In Memory of Wonderful Adopted Malinois
They are remembered by those that found them worthy of a Second Chance!
OLD DOG IN A LOCKET
That lies next to my heart
I will always love you
As I did right from the start
You were right beside me
Through the darkest of my days
It was your kind and gentle nature
That made me want to stay
Now I hold you in my arms
Your breath still warm against my hand
Our hearts still beat together
And I wonder if you understand
Through the hours that I held you
Before the light did leave your soul
I knew a way to keep you
Forever in my hold
I snipped the hair from around your eyes
So I would always see
The beauty that surrounds me
Even in times of need
I snipped the hair from around your ears
So I would always hear
Music in the distance
To quiet any fears
I snipped the hair from across your back
To bring me strength in time of need
And the power of your essence
Would always be with me
I snipped the hair from around your heart
That beat in time with mine
So I would know that love would find me
At some distant time
And so, your life slipped out of mine
On a quiet spring like day
But I knew that a part of you
Was always here to stay
Old dog in a locket
That lays next to my heart
I will always love you
Even though we had to part
Author unknown
Kasper
Adopted in 2002
Went to Rainbow Bridge: 2003
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I remember getting a call from Marcia the NE Coordinator about Kasper. She had asked if I would be interested in fostering him. I asked her to tell me a little about his background. His mother had died, he had been bottle fed and was with another rescue group up north. Kasper had been adopted out and they had reported him being aggressive with the adoptive family. I told her sure send him down. Kasper flew into the airport where I picked him up. Imagine my surprise to see this three month old pup laying in his crate taking everything in stride. I called my husband and said you are going to love this boy, wait until you see his color. My husband loves the "off color" malinois.
I brought him home let him out in the field to run around and see what he was like. I called Marcia laughing on the phone telling her he was anything but aggressive. Kasper loved to talk and was quite the vocal one. No aggression just loved to hear his own voice. So he learned very fast to speak on command and he learned equally as fast to be quite on command.
Kasper would go out into the field while I was working other dogs and he had an uncanny way of picking up everything that they were doing.
Then enters my husband. We had fostered several dogs for ABMC rescue over the years and Joe has loved them all but this boy was so special to him. He would take Kasper everywhere with him and you could see Joe and Kasper out in the field walking around and they were just talking to each other. You could see the love he had for him as well as the love Kasper had for Joe and there was very special bond between the two.
The decision was made to adopt him. There were many tears shead over this special boy because we knew at the time we adopted him he had a genetic kidney disorder and we would not have him long. The vet had given him a short time but Kasper being the special boy he was beat the expectations and lived to be a little over a year.
What will always be remembered in the short time we had him was the love that he gave and the special bond that he had with my husband. Even though his time was too short here he had a bond with Joe that most people only wish for in companion and we wouldn't trade the time with him for anything. He taught our family a lot. It was like he knew his time here was short and he was always the first to do anything and everything. Even when he could no longer go play he would watch the other dogs from the swing on my husbands lap just taking everything in and giving him back the love that only a dog can give. Kasper would still bark out his orders when the other dogs weren't working as well as what he thought they should and kept that amazing zest for life over seeing everything from the swing on Joe's lap. We will always be thankful to Marcia as well as ABMC Rescue for having the time with this very special boy we got to share our lives with.
Joe and Lynne Swaringen
Sheba
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Sheba, a Belgian Malinois, was seven years old when I agreed to foster her for the American Belgian Malinois Club rescue. They warned me that since she was so old I might find her difficult to place. Well, I found her difficult to place, but not because she was so old, but becuse I fell in love with her!
Sheba was a working dog, and really needed a job to do, so I started training her in agility. She loved it, and was very eager to work with me in the sport. Since I, also a senior, wasn't able to walk around an agility course, I had to use my electric scooter to train and show her. She learned to do all of the obstacles correctly, and to go on ahead of me when I couldn't keep up. We earned several titles in AKC and UKC agility, and she was still happily competing at the age of nine, as shown in the picture.
Carol Stein, Johnstown, OH
Jolie Blanc
Adopted in 2002
Went to Rainbow Bridge: Aug 3rd 2007
 
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| Jolie in Rescue | Jolie at Home |
Jolie Blanc came to us in 2002 and left us August 3, 2007. She came from ABMC rescue and was our first Malinois. Besides being one of the most affectionate dogs we have ever had we learned so much from her. Due to her loving, loyal ways we were sold on Belgians.
We really don't know how old Jolie was when she came to us, everyone had their opinion of her age, but it did not matter, we were just thrilled to have her. She helped to train our younger boy when he came to our home (also through ABMC) and told him what's what.
Jolie's favorite place to sleep became our hall outside of our bedroom on the cool tile. When Bear was allowed out of his crate at night in the bedroom, she became my babysitter. She would not allow him to leave the room.
On Thursday evening her breathing became a little labored, with her having allergies, I gave her Benedryl and she seemed to get some relief. Friday morning she was still having difficulty breathing so off to the vet. The Vet said she was having congestive heart failure and he would need to keep her a few days and treat her with diuretics and heart medication. Within a few minutes of my husband getting home, our vet called and said she was gone. She had had a heart attack and they could not revive her. I think she was just waiting to be away from us to let go.
It was shocking and losing her hurts terribly. We miss her tremendously. There will never be another dog that can fill her shoes.
Our thanks go to ABMC and all those wonderful "Belgian" people that took part in her rescue and foster care. The first part of her life may have been difficult for her, but the past five years that she was with us were wonderful for her. She quickly became the "Queen of the House" and will forever reign in our hearts.
Thank you,
Joe & Vickie Mediate
Kota
Adopted in 2007
Went to Rainbow Bridge: May 2007
 
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| Kota in Rescue | Kota at Home |
Kota came into our lives petrified of everything - people especially. It took awhile but he slowly started coming around and enjoying life. Kota blessed our lives and made everyone he met so happy with his willingness to please and can-do attitude. He learned many things in his time with us and met all challenges put in front of him. It was a joy to see him come out of his shell and a tragedy the way his life ended. We were lucky to have Kota in our lives and will always miss him.
We were lucky to have Kota in our lives and will always miss him.
Cervelle
Adopted in 2002
Went to Rainbow Bridge: Mar 2007
"Cervelle", my rescued Belgian Malinois, lost her battle with congestive heart failure this morning at the age of 12. At least she was able to live her last 3 years in the only home she never ran away from. She will be missed by her household buddies, "Raka" and "Vakt", and all of us here on the farm.
Sara, AKA Sissy
Adopted in 2001
Went to Rainbow Bridge: Feb 2007
 
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| Sara in Rescue | Sara at Home |
My Husband, Mike, and I had purchased a Malinios from a breeder in 2000. His name is Nico. At the time we didn’t have children yet and he was our only baby. We decided he needed someone to keep him company during the day while we worked. We had heard about the rescue because Mike is a police officer and had contact with Mal owners. We contacted ABMC sometime in 2001and we ended up going to pick up Sara, or Sissy, as we nicknamed her. Sara was wonderful. She was such a joy for us. She was laid back and sweet. A wonderful compliment to the Malinut we already had! Nico is so full of energy and is so mischievous. They had a time getting to know each other and a time getting along at first. They settled in together and became like brother and sister. Sometimes bickering, sometimes playing. They would have never let anything happen to the other. We all fell in love with Sara. When I was pregnant with our first child and Mike worked nights she sat by my side. It was like she knew I wasn’t feeling well. Dylan was born in 2002 and we had another son in 2005. The four year old loved Sara so much. He would play with Nico and loved on Sis.
We lost Sara February 2, 2007. We aren’t sure what happened. She may have been older than first thought. She may have been sick. Either way, it has been very hard for all of us. She was so very loved. One thing we do know is that she had a good life and a lot of love from the moment we had her. We thank the rescue for everything they did for us and for our sweet “Sissy” girl.