Linda Wicklund's pet monkey, Mindy, is a part of the family. Wicklund takes her everywhere she goes, without exception. She brings Mindy to work -- Wicklund and her husband, Terry, own Western Towing in Jefferson County -- and even to the grocery store, sometimes hiding the monkey under her shirt.

"Mindy is with me 24-7," says Wicklund. "I don't go anywhere without her."

That's because Wicklund's last monkey died when she ingested poison while a friend babysat. That was 28 years ago, and Wicklund says she won't make the same mistake again.

"It limits me to where I go," says Wicklund. "There are certain places you can take them in and out. She stays on a leash on her stomach."

The 18-month-old Java Macaque weighs five pounds and stands about two feet tall. Wicklund bought Mindy in August 2004 when she was just three months old and weighed 14 ounces.

"She's done growing up, but she'll fill out," says Wicklund.

Mindy is actually Wicklund's third monkey. Her first was a squirrel money her father gave her in fourth grade. Her second, another Java Macaque, was purchased at a pet store, when Terry's friend realized he couldn't handle the responsibility and gave it up.

This time around, Wicklund carefully researched Mindy, whose breed comes from Indonesia, before she decided to spend $3,700, including airfare, to bring the monkey to the town of Concord, just south of Oconomowoc.

"Her parents came from Florida, from a private breeder who's been breeding for 15 years," says Wicklund. "We found everything online."

Indeed, the Internet has served as a cornucopia of monkey-related information for Wicklund, who learned everything she needed to know before adopting. She spent six months researching reputable breeders -- and avoiding what she calls the Florida "monkey mills."

Mindy's price tag actually fell on the low end, says Wickand. She says they range in price from $3,000 to $6,000, depending on age and breed. And Wicklund didn't buy Mindy to breed her, as some monkey owners do.

Once Wicklund found the monkey she was looking for, she did her due diligence, researching state, county and local ordinances on primate ownership, and she suggests all potential monkey owners do the same.

Says Wicklund, "You can't bring them in from out of the country, but it's OK as long as they come with a health certificate."

"Smart people should have them completely checked out. We use three vets in the Madison teaching school. I know more about her than I know about myself," adds Wicklund.

Monkey in Milwaukee?

If you've ever wondered if you can have a pet monkey in the city of Milwaukee, the answer is no.

According to representatives from the Department of Neighborhood Services (yes, we asked a few different people just to make sure), monkeys are on the prohibited list, along with bees, swine, goats and cattle.

Actually, nowhere in Chapter 78, Section 5, Subsection C of the city ordinances are primates specifically banned, but the department was quite adamant that pet monkeys are forbidden. It's a different story if you need a service monkey or run a circus, of course.

Statewide, Wisconsin is one of 18 states that don't have specific rules for primate possession. So if you want a pet monkey, check with your local municipality to see if it's allowed.

In Jefferson County, Mindy is completely legal. She doesn't wear tags like a dog, but she is current on baby and animal vaccinations, including tetanus and rabies. The monkey is gentle, but Wicklund must take extra precautions that Mindy never bites a stranger.