As far as dog years go, 2020 may have been the best

Theo found another friend when photographer Nava Derakhshani, 37, moved into the apartment in July. Both humans would take Theo on longer, more frequent walks, hiking trips and beach adventures, with lots of opportunity for play.

“Maybe it was a return to puppyhood for him,” Derakhshani said, describing his wild, ecstatic runs across the sand, his joy in chasing very good sticks, and moments of sweetness between him and Gibson. “He would also bring out my inner child.”

For Gibson, Theo tapped into her nurturing side, and caring for him got her out of her own head.

“Sometimes I can be a bit of a homebody, and it is definitely true that I would probably not even leave the house some days if I didn’t have to work,” Gibson said. Not having Theo to push her outside “would have brought me down even more.”