Belgian Malinois Rescues Mingling
with Belgian Malinois Rescues

story and photo submitted by Hedy Barton

Pictured from left: "Champ," and Hedy Barton; "Sabena," and Frank Barton; "Kiijta," and Deb Vidaver-Cohen (also flanked by "Szuka," her German Shepherd rescue); and Ann Lozier and "Riley."

Recently a group of Malinois rescues became quite insistent that they be allowed to meet others of their kind (recycled Mals that is). Here is a photo and some background about those in attendance. I don't know about you but they look pretty pleased with the results to me.

Champ is Frank and Hedy Barton's second Belgian and first Malinois. He was rescued from a Pennyslvannia shelter through Belg-L's informal, but highly effective network and was fostered by Kathy Adams of Long Island, NY, for nearly a year. The Bartons adopted Champ in March of 1996, at the age of approximately two years. He is extremely loving, devoted, but hyper-protective and a true one person/family dog -- a real responsibility.

Sabena was adopted by Frank and Hedy Barton in October, 1998, at the age of 11 months, shortly after she was taken into the American Belgian Malinois Club (ABMC) rescue program by Kathy Greenwood of Collinsville, Oklahoma. She is a very devoted, but outgoing girl, with excellent judgement and a solid temperament. A quick study, she is working in agility, obedience, flyball and tracking. She has also participated in two herding programs and received herding instinct certifications at each event.

Kiijta was adopted at the age of 6.5 months in October, 1998, after Deb Vidaver-Cohen decided to "convert" to Belgians from German Shepherd Dogs and made inquiries about adoption through the Belg-L rescue network. Deb wanted a companion for her older GSD rescue, "Szuka," who seemed depressed after her "Malinois playmate" moved away. Originally from Arizona, Kiijta adapted well to her new home with Deb in south Florida. She is now the most popular princess in the Miami dogpark, where she is known as "Kiijta Malita," (the little BAAAD GIRL) among her Cuban friends. Deb, Kiijta and Szuka are looking forward to a new Belgian male in the family -- a four year-old silver Tervuren named Pakko, who hails from Colorado.

Ann Lozier adopted Riley through ABMC Rescue in October,1998, when he was approximately 18 months old. "It was love at first sight and life has not been the same since!" says Ann. Riley is a high energy Malinois, and since his adoption, has learned to accept Ann's horses, cats, to ride in cars, and to be an overall gentleman in both the house and the barnyard. He enjoys regular 4 to 6 mile hikes and has become Ann's best friend and constant companion. "He's always ready to go anywhere, do anything, and he's quite sure we're going to have fun when we get there," she reports.

Watch for the results of more get togethers as Rescue Malinois and their adoptive families mingle, & mingle, & mingle... !