When Harry Met Minnie

A True Story of Love and Friendship

By: Martha Teichner

Narrated by: Martha Teichner

Length: 8 hrs and 37 mins

Publisher's summary

*An Instant New York Times Best Seller!*

This program is read by the author.

A memoir of love and loss, of being in the right place at the right time, and of the mysterious ways a beloved pet can bring people together, from CBS Sunday Morning News correspondent and multi-Emmy-Award-winning Martha Teichner.

There are true fairy tales. Stories that exist because impossible-to-explain coincidences change everything. Except in real life, not all of them have conventional, happily-ever-after endings. When Harry Met Minnie is that kind of fairy tale, with the vibrant, romantic New York City backdrop of its namesake, the movie When Harry Met Sally, and the bittersweet wisdom of Tuesdays with Morrie.

There’s a special camaraderie among early-morning dog walkers. Gathering at dog runs in the park, or strolling through the farmer's market at Union Square before the bustling crowd appears, fellow pet owners become familiar - as do the personalities of their beloved animals. In this special space and time, a chance encounter with an old acquaintance changed Martha Teichner’s world. As fate would have it, her friend knew someone who was dying of cancer, from exposure to toxins after 9/11, and desperate to find a home for her dog, Harry. He was a Bull Terrier- the same breed as Martha’s dear Minnie. Would Martha consider giving Harry a safe, loving new home?

In short order, boy dog meets girl dog, the fairy tale part of this story. But there is so much more to this book. After Martha agrees to meet Harry and his owner Carol, what begins as a transaction involving a dog becomes a deep and meaningful friendship between two women with complicated lives and a love of Bull Terriers in common. Through the heartbreak and grief of Carol’s illness, the bond that develops changed Martha’s life, Carol’s life, Minnie’s life, Harry’s life. As it changed Carol’s death as well.

In this rich and touching narrative, Martha considers the ways our stories are shaped by the people we meet, and the profound love we can find by opening our hearts to unexpected encounters.

A Macmillan Audio production from Celadon Books

©2021 Martha Teichner (P)2021 Macmillan Audio

An unexpected delight.

A story of unlikely friendships—of love and loss that will stay with you. Much more than a story of our relationships with beloved dogs—it’s a beautifully told memoir of friendships we can find as we understand the probability of ultimate endings.

Excellent!

Well written, well narrated, and as a dog lover of dog lovers much appreciated candor!

The Best!

A friend recommended this book. I could not be more grateful. I loved everything this book represents. First of all, Martha. Wow. What a delightful voice. The story was compelling and interesting. I loved how Martha gave details about NYC as well as her background as a child and her passion for conservancy. I loved how every relationship in this story demonstrated love, acceptance, grace, forgiveness and kindness. I appreciated Martha's vulnerability about her own story as she shared about her desire for a husband and children that never came due to her career. And then there are the dogs. I won't go into detail because I hope you will give this book a listen, but they were so wonderful! Thank you Martha! Your story touched the deepest places of my heart!

Amazing story!

This is a wonderful story of friendship, love, living and dying. Read beautifully by the author, the book transported me directly to all the experiences shared by Ms. Teichner. Thank you!!

Great book Martha!

Thank you for sharing this beautiful story of Carol, Harry, Minnie and so very much more. It’s a great story of people, friends, relationships and families of all kinds, including our beautiful pets. Also a nice view of NYC, a city I also treasure.

Wonderful story!

A story that will make you laugh and cry. It is so much better because it was read by the author.

Great book!

Great book! Great author and storyteller. One doesn’t have to like dogs to enjoy this book.

Love, Friendship, and Dogs...A Life Story

This is Martha Teichner’s first book and I’m praying it won’t be her last. It is a beautifully written tapestry of love between people and their 4-legged family members and the kind of people who fall into the “friends are the family you choose” category. Nicely done, Martha! :)

What a story, what a performance!!

Dear Martha, Thank you for writing this wonderful story and performing it your self. I can’t imagine anyone else doing it. These memories come to life because you have the most wonderful voice and storytelling abilities. I couldn’t put this story down, but forced myself because I didn’t want it to be over. I really didn’t know anything about bull Bull Terriers until I listened to this book. If there were an award for describing a Bull Terrier and/or taking care of Bull Terriers or having the courage to take on the challenges of Bull Terriers it would surely go to you. I cried many times during the telling of this and I don’t know how you managed to get through it without sobbing frequently. What a wonderful lesson about friendship and being a dog parent! You have my sincere gratitude for sharing your story and memories. I wish you many more years with many more Bull Terriers.

Worth 100+ Audible Credits!

I first heard of this book while watching CBS Sunday Morning a couple of weeks ago. When I saw that it was available on audiobook I was thrilled! When I saw that Ms. Teichner herself was the narrator, I couldn't hit the purchase button fast enough. To say that this book was wonderful is certainly an understatement. It is hard to imagine that this the very first book written by the author. Not only is the storytelling so poignant and beautiful, but it has a magical way of bringing you into the story, moment by moment. I found myself dreading listening as the story drew closer to the death of the beloved Carol. But, I knew that I must continue on as Martha had done. The saddest events of our lives can also possess the most unusual, sharp and eternal beauty. I would like to thank Martha Teichner for her willingness to write this story. The pain of remembering in detail, so much loss must have been emotionally draining. But, because of this story, Carol and Harry, Martha and Stephen (and Minnie and Violet and Beast and Goose) will live on the hearts and minds of so many of us. What a treasure!