The Canines

In order to truly know us, you have to know our pack! Below is a brief introduction to each of our fur children. We love our dogs like family and even own a dog-centric business, so that should explain just how much these characters have our hearts in their paws.

Mikey isn’t the most senior pack member but he’s what I would call the heart of the dog family. He’s a goofy yet soulful constant companion. His favorite thing is being wherever the humans are, but he doesn’t have to be in the middle of things. He’ll always be in the mix, but he’s smart enough to maintain some distance so he can nap safely. He’s horse savvy usually, a nanny boxer to our toddler, and a bodyguard for the barn cats. He also loves going to work and laying around the office of our grooming shop. He’s got his own fan base and could probably have his social media accounts, lol.

Jon Snow was named for Game of Thrones. Specifically, because he followed me home on a run, and it wasn’t a short distance, but at least 2.5 miles. Then he planted himself on our front porch. It was the heart of summer, and we looked hard to find his prior home, but he seemed to be a stray. It really seemed like he had been thrown out of a car possibly, but we will never know. It will suffice to say that he wasn’t in great physical condition and needed attention. I was working with a rescue to rehome him after we didn’t find his original people and was “fostering” him. Scott said, “If you let that little bastard in the house, he’s never leaving, and I know that,” playfully after I mentioned that I really thought he was a cool dog, while he lived on our porch. Later that day I brought him in the house for the first time and sent Scott a text that he was officially in. And that was all it took for him to become the little dog that we never knew we needed. He’s such a great farm dog and is constantly with us. Jon Snow in Game of Thrones by the way is nicknamed “The Bastard” so that’s how it call came full circle. Our toddler is super confused about what snow really is. How is that white stuff on the ground anything to do with his little black dog…?

Jackie Daniels is our senior but nothing slows her down. She’ll turn twelve this year, but you wouldn’t know it by her intensity. Scott got her as a 6-month-old who was in training to be a working dog for a state trooper but ended up needing to be rehomed. Enter total chaos into his life! Jackie is a Belgian Malinois crossed with a Dutch Shepherd, both of which are working breeds known for police and military working environments. I met her as a three-year-old and can only say that I’m impressed with Scott’s tenacity in keeping a dog with that much drive. She can turn any task into work but also loves as fiercely as any creature I have ever known. I was a bit concerned with her drive when we had our son, but after she realized he had a HUGE bubble it became evident that she chose to be his bodyguard. She is a mother hen with him and loves following him around. All that being said, if you read this blog and decide that you love her style, I would still advise most people NOT to get a malinois or malinois cross. They are a dog that you learn to live with, more than they learn to live with you. You don’t know until you know!;)