in a puppy felt like a sensible and manageable fit.

At the same time, I distinctly remember thinking that fostering a puppy would lessen the chances of us getting too attached. After all, we were absolutely not ready to adopt another dog, let alone a high-energy puppy. Famous last words, right? Little did I know, this tiny, fluffy creature was about to turn our world upside down in the most delightful way.

First Impressions: A Connection Forged on Day One

It was the late afternoon of July 1st when I drove to the shelter’s location, a hub of bustling activity and wagging tails, to pick up our new foster. This was the official beginning of our fostering journey, a path I thought would be temporary.

Despite having traveled an incredible distance – more than 2,700 miles by bus, a journey that must have been both exhausting and bewildering for a young puppy – Finneus emerged from the vehicle with an adorable wiggle, his whole body expressing a mix of happy nerves. What truly surprised me was his immediate trust. He didn’t once hesitate in leaving his littermates and his mom to follow me, this strange, unknown lady in Oregon, back to my car. It was as if he instinctively knew he was heading to a safe place.

The ride home was surprisingly calm. Within seconds of settling into the passenger seat, he curled up peacefully and gazed up at me with those large, soulful, piercing brown eyes. There was an undeniable depth to his look, a quiet plea that tugged at my heartstrings. Once we arrived home, he gently nuzzled into my neck, offering calm, sweet kisses to my face. In that moment, the careful detachment I had planned crumbled. It was then I knew: Uh oh. I was in trouble. This little pup had already begun to weave his way into my heart.

The Fourth of July Weekend: Puppy Chaos and Growing Bonds

The Fourth of July weekend was a whirlwind, a delightful blur of new puppy energy, endless snuggles, and exciting adventures into town. It was also, as expected with a new puppy, packed with a healthy dose of charming chaos. Potty training, early morning wake-up calls, and the occasional chewed item became our new normal, but every moment was filled with an undeniable joy.

The biggest question, of course, was how Marley, our resident dog, would adapt to having a boisterous young roommate. Initially, Marley was incredibly tolerant and patient, observing Finn with a watchful eye. While he handled the change with grace, I wasn’t entirely sure if he was *loving* the sudden disruption to his peaceful routine. There was a brief period of adjustment where he seemed to be weighing the pros and cons of sharing his space and toys.

However, it didn’t take long for the ice to melt. Just a day or two later, our concerns faded as we watched them play together with increasing enthusiasm. They were wrestling playfully on the floor, chasing each other around the house, and, to our immense delight, snuggling up to each other on the sofa. It was clear: they were becoming two peas in a pod, a dynamic duo. Their bond formed quickly, a testament to Finn’s sweet nature and Marley’s welcoming spirit.

From Foster to Forever: Our Heartwarming “Foster Fail”

Quite simply put, Finn absolutely stole our hearts in the days that followed his arrival. Despite all my initial intentions to remain detached, he made it utterly impossible for us to even consider saying goodbye. Every snuggle, every playful bark, every adoring glance deepened our connection. On July 7th, just a week after he joined us, Finn was officially promoted from “first foster” to a heartwarming “foster fail” – which, in the rescue world, is another term for adoption! It was the best kind of failure we could have ever imagined.

Even at his young age, Finn demonstrated incredible intelligence and an eagerness to please. He quickly mastered basic commands like ‘sit’, ‘down’, and ‘shake’ with remarkable speed. He walks wonderfully on a leash, a testament to his calm demeanor and trainability, and he sleeps soundly through the night, much to our relief. He plays wonderfully with dogs of all sizes, showing a social grace beyond his months. Most endearing of all, he developed a habit of following my every move, a constant shadow of affection and loyalty.

But above all his charming qualities, Finn loves to snuggle. He is a true cuddle bug, always seeking out warmth and close contact. More importantly, from day one, he made it abundantly clear with his actions and his presence that he wanted us and Marley to be his forever family. His unwavering trust and boundless affection solidified our decision: this little lab mix belonged with us, permanently.

Life as a Two-Dog Family: Joy, Love, and Puppy Adventures

And just like that, we are now a two-dog family! The transition has been an adventure, filled with its own unique set of joys and challenges. As you can imagine, adjusting to full-time puppyhood and integrating a new family member has certainly meant my work productivity has taken a bit of a hit. There are more walks, more training sessions, and countless moments of playful distraction. But every interruption is worth it, replaced by moments of pure, unadulterated happiness.

Despite the occasional moments of mayhem that come with a curious and energetic puppy, the amount of love and pure joy that this little dog exudes from his gangly, 20-lb frame is simply immense. Finn has a way of brightening every room he enters, his cheerful presence a constant source of comfort and amusement. He brings an infectious energy that reminds us to appreciate the simple pleasures in life.

Finn, thank you for trusting and loving us so hard and so fast, despite your undoubtedly rough and rocky start to life. We feel incredibly lucky and privileged to give you the life, the endless snuggles, and the countless adventures you so, so deserve. Watching him thrive and knowing we gave him a second chance fills our hearts with gratitude.

The Unseen Heroes: Acknowledging Street Dog Hero

Our heartfelt thanks go out to Street Dog Hero. This incredible organization not only saved Finn’s life but has also touched the lives of countless other animals, providing them with hope, care, and the opportunity for a loving forever home. Their dedication, tireless work, and compassionate spirit are truly inspiring. They are the unsung heroes making a profound difference in the world of animal rescue.

Finn’s story is a beautiful reminder of the power of fostering and adoption. It shows that sometimes, the most unplanned events lead to the most cherished additions to our families. If you’ve ever considered opening your home to a foster animal, we wholeheartedly encourage you to explore it. You might just find your own “foster fail” waiting to bring immeasurable love and joy into your life.