The Misadvertures of Millie - Rebecca Heishman

There are special goings-on in the Misty Neighborhood. A book born from sadness…the death of a joyful little corgi-mix named Misty, evolves into the decision, a few

days later, to adopt a breeder dog newly rescued from a puppy mill.  

 I knew from the moment I read, "Anyone who's ever been owned by a dog…" that The Misadventures of Millie, by Rebecca Heishman, was my kind of story.

Misadventures is the word, and Millie fits the bill. How could six and a half pounds of fur instigate such mayhem, frustration, consternation, and boundless love? Millie's initial dismay at being adopted by "Dis guy wif white hair and a lady wif a limp," turns into "Deez old people are pretty fun" in the story, Livin' Wiff Ode People.  

A poem (by Millie, of course), I Was Lost, details the horrendous life of a puppy mill dog and the unselfish rescue angels who work tirelessly to close down these despicable operations. Millie is one of the lucky few to escape. She knows it and

appreciates her new life.

Stories like, Pasghetti Night, and, best title ever, Before It Rotted, It Had Feathers, are delightfully told in Millie's own doggy diction with her mom and dad's voices thrown in for good measure. But, make no mistake, this is Millie's story and she wants everyone to know she's leader of the pack, even while letting Becky and William think they're in charge. (They really are, but don't let on to Millie)

After shredding sofa throw pillows, Becky declares Millie a canine sociopath, but

Millie comes right back with Sleepin' On Dad's Skinny Foot, a heart-rending account of real hardship trying to sleep in a metal cage with little water,  having her puppies snatched from her before they're weaned, and wondering when she'd get her next meal. Yeah, dad's skinny foot is paradise to Millie.

I must stop before I give away the whole book! If you're looking for an uplifting tale, The Misadventures of Millie will not disappoint, but just so you know, it's not just Millie's story. It's our story. Anyone one who has fostered, rescued, or adopted a pet will relate to this precocious little dog and her patient, loving mom and dad.

You might, however, want to keep your furry friend from getting wind of this book. Millie's Art of Begging highlights three cardinal rules: "Look pitiful, act pitiful, sound pitiful." You've been warned!

Disclaimer: My husband and I have adopted two rescue dogs, so I have a special place in my heart for pet adoptions and rescues.

Buy: The Misadventures of Millie by Rebecca Heishman, Illustrations by Caleb Irwin from Tate Publishing!

Visit Millie and her friends on Facebook!

WOOF: Women Only Over Fifty on Amazon

WOOF: Furry Friends Friday - Celebrity Dogs (& Their People)

Martha Stewart (yes, that's the name of Jennifer Garner's Lab) out for a stroll

Norman & Dolly take Jennifer Anniston for a stroll on the beach

Sisi and Essa walk Orlando Bloom in the Bahamas

Lucy, Stella, Hank, Tina and Henry sitting with their human, Denise Richards

And, the First Dog taking Potus for a run

 

For more Dog stories & WOOFer fun, check out...
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WOOF: Dog Tails - Memories of Misty

Continuing WOOF's series, Dog Tails, with Becky Heishman:


Misty was a wormy flea-infested five-week-old refugee from a rural puppy mill in the mountains of Kentucky when we found her in 1994. The minute my eyes met hers, I knew she owned my heart. Her dad was a stunning purebred Pembroke Welsh corgi who had strayed to the puppy mill owner's lovely little purebred female beagle, resulting in a litter of five pups. Through an ad in our regional newspaper, the owner had listed them for sale at $30.00 each in order to, as he so callously put it, 'get rid of them'.

The pups were wallowing in their own feces in a soggy cardboard box on a leaky porch, chilly raindrops pelting their eyes. Their bellies protruded from the worms that engorged them. The air was full of the beautiful steamy-blue Kentucky mountain mist that often rises over the foothills on rainy mornings. That mist had followed us all the way to Kentucky from southern Indiana. We had christened our pup Misty before we got there, long before we'd seen her.

We couldn't wait to get her out of that environment. We paid the man and hurried home. We were thrilled to learn that immediately after we left the puppy mill, local authorities had raided it and closed it down for good.

Misty grew into a healthy golden-haired beauty with a great sense of humor. She was a jokester, a prankster, and a clown, and she actually wore a smile on her face most of the time. She radiated warmth. She loved people, popcorn, running fast, sniffing, chasing squirrels, chewing up my socks, watching the Animal Channel, and me.

I learned the extent of her devotion when I was stricken in 2002 by a brutal two-year relapse of multiple sclerosis that forced me to bed. That relapse was to disable me until remission came in 2004. When I became ill, Misty resolutely planted herself firmly at my bedside, where she would remain for the next two years. My husband William would have to make her leave me to go to the kitchen to eat. She would eat quickly, then return immediately to watch over me.

Depression stalked me during those days, and there were times when I didn't care if I died, and I actually hoped I would. I contemplated suicide, as I was beginning to feel like a burden to my husband. I wanted better days for him. When I would hit emotional rock-bottom, I would catch myself peering over the edge of the bed into those brown eyes that were looking with such adoration straight into my soul. And I realized I had to go on. I had to live to take care of this precious dog who was devoting her life to taking care of me. She needed me.

Misty lived to the stately age of sixteen years. The last three years of her life, she struggled with the indignities of kidney failure. Even our veterinarian who had cared for her since her puppy days was puzzled as to how a dog so sick could go on living and remain so active when, according to blood work done to measure her kidney function, she shouldn't be alive. I told her I knew the answer to that question. I told her that Misty was living for me.

Then came that day when the light went out of those loving eyes. She looked at me and I knew she had made the decision for me. That was like her to take the responsibility for choosing the day she must leave. She wanted to spare me the heartache of that decision by making the decision herself. She was too sick to go on, and she knew it. We had been there for one another in the tough times. Today would be no different. I knew what I had to do. I had to free her from that broken body. I had to help her die.

I cradled the beloved head in my hands as the drugs raced through her veins on their way to stop her heart. I told her I loved her. And I thanked her for being there for me during my illness, and for making me want to live. She gave me one of her knowing looks, kissed my hand one last time, and left me.

There's not a day goes by that I don't think of her. She lives, happy, healthy, and whole, right here in my heart, where she will always stay. And I know there will be a sweet reunion on that blessed day when I get to Rainbow Bridge and look off in the distance to see my golden girl with big brown eyes, bright and shining again, looking back at me. On that day, I'll know that I'm finally home to stay.

Becky Heishman

For more Great Dog Tails, BUY WOOF: Women Only Over Fifty!

Submission guidelines for:
"Dog Tails:
Stories About Women & Their Best Tail-Wagging Friends”

How to tell your story:
Whether your special canine buddy is still with you or not, we’re looking for nonfiction stories told in first person with action, dialogue and an emotional pivotal ending. Make readers laugh, cry, get chills!

How not to tell your story:
Stories should not be political in nature or preachy. We want original, unpublished stories that are 400 words or less.

How to submit your story:
A Word document e-mailed to GreatDames@WoofersClub.com

(Remember to save a copy for yourself!)

How to submit your picture:
Jpeg or Gif submitted to GreatDames@WoofersClub.com

WOOF: Furry Friends Friday

What WOOFer could resist? To get your own little tickle target why not check out one of the great dog rescue organizations like Paws Atlanta.


In the meantime, check out WOOF: Women Only Over Fifty for funny, heartwarming stories like "Stepping Stones" - Molly's Maine adventure.

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Accentuate The Pawsitive!

"Puppy" Rescued from Slot Canyon

If there’s a doggy heaven, this had to be it: a black pup lying with his head on his favorite human’s lap, looking blissful as he’s petted and cuddled. But, his fate looked bleak just a few days ago.

The rescue of "Puppy," an 8-month-old dog from a deep canyon is nothing short of a miracle.

Zak Anderegg, who enjoys repelling, enjoying his last week of vacation, was doing what he loves when he spotted somthing at the bottom of the deep canyon. After realizing it was a starving dog, his heart broke. He immediately went to get food and water for the dog. Then, on to getting the pup rescued.

After being turned down by the local fire department, he knew it was going to be on his shoulders to save the dog.

He borrowed a pet carrier from a local vet and went about getting Puppy back to safety; no easy task even to the most experienced climber.

Their looking for someone to adopt Puppy, but my guess is that this sweet little dog is already "home." To see the entire story, watch the video below.

Dog Canyon Rescue YouTube

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For more Women Only Over Fifty thoughts & stories:

WOOF available through Amazon and Echelon Press!

Buy New WOOF Download Companion

Accentuate The Pawsitive!