gototopgototop

Minnie Moves from Missiouri to the Big Apple

Minnie's Story

day1_from_airport

Minnie is one adorable and lucky little girl.  She started out life in a puppy mill, but  little did she know how much her life would change in December 2010!

On December 15th, Minnie went from being a little midwest farm girl to becoming a City Slicker!  She boarded a flight in Missouri and winged her way east to the Big Apple - New York City! 

The day she arrived, we scooped her up from the Pet Airways lounge with all of her collars and leashes firmly placed, and tried to let her paws touch the ground of the airport parking lot for a bit of a wee, but she didn't seem too keen on producing anything right then and there, so we all hopped in the rental car to make the trip back to Manhattan where she fell right to sleep in the back seat.  We took a quick stroll around my two favorite and quietest blocks and discovered that she was wary of all moving things - of which there are PLENTY here on the Upper Westside of Manhattan!  Minnie decided she'd work on getting the hang of things quite quickly.  She was just being cautious and inquisitive rather than being downright frightened, so that was a very positive sign.  Minnie walked well on the leash IN SPURTS but was rigidly placed a good deal of the time as she let the smells, sights and sounds wash over her.

The biggest event of her first few hours in Manhattan took us all by surprise.  Life for Minnie in NYC just wouldn't be complete without a criminal record... she actually got a summons on her very first walk there because she didn't have a city license tag around her neck!  Two rookie cops in their nice warm police car trying to make quota were not having any part of Minnie's harrowing tale as to why she didn't yet have one.  Hilarious and 100% sure it would be dismissed at her court appearance on March 1, 2011, life for the new Uptown Girl began.  (And yes - her ticket was dismissed!)

Minnie had a banner Christmas weekend.  She was hanging in her room on her favorite little cushion just resting away and not at all fraternizing with the resident dogs at her foster home.  She wasn't interested in any friends that would come over other than to poke her head into rooms where we were all were together and then immediately scurry back to her safe place.  I was a bit worried about her outgoingness too, but the more I worked with her and the more she got comfortable with a routine, she continued to build her confidence.  Then came Christmas Day.  I took my boy pup Burl to a friend of mine's house where he spending a couple of days.  As soon as Burl left  (who she felt safe with and would sit next to safely or sniff inquisitively) she came out of her shell.  Remaining in my household were my female terrier mix Dot and Minnie so I thought it was high time for all the chicks to bond with one another on their own, without worrying about Burl and his slightly grumpy ways so off we headed to the dog run in Riverside Park together where I'm happy to report....Minnie and Dot could not have had a better time!  They just ran and ran and ran and all with no incident.  We returned home from our outdoor frolic and they continued the same kicking up their heels with glee activity indoors. It was a wonderful Christmas gift to us all to see her growing into a happy dog!

Shy and most tentative when she first arrived, Minnie made leaps and bounds whilst in my care.  My permanent dogs didn't make her first days at all easy, giving her nothing but growls and who the hell are you looks, sniffs and snaps, but after a few days of the cold shoulder, they finally couldn't resist her delicate and charming ways.  Burl, who's a bit of a grump to begin with, tolerated her with a "Whatever!" attitude as he does with most of the visitors that arrive here for a spell, but Minnie and my girl Dot could not have been happier running around my apt./dog run/or anywhere else that allowed them to kick up their heels with glee!  They wound up being fast friends over the almost 6 weeks she was with me.  

Minnie followed me around everywhere and with each soulful look or wag of a tail or gentle lick, she made it harder and harder to even think about having to release her to another home.  I cried my eyes out as i took a taxi with her cradled in my arms to meet her new parents, but I knew in my heart that I had chosen the right home for her to live out the rest of her life. Her new Dads, Robert and J.P., couldn't be a more caring couple, packed with a great sense of humor and a tremendous amount of love to give.  They have showered their 14 year old wire hair fox terrier Bernie (also a rescue) with love, and now Minnie is fortunate enough to share in that love.  

New York is where I'd rather stay.
I get allergic smelling hay.
I just adore a penthouse view.
Dah-ling I love you but give me Park Avenue.

THE (VERY Happy) END

P.S. Below are some e-mails from Robert and J.P.
****

Minnie is still so great, but no non-snow pee, yet.  :(  But she sure does love to dig in the snow and walk in the cold.  It is great! And she can jump like nobody's business.  She bounds up to the sofa or to bed.  I wish I had her energy!
 
But she and Bernie are great on the walks together.  No real behavior problems except that she gets very cranky with Bernie if he comes near her red velvet bone that you gave her.  (She just growls and then he walks away.  No biggie.) 
 
She doesn't love kids, we've noticed, but that seems OK, too.  She just kind of backs away from them. 

Hi, Cam: wanted to let you know that are still going smoothly for Minnie.  she is playing nicely (and napping nicely) with bernie, and things are great! she is so sweet and cute--thank you for bringing her into our lives!

Minnie_laundry_bag

This couldn't happen without your ongoing support.  Help us give all these wonderful dogs the gift of health.  Just click the "Donate" button below to make your tax deductible donation via PayPal.  Or mail your tax deductible donation toKathy Lauer, American Fox Terrier Rescue Treasurer, 8738 Prestwick Parkway, Brooklyn Park, MN 55443

THANK YOU!