“Dogs do speak, but only to those who know how to listen.”
- Orhan Pamuk -
As an only child, Ellen confesses to speaking “dog language” so she could pour her heart out to her dog, who patiently listened to her stories and dreams.
Years later, when she and her husband,
Warren, lived in South Africa, they had two Yorkshire Terriers, Kenny and his blind brother, Bengy.
One day, she heard frantic barking outside alerting her to Bengy who had helplessly fallen into their pool! Kenny was running alongside him on the pool’s deck, guiding his sightless brother towards the steps, barking encouragement while “calling” her.
“He saved his brother's life!” proudly said Ellen.
After the
brothers passing, Ellen and Warren realized that they needed more exercise, emotional companionship and a dog’s protection. They wanted an older one who was light weight enough to fit into a carrier for bus, ferry, and plane trips.
“Mimi, a Chihuahua, is from an Oregon rescue group that we adopted in Canada because she is the paw-fect size, weight, and age,” said Ellen. “We have three sons, so the paws-pect of purr-chasing a female dog’s pink outfits was
irresistible!”
Mimi is now 12 years old and has proven to be exactly what the couple hoped - a “Mimi”-ture dog. She warns people she feels are unsafe from coming near them, walks her pet parents three times a day, wears cute outfits, and rides public transportation!
“People are charmed by Mimi,” said Ellen. “Her backpack carrier has a harness latch so she can sit, look out the ‘window’ and receive love from curious passengers.
When we are tired, we place the backpack on the ground and it rolls like a suitcase.”
Mimi flew to Atlanta and charmed her parent’s family until, “The Accident!”. One day, she searched the large home for her "pee pad". She innocently chose expensive wall to wall carpeting instead. Now, she is banned from visiting which is OK since she is not thrilled with flying.
“The animal shelter explained that her sweet face was scared from attacks by
big dogs!” explained Ellen. “She’s been attacked twice since - by cats! When we were out walking, two cats bigger than her dashed out from their yards; so we elected not to go past their homes anymore! Mimi learned that the most sensible action is pretending that cats are invisible and carrying on her walk.
When she wears her favorite pink outfit she walks with the cutest swagger. She holds her head high and her walk has a bit of a wiggle resembling a beautiful lady
wearing a stunning garment. Everyone smiles upon seeing her!
Mimi is paw-ficient in English. When I am tired and need to sit and rest or that we should walk home, she spins around and sometimes makes me sprint home.
Mimi would paw-fur that we purr-chase a car. She’s known to jump into an open door, surprising a driver as they off-load parcels or are cleaning the inside. If we do get a vehicle, she has her mind set on riding beside the
driver.
When someone pats her, we ask her to sit, give them a high five, and speak. It totally charms her admirer, but she’s shamelessly doing it for a treat! She feels compelled to bark when a dog on TV barks - politely answering them back.
Best of all, I love our dog’s cuddles and kisses. When she lies with me, she rests one paw over my arm or leg indicating her love. I am so glad that Mimi is
mine!”
