Kare11
South metro pups are CRAZY about the UPS guy
While some canines despise outsiders who come to their door – like the dog who bites the mailman – Rindy Utz’s goldies are totally down with the guy in brown.
CREDIT RIVER TOWNSHIP, Minn. — There are things in the universe that in most cases, just should not go together.
Take oil and water… bleach and ammonia… snow and sunshine… or onions and eyes, to name a few.
Historically, dogs and delivery people are squarely in that category. Ask any mailperson what the bane of their existence is, and chances are the cockapoo at the end of the block who thinks he’s Cujo is near the top of the list.
Three pups in Credit River Township – just outside of Lakeville – are the rare exception. They are totally down with the guy in brown, John the UPS guy, who regularly visits the home of owner Rindy Utz and is greeted like Santa on Christmas morning.
It’s a time-honored routine – rescue dogs Daggett Lake, Gypsy and Oluch run out to John’s truck, escort it up the driveway and then climb up to greet him. In turn, John pets them and doles out a dog treat or two, ensuring there will be no growling, barking or biting on his watch.
Funny thing is, Rindy knew nothing about this until Tuesday when she was outside her house, shooting video of the kids playing in the rain when John rolled up to drop off a package. The dogs ran over and scaled the stairs of his box truck, wagging their tails and jumping on their favorite UPS guy. She was appalled, telling them to get down until John calmly explained that this is a regular occurrence and that he really gets a kick out of it.
It’s a good thing Rindy was rolling and was able to document the delivery routine, as it’s the last time it will happen. John told Rindy it was his final day on the job as he is hanging up the brown uniform and retiring.
“Our entire neighborhood will miss him dearly… he was beloved!” Utz told KARE 11. “My three dogs will miss him the most though. I hope he knows how cherished he is, and how these ‘little treats’ truly bring so much JOY!!”
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Gary Peterson and his friends are collecting donations to help people in their community.
ST. LOUIS PARK, Minn. — A St. Louis Park pumpkin display is raising money for their local food shelf.
Gary Peterson started carving and painting three pumpkins over a decade ago. It’s now grown to over 100.
“I’ve heard people say they’ve come from Hutchinson,” he said.
Peterson along with two of his neighbors have spent the last 14 years growing their display, turning it into a neighborhood event.
“It’s been incredible, I just can’t believe how much this has expanded,” he said. “We did it just because we like to and then people were asking to give us money to cover the cost.”
The trio refused to take people’s money, but then one of them had an idea.
“My neighbor, Steve Leensvaart, just mentioned how about we just do it for the STEP program and the STEP program is our local food shelf in St. Louis Park,” he said.
So, they started to collect donations to help families in need. They’ve raised hundreds of dollars and donated hundreds of pounds of food over the last few years, carving for a cause.
“It is more gratifying every year,” Peterson said.
He estimated they have over 100 unique pumpkins in their yard. They’ve created the displays and come up with new family-friendly concepts for people to enjoy. Peterson said about 30 of their neighbors carved their own pumpkins to be put on display, and it’s been a big hit.
“It’s great. In the last couple of years, it’s turned into more of a neighborhood event,” said Sarah Durch.
“We love this Halloween display, we come every year to see it. We love that the whole community gets involved to craft and carve the pumpkins,” said Jami Gordon-Smith.
“The shading and the details are unbelievable,” said Elizabeth Hanson.
Hanson hopes to take her 2-year-old son trick or treating for the first time but is worried the cold temperatures might keep them indoors.
“We’re going trick or treating hopefully,” she said. “He’s going to be a firefighter, but we’re probably going to have sweatshirts maybe like two pairs of sweatpants underneath. We’re going to be bundled up.”
Gordon-Smith said her family will be out Halloween night no matter the weather.
“Halloween only comes once a year, so you really have to take advantage and enjoy the evening no matter what the weather brings,” she said. “Guess it’s not totally unheard of in Minnesota to have a cold Halloween, but we are going to try and modify and do a lot of layers underneath our costumes and then we might add some hats and maybe some warmer socks.”
Durch also isn’t surprised they’re in for another chilly night.
“Well, what would Halloween be without Minnesota cold? I feel like every time you plan a costume you have to plan for how you can make this work if it’s snowing,” she said.
Peterson said they will have a bonfire and some hot chocolate and cider on Halloween to keep trick-or-treaters warm while they look at their pumpkins.
Click here to learn where you can see the pumpkins and how you can donate.
