Dogs TV

Why’d you choose a Malinois?

I absolutely adore the Belgian Malinois, but honestly am unsure if I could actually handle one after looking at all of your questions, comments and experiences on this Facebook. I’m still researching the breed, since that’s just my hobby, and would love to hear more about what made up your decisions.

A lot of people have told me that all my personal reasons, that I thought were valid, could be fulfilled through other breeds. I’d love to know your reasons for choosing a Malinois! What about the Malinois specifically made them stand out from other similar breeds that are also high-drive and high-energy (e.g. GSD, Dutch Shepherd, Border Collie)? What does your typical daily routine with your Malinois look like? I’m curious!

Also, feel free to add a picture of your pup in your response. I love nothing more than a cute picture.

Struggling to cope with post-euthanasia grief

It’s been the craziest last few weeks with my boy Cerberus (7) health-wise. He seemed to mysteriously sprain his leg at home, resulting in X-rays (that were all clear). The doc sent us home with gabapentin, trazodone, carprofen, and a commitment to crate rest for a couple weeks and hand walking to the bathroom only and then back down.

No improvement after all of that, so the vet wanted to give it a couple more weeks, but with incorporating more movement in again, while also making an appt with a specialist for more imaging. Cerberus was starting to lose weight, but still eating. I noticed that the gabapentin was making it hard for him to control his hips and back legs. The vet said to give him less. The less I gave him, the better he felt altogether.

Then he started having accidents in the house, which was not the kind of dog that he is. I started worrying about his kidneys, but thought maybe it was behavioral because he went from being so high energy and goofy to being lethargic and sedated from medication.

Well…..it was his kidneys. He started dropping weight like crazy and suddenly wasn’t eating. He was barely ever getting up except to go to the bathroom, which was frequently, along with lots of water drinking. I brought him in for bloodwork because I had a bad feeling, and he was in renal failure. He was only a few days from an appointment with a specialist to take a look at his leg and it’s crazy that this was lurking under the surface. I can’t help but wonder if it was all the meds that made everything happen so rapidly all of a sudden.

I’m just heartbroken. The vet and staff were amazing for the euthanasia procedure, but jeeeeez. The whole process felt surreal. Removing his collar and bandana….giving last pets and kisses…leaving him behind when it was all over. It just shatters me to think about. I was feeling so hopeful about getting him back to normal, all for this to come out of nowhere. It feels so unfair. I just want my buddy back to snuggle and go on walks.

I would love any insight into coping with home life after losing a dog, especially since I have another German Shepherd who seems so confused why I didn’t come home with his brother. I’d also love any suggestions on memorial-type things you may have done for your fur baby. Welcoming all the kind words and hugs that you lovely strangers can shower upon a grieving dog mama.

I found her panting in heat in Miami FL

This past Monday, I had to do a delivery in the city of Miami, so I got there Sunday afternoon just to be ready on site for the morning delivery. About seven minutes after I parked, a police car pulled up and parked next to my semi truck. I thought he was going to tell me I had to move because of some city ordinance, even though my engine was off and I was using my APU for AC. But from my rear window, I noticed he was just using the shade of my truck and having his lunch underneath it in his patrol car.

I had a cold sparkling water in my fridge, so I decided to take it out to him so he could enjoy it with his lunch in that heat. I went out and handed it to him, and he thanked me for it. We started talking a little, and I noticed a puppy out in the heat, on the grass in the corner of an abandoned building right next to where I was making the delivery. I asked the officer what I could do about it, and he told me he could call and have someone from a shelter pick her up, or I could take her. I took her immediately, because I believe she’s a godsend. According to ChatGPT and some other AI, she looks like a Belgian Malinois.

That same day, I used my bicycle to go to the nearest Walmart, which was about 16 minutes away, and got some puppy food, a bed, a tiny harness, two bowls for food and water, and some dry milk because the AI told me to give her that since she looks like she’s only a few weeks old. I made sure everything I bought was age-appropriate for her.

Long story short, she’s been with me in my semi truck, getting along great with my other dog—a white German Shepherd mixed with Alaskan tundra wolf. She’s extremely smart, and I named her Lilly. She often comes and sleeps right by my feet, laying her head on or between them. I love her so much, and I couldn’t be happier to have her in my life. I’m so happy that she rescued me, just like my other dog rescued me six years ago.

Also, based on the pictures, please don’t worry—I wasn’t driving, I was just sitting.

Doggie Dementia

Hi all. New to this sub. I have a Chiweenie, Loki, who is ~16.5 years old. I've had him since he was a baby and I love him to death. Partly looking for advice/guidance and partly just getting my thoughts out here after something that just happened.

Overall, Loki is great. He was just at the vet on Monday for his annual, and he's fine, just old. He can't hear anymore, so he startles fairly easily. His behavior for at least the past year makes me think he's losing his mental faculties though.

He loves to lay next to me on the couch under a blanket. That's not new, he's done that forever. Lately he just gets up for no reason and seems kinda confused about it, like he doesn't even know why he's up. He'll sometimes wander around and seem lost. He whines a bit more than he used to. A couple of times now he's peed in the house, which is very unlike him, but I've never actually seen him do it. What prompted this post was tonight we were doing our usual couch chillin' , he's under his blanket as always, and he did the thing where he gets out of his blanket for seemingly no reason, only this time he pees. Just right next to me on the couch like it's completely normal.

I didn't scold or reprimand him or anything, the way I see it it's completely out of his control. And I'm willing to deal with his accidents and whining because I love him. I guess my only questions are if there's a way to make this easier on both of us and if, so long as he's otherwise healthy and happy, which seems to be the case, that he's okay living out the rest of his days as a dementia doggy. He's still very spry and seems genuinely content. And fwiw, the dementia thing is an assumption. I'm not a vet, but it tracks.

Found at a gas station - best guess?

I’ll give as much information as possible here:

“Wemby” is right under 60 pounds. Height wise, he comes up to around my knees (I’m 6’1)

He has white stripe in his chest and subtle white on his toes.

When he wants something, he stares intensely at us (I’ve heard this is a trait of some shepherds?)

He’s a “pretzel puppy” - loves to flop around on the couch and roll around.

He is a pointer dog. Anytime we’re outside and something peak his curiosity, he lifts his front paw up and stares / sniffs.

Favorite sleeping position is on his back (legs up)

Very food motivated.

Very playful - high energy

Does great with other dogs and humans.

Fears other bigger dogs.

Seems to have a very long neck / chest area. I’ve had several other labs in my life and they were all more bulky and less long. He has a relatively small but Long body and long legs (kinda short tail tho)

He has a very high pitched whimper when he wants something (reminds me of the whine of my german shepherd although I’m aware various dogs have the same pitch)

Almost never barks.. at anything. Not sure if this has to do with breed?

Has extremely Webbed feed (like practically not space between his toes)

I’m fully aware some of this info may not be relative to finding breed (I’m ignorant). If anyone has further questions or details that would help indicate his mix, I’m happy to answer!