One week to go ! What's in a name?

By this time next week we shall have our new malinois puppy as we are fetching him next Monday lunchtime.

We are waiting on someone to make a decision, however, before we know which puppy is coming home with us as we have second pick of the boys. Luckily we like the same two puppies so we will be happy with either, although we do have a 'soft spot' for the puppy known as (pka) purple, we also like orange.

(purple)


(orange)




Alex is still undecided on a name, Zeke is the latest offering; and as it is going to be her puppy she has the ultimate decision in the name. But whatever his (call) name he will ultimately be known as a different name too as all our dogs have had nicknames as well as their 'proper' name and they respond to either. Rubin answers to his name and also to 'Mooose' ( gained from resembling a moose sans antlers) whilst Arnold the border collie answers to his name and also his nickname of Ski. However the most amazing thing is that the dogs also know each others' nicknames e.g. call Ski and Rubin will turn and look at Arnold, and vice versa!

OMG WE SAW THE PUPPIES

We went to see the puppies today, but on the way stopped over in Alsager for lunch and a climb up Mow Cop to see the folly up there. Here is Alex and Mark climbing up to the top.

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Then we went to see the puppies but wouldn't you believe it my camera gave up just as I was going to take photos. Luckily Alex had her phone and came to the rescue, but being a phone-cam they are a bit pixely. When we got there the puppies had just had their lunch too, so they were a bit sleepy. Yellow girl looks angelic here but soon had a chomp on my toes.




As did Turquoise boy.


Here he is sleeping like butter would melt in his mouth.


Purple boy was quite active. He enjoyed playing with the ball, and being a model.....




Looks like Purple has a new MYSpace image here.

Friday is the day !

I have been in contact with Sonja and we are going to see the puppies on Friday afternoon. I was at college near Sonja's home and so I am going to take the opportunity to show Mark and Alex around and maybe buy them lunch. I fancy a "Mere Torpedo Butty" - I know, I know, after 20 odd years the chances of finding my old friendly pub still standing is slim, never mind the food. But it is the thought that counts. I will show them around Alsager and they will like it. Anyway there will be somewhere to have lunch, if not The Mere, then there is the Wilbraham Arms which was newly built when I was at college, or the Old Mill, which was only ever gone to as a special treatas it had a 'proper' restaurant and was in an old water mill. Then the delights of meeting the madness that is malinois. The puppies look like they are all getting their own personality now that their eyes are open and they are no longer like giant slugs as they are beginning to move around and even sit up. I love puppies! Roll on Friday!

Not long now

It should only be a month or so now before our new Foxbriar malinois puppy comes home. We have been in touch with Sonja and will arrange to go and see the litter next week. They all have their eyes open now and are becomming more mobile, and the largest puppy, a girl, is over a kg at three weeks. I am more used to schipperke puppy sizes these days and in equivalent size they are as big as a 6-8 week old schipperke puppy.

My daughter Alex is going to be training the puppy and is going to work towards gaing his gold kennel club good citizen award, as well as showing him.

When we have decided which puppy we are to have I will put pictures of him on here.

Girls, girls, girls

Found these photos of Josie ( Rubin's sister - the first picture shows her with Robin my father in law and Rubin) owned by my late mother in law, and the third picture shows Suna when she was small.

I am NOT a table dog!

The following photos show how laid back Rubin is. He let my daughter Alex use him as a table whilst she placed item after item on him. He was playing with Bouncer the Schipperke and as malinois are pretty much single minded....
The last picture shows Bouncer checking out the pile!!!

One Malinois and his friends

A young Alex and Rubin
Taken on my camera phone hence the graininess, and the colour was all over the place so it was converted to bw.
Rubin gets on great with Alex and she likes taking him to the park.

Rubin has another friend at home to ... Arnold. They are 6 months apart in age and he is a show bred (by me) Border Collie.
Here are Rubin and Arnold relaxing by my chair. Arnold, being the elder is the top dog although I am the boss over all.