- September 12, 2024
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It took only five seconds for Mina, an 11-year-old cocker spaniel, to recognize Summerfield's Maureen Flaherty.
As Flaherty kneeled, Mina jumped on "Auntie Mo" and licked her face. Mina was reconnecting with the woman who fostered her as a puppy until Lakewood Ranch's Kerrieann and Doug Gourley adopted her.
But the Aug. 17 reunion at a Summerfield home was just beginning. Mina went into the house to see her own family members. Six of the seven siblings who were born in the same litter 11 years ago attended the party with their owners. Besides Mina, there were Yeti, Blue, Molly, Maggie and Pipa. The final sibling, Josie, was not able to attend.
Mina first came upon her brother Yeti, but that reunion wasn't quite as energetic as her visit with "Auntie Mo." It had been 10 years since Mina and Yeti had been together and they cautiously sniffed each other to familiarize themselves.
Mina did cap the brother and sister reunion with a piercing bark.
"I hear the family resemblance," said Englewood's Jennifer Weghorst, Yeti's owner.
The reunion didn't stop there.
Mina and Yeti then reconnected with their other siblings. The dogs hadn't been together in a decade since a 1-year-old birthday party thrown for them.
Flaherty began fostering the dogs when they were about 3 weeks old. The dogs, which Flaherty nicknamed the "Wee Beans," were born Aug. 17 and Aug. 18, 2013, to a cocker spaniel rescued from the Miami Dade Animal Control.
The dogs were born at the home of Flaherty's neighbor and animal rescue volunteer Joani Ellis, who hand delivered each dog.
They were then given a name corresponding to the color of their collars. The only dog still named after the color of its collar is Blue, who is owned by Wimauma's Brooke Mayer.
The dogs and their owners came from Wimauma, Englewood, Sarasota and Lakewood Ranch to bring the dogs together for their birthdays.
Owners gathered around a table to sing happy birthday to the Wee Beans.
Mayer noted that Yeti and Blue, the only two males in the litter, look very much alike. During the party, the similar-sized brothers took the identical position as they laid in the grass. They both always needed to have a ball near them.
Both brothers have white patches on their chests and are graying on their ears and by their nose. However, the owners noted that Yeti has a shorter tongue than Blue.
They were so similar in the way they looked and acted that Weghorst said she had to check Yeti's collar to make sure it was her dog.
When Mayer said "ball," she immediately had Blue's attention. Weghorst had to spell out "b-a-l-l" so Yeti wouldn't get rambunctious.
The owners spent the evening comparing their dogs' looks and personalities.
While Doug Gourley was in one room talking to some of the owners, Kerriann Gourley was in another room visiting others. Mina would split her time going back and forth to the two rooms to check on her owners. She would nestle up against Doug Gourley's legs or sit at Kerriann Gourley's feet.
Doug Gourley said since he and his wife adopted Mina, their dog always has sought attention, but she's also been their guardian.
"She is not happy with the attention of one parent," Doug Gourley said.
But when both Doug and Kerriann acknowledge her, "she pays it back in spades," he said.
"She is the most loving, loyal, giving, incredibly intelligent companion," Doug Gourley said.
Two years ago, Doug Gourley started to experience back pain. He's since had four spinal fusions and he said Mina continues to be by his side.
"If we're at home, she doesn't leave me alone," he said. "Anywhere I go, even if I'm in the washroom, she's sitting down right in front of me, guarding me," he said. "She sleeps against my back at night to guard it."
The dogs' sweetness, loyalty and love for their families is a common thread among the siblings.
After 11 years, the Wee Beans all have been integral parts of their families' lives.
For Mayer and Sarasota's Meagan Collin and her husband, Eric Collin, their dogs have been there for major life moments.
Mayer adopted Blue and brought him to college with her. She met her husband, Jeff Mayer, because of Blue. Jeff Mayer had his laborador, Riley, and Brooke Mayer, asked if their dogs could play together.
Blue was a part of Jeff and Brooke Mayers' wedding.
He has watched as Jeff and Brooke Mayer welcomed home daughters, Cait and Cali James.
"He's my soul dog," Brooke Mayer said of Blue. "He's been with me through all my adventures of life."
Meagan and Eric Collin were engaged when they adopted Pipa. Since then, they've married and had two daughters, Elena, who is now 8, and Juliette, who is now 5.
"We've been growing the family, and (Pipa) has been around for the whole journey," Meagan Collin said.
After 90 minutes, the Wee Beans were at ease with each other and their siblings' families.
Molly and Pipa were playing fetch with Elena Collin and Juliette Collin.
Blue stayed by Brooke Mayer's side as she looked at Yeti's baby book. Yeti came by her and Brooke Mayer kissed him on the forehead.
Flaherty spent time catching up with the families and sitting on the ground to give love to each of the Wee Beans.
She said she tries to stay in contact with the families that adopt the dogs she fosters. She said the wee beans' families have become like her extended family.
"There's a joy when (the Wee Beans) are all together," Flaherty said. "There's a special bond that happens. It's a gift to still be in contact with them and to see each one thriving."
