RSM789
Eminence Grise
Posts: 2,286
|
Dogs
Jul 15, 2024 20:45:30 GMT -8
billb likes this
Post by RSM789 on Jul 15, 2024 20:45:30 GMT -8
While I have been away, one of the changes in my life is the addition of a couple of new dogs (Our previous 2 died a month apart in the summer of 2020). My experience has shown that you can tell a lot about people by how they respond to dogs & if they appreciate the long, unique relationship we have with domesticated canines. So in early 2021, we got Roxy at 8 weeks old. She & her siblings had been abandoned in Santa Ana (probably near Mater Dei) when they were just days old. I had a DNA test done on her & she is 50% German Shepherd, 25% Pitbull & a mix of another bunch of breeds. The Pit characteristics stand out, for she loves people and absolutely adores children. She is a bit of a princess, she demanded & became the first dog we ever let live inside the house. Extremely smart, she opens doors, understands conversation and figures out problems. A year later we brought home her step sister, Sami. She too had been abandoned with her siblings just days old, but this time in South County (probably near Mission Viejo High). Sami's DNA test came back that she was 55% German Shepherd, 25% Belgian Malinois & then a mix of others. With her, the Malinois DNA is the strongest, with a motor that does not stop and the highest energy level of any dog we have ever had. While she is not as smart as her sister, she makes up for it with a willingness to learn & follow commands. It is really easy to see how this breed is the number one choice for police & military, they really want to please their master & don't ever quit. The first image is from 2022 when Sam was still a pup, the 2nd picture is more recent. Double click on them to get them full size.   |
|
SK80
Master Eminence Grise
Posts: 7,377
|
Dogs
Jul 15, 2024 21:23:32 GMT -8
Post by SK80 on Jul 15, 2024 21:23:32 GMT -8
Nice share RSM, I'm a dog guy stuck (not in a bad way) in a cat household at this point in life....., I lost both my pups, age 15 within the same year right before Covid. There is not a day I dont think, feel, miss their souls in my life.
|
|
MDDad
Master Eminence Grise
Posts: 6,815
|
Dogs
Jul 15, 2024 21:33:59 GMT -8
RSM789 likes this
Post by MDDad on Jul 15, 2024 21:33:59 GMT -8
My experience has shown that you can tell a lot about people by how they respond to dogs & if they appreciate the long, unique relationship we have with domesticated canines. I agree. On my daily power walks through a local park, when I see a dog and its owner approaching, I've made it a habit to squat down on my knees (no, not like Kamala Harris) when the dog is about 15 or 20 feet away. The owners are always surprised at how anxious their dogs are to come up and make friends with a complete stranger. I'm also a firm believer that a major contributor in moving us from hunter-gatherers to walking on the moon is our relationship with dogs and horses. They are the most noble of beasts. |
|
billb
Senior Eminence Grise
Posts: 3,084
|
Dogs
Jul 16, 2024 11:01:28 GMT -8
RSM789 likes this
Post by billb on Jul 16, 2024 11:01:28 GMT -8
Yes MD, I am not sure humans would still be around if it were not for dogs. When we first moved where we are now, the kids were young and we wanted a warning system to help keep them safe. Now they are all gone, we still have a dog. She is the first to come inside, and she lives with us inside, but she loves to go out and hunt. She has killed several gopher snakes this year. I worry that she might tangle with a rattler, but we have not seen one yet. She had been taken to the pound twice before we got her. It gives us pleasure to make her happy and loved. She knows it. When I hand feed her food, I look her in the eye and pet her at the same time. My wife wanted a little dog, but when she went to the pound with my son, he picked her. So we have a shepherd mix with collie. ![]()   |
|
RSM789
Eminence Grise
Posts: 2,286
|
Dogs
Jul 16, 2024 12:08:39 GMT -8
Post by RSM789 on Jul 16, 2024 12:08:39 GMT -8
Nice pup, Billb.
Most of our dogs over the years have been German Shepherd mixes as well. Even though it is in a purebred GS DNA to be aloof towards strangers, it seems the GS mixes are such great dogs, especially with kids. So loyal and instinctually protective of little ones without the need to "herd them".
Your dogs personality reminds me of a GS/Husky mix we had growing up. We lived about a mile away from Los Coyotes Country Club, with open, undeveloped fields between us & the club. My mom would have Samson go with us when we would take a trek in the fields (we were both under 10). He'd walk along with us, then chase a rabbit, come back to make we were okay, roll in some horse manure, check on us again and would eventually end up getting sprayed by a skunk. We would run back home because of the smell & he'd be right there, seemingly laughing at the days adventure.
|
|
billb
Senior Eminence Grise
Posts: 3,084
|
Dogs
Jul 16, 2024 18:35:53 GMT -8
Post by billb on Jul 16, 2024 18:35:53 GMT -8
lol
My wife said something about our dog having a smooth collie, or a short hair collie in her. I am sure she has more than that. She loves to go outside, especially with my wife. Once, there were a bunch of baby rabbits in the yard and she ran over and got one, shook it up, and killed it. My wife was horrified. And we let her sleep in the same room as us? lol
I love GS the most, I have to say. But I think that is because my first dog was a GS. This new one is really thankful she was pulled from the pound, and appreciates us for that. It puts a tear in my eye. She has made a huge dog lover. Your dogs look wonderful, BTW. Thanks for sharing.
|
|
Luca
Master Statesman
Posts: 1,317
|
Dogs
Jul 16, 2024 20:28:17 GMT -8
Post by Luca on Jul 16, 2024 20:28:17 GMT -8
So in early 2021, we got Roxy at 8 weeks old. She & her siblings had been abandoned in Santa Ana (probably near Mater Dei) when they were just days old. View AttachmentView AttachmentI heard about those poor dogs. They’d been abandoned by the Mater Dei player development department. They’d passed the entrance exam, but their time in the 40 wasn’t good enough.……….Luca |
|
RSM789
Eminence Grise
Posts: 2,286
|
Dogs
Jul 17, 2024 13:52:09 GMT -8
Post by RSM789 on Jul 17, 2024 13:52:09 GMT -8
x.com/_B___S/status/1813363578423918882Here is a short video from Twitter that shows some of the better characteristics of properly socialized German Shepherd & GS mixes. One, they enjoy routines. Once that dog bonded with that mailman, I guarantee it was a daily ritual to greet him at the mailbox. The greeting was probably a bit more exuberant on Mondays, after the lack of a visit on Sunday. Two, they respect boundaries set by their alpha. That dog could easily leave the yard but knows its alpha has set up a boundary for it to stay within. We have experienced that with all of our GS & GS mixes. Our current dogs don't sleep in crates, rather just a simple toddler fence (not secured) separates their sleeping area from the rest of the house. In the event of an emergency (they are going to be sick or need to go outside), they will push the fence aside and come get us. Otherwise, they will hangout & sleep there until someone comes & gets them.
|
|
