Sorry for this Off Topic post, but I am so happy and wanted to share my joy with everyone.

First a little background. My husband was recently on deployment and I became a little scared in the neighborhood due to some (12-15) thugs going around checking out the homes. Well, we got into an evil-eye stare for a few minutes. Moments later, when I went in to let the beagle out back to go to the bathroom, they stole an 18 speed bike from across the street. I saw them with the bike, but didn't actually see them steal it. My young son did see them take it, and they knew that he watched them. I became scared, thinking the worst.

Anyway, I struggled with getting myself a larger dog to be a little more protective than a beagle. I told my husband about it when he called, and he wasn't too thrilled about getting another animal, as we had the beagle, two cats, and two fish tanks. Well, on Friday the 16th, a stray dog was at my work. A co-worker had called the pound as she was afraid that the dog would be run over during rush hour traffic. Everyone that had seen the dog had fallen in love with her, but most had at least two dogs already. I had seen her play with a child, so I knew she was good with children. After about twenty minutes of thinking, I went and got my car to take her home.

She checked out fine at the vet. She is wonderful with my son and other dog. We are working on the barking at the cats. My husband has fallen in love with her as well. Best of all, we found out she is an Belgian Malinois. If you don't know this breed, they are used more often in K-9 units than German Shepherds. She is eager to learn, thus we are training her some basic commands. She has a wonderful bark, and can be agressive.

I was washing the dishes the other night, when my husband put his cold hands on my stomach. The dog heard me squirming, and came to my rescue. She was hunched down and showing her teeth, but didn't growl or attack as she knew it was my husband. He was even more impressed, although I think he will think twice from placing cold hands on me again. :) He even remarked last night that it was Fate that had delivered this dog to me.

-- Anonymous, March 27, 2001

Answers

Response to [ot] - Fate came calling

A wonderful testimony! So glad that you received the dog you felt you needed, and that the dog received the loving home that was its due.

I hope you all will be truly safe and happy together.

This was a very uplifting message to begin the day with.

Thank you.

maybe it should be in sustainable living? Hmmm....

-- Anonymous, March 27, 2001

Response to [ot] - Fate came calling

Great! We'd been wondering what you'd decided to do about getting another dog. I agree . . .this is a 'good' thing.

Seen any more of the riff-raff hanging around?

-- Anonymous, March 27, 2001

Response to [ot] - Fate came calling

Saw about four of them the other day. I let the dog do the talking this time. Those punks didn't appear to like the bark of my little 42 lb puppy. What a shame... :)

I've just been reading about some things you can do for training while playing tug of war. Think I'll be checking those out (read doing them), but will have to wait until after my son is asleep each night.

-- Anonymous, March 27, 2001

Response to [ot] - Fate came calling

If I remember correctly, the Malinois is a natural for formal obedience training, and a really striking looking dog. Congrats to all of you (and good to see you under your old handle again).

-- Anonymous, March 27, 2001

Response to [ot] - Fate came calling

Maybe a picture if you're able?

-- Anonymous, March 28, 2001

Response to [ot] - Fate came calling

Barefoot,

I haven't taken any pictures of her yet, but I found one on the web that looks exactly like her. I'll post the url once I get into work.

-- Anonymous, March 28, 2001

Response to [ot] - Fate came calling

Looking forward to seeing the newest member of the family, Sheeple.

-- Anonymous, March 28, 2001

Forgive me if these don't work, but I'm trying to post a couple of pictures.

This one is what my Ginger looks like. She is between 8 and 9 months old, so she has a little growing yet to do.

Here is a picture of a full grown matuer Malinois.

If you would like, I could find a few pictures of some of them in training. :)

-- Anonymous, March 28, 2001

Sorry for the type-o up there. Guess I should have proofed my words, not the html.

-- Anonymous, March 28, 2001