.... Click HERE for more pics & stories.

Mon, 5 Jan 2004 19:36:24 -0500 - from Pat

This is BoomBoom awake.... barely, but she is awake. Waddaface and such perfect little paws. Who would know from looking at this picture of an alleged minpin, that inside her fur lurks the body and attitude of a 'gator.

This is Boom playing dead....it is not exactly the dying-cockroach-position-dead-picture, but Boom will stay in this position FOREVER. Mail-carrier comes - all of the other dogs bark and get goofy (he comes with cookies), not Boom. Garbage men come - she stays there, unmoving. Animal Control officer comes - she does not move... for anything. A/C now has a note on our address so that when a good Samaritan calls to complain about the people with a "dead dog" in their yard that has been left there for days, they don't send out an officer to investigate - DOG IS NOT DEAD; HAS BRAIN DAMAGE; DO NOT APPROACH WITHOUT OWNER; WILL BITE. WOMAN DOES RESCUE - ON FILE WITH BCAC.

This is Maria - a FL volunteer with her foster Holly Belle. Precious Holly went to the bridge on Jan 2, 2004, while being held in Maria's arms. Holly was turned in to us at age 10 from a BYB who had bred the life out of her; she was HW+ and survived her treatment, but between the cataracts, glaucoma, and constant breathing difficulties - Maria made the really tough decision to help her to a more peaceful place.... many tears were shed that day.

What a face, and those ears. Holly Belle was the sweetest of the sweet.

Tue, 6 Jan 2004 07:43:47 EST - from Robin

Pictured are 2 dogs I adopted to a woman in Sarasota. Jaeger, the Gsd, I adopted to her Christmas of '02 and the MinPin is IMPS Hank, adopted Christmas of '03. Both are spoiled, get Frosty Paws, and the run of the house. Hank took over the leadership and bosses around Jaeger and his daily visiting "sister" Gsd. Hank has a supply of coats, some with hand sewn liners and a doting Mom. He sleeps in bed with her and when he naps on the bed takes the religious objects off the nightstand and places them on the bed. Hank has made several people very happy and I couldn't have asked for a better home. They have a huge fenced in yard and all 3 play all day and go in the car whenever possible. After the horrible abuse Hank suffered he deserved a happy home.

Robin, the Gsd Teufel and the MinPins Murphy, Rambo and Jerry

Mon, 12 Jan 2004 11:19:37 -0500 - from Zoly and Jacqui

Hi Mag,

We just picked up Elvis (aka Troy) from Diann in Port Charlotte. He is a natural. He loves to pose for the camera. Adopting a dog from IMPS has been a great experience. Diann and Cherie have been excellent! I hope you enjoy seeing these pictures. It sure was fun taking them.

Thanks!!

Wed, 28 Jan 2004 22:54:11 -0500 - from Pat

This is Gus and his new family. Gus was the little guy that I picked up from animal control when he was deemed unadoptable because of his skin condition - a flea allergy. He was going to be PTS because he was not perfect looking and required a little medical attention. But we know that many people want the perfect looking dog and they overlook anything less than perfection... how sad for them. Gus was my perfect foster and I fell more in love with him every day. He smiles at you but only when you return home - it was such an experience that I would find myself making trips to the store just so I would get the "smile". There were so many great inquiries on Gus that it was next to impossible to make the call; but in the end, I knew these were people that could be deemed Gus-worthy. When his new family arrived, Gus went right to them and jumped on their laps and took a little snooze. That was the clincher. My home is a lot less well behaved now that Gus has left.

Pat

Tue, 17 Feb 2004 22:44:24 -0500 - from Pat

For those of you that KNOW Boom, you will appreciate how incredible these pictures are.... Boom has NEVER crawled into a lap and stayed there. Boom has never crawled into a lap. Tonight Phil called to me and when I went out to see what it was that some dog had done wrong, I almost completely missed the Boomster. Phil's brother kind of looked at us as if we were really easy to amuse people - dog on lap - there's a whole gaggle of them here to choose from. He didn't understand the significance that Boom chose to seek human contact. Or maybe it was an accident, she was looking for a place to plop down, plopped down on his lap and just didn't feel like moving - it was soft and cuddly afterall. But I think we're going to put this right up there with the incredible manta ray play time as one of the coolest critter moments of our lives. You can't imagine how neat this was - Phil feels particularly saintly since his was the chosen lap - even though mine is much more ample and fluffy.

Pat

Fri, 16 Apr 2004 21:29:55 EDT - from Katie

Hi Mag,

Here is some pics that I thought were so cute I would forward them on. This is Louie adopted by Gerry B. He is one of Maria's former foster dogs and quite the ham in these pics!!!! LOL

Hope all is well with you!!
Katie

Louie is doing wonderfully. He has lost the weight he gained and is feistier than ever. Here's a recent photo of him. I love that little guy so much. I've also attached a picture of him with my other furkid, Freddie.

By the way, I do home visits for Doberman Rescue and lately have started doing them for a rat terrier rescue. If you need any help with home visits, I'd be happy to help out.

Gerry

Sat, 8 May 2004 12:15:52 -0400 - from William

Hi,

Just wanted to let you know how Patte' is doing. I adopted her in January from IMPS through Julie S. in Largo, FL. She is a wonderful little dog. She really is the sweetest and I can't imagine not having her. I have attached 3 pics of her for you to put on the website under 'success stories'.

Also wanted to add, Patte' has lost an entire pound. Which brings her down to a svelte 11.5 lbs!!! I think its chasing the dragonflies out in the yard that has done it. I have yet to see her actually catch one but they fly at just the right height for her!!!:)

Thanks again,

William

Fri, 28 May 2004 19:23:12 EDT - from Robin

Please add these to picture site. Beau was Petey Fl. IMPS and one of my special dogs. He went to obed. class for socialization and won first place before going to his new owners. They visit their daughter in Fl. but live in Ohio.

Robin, the Gsd Teufel and the MinPins Murphy, Rambo, Jerry, HoneyB, and foster Admiral

Hi

Here are a few pictures of Beau in Ohio. He likes getting his picture taken he is a ham!! He and Maggie have been running around after each other playing , it is so cute. We take them out to a park to run and walk every other day.

Take care, John and Ruth

Sun, 13 Jun 2004 22:40:43 -0400 - from Sue

Hi Mag, here's a slide show that people can download to see pictures from our FL picnic last month - Download.

Thanks!
Sue R.

If the download doesn't work for you (bear in mind that it is 3.5MB big), here are some snapshots from the slideshow, minus the music though ;-)

Mon, 25 Oct 2004 20:56:56 -0400 - from Mariah

Hi,

Just wanted everyone to know how much I love my new home and all the love that I receive. I am so happy that you guys let me stay here. I have such a big house to run around and my new min pin sister Baci has taught me how to get into so much trouble - that's her in the picture with me (on the right) - it's been great! I have her to play with and 3 cats to chase after and I am soooo down right spoiled... I could not have hoped for a better home. I turn one this month!!! My mommy and daddy had some trouble potty training me, but I think I FINALLY got it. They spent a lot of time with me. It took me a long time to come around but with all their help they say I have turned into the best dog and they are really happy to have me. Thanks again for my new home.

Love,
Mariah

Tue, 2 Nov 2004 09:33:18 -0500 - from Becky

I wanted to thank the IMPS foundation especially Mrs Pat T, the rescue angel in Ft Lauderdale, FL. I already had a minpin for 9 years (Dormi) - let's just say his middle name is Damien, if that gives you any clue how devilish he is. Loving but quite the yapper... so I was little reluctant in getting another. Then Pat recommended a 9 year old dog named Mantis (which she named after a praying mantis because of his quiet, good natured attitude with her other dogs). It's been two years and I am so thankful for having the sweetest boy on earth. He's never in a bad mood, quiet as a mouse, gets along with everyone. On halloween night, guess who gets caged up while the other one greets everyone and all want not the candy but Mantis! Different as night and day, but I love them both equally. I still hope that Mantis rubs off on Dormi, but to give Dormi some credit he has made Mantis come out of this shell and has been wonderful in sharing his home. KUDOS TO DORMI!!!

I'm sending you a photo of my boys, Mantis is the one up front and Dormi is behind him.

Thank you all for all the hard work.
Sincerely, Becky C.

Wed, 3 Nov 2004 20:59:49 EST - from Yadi

Sun, 7 Nov 2004 19:13:21 -0500 - from Pat

Hi Mag

Here is a picture of the little girl whose leg had to be amputated right after we brought her into rescue. I am so fortunate in that most of the folks who adopt from me stay in contact... especially those with "special" dogs. Her name used to be "Ripley" and she came to us at just over a year old with a horribly disfigured leg and paw - the result of a fracture injury she incurred as a puppy. She has a wonderful life now with a family who adores her and they take her everywhere with them... I understand that she has quite the wardrobe for the "winter" months and her vacations there. We are so lucky to have such wonderful adoptive families who are able to look past what appears to be an imperfection. She was a tough one to let go, but I know she has a great family who worship her... as they should.

Pat

Hi Pat

Thought you might like to see a picture of Ms Ritzy - she's already for christmas. This christmas she is going to spend a week in Vermont.

She is doing very well - I have never seen a dog that loves veggies so much - she likes them all.

Hope all is well with you - thanks for letting us have Ritzy she is a little dog with a big personality.

Sally

Wed, 12 Jan 2005 09:18:49 EST - from Diann

This is Chipper (the little one), and Kaya. They were 2 of 30 dogs that Florida got from a puppy mill in Mo. in Jan. of 2003. As you can see, poor little 3 lb. Chipper had a deformed back, plus neurological problems that caused him to have seizures and eventually led to him losing the use of his hind legs. I only had him 11 months, and he passed quietly in the night on Dec. 20, 2003, sleeping next to me, and totally loved. Despite his small size and problems, he was a DOG among dogs and totally wonderful to know.

Kaya came to me as a foster and stayed for 8 months, until she was adopted by a fantastic couple, that adored her as I did. She had been used constantly as a breeder, and that took a toll on her, she developed heart and lung problems, and passed on Jan. 3,2005 at age 9, with her loving mom and dad sitting up all night with her, letting her know she was not alone, and very much loved.

I write this, not just as a tribute to them, but to call attention to those horrible places that care nothing about dogs, but only the money they can make from them. They care nothing about good breeding, obviously, since little Chipper with his defects, was used as a stud dog. These dogs were totally un socialized, they had to learn what it was like to live outside a cage, to be loved, have a warm bed to sleep in, and they didn't even know how to jump. Please!! Do what you can to stop these places. DO NOT purchase a puppy from a pet shop, no matter what they say, all their dogs come from places like this. On behalf of Chipper and Kaya, and the thousands of others like them, I thank you for educating yourself on puppy mills, there is a lot of information on the web about them, and when you are considering getting a new "furbaby", adopt a rescue, the rewards will be well worth it.

Tue, 29 Mar 2005 14:57:16 -0500 - from Kristina

Hello, My name is Kristina,

I adopted Rocky from Robin in Port Charlotte and I have attached a couple photos for the website so she and everyone can see how well he is doing.

Thank you. Kristina, Kocoa and Rocky

Tue, 19 Apr 2005 17:42:03 -0400 - from Donna

Here is a link to the pictures that I took at the Tampa adopt-a-thon

      www.fldonna.com/Adopt/index.html

I also attached several pictures.

Mon, 25 Apr 2005 12:35:40 EDT - from Diann

Hi Mag, Could you please put this on the site, it is Sisko, now Don Cisco, who got adopted, returned and adopted again all in the same week. I think he has a great home now. Thanks, Diann

Don Cisco is really learning how to be a dog. He loves to play, run, and sleep with us. Thank you so much for giving us the perfect addition to our family. We ordered him matching blankets and a bed with his name sticked on it. We even ordered him a NY Jets jersey with his name on the back. He's really great...we love him so much. You guys are the best.

Thu, 12 May 2005 21:14:08 EDT - from Linda

Hi Mag, I am an IMPS volunteer in Florida and wanted to share some pix of my babies with everyone! They are the loves of my life and thanks for posting them.

This is my sweetest heart - Sabrina.

These are the twins - Zoe and Gracee (the awsome twosome)

these two are of Chopper (also known lovingly as "ten miles of bad road" lol. as nicknamed by his Auntie Robin) He's a real character. Smart as a whip and what a personality!!!

This is Maggie - my one and only foster failure! lol She is a kind old soul. (but she hates our Florida thunderstorms!!!)

and last but certainly not least - our "white whale" Tess. (also affectionately nicknamed by her Auntie Robin) lol She's an American Bulldog but fits right in with the min pins like she was one of em. I actually think she thinks they are her babies. She cares for them like that. Anyway, thanks for posting and allowing me to share my pride and joy with everyone.

Linda in Florida

Thu, 9 Jun 2005 21:26:53 -0400 - from Beth

Hi my name is Beth and my new best friend is Tater!

This is the first picture I saw of my BF Tater.... (How can you help but fall in love with him with those big brown eyes)

I had been looking for a small breed puppy to add to our family. I had minpin's in the past and love the breed they are cool little dogs with a big dog attitude! Plus the amount of love you get from a minpin is unbelievable (when the trust is their all they want to do is please you.). I had been going around on different websites looking for a puppy when I put in google's search rescue dog and I found IMPS! Well I sent a weekend reading the IMPS website and reading all the stories about the minpin's in foster care looking for homes. I wanted a younger dog because I have small children and felt that a younger dog would adjust better then an older one. I filled out a volunteer application and an adoption application, I sent a email about Tater and after his foster mom did all her homework it was decided that I would also become a foster home and take Tater to see how it went.

Well here are some pictures of Tater's first week with us!

This is Tater's personal bodyguard Cocoa! She is a 15 month old Husky/lab.

My daughter Sammi loves him so and he thinks she is okay too! He is so cute!

He even got to go to work with me the next morning after I picked him up so he would not have to be away from me (really so I would not have to be away from him), He was really good too!

This is just a funny picture I wanted to share! I really don't crate my kids they just like to get in with the dogs! This is one of the nieghbor's kids (only kidding). This is my son Matt!

Well thank you for letting me brag about my new found Best Friend Tater! I want to tell all the volunteers of IMPS, keep up the good work and thank you for your love you show until the perfect match can be made for these little guys/gals for they truly need all of us!

Beth and Tater!

Fri, 10 Jun 2005 15:01:30 -0700 (PDT) - from Patricia

My boyfriend and I are truck drivers. We met another truck driver in Salt Lake and he gave us a card for IMPS. We came home to FL and I got on the internet and started looking at the minpins on the site. Nyla stole my heart as soon as I read her story. You see, Nyla is blind and her owner went into a nursing home and she and her sister were put into a shelter. Her sister was adopted but Nyla was left behind. the shelter called IMPS and Nyla ended up in Orlando in foster care. We contacted her foster mom and went to meet her on Memorial day and we brought her home. Nyla has settled in wonderful. She loves the truck and can get around it just fine. she loves to ride and sits on a pillow in my lap or in her chair between our seats. We could not have made a better decision. We are so happy with nyla and she seems to like her new family. Nyla went to the vet today and we learned there may be hope for sight in one of her eyes. We will be checking into that in the next few months. the surgery is expensive but i would love for her to see again! Anyway Nyla is another happy girl adopted by truck drivers!

Thanks
Patricia and Francis and Nyla