Breakfast Was Never Late (According to Minnow)
Minnow had an internal clock that never failed. The moment breakfast time arrived, she let us know. Waiting patiently wasn’t really her style. If we didn’t move fast enough, she’d throw a full-blown Toller tantrum that was impossible not to laugh at. She’d grab a couch pillow and parade around the house with it. She’d…
The Greek Yogurt Negotiator
Breakfast wasn’t actually the end of breakfast. Every morning Minnow received a frozen Greek yogurt Kong after she ate. It quickly became part of the routine. If we accidentally sat down before handing it over… The entire performance started again. The grumbles. The dramatic sighs. The demands. She wasn’t about to let us forget a…
Minnow Vision
Once breakfast was officially complete, there was one more important task. The curtains had to be opened. Minnow insisted on watching the neighborhood every morning from her favorite chair. We called it Minnow Vision. If the curtains weren’t opened quickly enough, she’d stand there giving her famous Toller “woo” until someone got the message. She…
Water Tasted Better From Our Glass
It didn’t matter if her water bowl was full. If we had a glass of water—or milk—it was obviously better. Minnow would march over and politely… or not so politely… insist on having a drink from our glass. Apparently everything tastes better when it’s someone else’s.
The Frisbee Hunter
Every day ended with her favorite game. She’d bring us her foam Frisbee… …and then disappear. Instead of waiting beside us, she’d sneak behind the fire pit where only her eyes peeked over the edge, staring like a lion hidden in tall grass. If we didn’t throw the Frisbee quickly enough, she’d bark once, march…
Scott Never Stood a Chance
Dinner rules were supposed to be simple. Dogs stay off the table. Scott accidentally created a loophole. Every now and then, Minnow would quietly hop onto the back of his chair while he leaned forward eating dinner. She’d slide her head underneath his arm and gently rest her chin on the table, perfectly positioned in…
The Treat Thief
Minnow loved training. She also loved shortcuts. If I ever made the mistake of setting the treat pouch down while we were working on tricks, she’d quietly circle around behind me, sneak her nose into the bag, and inhale as many treats as possible before being caught. She absolutely believed in working smarter, not harder.…
An Incredible Memory
Minnow never forgot. One year, we removed an old bird’s nest from the peak of our cabin up north. The nest was gone. Years passed. Yet every single time we returned to the cabin, Minnow would stop, look up at that exact spot, and quietly whine as if the nest should still be there. Her…
Minnow’s Voice
Every dog has a voice. Minnow’s was unforgettable. She didn’t bark very much, but when she had something to say, everyone knew it. Sometimes she sounded like a little tea kettle just beginning to whistle. Other times she’d let out the famous Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever scream—a sound that surprised just about everyone who…