Archie
Archie & Friends
When the Giant Schnauzer mix formerly known as Yin Yang was surrendered to the ASPCA, he was a baby with an oversized frame and energy to burn. He finally found the right match when Wendy Giman of Manhattan gave the big boy a chance. Below, Wendy talks about Archie—as she has dubbed him—and his goofball charm.
ASPCA: When did you first meet Archie? Wendy: I first met Archie on August 9, 2009. After seeing him on the ASPCA website, I went to the Adoption Center specifically to meet him. When they brought him into the room, he stood up, snatched stuffed animals from the windowsill, and just went crazy. But then Kristi, the behaviorist, and I took him for a walk, and he was calm as he leaned against my leg—I was smitten. I returned a few days later with a friend and walked Archie again. He seemed even calmer. The next day I prepared my apartment for his arrival, and on August 14, I adopted him.
ASPCA: Do you have any other pets?
Wendy: My residential complex only recently changed its rules to allow dogs after a strict policy of no pets. I would walk other people's dogs to get my fix, and almost bought a Bouvier from a breeder but then realized it was better to adopt.
ASPCA: How has Archie settled into his new home?
Wendy: It's definitely Archie's home; he just lets me stay there. He has taken over my large leather chair and likes to look out the window.
ASPCA: Does he have any funny habits?
Wendy: Archie licks my face or my toes if I'm not out of bed in the morning, and then just goes back to sleep. And though he's not allowed on my bed, he lobbies for it every once in awhile. Even though he weighs 86 pounds, he manages to sneak on the bed until I realize it and kick him off. He also likes to burrow in my bedroom closet and leaves no place unexplored. Sometimes when I take a shower, he jumps in with his two front paws. He's very goofy and sometimes trips himself or trips on things when he runs.
ASPCA: What does Archie mean to you and your family?
Wendy: He is my family. My sister and nieces love him. It was an adjustment at first, since Archie is a bit like Marmaduke (he's about five feet tall when he stands on his back legs!). He likes to keep me company in the kitchen when I cook, but takes up half of the floor space so I hop around him. It's worth it. He's just a wonderful, goofy love bug.
Read more true stories of furry fate in our Happy Tails Archive.