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Haley Young | Dog Nerd, Writer

@paws.andreflect

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🐺 Chasing joy with my sensitive dog after fear reactivity training 📚 Author of THE DOG LOVER’S BUCKET LIST
🚐 Full-time van life

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featuring Sean’s favorite song off Olivia’s new album 😉

#vanlife #vanlifedog #adventuredog by @paws.andreflect

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a month ago

1) I would not have been able to skydive if I didn’t feel like I could trust the person doing it with me.

2) The experience would not have been so exhilarating and fulfilling and buoying if it hadn’t also been a little terrifying and stressful.

3) This has quite a bit to do with my views on dog training, intentional growth, and social relationships. (Alternative caption: Everything I ever do in my whole life makes me think of Scout 😂)

#dogtraining #skydiving taken in Key West, Florida by @paws.andreflect

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a month ago

Simple joy for Scout on a rainy day in the van (especially because we’re in the thick of civilization right now, meaning we all spend a little more time cooped up inside)

#canineenrichment #vanlife taken in Wisconsin by @paws.andreflect

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2 months ago

It’s been just over two weeks since our volunteer position ended, and 1) wow time isn’t real, 2) time warps extra in the summer? and during life transitions!? and 3) it is possible to both deeply miss something AND be grateful to be doing something else, all at the same time.

#fulltimevanlife #adventuredog taken in Bahia Honda State Park by @paws.andreflect

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2 months ago

If I could go back in time, I would definitely change some things about how we approached Scout’s relaxation training and confidence building. But also, I am thrilled with the end result we reached—especially how her comfort has played out in the last three-plus years of not having a stationary home or consistently familiar outside environment.

Glad she loves Hermes as much as we do 💛 by @paws.andreflect

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2 months ago

Kinda chic to hop on the back end of a trend that celebrates things we love and respect and are proud of! My version: Go play with your dog, if you’re able 💛 by @paws.andreflect

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2 months ago

Full-time travel has been our favorite way to live. I never want to pretend it’s always some perfect rosy thing, though—because nothing is a perfect rosy thing. There are always pros and cons, bits we love and bits we tolerate (maybe even bits we don’t actually tolerate very well if we’re being honest), and depending on how we approach it those trade offs vary in type and size and frequency!

Not pictured: so many other factors. It’s weird to try to think of what I’d say to de-influence someone from living in a van, especially with a sensitive dog in tow, because I personally find even the “worst” parts so worthwhile. And after getting used to a way of life for multiple years, it all just feels normal. Emptying our pee jug? Who cares. Not knowing where we’ll be sleeping tonight? Cool!

This experience has been a continuous reminder that we can habituate to so much. by @paws.andreflect

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2 months ago

We left our volunteer position a full week ago, and the time has flown, and I’m realizing—not for the first time in this nomadic way of life—how lucky we are. And also how difficult it is to fully reflect sometimes when we move on so quickly!

Scout is extremely happy to no longer be in constant 85+ degree heat though 😉 taken in Bahia Honda State Park by @paws.andreflect

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2 months ago

A while back I saw a bunch of “this year I’m unfollowing people who…” posts, and I wanted to spin it in the “cheering for” direction instead 💛

Who would you add? by @paws.andreflect

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3 months ago

We’ve driven nearly twenty hours in the last two days, and maybe it’s just because I’m a little overtired, but I’m feeling extra pleased about the flexibility Scout’s retractable leash can give us in situations like this.

Also, please enjoy laughing with us at the final photo, which I told Sean looks like he pulled apart a VHS tape 😂

#roadtripdog #responsibleretractables by @paws.andreflect

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3 months ago

We’ve officially passed 3.5 years (!!) since we made Hermes the yellow van our one and only home. Still no plans to stop 💛

(But if you’re reading this and raising your eyebrows at romanticization, don’t worry: A “de-influencing” you post is swirling around my mind, too, for balance. Life is full of trade offs as always!)

#vanlife #fulltimetravel #adventuredog by @paws.andreflect

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3 months ago

This morning I saw a dog trainer make the on-screen claim (“If a dog is on a retractable leash, it is almost a guarantee that the dog has never been trained to walk properly”) and felt compelled to share this video of Scout Finch, my dog who routinely walks on a Flexi Giant Medium, proving that she is indeed quite trained. 😉

I know retractables are controversial for good reason—they absolutely can be misused in dangerous ways—but blanket generalizations don’t do any good! by @paws.andreflect

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3 months ago