Barks@Parks pup says I do, too, at student wedding

Attendees at Barks@Parks, Iowa State University Library’s pet therapy outreach for students, usually find comfort and connection for a few special moments during Prep Week before final exams. For Hannah Upton, her connection grew into a lasting friendship.

A glimpse of home 
Upton’s dog’s name was Oxley Buddy Upton. Oxley for short because her family always named their dogs after the street they lived on: Oxford Drive. He was a stunning, black standard poodle, full of life and loyalty, and he became Upton’s absolute best buddy. 

She helped train him, and they shared countless afternoons walking in their favorite park near home. Those simple moments are etched on Upton’s heart. Oxley was only eight when he died, and Upton says the grief still catches her off guard. She can’t watch sad dog videos without tears, especially ones about saying goodbye. 

Upton partakes inBarks@Parks pet therapy outreach during Prep Week every semester in Parks Library. “Don’t tell my parents, but I 100% skipped my classes during Prep Week to spend the whole three hours there all five days,” she said. 

 When Upton, then a sophomore in aerospace engineering, walked in on the first day of the event in December 2022, she was happy to see tails wagging.

Michelle Finch had just arrived with Cole, a black standard poodle who looked almost exactly like Oxley. Same curly coat, same build, same expressive eyes. Save for their tails. Oxley’s was docked, and Cole’s is long and fluffy.  

Finch noticed Upton crying while looking at Cole. By the time Cole circled around to her, she was sobbing hysterically.  

“He sat right in front of me and started licking my tears, just like Oxley used to when I was upset,” Upton said. “To him, I was probably just someone in distress.”

Finch asked if Upton wanted to hug him. Not all dogs are up for hugs from strangers, but Cole was open to that kind of affection, according to Finch. While Upton hugged Cole, she explained that she had just lost her own standard poodle and he had looked just like Cole. So, seeing him brought up a lot of emotion for her.

They stayed until the end, and Finch came back and let Upton say goodbye to Cole again. Upton recalls she went home and cried for about three hours, which her roommate can confirm. The rest of the week? No self-control. She kept returning to see Cole and cried each time.

Upton showed Finch a picture of Oxley. He and Cole look so similar. Finch felt happy that Cole could bring her some comfort, knowing the feeling of loss herself. “Being able to help someone with those feelings is meaningful,” Finch said.

Comfort and Connection
According to Finch, Cole is a ten-year-old standard poodle, very smart (an Obedience Champion with three Best in Trial ribbons), friendly, and funny. Finch found him after her own previous poodle crossed the rainbow bridge. 

“I went looking for a new partner,” she said. “I was contacting every rescue I could find in Iowa or the surrounding states. One group I contacted was the Tri State Poodle Club.” They got her in contact with several reputable breeders include A Kennels in Wisconsin. The rest was history. 

Finch has been bringing dogs to Barks@Parks since before COVID through her membership with Cyclone Country Kennel Club.  “There are just times when you realize that what you are doing was meant to be. I felt so happy that Cole could bring Hannah some comfort,” Finch said. 

The connection grew from there. In spring 2023, Finch’s husband Don, a retired marine, joined the Barks@Parks fun, and they learned Upton was in Naval Reserve Officers Training Corp (NROTC),  which sparked easy conversations.  

The Finches welcomed Upton like family. They don’t have grandchildren of their own, so she became like a granddaughter. Inviting her over for dinners (the doorbell rings and the house erupts in excited barking because the dogs are thrilled to see anyone), taking her on local 5K runs, letting her help walk the dogs, and hosting lunches with Upton’s parents and siblings at favorite restaurants. “We have loved having Hannah as part of our lives. It meant a lot to me when Hannah asked if Cole could be a ring bearer in her upcoming marriage,” Michelle Finch said. “I was so touched that Cole has come to mean so much to her. I happily agreed.”

Everyone anticipated Upton’s and March wedding to fiancé Kile. “I always dreamed of having a dog in my wedding—dogs are family,” she said. “Cole is so well-behaved, calm, and loving; he’s perfect. Having him there will honor Oxley’s memory while celebrating new joy.”

Not replacement, but a beautiful full-circle moment. Finch hopes they made a positive impact. “I hope it was comforting for her to know we would be available if needed,” she said.

From streaming tears at Barks@Parks to walking down the aisle with a familiar black poodle there, the chance encounter in Parks Library turned grief into lasting love, friendship, and a fairy-tale ending no one saw coming.