MINNIE

Fortunately as foster parents, or former foster parents for my husband and I, we all have stories just like this. Each dog that comes into the rescue is unique in his or her own way and they challenge all of us on so many levels to be better dog owners, trainers, and sometimes even people. They show us the truest form of rehabilitation and the ability to endure and trust.

Maxine, now known as Minnie, was my "I want to eat all dogs I come in contact with" foster. I think that she really believed that my female rotti would be an especially tasty treat. Minne was an owner release who came into my home in pretty rough shape, she had spent her life outside in a concrete pen and had the marks to prove it, in addition she had bad eye infections (in both eyes), cuts, was a little overweight, and scars from old cuts which had not been properly attended to. Within the first five seconds of being with us she tried to take a chunk out of both my rotti and dobe. We put her in her crate and I remember wondering what we were going to do and how we were going to be able to live, or at least live in peace, with her. For the first three days my dogs couldn’t get within 5 feet of the crate without her turning into the mad, crazy, snarling dog. At one point she had even tried to attack my dogs through a glass door. As you can see, she was not the happiest dog when around other dogs but was wonderful with people.

To say the least I was a little freaked. I called Jeannie, our wonderful DAR&E behavior specialist, and she very calmly said, put a muzzle on her, she’ll get the message. I did exactly that, which many of the DAR&E volunteers remember well, because she spent all three hours of an adoption festival trying to rub it off on everyone in the room, including potential adopters.

After a few days of evaluation, I realized that the aggression she was displaying was purely fear. She was an absolute lover with people and as gentle as can be. I had some serious concerns about placing her because 1. She was older, and 2. She had to walk around the adoption festivals with a muzzle on, not exactly a very welcoming entrance for approved adopting families. Within only one week I could already see improvement in the dog aggression issue. I would allow her free roam of the house and backyard with my dogs as long as the muzzle was on. She got a little snarfy a few times but for the most part did well.

To make a long story short, too late for that, within 3 weeks she was running, playing, and rolling on the ground with my dogs without a muzzle, as if she had been a part of my family her whole life. She was still a little uneasy when she first came in contact with strange dogs but she was improving by the day. I knew that if the right family came along who understood her she would be a phenomenal addition to any family. Well that exact thing happened. Mark and Anne Anderson drove in rush hour traffic from Maryland to see her and it was love at first site. She now has numerous acres of fenced land to enjoy and a retired mom and dad. Read below for Mark’s update on Minnie, but I think the pictures speak for themselves. Minne’s foster mom and dad Colleen and Marcel

We are approaching 8 months with this lovable Dobe and I don't think anyone in DARE, except you and your husband, would recognize Minnie (she really never liked Maxine, would not acknowledge it; somehow I said Minnie, she responded, and it has been Minnie ever since). Minnie and Tag, our male, got along well after the first 36 hours. Our boy was very patient with her and Minnie has fit in very well.

What was very surprising was her reaction to both our 12 week old grandson and our 12 week old dobe puppy (Dieter). Minnie "protects" both from our male dobe (Tag). She nuzzles the grandbaby, and puts herself between the child and all others.

What is more remarkable is her patience with the puppy. Now puppies irritate all older dogs, but they get the signals quickly. If you could see Minnie and the pup playing (I watch them endlessly), you'd be smiling at her patience with the little guy. She lies down, and mouth duels with the pup, letting the puppy climb over her. She is actually very patient, and Minnie and Deiter play for extended periods of time. She will stop if he sinks one of those sharp puppy teeth into her somewhere. It seems like they play endlessly until the puppy drops to sleep or Minnie gets tired and moves off to one of her sleeping "caves." She likes to be under tables, desks, and coffee tables.

Who would have believed this given the girl you guys brought into your home late last year? You were right on target with Minnie; God only knows what this great gal had to put up with during the first years of her life, but she is in a great situation now!

Minnie had private lessons and does very well with come, sit, stay, heel is a little slow but she will get there. She is very food motivated; our practice sessions come before her morning meal. To watch her drop to a down position (like a sack of potatoes) and stay while she looks at a full food dish inches from her nose, and not move a muscle until she hears "break" command, is very pleasing. In summary, she is a great addition to the family.

Eight months and she still loves us!!

Mark and Anne Anderson