Phoebe Thorburn is an autistic, non-binary writer in their 20s. Ever since her black Labrador puppy Merlin arrived at the end of 2020, she’s undergone an unexpected transformation. Thorburn, a chef and creator of inclusive vegan and gluten-free recipes, continues to explore new dimensions of her life. Her furry muse has brightened her life and inspired her journey through the culinary world. Initially, Merlin brought conflict and turmoil into their lives. As time’s gone on, he’s learned to become a much sturdier pillar of emotional support for Thorburn.
Merlin joined Thorburn’s life when he was hardly more than eight weeks old. While adoption decisions can enable a variety of emotional experiences, for the author—seeking a new companion and supporter—the decision to adopt him became profound. The initial excitement of bringing a puppy home quickly turned into a whirlwind of challenges as Thorburn navigated the trials of puppy parenthood.
The Early Challenges of Puppy Parenthood
During those early years, Merlin was quite the challenge. He was going through some serious puppydom, with major wall-chewing and couch-disemboweling tendencies. Thorburn was constantly repairing the wear and tear around her house. In the process, Merlin uprooted plants and jumped over fences designed to keep him out of restricted areas.
The havoc didn’t end when daylight broke. Merlin’s rampaging instincts continued after dark, too. He went on to have what Thorburn called a “witching hour,” a phase of constant hyperactivity that lasted for decades. Over the course of the day, Merlin would do outlandish things that constantly frustrated, entertained, and mystified Thorburn.
These experiences would influence Thorburn’s concepts of responsibility and patience. They decided to further her connection with Merlin. Today, she’s reaping the full benefits of dog ownership—even on days like this when it’s pandemonium around here.
The Transition to Emotional Support
As Merlin grew up, his place in Thorburn’s life started to change. Once solely her whirlwind of turbulence, he turned into the veritable crux of her emotional survival. His presence was impactful, bringing comfort and stability in particular times of sadness or distress.
During trying days, Thorburn found that the heavy body weight of Merlin was soothing and comforting for her. When she did get overwhelmed, just having him nearby was enough to help her feel more grounded and able to regulate her emotions. This bond altered their relationship forever. It transformed what was once simple companionship into an invaluable emotional connection, significantly improving Thorburn’s overall quality of life.
It was this unconditional love and support from Merlin that eventually led Thorburn to start thinking about her own journey as an autistic person. On the latter, she became aware of the overwhelming positive impacts that pets can have on mental health. This is particularly important for people who already live with increased sensitivities and emotional turmoil.
Embracing the Joys of Companionship
With time, Phoebe Thorburn and Merlin found an agreeable rhythm and routine quickly developed. Those rambunctious puppy days slowly surrendered to the zen hours of the morning filled with synchronized movement and breath. Their relationship deepened as they went for walks every day, played together in the yard, and spent peaceful nights alone together.
Thorburn’s path as a writer developed in tandem with her deepening bond with Merlin. Encouraged by what they accomplished together, she started to write more stories featuring friendship and emotional connections. Her healing, inclusive vegan and gluten-free recipes left readers entranced. These familiar elements nestled perfectly within stories of her life with Merlin, creating a lyrical and powerful tale.
Thorburn’s life has been positively impacted in many ways by the lessons learned from providing care for a huge dog. She is careful to detail how caring for Merlin has instilled invaluable lessons of responsibility, patience and unconditional love in her and other children.
