Pets of Comm Arts

By Jay Galvin

STATESBORO- This week’s Pets of Comm Arts is a double feature, with the head of Sincerely Southern, Jennifer Kowalewski’s two dogs, Dakota and Finley!

Dakota and Finley are both Shetland Sheepdogs, also known as Shelties. Kowalewski’ adopted them from a breeder outside of Atlanta, Dakota in 2019 and Finely in 2022.

Dakota, or Princess Elora Dakota Dew Kowalewski, is “technically” Kowalewski’s daughter’s dog and is much more social than her brother. Whenever Dakota is brought to the public or in class, she’ll get love and pets from anyone who will give it to her, even breaking a window once to try and play with landscapers outside.

Kowalewski recalls her adoption as one of her favorite memories of Dakota, tricking her daughter into leaving at 6 A.M. and surprising her when adopting Dakota. 

Finley, or Lord Byron Finely Doo Kowaleski, is much more of a velcro dog, usually not leaving Kowalewski’s side. He is also a very sensitive dog, often getting scared by the most minor things, like plugging in a charger or cooking dinner, but is, as Kowalewski says, “A sweet boy.”

Finley was also Kowalewski’s COVID baby, as the pandemic hit a couple of months after his adoption. Finely had a sister, Lassie, who was Kowalewski’s rescue and passed away in 2022. Kowalewski’s favorite memory of Finley was when he cuddled his sister when she had a nightmare.

A way to tell Dakota and Finley apart is that Finley has a much smaller snout than Dakota, with Kowalewski often joking that Dakota is “broken” since her nose is much smaller. 

Dakota and Finley love playing with each other, going on walks throughout campus and the Statesboro Farmers Market, or showing up as a surprise for any of Dr. K’s classes or extracurricular activities.

Dakota and Finley also have a social media presence. Dr. K posts them on TikTok for a study she’s doing, and you can follow @Finley_Dakota on TikTok. Whether on campus or around Statesboro, if you spot Sincerely, Southern’s Dakota and Finley, give them some loving attention.