Some of y'all know I have a Belgian Malinois. His name is Bodhi, but often I call him Heathen or Demon Spawn. It's been an adventure and a pretty sharp learning curve figuring him out but I totally love him and the breed. 

Here's the thing...they aren't for everyone. They aren't called Maligators for nothing. They need a job, they bite, they herd, they tend to be very active. Many people say they don't have an off switch but you just have to get them tired...which takes a long time. For example, my dobie girls are couch potatoes. Bodhi, not so much.

I'm not exactly sure when people decided they "had" to have a mal. I know the movie Max had a lot to do with it though. Folks bought cheap mals, started breeding them in their backyard, and sold them to people who hadn't researched the breed and didn't have any clue as to how much work it is to live with a mal.

And that led to a major problem. These owners started getting rid of their puppies cause they were too much to handle, took too much time and energy. Now there is a serious over-abundance of mals showing up at shelters and rescue groups.

And that is where I'm going. If you think you might want a Belgian Malinois, do some research and study the breed and what it requires. 

If you decide you can take on a mal, then how about getting a rescue. I'm working with the American Belgian Malinois Rescue and they have some great dogs waiting for forever homes. These dogs have all been vetted and are being fostered so they are house trained, crate trained, have some basic obedience training, and would make an awesome addition to the right home. Check out the above link. Your next dog could be waiting there.

And, if you have a few spare bucks, how about making a donation. These folks are doing an awesome job and every little bit will help. I saw someone say they rescued/rehomed over 100 malinois last year. 

I'm a dog person. Sorta have been as long as I can remember. Years ago, I was active in our local dog club as an obedience trainer, I showed my dogs, and was seriously involved in the doggie stuff.  

Then life happened. We moved, my 5 year old daughter was diagnosed with cancer, and dog stuff was set aside. Years passed and not so long ago, I rediscovered my love for dogs and even found a new dog sport or two, or three I want to try.  Which is why I now have my heathen.

Here's where I'm going with this.  

I know most owners truly love their dogs  and tend to think of them as "fur-babies."  Most owners understand that having a dog comes with responsibilities.  But some of you...make me want to beat you with a poop scoop.

For example...this morning I took heathen to a local trail for a walk. He is always on leash...a 6 foot one, not a flexi that is 900 feet long.  I always have waste pick-up baggies just in case poop happens.  And of course, it does.  Every time...

However, as we were walking along the paved path, right in the middle of the path, there was a huge pile of poop.  Seriously people?  I get it...picking up warm poop isn't the most fun thing in the world.  And yes, I've been guilty of not picking it up...when it's not on the trail where it would be easily stepped in. 

Here's another thing that makes me want to lash out.  Off leash dogs in public areas.  Especially those dogs who don't obey their owners and are a hazard to others...both dogs and people.  It seems some people think leash laws don't apply to their special dog.

Not long ago, an owner who thought she was entitled came up on us with her off leash dog who had no intention of obeying her repeated commands. He ran up on us and Bodhi let him know in no uncertain terms he wasn't welcome.  The owner got upset because my leashed, under control dog got defensive. 

Where I'm going with this...I want to be able to do more things with my dogs...take them more places. But when a few "entitled" owners leave piles of poop behind and don't control their dogs properly, then it makes us all look bad.

So...please, pick up your dog's deposits. Most dog friendly places even supply the bags.

Keep your pet on a leash unless in an approved off leash area. Personally, I don't do dog parks because too many things can go wrong but hey, up to you.

If you dog is aggressive or a danger to other dogs or people, keep him home until he can safely be out in public.

Also, if you can't afford to feed a good quality food, do the needed health stuff, can't spend time to train, and just want a dog you can leave tied in the yard, get a stuffed one.

I'm not even going to start on what I think about backyard breeders. Let's just say, "don't."


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Finally!!!  This is Bodhi. He's a Belgian Malinois though the nickname maligator is seriously appropriate. I'd forgotten how sharp puppy teeth are.  Of course, with the Dobie girls I seldom felt their teeth...  I think someone used the term "land shark" when speaking of a Malinois, and that fits too. :-)

Some other things I'd forgotten about puppies are...
...accidents happen no  matter how vigilant you are. Just clean up and try to do better.
...they are either off or on. There is no in between...full speed or totally off.
...they have the attention span of a gnat. A goldfish has a longer attention span.

I did remember the...
 ...middle-of-the-night potty trip. Only had to go out once...he slept about 5 1/2 hours before needing out. Nice.
...puppy breath.  It's a dog person thing.  If you don't understand, that's okay.
...puppy kisses.  Again, another dog person thing. 

I'd been warned about the high-energy of a Malinois, but still had no real clue.  I'd been warned about the teeth of a Malinois, but again, had no clue. It's no wonder so many of these awesome dogs end up in shelters when purchased by people who need a couch potato dog.

Sonnet and Mocha weren't thrilled about the new family member. The cats even less thrilled. One, I've barely seen, one glares at him from a distance, and Watson, while he's the most accepting, he still growls occasionally.  Last night, he got about a foot from Bodhi and hissed then growled. Bodhi growled back.  It was so cute.

Anyway...he's sleeping now. So I'm going to try to accomplish something. I have an x-pen set up by my desk so he can have some freedom while being safe from trouble. He's not a fan of confinement. :-)  And, I found perfect use for old chair cushion...puppy bed! 

Are you are dog our cat person?

I'm not a big astrology person. I don't believe the placement of the stars at a certain time determine our future...or anything else for that matter. But I like how the Chinese have named the years. Just for your info...I'm a Leo but if I were Chinese, I'd be an Ox. 

However, 2018 is the Year of the Dog. I find it interesting since for me, 2018 is going to be devoted to dog stuff.  I'm getting a puppy in several months that I'm so excited about.  More details and puppy pictures will come when I have them but I can tell you, he will be a Belgian Malinois from a top breeder in Florida. I'm so excited I can hardly stand it.

So, in honor of 2018 and the Year of the Dog, I give you a reprint from another blog of mine. Some may have already seen it...sorry...but it still holds true.

​I thought about this the other morning as I lay in the fetal position at the edge of the bed, one foot half off, the other being used as a pillow for a 95 pound Doberman. And as I lay there thinking about how close I was to falling off the bed, I realized I didn’t want to disturb the dog.

Now, I’m not one who thinks of my dog as a furry child. She has a dog’s name, not a people name. I don’t dress her up, except for that one time. After having her spayed, she was cold so I put a long sleeve, thermal shirt on her. Which she loved and wore for about a week.

That said, she is spoiled. She sleeps on the bed with us. I let her on the couch, and she gets fed people food, probably more often than she should. She gets a high quality, raw diet, has a better health-care plan than I, and doesn’t really have to work for a living.  In fact, one of her favorite sports is couch napping.

They say letting your dog sleep with you is a good thing. That you sleep better for it. Sometimes I’m not so sure. Especially those nights when she is chasing the cats in her sleep. Funny thing is, when I’m away from home and have the bed to myself, I miss her.

Roger Caras said, “Dogs are not our whole lives, but they make our lives whole.” And this is so true. Dogs give us unconditional love and teach us the meaning of loyalty. Our lives are made better for having a dog in it.

​Yes, she takes up a lot of the bed and sometimes hogs the covers, but she can use my foot for a pillow anytime she wants.