When Harry Met Minnie

When Harry Met Minnie: A true story of love and friendship by Martha Teichner 256 pages

Get ready to fall in love with this true, heartbreaking and heartwarming story of two women and their bull terriers. It won’t be a bad idea to have a box of tissues handy either.

 “CBS Sunday Morning” correspondent and multi-Emmy Award winner Martha Teichner tells the story of her enchantment with the bull terrier breed. In the past she has been best friends with Piggy, Goose, and now, Minnie. Martha and Minnie loved to walk around New York City, especially the Chelsea Piers and the Union Square Farmer’s Market. All the vendors at the market knew Minnie and had a treat waiting for her. Her favorite? Mangos!

It was at the market, on July 23, 2016, that Martha and Minnie ran into an old acquaintance, quite by chance. It had been a couple of years since she had seen him and his dog, but there they were. Weirdly, Martha didn’t know much about him, not even his name, but they bonded over their dogs. When Martha’s old friend learned that Goose had died six months earlier, he had an idea.

He had another friend, Carol, who was looking for a new home for her bull terrier, Harry. Carol had developed cancer from the 9/11 toxins as her apartment building was near Ground Zero. After thinking about, Martha agreed to let Harry and Minnie meet. This started a nearly two year adventure of slowly introducing the dogs as bull terriers can be quite territorial and aggressive.

Harry and Minnie immediately hit it off! There were multiple dates, overnights and walks around the city. Readers will get to know their individual idiosyncrasies and their breed’s stubbornness and watch them bond. Harry had several medical issues also; quite a few as Martha soon learned. But that wasn’t an issue---Minnie loved Harry, and Harry loved Minnie.

A deep friendship also formed between Martha, Carol, and Martha’s acquaintance, who was named Stephen. What fun it was to be a voyeuristic part of their group! Martha still had not committed to taking Harry as late as Fall 2017. However, as Carol deteriorated, it became a matter of fact that Martha would take Harry and love him all the rest of his days.

This story reminded me a bit of Elizabeth Berg’s novel, “Talk Before Sleep.” I was attracted to the cover---Harry and Minnie’s adorable faces staring at me. I feel now as if I knew them.  

When Harry Met Minnie: A true story of love and friendship receive 6 out of 5 stars in Julie’s world.