When Fionny Came to Visit

It was a summer day filled with bright yellow sun that was shaded by the old maple tree with a warm breeze, when Fionny came to visit. It was meant to be a short visit until he went to his forever home. However, Jane his human companion knew in her heart of hearts Fionny was there to stay. Fionny and his humans had met when he was wee, this is when he settled in Jane’s heart for life. This was years ago now.

Fionny had a bubblegum pink dirt marked nose, floppy pink and white ears that were too big for his head, a big happy smile from ear to ear and small black polka dots like camouflage under his white fur coat. In fact he had lots of pink in his puppy years, perhaps this is what made him so sweet.

This sweet baby boy was energy filled, full like a tank of gas. He trailed red hearts of joy as he let loose in tight circles, high jumps and long strides. Now he wasn’t alone in this story. Fionny had a big brother named Declan. Together they played with the entertainment level of a live Star Wars production.

Fionny and Declan did everything together as brothers do. Together they slept, usually on top of each other like a stack of pancakes. They even went on a trip to Chicago in the big yellow Jeep Jeep for an art opening for their human Brandon. It seems they met someone called Toto and Dorothy.

Together they went for walks to the park and carried home big sticks, the biggest longest stick they could find. His human Brandon had a very big stash of them where the boys Fionny and Declan couldn’t see them.

One day the boys had a new friend come to stay, like Fionny she was only supposed to be having a visit. And like Fionny she was here to stay, her name was Agnes. And Agnes joined the boys on all of their adventures.

Together the boys guided Agnes as she was very scared and fearful of much. In no time at all Agnes learned to be more happy and trustful of her new home, friends and human companions. Eventually they became The Three Potatoes and were known around the world, they were rather famous indeed.

Sadly one year Fionny’s friends suddenly left him and this world behind. It was the saddest year in his life and for his humans as well. None of them were prepared to for this loss. Fionny became very sad.

Fionny became Brandon’s muse in this time as the studio had become a very sad and quiet space during this time. Brandon began painting Fionny into a series of paintings that year and Fionny now hangs in peoples homes as far away as Mexico City.

His humans found a new friend for him but unlike the forever visits of Fionny and Agnes this was not meant to last. Pippa was not meant to live forever with Fionny and his human companions. One day they sadly had to say goodbye.

This was a horrible time for Fionny in his life as he became very sick indeed. He had to fight for his life and his humans were left alone in their big home without any Potatoes to comfort them. These were some of the saddest days in their lives as Fionny stayed in the hospital for a 9 days after a very scary life threatening surgery.

When Fionny got better he came home and his humans nursed him for days, weeks and months to make him well, stronger and eventually recover. When Fionny celebrated his 8th birthday, he was alone without friends but his humans spoiled him with love and celebration to have him in their lives.

This is when Fionny became Superdog. He had true superpowers to survive his illness. When he went to visit his surgeon he wore his costume as he missed Halloween when he was in the VEC dog hospital in the ICU. He will always be grateful to the vets who saved his life.

After Fionny recovered his humans knew Fionny needed a new friend to spend his days with. Along came Dolores, always meant to have a forever visit she burst into everyones heart filling all full of joy.

Quickly Fionny and Dolores became fast friends doing everything together. Fionny had a job to do as he was the big brother now, like Declan was to him. He had to teach Dolores how to be a delightful darling and that is what he did.

Today is Fionny’s birthday and he gets to spend his day with Dolores and his humans. The humans have a special day planned as always, likely some photos which Fionny is a pro at and Dolores is a natural diva. Fionny is 9 years old today and you will have to wait until next year to find out what happens next. Or you can follow his humans social media page because Brandon is always taking pictures, several each day.

Photos by Brandon Steen

Blog no. 9