I have never had the urge to spend 24/7 training a puppy so I knew I wanted an older dog and one from a rescue. No one has yet to convince me why it's appropriate to buy a dog from a breeder or a pet shop when perfectly loving and deserving dogs are homeless and put to sleep permanently every day.
I spent a lot of time looking on www.petfinder.com for my new companion. I decided on a Miniature Pinscher because there were lots of unwanted MinPins and they are adorable and look similar to the cute dog on the display posters in the pet section of Meijer.
I found a local rescue called Southern Star MinPin Rescue and went to an adoption event they held at PetsMart. I filled out an application online in advance and off to PetsMart I went. There were several MinPins there that day and the foster ladies were really trying to get me to choose this one little baby who had a gimpy leg. I held him for a while but it didn't feel right. So, I lied and said I was a runner and looking for a dog who could run with me.
I was about to leave and headed out of the store when a late arriving MinPin showed up with her foster mom. She was the most adorable MinPin there and she was soo soft. I knelt down to pet her a few times and told the foster mom I was very interested. I learned the MinPin's name was Hailey. She agreed to bring Hailey to my house in a few days for a home check. I purchased a book about MinPins (my mom always told me to buy a book whenever I wanted a new animal - this was the best idea when I wanted a bird, after reading the book about birds, I no longer wanted a bird) and left the store.
I read about MinPins and how they are not the ideal breed for a first time dog owner but I didn't care. I was up for the challenge. Hailey came to visit with her foster mom and she immediately felt comfortable jumping into my couches and exploring. Yay! My home was approved!
This was probably the most fun part - shopping for a new dog!! Hailey owned quite a bit before she came to live with me. I had no idea what I really needed so I bought everything. I was told Hailey was crate trained so I got her a new crate and filled it with warm blankets, toys, sweaters, and treats.
The day finally arrived when I got to leave work a bit early and go pick up my very own MinPin! I drove about 45 minutes and arrived to a home full of bouncing MinPins. Hailey was easy for me to recognize because she was the cutest. I signed paperwork, paid the adoption fee, picked her up for the first time (we looked awkward because I didn't know how to hold a dog) and put her in her new crate in the back of my Jeep Wrangler. We were going home!
Hailey has become quite the princess and she knows how to boss me around. Hailey literally herds me to her food. Hailey sleeps under the covers with me every night and loves to go wherever Justin and I go. She loves boat rides, camping, walks, car rides, you name it and she probably loves it. Oh, she HATES nail trims with a passion. She is the most loyal and loving being I have ever known. Hailey has always been there for me during happy and hard times. We've moved to new places and she's always adapted well as long as she has me. There has not been one time where I have come home to greet her and she not acted like it was the best surprise in the world. She cannot contain her excitement (bouncing and spinning) to see me every, single, time, as if it's been days since she saw me last. It really makes me feel special.
I love Hailey and don't know what I would do without her!
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