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You are here: Home / Dogs / Minion Man

Minion Man

November 10, 2014

Sunny with Alayne

Longtime blog readers know I have, over the years, chronicled many of Alayne’s “minions,” as I call them. These are the dogs, most of them small ones, who absolutely adore her and follow her everywhere. This usually leaves chaos in her wake, as this brief video from a blog post way back in 2007 shows.

Many of those in that video have passed on, but the minion pack has a self-renewing feature to it. New arrivals appoint themselves minions, and the minion pack refreshes with the regularity and predictability of the seasons. The two newest minions?are deaf Esther the Sheltie/Collie mix, and that character in the photo above, Sunny. That shot was taken during our August visitor day by Maine photographer Jill Piper.

You may remember that when Sunny first came, he stayed in his crate for days, growling at us. He finally came forth and joined everyone, and though he tolerates me, he immediately gravitated to Alayne. He is now part of the group of?dogs who swirl around her ankles as she makes her rounds.

After medical consultation and our own months-long evaluation, we decided not to remove Sunny’s deformed right leg. After watching him live with that leg throughout the summer, we realized it didn’t bother him at all, and he never developed any sores or other problems with?it. So we opted for leaving well enough alone.

Yes, I do have my own minions. They are many?fewer in number though much bigger — Stella, Darla and Aaron the Maremma, for example. (I think Tanner’s trying to become one.) So although I may not have as many minion?units?as Ms. Marker, I definitely have way more minions on a per-pound basis. Not that we’re competitive about this or anything.

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Comments

  1. Kathy Hertzel says

    November 10, 2014 at 1:43 pm

    What a beautiful picture. How content Sunny seems in the arms of his “momma”.

  2. Barb Ribinski says

    November 10, 2014 at 3:07 pm

    Sunny still doesn’t have a face that fits his name. But at least now he’s perfectly happy, especially being one of Alayne’s self-appointed minions. It’s nice he’s found his place and is a happy boy at last. He’s come a long way.

  3. Lynn (in Louisiana) says

    November 10, 2014 at 3:34 pm

    You don’t mention Madison who I know adores you. I remember how she jumped so high when she’d know you were approaching the gate back in Montana. Of course that was before she won house privileges!! If I may ask, is she still with you?

    • Steve Smith says

      November 11, 2014 at 1:37 pm

      Lynn, we lost Madison last year, sad to say.

      • Lynn (in Louisiana) says

        November 11, 2014 at 4:08 pm

        Thanks for the reply. So sorry she’s gone but how wonderful to have had her for several years when she was an older lady when she arrived! I try to always remember to be grateful for the time we have with our animal friends rather than focus on the sadness of losing them. I think it was you that taught me that.

  4. Leila says

    November 10, 2014 at 3:50 pm

    Must be nice having minions…I wouldn’t know (of course, we don’t have a dog)……enjoy it! Love the minion stories!

  5. Tonya Allen says

    November 10, 2014 at 4:39 pm

    Sunny has come a long way. Who would have guessed he’d become a minion? That’s a great photo.

    I’m not sure comparing minions by weight is really meaningful unless you’re going to have a tug-of-war…

  6. Bob says

    November 11, 2014 at 5:25 am

    I remember the gang that used to hang out in the laundry room. I guess all or most have moved on by now but just wondered if there is still a laundry room gang?. t

  7. Eric says

    November 11, 2014 at 10:52 am

    Maybe Sunny can apply for Sargent at Arms for the Minion Army.
    I can think of no better joy then seeing a Dog or Cat come out of their shell of fear and feel safe and part of a pack.
    I know you guys have heard this a few times,but you make a difference.
    Thank You

  8. Diane Borden, Chehalis, WA says

    November 11, 2014 at 12:21 pm

    Funny how they gravitate towards their own human. Our pack of 3, each has a preference as well. I’d say you and Alayne are well paid with affection for your life’s work. Worth more than cold hard cash, ANY day!

  9. Dawn says

    November 11, 2014 at 12:50 pm

    I hadn’t seen that 2007 video, those little wagging tails tell the (adoration) story for sure! So cute.

  10. Ann says

    November 12, 2014 at 4:38 am

    If I didn’t follow the blog, I wouldn’t even know by looking at that picture that it was Sunny. His face is totally different with a peaceful expression. It’s amazing what love can do. I just get a kick out of Alayne’s small-in-size minion committee and your larger-in-size minions. I wonder if this has anything to do with the smaller ones gravitating to a female and the larger ones gravitating to a male. Whatever it is, I’m happy to see Sunny being a lot sunnier then he was when he arrived 🙂

  11. Shirley and James says

    November 15, 2014 at 7:46 pm

    Such smart doggies!

  12. Boundforglory says

    November 15, 2014 at 8:25 pm

    It’s wonderful to see how Sunny has transformed into a loveable “Alayne Minion”. : )

    I loved watching the ’07 minion pack video!

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