Anne, thank you for your lovely eulogies of Peewee and Minnie. That picture of the two of them being pupdogs is a treasure, and I hope it brings you comfort and solace as you grieve for Minnie. I also hope she haunts you in the kindest possible way. I was very attached to our first cat as a married couple, a wonderful seal point Siamese named Hengist. (yes, he had a sister named Horsa, a chocolate point Siamese who lived to be 24.) He haunted us in the nicest possible way -- I would hear his little claws clacking on our tile floor from time to time.
And thank you also for using your peerless platform to advocate for more sensible animal protection laws! I wonder if some fine and sensible political candidate could get elected on such a platform?
I would so love it if this project got to expand outside of NYC to the rest of America and Canada. Current laws and protocols for dealing with animals elsewhere are largely dated and inadequate, while this approach is far more humane and progressive-minded.
I agree David. The ASPCA says its partnership with the NYPD is the only one of its kind in the nation. I remember growing up, my village had a full-time "dog catcher." I wonder if that is still a thing?
So much so much to take in and share. Parting from a loved one is never easy. Much much I would like to say. A great post and makes me think of one of your earliest posts of a small dog all dressed up in a gown. If any post is going to help you break into the substack stratosphere this is it! I urge all your subscribers and followers to share it. Two of our cats rest cremated in a London bus tin waiting to continue their journeys with Susan and me when we pass. The ASPCA story is probably the best ever and I do not say this lightly. A pen is your hand is truly akin to alchemy. Fondest thoughts.🐰
Thanks for your weekly post, Anne! Minnie is truly missed; she was such a charming presence! I loved her ever eager pursuit of treats—probably because I too can totally relate! I think that many things like NYPD’s one-of-a-kind program might take off if introduced to local area ASPCA groups or “dog pounds” around the country. Maybe if it were called something like “Not your big city solution,” since there’s enough antipathy out there these days for Nueva York…?! I loved the picture of PeeWee and Minnie by the way!
I actually have a tote bag with that photo on it that my friend Scott (the photographer) made for me. It says "Battle of Cobble Hill" which is where Minnie and Peewee had their best fights!
I loved this, especially the theme names (!) and the delightful photo of Peewee and Minnie (may their memories be a blessing). One picky little thing: "This lead to a 300% increase in cases." The past tense of "lead" is "led," which I know makes no sense since the past tense of "read" is "read," but whaddya gonna do? It's English, baby.
Anne -- So sorry to hear about Minnie. We recently put down our beloved dog Denny about 3 weeks ago. Still miss him every day. Now any vegetables I cut are for me only :(
Yes, it's the little reminders, right? I keep brushing food crumbs off the kitchen counter, expecting my little hoover to vacuum them up, and then I have to sweep them up myself. :(
Popcorn in the air popper. Denny would recognize the noise and sit in front of the popper. As the pop frequency increased he would grow impatient and begin barking. When the inevitable popped kernel escaped the bowl his tail would wag as if the barking was causing the popped corn to escape for him to get. Now I sweep it up.
I'm heartily sorry for your loss, Mark. How old was Denny? And what veggies did he like best? I've never had to put a beloved pet down; I doubt if I could do it, even though, paradoxically, it's an act of love.
Thanks so much Frank. Denny made it 18 years. At about his 6th year he was living in the house with three teenage boys. His snacks included pizza crusts. I took him to the vet and got read the riot act. Our vet was a German immigrant who learned English on a farm in the area. He was FABULOUS. Denny (a cocker spaniel) was 37+ pounds and his target weight was 25. He ran a tight practice at "Shamrock Animal Hospital". All of the others vets at the clinic brought common sense to the practice of pet ownership. That day, Denny's vet was a young woman. She advised that dogs DON'T NEED dog treats!!! (maybe something to gnaw on but that's it). Shee recommended vegetables of all sorts and to start with cold and crisp. We had a garden off the back deck and my wife was sure a rodent was eating the cucumbers but it was Denny -- he loved cucumbers! We converted him ALMOST EXCLUSIVELY to cucumbers and carrots as his snacks. He came to love ALL VEGETABLES and would beg for roasted brussels sprout and all sorts of other absurd choices. He rapidly got below 25 pounds and remained 20-23 pounds for the rest of his days. We adopted him at about one year old and the vet advised that he had a heart defect. 18 years was a good run.
When the day came we took him to the vet and he just laid in my arms and the owner of the clinic who I had come to know euthanized him while I held him. It was a peaceful exit for a loyal family member.
Early on when I was writing regularly on Substack I wrote about Denny in a fun post about eating right. It remains my favorite double-meaning title I ever came up with. There's a nice picture of Denny in there under a lot of fur:
"My sometimes morbid sense of humor enjoyed that one of the chapters was dedicated to the propensity to die due to doctor care which is known as iatrogenic causes...."
AND THAT IS WHY, after 44 years working in hospitals, I try to NEVER go to a doctor; the paradox that people don't understand is that the WORST place for you to go is the hospital when you are sick!!
Great story, Mark. Denny lived a long and happy life eating veggies and so will you my friend!!
To the fabulously extraordinary, Cafe Anne! Thank you once again! I have a special connection with the ASPCA, bc that's where I got my love of my life, Roxie Snowlion Tenenbaum! It made me so happy to hear that there is an actual taskforce that solely works on capturing these horrible beings who are awful to animals. They should not be on the streets! As for Minnie, in addition to being the most beautiful, super soft, best personality and uber loving doggie, she was so blessed to have you as her mommy! Thinking of you (as always) and sending much love, comfort and mega amounts of blessings!
Thank you lady! I did not know Roxie's name was Snowlion, but that is very cool. I always thought of Minnie has my snow lion. Sometimes when we were walking and she was behind me, I'd look back quick to see if I could catch her in her snow lion guise!
And yes, the center is very cool. I am still marveling over the care given to those creatures. So many good people in this city of ours!
I'm so sorry for your loss, Anne. Dogs love unconditionally, and Minnie chose you as much as you chose her.
I am a cat person, and I love being with dogs too.
We had our Gus, after 16 years, (cat) privately cremated -- the vet recommended-- and we still have his ashes. Planning to put them in the garden, procrastinating about doing it, and it's been years now. And we have 2 other cats to think about now...
Thank you for writing about the Humane Society & NYC Law Enforcement agencies working together. And yes, every city or region should have something like this.
Anne, as you try to come to terms with your loss, I thought this tale about the dog that was allegedly given a full Nazi burial within sight of Buckingham Palace might be of benefit. Giro was the beloved Alsatian of the German Ambassador, Leopold von Hoesch. One day Giro inadvisedly decided to play with an electric cable with the predictable result, his headstone bears the inscription ‘Giro, ein treuer Begleiter’ (True companion, Giro). It stands under a tree by Duke of York Steps. Surprisingly not one passenger in my 22 years of driving a cab has asked to see this sad little gravestone.
You know what, CL? I did make it a point to imagine Minnie's death on occasion, over the past couple years, and I think it DID help. It's made her actual death feel a little less weird and more the normal course of things. But maybe that's just me.
Anne that's what I do to prepare, too. I did that with our dog Tank. English Bulldogs are bred to look like a comic version of themselves and that causes the bulldog all kinds of health problems. They are the only dog that doesn't fight a breathing tube during surgery because for the 1st time in their life they can breathe easily. Longevity is about 9 years and I prepared myself for that; the silver lining was that Tank died peacefully in his sleep and I found him on the upstairs landing when I finished my shift. He was a good old boy: https://photos.app.goo.gl/5sD8vyT16i1h9A9m6
Oh no, Anne! I'm so sorry for the loss of your dog companion. My last dog was also called Minnie (but was a lab mix, so much bigger) and it was a rough mourning period afterwards. I've never had the heart to get another dog. Thanks for the story about the animal welfare services in NYC... it's heartwarming to know how much people do to help our canine and feline friends. Do they also care for birds and/or more exotic pets?
Awww…Anne so sorry about Minnie! But as always you answered a question that I’ve wondered about when it comes to animals dying, and what happens to them! Best wishes…🤗🫶🏻
You have immortalized Minnie on Substack and shared her with your readership. And with a photo of her in action. Hugs to you on losing your best friend.
Anne, thank you for your lovely eulogies of Peewee and Minnie. That picture of the two of them being pupdogs is a treasure, and I hope it brings you comfort and solace as you grieve for Minnie. I also hope she haunts you in the kindest possible way. I was very attached to our first cat as a married couple, a wonderful seal point Siamese named Hengist. (yes, he had a sister named Horsa, a chocolate point Siamese who lived to be 24.) He haunted us in the nicest possible way -- I would hear his little claws clacking on our tile floor from time to time.
And thank you also for using your peerless platform to advocate for more sensible animal protection laws! I wonder if some fine and sensible political candidate could get elected on such a platform?
Oh Therry, I love the idea of Minnie haunting me "in the kindest possible way." Most furry and charming ghost ever!
I agree that in a civilized society, the law protects all creatures. And I do think things are getting better for animals here in the city.
I would so love it if this project got to expand outside of NYC to the rest of America and Canada. Current laws and protocols for dealing with animals elsewhere are largely dated and inadequate, while this approach is far more humane and progressive-minded.
I agree David. The ASPCA says its partnership with the NYPD is the only one of its kind in the nation. I remember growing up, my village had a full-time "dog catcher." I wonder if that is still a thing?
Go NYPD! This makes me NY proud
The position likely still exists, but it would probably have a more politically correct name, like "animal control officer".
I like the idea because I can very likely see the Humane Society here in Winnipeg team up with the cops to make it happen..
Sending the biggest hug, Anne. Minnie is definitely playing with Peewee up there. <3
For sure, Sumeet. They are tearing things up. Thank you!
Always!! I lost my kitty James in 2018 so I always feel for those who lose their furry ones.
So much so much to take in and share. Parting from a loved one is never easy. Much much I would like to say. A great post and makes me think of one of your earliest posts of a small dog all dressed up in a gown. If any post is going to help you break into the substack stratosphere this is it! I urge all your subscribers and followers to share it. Two of our cats rest cremated in a London bus tin waiting to continue their journeys with Susan and me when we pass. The ASPCA story is probably the best ever and I do not say this lightly. A pen is your hand is truly akin to alchemy. Fondest thoughts.🐰
Wow O L O high praise indeed. So happy you like this post so much and I can see why it is up your ally. But now I must know: what is a London bus tin?
I have emailed a pic to you of the London bus tin @ yahoo and substack. 🐰
Thanks for your weekly post, Anne! Minnie is truly missed; she was such a charming presence! I loved her ever eager pursuit of treats—probably because I too can totally relate! I think that many things like NYPD’s one-of-a-kind program might take off if introduced to local area ASPCA groups or “dog pounds” around the country. Maybe if it were called something like “Not your big city solution,” since there’s enough antipathy out there these days for Nueva York…?! I loved the picture of PeeWee and Minnie by the way!
I actually have a tote bag with that photo on it that my friend Scott (the photographer) made for me. It says "Battle of Cobble Hill" which is where Minnie and Peewee had their best fights!
I loved this, especially the theme names (!) and the delightful photo of Peewee and Minnie (may their memories be a blessing). One picky little thing: "This lead to a 300% increase in cases." The past tense of "lead" is "led," which I know makes no sense since the past tense of "read" is "read," but whaddya gonna do? It's English, baby.
English! It always gets the best of me. Will make that fix, thank you Nancy. And I'm so happy you enjoyed the issue!
Anne -- So sorry to hear about Minnie. We recently put down our beloved dog Denny about 3 weeks ago. Still miss him every day. Now any vegetables I cut are for me only :(
Awww Mr. Dolan, I am sorry to hear about Denny.
Yes, it's the little reminders, right? I keep brushing food crumbs off the kitchen counter, expecting my little hoover to vacuum them up, and then I have to sweep them up myself. :(
Popcorn in the air popper. Denny would recognize the noise and sit in front of the popper. As the pop frequency increased he would grow impatient and begin barking. When the inevitable popped kernel escaped the bowl his tail would wag as if the barking was causing the popped corn to escape for him to get. Now I sweep it up.
I'm heartily sorry for your loss, Mark. How old was Denny? And what veggies did he like best? I've never had to put a beloved pet down; I doubt if I could do it, even though, paradoxically, it's an act of love.
Thanks so much Frank. Denny made it 18 years. At about his 6th year he was living in the house with three teenage boys. His snacks included pizza crusts. I took him to the vet and got read the riot act. Our vet was a German immigrant who learned English on a farm in the area. He was FABULOUS. Denny (a cocker spaniel) was 37+ pounds and his target weight was 25. He ran a tight practice at "Shamrock Animal Hospital". All of the others vets at the clinic brought common sense to the practice of pet ownership. That day, Denny's vet was a young woman. She advised that dogs DON'T NEED dog treats!!! (maybe something to gnaw on but that's it). Shee recommended vegetables of all sorts and to start with cold and crisp. We had a garden off the back deck and my wife was sure a rodent was eating the cucumbers but it was Denny -- he loved cucumbers! We converted him ALMOST EXCLUSIVELY to cucumbers and carrots as his snacks. He came to love ALL VEGETABLES and would beg for roasted brussels sprout and all sorts of other absurd choices. He rapidly got below 25 pounds and remained 20-23 pounds for the rest of his days. We adopted him at about one year old and the vet advised that he had a heart defect. 18 years was a good run.
When the day came we took him to the vet and he just laid in my arms and the owner of the clinic who I had come to know euthanized him while I held him. It was a peaceful exit for a loyal family member.
Early on when I was writing regularly on Substack I wrote about Denny in a fun post about eating right. It remains my favorite double-meaning title I ever came up with. There's a nice picture of Denny in there under a lot of fur:
https://markdolan.substack.com/p/all-hail-crucifer
"My sometimes morbid sense of humor enjoyed that one of the chapters was dedicated to the propensity to die due to doctor care which is known as iatrogenic causes...."
AND THAT IS WHY, after 44 years working in hospitals, I try to NEVER go to a doctor; the paradox that people don't understand is that the WORST place for you to go is the hospital when you are sick!!
Great story, Mark. Denny lived a long and happy life eating veggies and so will you my friend!!
SO FUNNY 😂 Iatrogenic is one of my new favorite words also!!!
To the fabulously extraordinary, Cafe Anne! Thank you once again! I have a special connection with the ASPCA, bc that's where I got my love of my life, Roxie Snowlion Tenenbaum! It made me so happy to hear that there is an actual taskforce that solely works on capturing these horrible beings who are awful to animals. They should not be on the streets! As for Minnie, in addition to being the most beautiful, super soft, best personality and uber loving doggie, she was so blessed to have you as her mommy! Thinking of you (as always) and sending much love, comfort and mega amounts of blessings!
Thank you lady! I did not know Roxie's name was Snowlion, but that is very cool. I always thought of Minnie has my snow lion. Sometimes when we were walking and she was behind me, I'd look back quick to see if I could catch her in her snow lion guise!
And yes, the center is very cool. I am still marveling over the care given to those creatures. So many good people in this city of ours!
And I could totally see Minnie as a Snowlion, part of DS's retinue!
I’m so sorry for your loss, Anne. Although this issue touched on some difficult topics it brought me so much joy! Thank you for all you do
Very happy to hear that, Celeste. And thank you!
I'm so sorry for your loss, Anne. Dogs love unconditionally, and Minnie chose you as much as you chose her.
I am a cat person, and I love being with dogs too.
We had our Gus, after 16 years, (cat) privately cremated -- the vet recommended-- and we still have his ashes. Planning to put them in the garden, procrastinating about doing it, and it's been years now. And we have 2 other cats to think about now...
Thank you for writing about the Humane Society & NYC Law Enforcement agencies working together. And yes, every city or region should have something like this.
I DID indeed feel as though Minnie chose me, Erika. Thanks for your sympathies.
Anne, as you try to come to terms with your loss, I thought this tale about the dog that was allegedly given a full Nazi burial within sight of Buckingham Palace might be of benefit. Giro was the beloved Alsatian of the German Ambassador, Leopold von Hoesch. One day Giro inadvisedly decided to play with an electric cable with the predictable result, his headstone bears the inscription ‘Giro, ein treuer Begleiter’ (True companion, Giro). It stands under a tree by Duke of York Steps. Surprisingly not one passenger in my 22 years of driving a cab has asked to see this sad little gravestone.
LOL love this story, David. If *I* were a London tour guide it would for sure be the first stop!
RIP Minnie. Our Peanut is also fifteen, and though I know that day is coming, there’s no way to prepare.
You know what, CL? I did make it a point to imagine Minnie's death on occasion, over the past couple years, and I think it DID help. It's made her actual death feel a little less weird and more the normal course of things. But maybe that's just me.
Best wishes for a long life for PEANUT!!!
Anne that's what I do to prepare, too. I did that with our dog Tank. English Bulldogs are bred to look like a comic version of themselves and that causes the bulldog all kinds of health problems. They are the only dog that doesn't fight a breathing tube during surgery because for the 1st time in their life they can breathe easily. Longevity is about 9 years and I prepared myself for that; the silver lining was that Tank died peacefully in his sleep and I found him on the upstairs landing when I finished my shift. He was a good old boy: https://photos.app.goo.gl/5sD8vyT16i1h9A9m6
OMG, TANK! Great name for him JRB. Glad he died peacefully in his sleep.
Thank you, Anne.
"I had rather hear my dog bark at a crow, than a man swear he loves me."
— Much Ado About Nothing, Act 1, Scene 1
Shakespeare! Gotta hand it to him...
That should be every mother's advice to their daughters...
I'm one of "those" men...not worth a "tinker's dam!"
Oh no, Anne! I'm so sorry for the loss of your dog companion. My last dog was also called Minnie (but was a lab mix, so much bigger) and it was a rough mourning period afterwards. I've never had the heart to get another dog. Thanks for the story about the animal welfare services in NYC... it's heartwarming to know how much people do to help our canine and feline friends. Do they also care for birds and/or more exotic pets?
Hi Maura, thanks for your sympathies!
The ASPCA can't care for birds and exotics long term. They take them to the Wild Bird Fund on the Upper West Side, another great animal care group.
https://www.wildbirdfund.org/
Awww…Anne so sorry about Minnie! But as always you answered a question that I’ve wondered about when it comes to animals dying, and what happens to them! Best wishes…🤗🫶🏻
Happy to be of service Jenn!
You have immortalized Minnie on Substack and shared her with your readership. And with a photo of her in action. Hugs to you on losing your best friend.
Thank you Sharon. And yes I feel very fortunate that I get to write about Minnie in a newsletter.