I think we need to rent a cabin in the Ozarks for a weekend in the middle of a week, once I get moved, and in between hikes, we can sleep.
I’d like to cancel Monday for lack of interest, but it’s already started, so...
The moon was beautiful when I went out but even prettier when I came back because the cloud cover was less. It seems I’m always surprised to see the moon at the full, or close to it. I keep feeling like Sam in Rivendell...
That’s a brilliant idea. We can also lounge in the shade and draw pictures of trees.
I noticed the moon last night as I kept stepping out to suggest that Jake should come in before we locked up. It was pretty. Maybe we’ll have our patio and fire pit in time for Midsummer!
Today’s special animal friend is the Belgian Malinois, a dog breed commonly found in military and law enforcement service. All domestic dogs are classified as Canis lupus familiaris. Over 200 distinct breeds are recognized by associations around the world.
The Belgian Malinois is one of four subtypes of the Belgian Shepherd dog; each subtype has a different coat color or texture. It is recognized as a separate breed in the United States, but not in Europe. The Malinois has a short, fawn-colored coat with black “overlay” or ticking on the shoulders and a black face.
Belgian Malinois (and the other Belgian Shepherds) are medium-large dogs, standing about 24 inches high at the shoulder and weighing 60-80 lbs. (males) or 40-60 lbs. (females). They have a graceful and well-proportioned body adapted for speed, agility, strength, and endurance. Honestly, you look at one and say, “Yeah, this is what a dog should look like!” They carry their heads high on a strong neck, and their large ears are upright and alert. Their muzzles are medium-long, and their teeth are impressive.
Belgian shepherds and similar dogs were used for herding and protecting sheep for many centuries in northwestern Europe. As sheep-raising declined in this area in the 19th century, the breed’s future was in doubt. Intentional development of the breed began in 1891, led by Professor Adolphe Reul of the Cureghem Veterinary School. Professor Reul and his team examined hundreds of individual dogs and classified them into subtypes with the intention of limiting interbreeding among them. However, population losses during World War I and World War II led to a decision to cross-breed the subtypes in order to support overall genetic diversity. Of the four currently recognized (in the U.S.) Belgian Shepherd breeds, the Malinois is the most likely to breed true.
Belgian Malinois are exceptionally intelligent, energetic, and loyal. They need well-planned, consistent training, intellectual stimulation, and hours of exercise each day. The nice young police officer who brought his Malinois to show the Cub Scouts yesterday compared his dog to an Olympic athlete. He explained that, although he took his dog home when they were not at work, they could not relax on the sofa and eat chips together. The dog’s diet, activities, and interactions are always oriented toward his professional fitness. Their expected lifespan is 12 to 14 years.
Most Malinois in military and law enforcement are bred and trained by Europeans, regardless of their country of residence. The dog we met yesterday was born and received his initial training in Mexico. He understands commands in English and Dutch as well as gestures. The dogs receive basic obedience training from the breeder and then do “college-level” training with their handlers based on the organization’s specific needs. These courses last four to six months. Law enforcement roles include detection, such as drug or explosives identification, and patrol/pursuit. This is a facility in New Mexico. Watch their video!
https://www.ruidosomalinois.com/index.html