My Rescue Dog

Monday December 10, 2012 06:58am

I have worked with many rescue dogs, from helping families introduce their newly adopted to dog to the dog they already have, to fostering a few dogs, to volunteering at the local animal shelter.  Some of the dogs have made cry, some have made me buy new shoes, some have even introduced me to new friends but only one, Sahara, has made me fall in love! I don't know what it is about her?  It's definitely not her great obedience training, or her social skills but I fell in love with her anyway! 

Meet my rescue, Sahara!  Sahara at only a year old could write a book about her life.  As a puppy she was shipped from a kennel in the Netherlands (Rosans Werkhindenkennel)  to her original owner in California.  There she lived with five other dogs until her original owner suddenly passed away when she was about six months old.  Luckily for Sahara she is pretty easy to fall in love with, Beth, (the person I got her from) flew to California to get Sahara and bring her to Oregon to live with her.  (Sahara has more frequent flyer miles then I do!)  Beth came to me when she was struggling with Sahara as well as some other family issues (un-related to Sahara).  After researching the breed, having many conversations with Beth and spending time with Sahara I decided  to adopt her.  While Beth also LOVES Sahara (she still comes to see her and watches her when I go out of town) she knew that Sahara would be a better fit in my home than hers.

For those of you who don't know what a Belgian Malinios is here is a  brief description from The American Kennel Club: 

The Belgian Malinios is an alert, high energy breed, popular as both police and military working dog.  Although sometimes mistaken for the German Shepherd Dog, the Malinois is more elegant in build and lighter-boned, but does not lack for strength, agility or herding ability.  Active participants in conformation, obedience, schutzhund, herding, sledding and tracking, the breed ranges in color from rich fawn to mahogany, with black tips on the hairs and a black mask and ears.  The breed is confident, exhibiting neither shyness nor aggressiveness in new situations.  The dog may be reserved with strangers but is affectionate with his own people.  He is naturally protective of his owner's person and property without being overly aggressive.  The Belgian Malinois possesses a strong desire to work and is quick and responsive to commands form his owner.

 

My definition of a Belgian Malinois is the most fun, intense, active, alert, sweet dog I have ever been around!  Some people wouldn't agree but Malinois have many similarities to a Field bred Labrador Retriever.  For some people a Belgian Malinios would be WAY to much dog!!!  For other people who are either extremely active or want a performance dog this breed can be AWESOME!

 

Sometimes when you rescue a dog you get lucky and don't have to put in much work, that's not the case with Sahara.  She pretty much needs a long walk and trained every day just to be a polite member of my "family".  Don't get me wrong Sahara is not a bad dog at all, she comes when she's called, she's potty trained, she doesn't steal things off the counter, but she has a few other "issues" that we work on everyday (or at least try too).  Sahara's issues stem from lack of socialization as a puppy.  Sahara gets very nervous around new people, new places, and has a few bad habits due to lack of obedience training as a puppy.

When I get a Labrador puppy either from my breeding or a reputable breeder I have goals Titling the dog in Hunt Tests, AKC Rally Trials, Canine Good Citizen Certificate, and one day being an Agility competitor.  With Sahara I have different goals!  Yes my very long term goals are the same (besides the Hunt Tests).  My current and short term goals are what some people might take for granted.  For example, I  would like to be able to have Sahara walk confidently through the Scappoose, Oregon Farmer's Market or take her to a Columbia Humane Society Yappy Hour with her sitting by my side happy and confident like the dog I know she is deep down inside!  

We have also been to the Scappoose Farmer's Market, being in an outside venue Sahara seemed much more confident until...we walk by a booth selling decorated animal skulls.  Sahara was very scared and wouldn't go near them.  So again with treats in hand I encouraged her to get closer and closer to them until she would eat treats out of my hand right on top of the "scary" object.  Granted Sahara is not going to see animal skulls on a daily basis but I want her not to be nervous or scared around anything new.

Comments

On Sep 07, 2012 06:33am, Ed Wachtel said:

Thanks for all you do!

On Sep 07, 2012 06:51am, Lisa Rand-Thibeau said:

Adrienne, what a beautiful story about the relationship you have with Sasha! You can tell you truly love her, especially as you share stories of how you guide her through situations that frighten her, turkey lunch meat in hand. :-)

On Sep 26, 2012 02:25pm, Connie DeBruyn said:

Adrienne - I love your website and all the info you post plus your experiences with fostering and rescuing.

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