Finn and Rosie were born on January 31, 2017 in mid Michigan. It had been a couple of months since I suddenly lost Tilly, my Wire Fox Terrier, and I decided that if I was still sad after I got back from Disney World, I was going to have to get a puppy.

I’d had a Springer Spaniel, Belle, growing up and since I was living at home with a big yard, I decided I wanted a Springer again. We adopted Finn and Rosie on March 17, 2017.

I wanted to name them Rosetta and Philae, for the space craft and lander that went to the comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko. Philae was vetoed by everyone I ran it past, but Rosetta was approved. My boyfriend suggested FN2187, called Finn. I liked Finn, but made it short for Phineas Nigellus Black.

Et voila! Finn and Rosie. Rosie and Finn. Only LATER did we realize that Finn and Rose were both Star Wars characters, lol.

Rosie and I share a middle name, Lea, since my mom yells at both of us in about equal measure. “AMANDA LEA!” “ROSETTA LEA!” When Finn is in trouble, he is usually FINNY NIGEL!

But they are both perfect lovely angels and are never in trouble, even when they are.

Even when Finn tries to kill dogs and children. (He’s just protecting me and Rosie!) Even when Rosie escapes and runs willy nilly in the front yard which is forbidden and barks incessantly up the oak tree, as though the squirrel will come down and gamely offer itself for her enjoyment.

These two offer unrelenting, unconditional love and affection, and I am so happy they are dirty, naughty, and here with me.