First Meetings
The start of Finns journey to becoming A Nomadic (Wolfie)Dog
Finn and I took the first steps of our life of adventures together this week. We’ve been slowly getting to know each other since his arrival, beginning training and learning new rhythms, but it feels like the adventures truly began in the last few days.
We began with an exciting introduction, when, after an hour of tidying and organising the space, I took Finn to meet the van. This is going to be our home together; it is going to take us to incredible places and wonderful walks that will wind their way from the van doors off into the wild. But first, as I continue to build the van, Finn needs to become accustomed to it. I really wanted the van completed before Finn came, but sadly that wasn’t to be, and so I am making the most of what I have. With that in mind we began his journey to becoming a nomadic dog with his first sniff around the back, and his first time sitting up front on what will be his seats.
It was a huge success and filled me with joy. Seeing him sitting there I could so easily imagine driving down incredible roads looking out over the view together. Or cooking in the back as he sleeps sprawled out over his seats after a day of walking and making art. His gentle curiosity is wonderful to witness, and I loved seeing him investigate the van. Plus, he is already bigger than the appliances which is truly hilarious!
There will be more moments in the van in the coming months, helping Finn get used to the space long before we head off in it. I also have an idea for camping out together in the summer so he can get used to the idea of tents and sleeping in new places. After all, that’s what the van is all about. That, and new horizons, which is exactly what happened this morning.
Since arriving here Finn hasn’t been able to go further than the garden, but that all changed today, and so Mum, Gem, Finn and I went to the beach so that Finn could meet the sea. And what a perfect meeting it was. Slow and steady at first, checking out the other dogs, the wet sand, the seaweed. Then we reached the surf, and he watched cautiously as the waves lapped at his huge (webbed!) paws. And then, suddenly, he seemed to decide it was all ok and bounced off after Gem who was busy with her all-important job of wave herding.
I adore the beach and the sea. Walking along it, paddling in it, swimming in it, making art about it. Being close to the sea makes everything better, the very sight of it calming any jumbled emotions or whirling thoughts. Sharing the sea with Finn for the first time is a moment I will treasure forever.
Much like with the van, learning to sit, settling in his crate, not chasing the cats, and so much more, the rest of Finns sea journey will be a process of gentle repetition until he becomes used to it all, and hopefully learns to love it. I’m even hoping eventually I can coax him to swim with me. Huskies and mixed husky breeds like Tamaskans aren’t natural waterdogs but they are strong swimmers if they feel inclined, so I am planning ways to get my boy into the sea!
There are so many places I want to take Finn, so many experiences I want to introduce him to, get him used to, prepare him for. It was an incredible, epic joy to begin those things with the beach and the van, and now I can’t wait for the next adventure.
More soon…
My Founding Members received postal goodies throughout the year, from personalised postcards to art, the next of which will be going out in a week’s time. If you’d like to receive a copy you can upgrade to become a founding member today.
Postcards to Dr Johnson is a short story told through postcards by Kim Sherwood, written while researching A Wild and True Relation at Dr Johnson’s House, and transformed into a limited-edition artists book by yours truly. Kim and I have been making books together since we were children, but this is the first piece of art we’ve collaborated on for public consumption. I am excited to share it with my founding members.
Kim, my incredible sister, is an award-winning novelist and shares her details of her creative process and publishing stories over on her own Substack, girl with the golden pen.
Beautiful 😍