Best Friends is a weekly feature designed to highlight a local resident and his or her pets. To suggest
someone for the series, contact Marissa Weiher, photographer, at photo@themonroetimes.com.
Amy Gutzmer, owner of French Quarter in Monroe, talks about her best friends 8-year-old Hans and 2-year-old Porter, both miniature dachshunds.
Gutzmer got Hans from a friend in Monroe who had a litter of puppies and eventually decided she wanted to get another dog to keep him company. She had a friend who was a volunteer at a kennel in O'Connell, Illinois, who told her about Porter. He was 8 months old at the time, and after seeing a video of him playing in a kids' pool full of plastic balls, she knew he would have the right personality to get along with Hans. "They're like brothers," Gutzmer said. "They've gotten along no problems at all."
- Marissa Weiher
Gutzmer got Hans from a friend in Monroe who had a litter of puppies and eventually decided she wanted to get another dog to keep him company. She had a friend who was a volunteer at a kennel in O'Connell, Illinois, who told her about Porter. He was 8 months old at the time, and after seeing a video of him playing in a kids' pool full of plastic balls, she knew he would have the right personality to get along with Hans. "They're like brothers," Gutzmer said. "They've gotten along no problems at all."
- Marissa Weiher
Describe Hans' and Porter's personalities.
Hans is very bossy. He's very verbal. I've never had a dog where I can tell exactly what he wants or wants you to do by his bark. He's a quick learner. He has a whole routine, and Porter never got past shake. Hans knows all his tricks. He's gotten so spoiled going everywhere with me - that's why I decided to get Porter, because it was hard to leave him home alone. He'd start howling and you'd swear you were killing him. Now that we've gotten Porter, it's been better.
Porter is rambunctious. He's boisterous for his size, but he's not as pushy and bossy as Hans. He's an observer. He'll sit and watch people, and it's like he can see the wheels turning inside their heads. He adjusts faster to new people and loves kids.
What do you like to do together?
They like to both be on each side of the recliner chair when I watch TV. They are just side-by-side all the time. We go on walks in the summertime on a split leash. They just play constantly. If anything squeaks or makes noise, it's theirs. They always check my bags when I get back from the store to make sure there's nothing for them. They're funny to watch because they love to run. They also like to play tug-of-war.
What has it been like having Hans and Porter in your life?
Very entertaining. It's just like no matter what mood you're in they're going to change it and bring a smile to your face. They like to bring me their toy first thing in the morning. They are good companions and good cuddlers.
Hans is very bossy. He's very verbal. I've never had a dog where I can tell exactly what he wants or wants you to do by his bark. He's a quick learner. He has a whole routine, and Porter never got past shake. Hans knows all his tricks. He's gotten so spoiled going everywhere with me - that's why I decided to get Porter, because it was hard to leave him home alone. He'd start howling and you'd swear you were killing him. Now that we've gotten Porter, it's been better.
Porter is rambunctious. He's boisterous for his size, but he's not as pushy and bossy as Hans. He's an observer. He'll sit and watch people, and it's like he can see the wheels turning inside their heads. He adjusts faster to new people and loves kids.
What do you like to do together?
They like to both be on each side of the recliner chair when I watch TV. They are just side-by-side all the time. We go on walks in the summertime on a split leash. They just play constantly. If anything squeaks or makes noise, it's theirs. They always check my bags when I get back from the store to make sure there's nothing for them. They're funny to watch because they love to run. They also like to play tug-of-war.
What has it been like having Hans and Porter in your life?
Very entertaining. It's just like no matter what mood you're in they're going to change it and bring a smile to your face. They like to bring me their toy first thing in the morning. They are good companions and good cuddlers.