Up Close: Fin, Bedford’s 2012 Poster Dog

Friday, January 20, 2012

Fin, Bedford's 2012 Poster Dog.

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Fin, Bedford's 2012 Poster Dog, reflects on just how far he's come.

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Fin, Bedford's 2012 Poster Dog.

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Fin, Bedford's 2012 Poster Dog.

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Do you know someone who would be good to profile for Up Close? Contact reporter Teresa Santoski at 594-6466 or tsantoski@nashuatelegraph.com.

Local pups better sit up and take notice – there’s a new top dog in town. Fin, a flat-coated retriever owned by Dan and Maureen McIntyre, recently was named Bedford’s 2012 Poster Dog.

Dog owners will be seeing a lot of Fin in the coming months, as his picture will be featured on the town’s 2012 dog licensing campaign materials, which include posters, postcards and a slide on BCTV.

In his first assignment as campaign spokespup, Fin would like to remind everyone that dogs must be registered before April 30 for owners to avoid additional fees. Registration can be done through the mail or at the town hall, and only renewals can be processed online at www.bedfordnh.org. For more information, contact Town Clerk Lori Radke at lradke@bedfordnh.org or 472-3550.

Fin took some time away from his busy schedule of hiking and water retrieving to answer our questions about his newfound fame, why dogs should be licensed and his amazing comeback from cancer.

Here’s part of the conversation:

Q: Congratulations on being named Bedford’s 2012 poster dog! How does it feel to be famous?

A: I don’t know yet, but if fame means more dogs will visit me to play, that would be cool. The winning picture captures one of the best moments in my life: when I realized I could fly! Oh, and I did get a big biscuit from some good friends for winning. It came from my favorite store, Bedford Fields. Sandy, Mary Ellen and Dave always give me little treats at the checkout.

Q: What made you decide to enter this contest?

A: I didn’t enter the contest. You know how prideful moms can be. I guess she wanted to show me off. It was OK for Mom to tell me how cute I was when I was a pup, but it’s a little embarrassing now that I’m a young adult. Mom, please.

Q: Why do you think it’s important for dogs to be licensed?

A: Maybe sometime I would think running off could be an adventure. I know Mom and Dad would be very worried if I got lost and no one knew where I lived. Also, it’s a health issue for me, other pets and people. Keeping me up to date on my license helps ensure I’m up on my shots and vet visits. We share our yards and woods with lots of fun animals. ... Unfortunately, some of these animals can have serious diseases I could catch and pass along if not vaccinated.

Q: What are your hobbies?

A: Aside from my people pack, other dogs are my No. 1 interest. I love retrieving, and I come from a long line of outdoorsy types. Mom and Dad have done some formal field training with me. The only thing I don’t understand about field work is why I have to let other dogs get some of the retrieves. Water retrieving is a particular passion of mine, and it’s great to do with other dogs (nice and competitive). I love hiking, too. My favorite is Lake Solitude up on Mount Sunapee. We hike up a stream bed for more than an hour, and surprise, there is a lake up there. After a good swim, we hike to a ledge with a view of the lake. ... I enjoy a good game of hide and seek, mostly because I always win!

Q: Where are your favorite places to play in Bedford?

A: There are so many parks to run, swim and retrieve in. I go hiking behind Joppa Farm almost every morning. Lots of times other dogs show up, and we play. There’s a pond at Joppa Farm that I swim in, too. In the summer, I sometimes retrieve in the Merrimack River, but only when the current isn’t too strong.

Q: What do you like best about your owners?

A: They love me, and they’re pretty much pushovers. I have heard their friends say many times: “I want to come back as McIntyre’s dog.”

Q: We heard you’ve been dealing with some health issues. Could you tell us more about that?

A: In October 2010, when I was 2½, a huge mass on my neck was biopsied and I was diagnosed with a histiocytic sarcoma. The vets said I had only a few months to live. I had great care from everyone at Daniel Webster Animal Hospital and the oncologists at Angell Memorial in Boston. Mom and Dad decided that they would make sure I had all the fun possible with the time left, so they thought they would run and swim me as much as I could take. Well, the only ones who got tired were Mom and Dad! I’m doing just fine. The mass in my neck went away by itself over the next four months, and the vets said I am in “spontaneous remission.” I’ve had no problems for a year. I’ll take another dozen years, please!

Q: Are there any opportunities you hope might come from winning this contest? Any celebrities you’d like to meet?

A: Naah, no celebrities. As I said earlier, if winning the contest means I get more playdates, I’ll be happy. It would be really cool if I can be in Maine this summer with Skylar, my friend who moved to Texas. She’s a real cute, strawberry blond golden. Two years ago, she was unsure of how to retrieve in water. I taught her. I think she likes me.