Let’s Celebrate National Dog Week!

Less than a year ago our family adopted a lovely husky-mix named Minnie. Minnie came to us from a kind gentleman across the mountains who had way too many adopted dogs in his care. His “herd” of pups consisted of canines dropped off near his property by less than responsible people over a period of some years. But Kevin took care of them all, fed them, neutered them and became their kindly “step dog-father”

Canine Visitors: How it all Began

When we first made Minnie’s acquaintance, she visited our property with two of her dog buddies in the early summer of 2022. Here they are, with Minnie leading the pack on the far right. They were a rambunctious trio, running amok on our land, chasing our 2 cats while barking and wagging their tails wildly. We had no idea where they came from, but my son David took them to the local shelter to see if they were chipped.

They were, which led us back to Kevin, the kindly dog whisperer across the mountains. David drove them back to their adoptive home in our truck and returned the escapees to his care.

But when that bright-eyed, part husky Minnie made her visit with her two buddies, my youngest granddaughter (who had begged for a dog since she could talk) fell in love with her.

I was a little hesitant about the topic of dog adoption, mostly because of the cats. How would that ever work? I tried to talk Annabelle into a more “sedate” dog, perhaps a smaller, less active pup. Annabelle would have none of it. It had to be Minnie. It really was puppy love at first sight.

Daily conversations were held about the responsibilities of dog ownership with her parents. Annabelle swore she would buy her food, take care of her, take her on walks. Meanwhile Kevin, Minnie’s current caretaker, was actively looking for a new home for her.

A Thanksgiving Visit

The months passed, Autumn arrived. Still no firm decision about adopting this dog.

Then Kevin called us and asked if we could take Minnie on a “trial run” during the week he was out of town for Thanksgiving with family.

Annabelle was ecstatic. David and Diana, maybe still a little hesitant, agreed to the trial visit. I thought it would be a good way to see if this could possibly work. I hate “maybes” and thought her visit was a way to make a firm decision on one side of the fence or other.

The other two grand kids? Thumbs up about the visit.

So Minnie’s arrival was prepared for. David purchased a large crate for night sleeping. Dog food was on hand. Dog toys were purchased. I spoke to one of my friends who is an expert dog sitter, and she gave me some tips. Diana had spent the past 2 weeks researching husky behavior and training on YouTube.

She arrived about a week before Thanksgiving, when we planned to share our feast with some friends of Diana’s.

As you can see, Minnie was so laid back by Thanksgiving Day that she willingly became a card table for our grand kids and their friends.

Minnie’s personality was playful but sweet. She talked more than she barked, and she LOVED playing in the snow. I believe she adopted us before David and Diana made the decision to adopt HER.

She actually wagged her tail at the cats, but they would have none of her. It became more of a truce than a friendship, but better that than attacks from either side.

Success!

This long story can be shortened to that one word. Of course, there was lots of training going on, and Minnie, still playful and exuberant, has settled into our family life very well. She responds to commands. She waits for her dinner patiently.

She still has periods of late-puppy zoomies, but now she is a year old and has graduated to being a pretty well-trained pup. She speaks, shakes hands, sits to wait at the door, and isn’t as prone to jumping up on people. (My main worry)

She also loves belly rubs, rides in the car and of course her 2 daily walks.

Most warm afternoons she snoozes in the backyard, sometimes partly resting in one of the holes she’s dug. Overall, I think this has been a lovely success story. And the side benefit for the adults? At least 2 miles a day required walking down our beautiful country road.

By the way, I’ve designed a few new pooches this year! Stop and check them out when you have a chance!

One last thing…do you have a dog? Tell me his or her name, and what you feel their most endearing quality is. I know it may be hard to pick just one. So it’s OK if you need share 2 or 3.

Your Animal Loving Artist,

Merry