Pet Lovers

[monicakm]

ok

[beach-mom]

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@monicakm wrote:

@beach-mom 

LOL  I appreciate that.  Maybe I should stick with the little less aggressive Doodle (g)  And the Dingo that's too old to cause any turmoil (unless he escapes).  He's been such an incredible pet!  If it was up to me, we'd drive to Dallas to a Dingo rescue facility and get another one when Howie has lived out his life.  If not, a Carolina Dog.  I don't see the Dallas Dingo Rescue facility anymore

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@monicakm - The most important thing is you and your DH are wonderful dog parents! You have given so much love to pups that wouldn't know it without you. They have a comfortable home to live in.

 I spent my younger years with a German Shepherd. She was in my dad's life before my parents married. Mom said Dad would pick her up and she would sit between them in the front seat. 

She was very protective of me. When I was born and my parents had their friends and neighbors over, she stationed herself right by my bassinet. The neighbor across the street got a little too close for her liking, and she growled at him and pulled his sleeve. Luckily he was my parents' friend as well and he was OK. That was a long time ago. These days there might be a different outcome!

Mom said I could do anything to her. I pulled her tail and tried to "ride" her. She was my best friend. She died when I was 5-1/2. As young as I was, I remember my mom sobbing.

My parents never got another dog, but a cat "found" us when I was 12.   

[monicakm]

@beach-mom 

When our daughter was very young, a dog found us and naturally, I took it in.  If you can imagine what a Rhodesian Ridgeback crossed with a Hyena would look like, that's what this dog looked like but he was a blackish brindle.  That was one UGLY dog!  He took such good care of our daughter and was as gentle with her as he was ugly.  In fact, he won many "Ugly Dog" contests in his life.   I think it was a combination of his ugliness and his "handler's cuteness (our young daughter).  It was the ultimate Beauty and the Beast.  Here is a Rhodesian Ridgeback but Rowdy's "ridge" was more pronounced like the Hyena's.  He was shorter lengthwise and in height.  And he was blackish.  Great dog but not a pretty one.

Hyena

[monicakm]

The most important thing is you and your DH are wonderful dog parents! You have given so much love to pups that wouldn't know it without you.

Thank you so much @beach-mom   That means the world to me

[monicakm]

@beach-mom 

I love reading stories like this but it also reminds me of all the children in the world that aren't lucky enough to grow up with a dog or any other beloved pet.  Dogs are just my favorite animals on earth other than horses.

[mike995134]

Yes ... we have two ... a male (Toby) and a female (Ember). They are awesome dogs ... intelligent, energetic, very protective, fiercely loyal and oh so loving. And while some can be very prey driven too, we have two cats and all four get along really well. Actually our older female cat, a Norwegian Forest Cat, really rules the house and swats the dog's snouts if they get "too close or too inquisitive"... and they back away immediately. I have to laugh when she does that as the pups will back-off and run away.

Are they good with kids? Could be ... but it really depends on how well they are trained (the kids and the dogs). Ours are really friendly with those that they know, but they bark loudly and aggressively at strangers and are tremendously protective of the property. There's no need for a home alarm system with these two on duty. 😬

I

[KingstonMom]

Malinois are great dogs, but not a good idea for young children, IMO.

[goldensrbest]

With your doodle,i would not want one of those dogs,  too risky  for your dog.

[teganslaw]

Belgian Malinois is a beautiful dog, but from what I understand it's a breed that needs to be well trained.

I grew up with cats since I was little, so although I like dogs, I'm more of a cat person. My cat, Simone, is wonderful and great company. I can't see myself without one. 

[Kathy Naples Florida]

This will be my first post and probably my last but I wanted to get my 2 cents in regarding my Malinois.

We have a female Malinois that is a Velcro dog.  The breeder that we adopted her from has a ranch in Ocala Florida so all of the dogs are free to run around. None are in cages.

Chama is great with our 3 cats.  She likes other dogs and is great with the neighbors children. 

Besides living on acreage that is fenced in, my DH walks her every morning and the neighbors love to see her.

When she was 12 weeks old, we hired a trainer (where we also board her) who lives on acreage.  Chama was socialized early and has shown no aggression.  All of the trainer's staff fell in love with Chama and one even took her to the hair salon when she had her hair done. 

We researched the breed.  We have had a Boxer, a Doberman and a Rottweiler previously.  Yes, she is hyper but we built an obstacle course in the back yard.

Chama has been brought up as a pet, though some of her commands are in German.  

We adopted Chama when we were in our 70s and have no regrets.  I will say that she sheds terribly. 

It is a big decision to make and we love that we made it..