On a trip to Puerto Rico, Henry Friedman found something unexpected. Little did he know, rescuing a little puppy named Finn would have such an impact in his life. Literally a rescuer’s breakthrough.
Rescue Diaries
In 2018, Henry was invited by his brother, photographer Elias Friedman, creator of thedogist website, The Story Of Dogs Photographed, and author of a NYT bestseller THE DOGIST & PUPPIES, to a rescue mission in Puerto Rico, known for its stray dog problem. Elias worked together with the Sato Project, an animal rescue and protection organization that looked for abused and abandoned dogs.
During the trip they found and rescued a mama dog with her 1-month old puppies in a bush littered with garbage. After the rescue mission Elias organized for the Sato a rescue ride from the Atlantic coast to the Pacific coast stopping along the way at shelters to showcase the dogs to potential adopters. During that road trip Henry was in charge of one of the bush puppies, Finn. Finn took him by storm, cute and a total clown.
Adventure Pal For Life
Luckily, an adopter had second thoughts about adopting Finn and backed out. Henry was already looking for a dog at that time, and his brother thought he should keep Finn. Henry had not considered the option but along the trip home found himself saying ”He’s My Dog”.
He never expected to end up with an amazing dog at the end of his rescue trip with Elias. And it changed his life in many ways. His life before and after Finn is like comparing night and day, he says. He is thankful to live this adventure with Finn, to be happier because he has someone to care for, and to learn new sides of himself, like socializing, thanks to Finn.
After a few months, Henry and Elias got in touch with the Sato Project and asked if Finn could see his siblings again. They arranged for a mini-reunion. Finn and his siblings recognized each other and played hard.
On The Road Together
Henry bought a Sprinter van for them, to be able to hit the road and not knowing what their next adventure will be. No day is ever the same for Henry nor for Finn but they know they are going to experience it together. Their daily routine is getting outside, go hiking, be in the mountains, find the iconic trails of each place they visit.
His life now revolves around his dog and is in many ways so much better, according to himself. As he explains in an interview on the Dogist website: ” Getting a dog has helped me slow down and simply enjoy the moments around me. Dogs teach you this by example – they literally stop and smell the flowers”. You can change a dog’s life, but a dog can change yours as well.
Inspired by his encounter and new life with Finn, he now is a full-time content creator with https://www.thedogist.com/ and a rescue advocate, something that he is passionate about and feels has given his life a new, meaningful dimension.
Watch the amazing story below:
Source TheD0.D0 via YouTube
https://www.instagram.com/keepingfinn/
https://www.patreon.com/keepingfinn
for those who wish to donate to Finns fundraiser for rescue centers over the world
