Finn’s story begins a bit sadly, like many fairy tales do. Finn, then called Barnie, was surrendered to the APL because his owner was moving into a nursing home. Barnie clearly had been well cared for; the 150-pound Newfoundland was handsome, well-nourished, and well mannered. The owner’s daughter reassured the APL that Barnie was housebroken, got along well with cats and other dogs, and was very sociable. The APL veterinary staff examined Barnie, gave him a clean bill of health, and quickly put him on the adoption floor.
Kelly wasn’t really looking for a dog when she first saw Barnie. She’d recently lost both of her dogs, Ricky and Maddie, to prolonged illness, and their loss was hard on Kelly and her family. She was at the APL not to look for a new dog, but to donate some of the things she no longer needed. Then the magic began: She saw Barnie in the very first kennel. It was, she says, love at first sight! She called her husband, who was at home dismantling a fence. “Okay,” he replied, “I’ll put the fence back up.”
While Kelly was smitten with Barnie, she wanted the other members of her family to meet him. And, she wanted to be sure she was ready for another dog, and not just reacting to the loss of Ricky and Maddie. She decided to take a second look at Barnie the next day, with her daughter and her sister. They went to meet Barnie at one of the many offsite events that APL animals visit each year. Kelly was still a little “on the fence” about adopting Barnie. As they approached, they saw Barnie, with a crowd of admirers petting him. It was then, Kelly said, that she felt a bit of panic. This was her dog! What if someone else chose him? She adopted him on the spot, and renamed him Finn, after Finn McCool, a benevolent, magical giant from Irish folklore.
Finn’s fairy tale ending had begun. He enjoys each day with his new family. Kelly and her husband own their own business, so Finn goes to work with them every day, where he happily greets interested customers and employees. He loves his long walks with Kelly. He remains well mannered, maybe even a little too polite: Kelly says with a laugh that she’s trying to train him to come up on the furniture with the family. His favorite thing? Car rides. He puts his head out the window, wind blowing through his fur, breathing in the air and the scents of the great outdoors.
Kelly does have one wish, because what fairy tale would be complete without one? She wishes that Finn’s former owner would see this story, and know that Finn is again well-loved, and enjoying his happily-ever-after. This mild mannered giant may have just enough magic to make that wish come true.
Information about the Cleveland APL
To meet the adoptable animals at the Cleveland APL, visit our adoption center in Tremont at 1729 Willey Avenue in Cleveland or our PetSmart Charities® Everyday Adoption Center in the Parma PetSmart® store at 6870 Ridge Road. To view all of the animals who are waiting for loving homes online or on your mobile device, visit
www.ClevelandAPL.org or download our free adoptions app on your iOS or Android device.
Our Facebook page is called “Cleveland Animal Protective League”. Here is the link to it for your reference:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cleveland-Animal-Protective-League/29396512928
Our Twitter handle is @Cleveland APL. Here is a link:
https://twitter.com/ClevelandAPL
Lisa Tarcy
Cleveland Animal Protective League
Click here to learn more about how you help with the purchase of
Marc's Doggie & Kitty Rewards treats!