Micromanagers

Trout the malinois is hanging out with us this week while her mama recovers from ankle surgery. Her mama was the dog handler at Cricket's kennel of origin. Cricket and Trout have been friends for eight years now! However, Trout and Raven only met for the first time last summer.

I am astounded at the similarities between the two of them!

They both follow me everywhere and stare at me like micromanagers.

They both sleep like roaches.

They both like to stare out the windows.

They also both have giant pointy ears.

And they are are good protection dogs. On our walks, Raven and Trout don't let strange dogs get near me!

Guard Trout!

I briefly went down a (rather pleasant!) google hole and learned that while they are not directly related (Malinois are from Belgium and Sheppies are from Germany), they both descend from a common ancestor, some ur-shepherd whose descendants range throughout western Europe. They have the protection skills of the giant livestock guardians, as well as the herding skills of dogs like border collies. They are very smart and very devoted to their jobs! And when they are not herding livestock, they like to herd us! Which explains why Trout and Raven are so extremely committed to micromanaging.

It's actually kind of insane, and I'm not sure if I'd want more than one of these dogs long-term. They are kind of all up in my face all day, and while it's cute and endearing short-term, it could get tiresome for years and years. Still, their commitment to micromanaging is amazing. They are dead asleep on the couch and I go upstairs to just, like, change a shirt or something, and they are up like jack-in-the-boxes, chasing me up the stairs, jostling for position, just to watch me change a shirt! Then they squeeze in next to me to escort me back downstairs. They even have to be on the same side of the tiny cabin as I am.

Although they will both seek affection from daddy/uncle.

Our last time on this trail for the season.

Look at the water!

It's in actual streams now.

Handsome DL always following up the rear!

Then we get home and snooooooze. However, do not be deceived! Those ears are always listening!

The micromanagers take turns flopping!