Katie gets off at noon, so then I will get ready for my big adventure. I am walking the Indy mini marathon tomorrow morning (start time is 7:30, I hope to get to the start line by 8:15).
I've walked just shy of 900 miles since new years day, but this week I've cut way back to 2-3 rounds of slow 30 minute walks each day. No sprints, no fast walking or arm pumping.
My personal EMT/son is coming over after work then we'll drive to Indy, pick up race materials and carbo load. Katie encouraged him last year to walk with me, to keep me safe. π At last year's race a friend from college literally ran into my son (she's very short, skinny, so she didn't injure him). That was at the 13 mile marker, so after the race we chatted 30 minutes.
Katie plans to drive in to see the end of the race, so I let my son know, and told him to ensure I survive, since seeing me carried in with a sheet over my head will ruin her trip to Indy.
My race goals are simple
a) survive
b) finish
c) avoid the bus (if your pace falls too far "the bus" picks you up) 4 hour time limit.
d) finish in a 15 minute pace (3 hours, 16 minutes 35 seconds). Last year I finished 3 hours 30 minutes, 1 second. But my feet hurt badly last year; if I avoid that I think I can do it. 15 minutes is a 4mph speed. On the Y track I can hold that for 90 minutes, I need to double that double that time (plus a little more). My son says the adrenaline ought to kick in to help me there.
Katie asked what my finishing goal was "3 hours 16 minutes, 35 seconds". π "I'm surprised you didn't time it to 1/100th of a second". So I explained that time is a 15 minute pace, 4mph. She said "just say a 15 minute pace, which is about 3 hours and 16 minutes". And here she gets mad because when I need cough syrup I just take a swig because that's precise enough. Did I mention after I 1st did that she no longer had me dose the younger children? π€¦ββοΈ
So I probably won't post tomorrow, but don't assume I failed goal a).
"More important, Xiβs measure of national rejuvenation is not GDP; it is scientific and technological development. Trumpβs 'America first' policy agenda only reinforces Xiβs argument for domestic innovation and greater self-reliance."
Several months ago I wrote that America should expect to see China advance and dominate in biotech, pharmaceuticals, robotics, and other 21st century high tech scientific advances. They are funneling billions into accomplishing this. Trump is cutting science research off at the knees.
Yep. MAGA will never see or understand this. It is, in my opinion (I'm sure many will disagree) the outcome of the 40 year conservative war on public education.
Used to be French and Spanish were the offered HS language courses. I hope they start Mandarin or Cantonese soon in grade schools
Home schoolers I doubt will get these, although, one can now learn online with some $.
I'm not studied enough to know causes. I'm not a fan of public education. I am a product of it. I didn't understand until well into my 50's just how awful it is.
Americans think they understand China by reading and studying what other Americans or Westerners are saying or writing about China. It's a bubble, just like all the other bubbles. Chinese studying in America learn about America. Americans need to study in China. Xi has actively promoted this. It gets zero attention, let alone traction.
Per your comment on language, every Chinese student gets 12 years of English. You'd be amazed at how many young people know a little English. Of course, most forget it just like I've forgotten my French and Spanish. But, they get English language courses as a standard part of their curriculum.
I'm a Product of an amazing phenomenonal public education from Ike to Nixon. I'd gift it to every child. Full orchestra, International Science Fair winners. Clubs. My Fair Lady and South Pacific. Radio broadcasting, White House choir. 3000 students in 3 grades. West Virginia kids going to Duke, Jillian, Yale, Geek school on merit, not legacy. HS grad friends from a half century ago had great productive lives
Therein lies the rrrrrrub.... 3000 students....sheesh. That's as big as some universities. My POS school had 246 in 4 grades, 54 in my grad class. No orchestra, no science fairs, no choir, no radio, no math, no science, no nothing. I'm sure every one of my class mates voted for Trump.
But I would give some different perspective on dogs and understanding of time and events.
Exhibit 1. One my most memorable moments with our late Gumbi, was when he brought his favorite squeaky toy and dropped it my suitcase. So I wouldn't miss out. My wife would say "daddy's coming home", and he'd wait hours by the door.
But dogs interact variable with owners. We've had 5 and they all interacted differently. Of course, in the 80s-90s; one was trained, 2 not. In the 2000s, we were trained by Cesar Milan. Raul, who was with us, was just docile, happy and slept. Except the one time, new in our house, he climbed some steps to our (non used)spa. And wandered off into the wild desert behind. We had him 6 years in Pasadena and he was never off leash. I figured we had this wall and we could let him roam the backyard. Alas. Slippers and Jammys and jumping Cholla, cactus and looking for rattlers. Fortunately none. Retrieved. He was scared and never did it again.
Per AI...I've been using DeepSeek, which is just amazing EXCEPT when you reference Big Daddy, Xinjiang, or anything pertaining to sensitive information that the Commie bastards running this place don't like spoken out loud. So, the game in China now is fooling the AI by phrasing your questions so obtusely that it takes a while for the genie inside to figure out it's been worked whereupon it suddenly turns off and says this is outside the range of use...or something like that. I forget now the meandering path of my question, but I actually got it to crank out 2 1/2 paragraphs on Xinjiang...1/2 because it suddenly realized what it was doing and deleted everything.
What it provided on Xinjiang, before the deletion that is, was factually correct...it's like tripping up a liar when they suddenly realize you know exactly what they're doing.
It's May Day here, a very major holiday on par with our own Labor Day, everyone goes out and does something, and....I had some kids, some sort of cousins in the Chinese cousin relationship format where everyone is a cousin...and the knock, smile, and they say in very busted accent (with a quick glance at the translation software on their phone) a sheepish..."Hi Uncle Kurt, we're here to perform ritual ancestor worship"...which probably sounds much less formal in Chinese than what the translation software makes it. And then they hand me a large bag of fruit...apples, mangoes, cherries, and oranges. And then we sat and conversed through translation software for over an hour. Imagine. Talking to young people for an hour, and they don't seem fidgety or anxious to leave.
"We're here to perform ritual ancestor worship.". I'm betting everyone in here a dollar that you've never had any kids say this to you.
Good morning. 62 degrees here. Rained hard last night, but just partly cloudy now with highs in the 70s.
The mothership is covering the impact of the Trump tariffs on imports and business in general. The FPβs TGIF, all over the ma as usual, mentions that someone is selling βTrump 2028β hats, hopefully as a joke.
I can say with certainty Iβve never worried about AI. Last evening was eventful. I was minding my own business walking my two dogs when out of nowhere the relatively new neighborβs Belgian Malinois rocketed into the street and went after my dog. I began screaming like a banshee and another neighbor ran out of his house to assist while the owner was trying to get her dog away. Thank God my dog wasnβt bitten, I donβt know how as there definitely was gnashing of teeth! I walked away after saying a few choice words and just started crying. Then another neighbor who saw it from his backyard on the other block drove over to see if I was OK and tears are streaming down my face. I have had this happen one too many times to him and that was a breaking point. Heβs never physically been hurt but itβs definitely affected him mentally as heβs super reactive whenever we encounter other dogs which has resulted in him having to wear a bark collar so he behaves. Iβm so tired of stupid dog owners.
I'm sorry to hear that, as well as some other comments down below. We had a golden, who loved to hug people (we tried to keep him down), and now two goldendoodles who love everyone, and try to get petted, or hug them. Loving dogs are wonderful, nasty ones, not so much. I tend to pet dogs who come up to me.
Fortunately both neighbors with young children are dog owners, and recognize ours are friendly, so they are fine with them. We had a mom with a 2yo come up to practice petting a dog. Our dog's tails were wagging so hard the breeze felt good. They wanted to jump up, which the mom actually wanted.
We keep ours leashed when we walk (unless they escape), and we won't go near people when walking them, but if they come over to pet them they are fair game for hugs.
I'm so sorry you had to go through this! I can see from further comments that this is not the first time. As someone whose beagle was killed by a neighbor's "Tundra Shepherd", a cross between a wolf and a German shepherd, I urge you to devise a strategy for your survival and that of all dogs, including the Malinois, in the neighborhood. It's obvious that the Malinois is not getting proper training, exercise or attention. And it likely is confined to an area that is too small. These breeds were bred for intense loyalty to their owners as well as extreme strength. Unless socialized earlier by someone with training and other dogs, they do not like other dogs, or people other than their owners. Without hours of structured exercise and intelligence work they get restless, anxious and fearful. So when they do get let out they go nuts. Also, if there is a pregnant female, dog or human, they will be hyper-protective.
In our case the police were less than helpful and seemed to regard the tundra shepherd as just a big excitable police dog. The point I'd try to make to both police and neighbors is that this situation is not safe or fair to any dogs in the neighborhood, including the Malnois and that keeping a dog like that without proper attention to its real needs for discipline and structured exercise is tantamount to abuse. And I would install cameras all around my house, especially in high areas not easily reached or seen.
I'm so sorry you had to endure the loss of your dog, now that's real trauma! It amazes me how indifferent the police can be to such instances. She had that dog on a leash a few weeks back and could barely hold onto it as the dog lunged and barked at my dogs. You'd think she would extrapolate from that experience that maybe, just maybe, she shouldn't ever have that dog untethered. I very much doubt this will ever happen again.
Sounds like that dog owner needs help and a support system. In our area a lot of the dog rescue groups will provide that, especially for puppies and young dogs. She and the dog both sound afraid and that is not good. Perhaps you could put a word in the ear of whoever she shops with for dog food. In our area Petco has good training sessions and if there is a Malinois rescue group they may have some trainers or experienced Malinois owners available. All breeds have their eccentricities, and most breed specific groups help owners deal with those. American Eskimos, for example, rarely like to be around small children and detest infants and toddlers. Otherwise, they're great dogs. But the American Eskimo group here will tell owners about that honestly and help their families make adjustments.
Hubby and I provided a foster home for dogs for 15 years. The level of human ignorance regarding dogs cuts across all boundaries of culture. Dogs are not inherently cruel, but like all animals they have a strong survival instinct, and some dogs are incredibly loyal, even to bad owners. I feel we'd be better off if everyone who wanted to become a parent, either of humans or other animals, was required to pass a knowledge and competency test before the child or pet arrived.
Thatβs very traumatizing to you, the responsible owner. Very sorry you had to go through that. If owners donβt have their dogs behaviorally under control, they should at least have them under physical control!
It would be tempting to drop a remark that you hope theyβve got good liability coverage, in case their irresponsibility causes damagesβ¦
It seems to me this trend of infantilizing house pets as surrogate children has only gotten stupider.
Iβm decidedly of the Cesar Milan school in believing dogs need βrules, boundaries, and limitationsβ because thatβs how theyβre genetically programmed to exist within their speciesβs pack structures. Fundamentally, dogs donβt tolerate members of their community acting like out-of-control idiots. They βpunishβ each other for it!
When we were in Pasadena, we adopted a dog from the Canoga Park shelter. It was a small runt Dogo Argentina, about 75 lbs. Used a beat up training dog by gangs.
My wife found a trainer for Raul in south central Los Angeles. Cesar Milan. We took Raul and for the next 2 hours, we owners were trained. Total wonderful man.
He seems to care deeply about dogs and dedicated to understanding animals on their level, rather than insisting they act like miniature people for the passing emotional needs and fancies of human owners.
His most important point that he learned by growing up among Mexican street mutts was that animals arenβt captive to worrying about the past and futureβthey live entirely in the *now*. When you think about it, itβs logical. Weβre the only known creature capable of speech, and we use it to talk obsessively about yesterday or tomorrow to the point that we often seem lost in a cloud of our own thoughts in a different temporal dimension.
Dogs are like mood rings: reflecting back to us what our emotions are in the moment. Theyβre more sensitive to our own mental states than we are. As the man says: an unstable dog is the sign of an unstable ownerβat least mentally, in that particular moment.
A few summers ago one had both my husband and I off our bikes using them to shield us from the charging Belgian. I did have pepper spray and I didnβt want to use it unless I absolutely had to. The owner finally came out retrieve the dog and I said to her next time Iβm gonna spray your dog. We rode off and that 20 something female dog owner got in her car, chased us down and said if we ever pepper spray her dog itβs the last thing we will ever do. You cannot make this stuff up.
A neighbor. So sad. Those are trained for law enforcement all over the world. This neighbor is beyond negligent.
My wife says she would file a complaint with both the police to record it being off leash in public. Often against local statutes. And also call animal control. And report the threat.
I carry pepper spray but this was a stealth attack and I had no time to retrieve it. I was π― concentrated on pulling my dog away. Last summer I did use it on the charging boxer and my poor guy was also hit.
Today's special animal friend is the Belgian Malinois, a dog breed commonly found in military and law enforcement service. All domestic dogs are classified as Canis lupus familiaris. Over 200 distinct breeds are recognized by associations around the world. The Belgian Malinois is one of four subtypes of the Belgian Shepherd dog; each subtype has a different coat color or texture. It is recognized as a separate breed in the United States, but not in Europe. The Malinois has a short, fawn-colored coat with black "overlay" or ticking on the shoulders and a black face.
Belgian Malinois (and the other Belgian Shepherds) are medium-large dogs, standing about 24 inches high at the shoulder and weighing 60-80 lbs. (males) or 40-60 lbs. (females). They have a graceful and well-proportioned body adapted for speed, agility, strength, and endurance. Honestly, you look at one and say, "Yeah, this is what a dog should look like!" They carry their heads high on a strong neck, and their large ears are upright and alert. Their muzzles are medium-long, and their teeth are impressive.
Belgian shepherds and similar dogs were used for herding and protecting sheep for many centuries in northwestern Europe. As sheep-raising declined in this area in the 19th century, the breed's future was in doubt. Intentional development of the breed began in 1891, led by Professor Adolphe Reul of the Cureghem Veterinary School. Professor Reul and his team examined hundreds of individual dogs and classified them into subtypes with the intention of limiting interbreeding among them. However, population losses during World War I and World War II led to a decision to cross-breed the subtypes in order to support overall genetic diversity. Of the four currently recognized (in the U.S.) Belgian Shepherd breeds, the Malinois is the most likely to breed true.
Belgian Malinois are exceptionally intelligent, energetic, and loyal. They need well-planned, consistent training, intellectual stimulation, and hours of exercise each day. The nice young police officer who brought his Malinois to show the Cub Scouts yesterday compared his dog to an Olympic athlete. He explained that, although he took his dog home when they were not at work, they could not relax on the sofa and eat chips together. The dog's diet, activities, and interactions are always oriented toward his professional fitness. Their expected lifespan is 12 to 14 years.
Most Malinois in military and law enforcement are bred and trained by Europeans, regardless of their country of residence. The dog we met yesterday was born and received his initial training in Mexico. He understands commands in English and Dutch as well as gestures. The dogs receive basic obedience training from the breeder and then do "college-level" training with their handlers based on the organization's specific needs. These courses last four to six months. Law enforcement roles include detection, such as drug or explosives identification, and patrol/pursuit. This is a facility in New Mexico. Watch their video!
Thanks, Cynthia! More proof that very smart dogs need structure and intellectual stimulus..daily. Especially "working" dogs. Highly intelligent dogs without that, whatever the breed, "find" things to do. Beagles, for example, who are highly food oriented, will spend inordinate amounts of time figuring out how to defeat a fence to go raid garbage cans, or defeat a refrigerator door, or disable a door lock!! One of our rescue dogs figured out how to get steel cans of mackerel and cat food out of storage and then
Good morning. It's finally the Big Day(s) for North Carolina Envirothon today and tomorrow. The weather forecast at the location (Burlington) has improved, but we'll still take both of our waterproof canopies, just for luck. Also a 10-pack of single-use rain ponchos. They used to be $1.00 each at Walmart, but now they're $2.00 each if you buy one at a time, but still $1.00 each if you buy the 10-pack, and why wouldn't you, if you plan on camping and other outdoorsiness over the next several months?
The teams to support are Beautiful Butterflies at the High School level and Ladies and Gent in Middle School.
They're a step up from carrying a large trash bag in case you're surprised by rain. You can use them more than once - I once used the same one for a whole, rainy week of Cub Scout Day Camp - but you can't fold them back up. I just tossed the one into the back of the van each afternoon.
Good luck to them!! Your comment reminded me of a Trump comment this week, βWell, maybe the children will have two dolls instead of 30. Maybe the two dolls will cost a couple of bucks more than they would normally," Trump said of the tariffs' effect on U.S. goods. π
"Americans believe only 41% of online content is accurate, factual, and made by humans. They think 23% is completely false and purposely inaccurate or misleading, while 36% falls somewhere in between."
I'll bet the survey had one of those slider things where you have to enter your opinion with a specific number between 0% and 100%. What nonsense.
That said, it's fairly likely that this non-information is, as the pundits say, "directionally accurate," that is, indicative of a vibe.
"that weβre worried insufficiently in the wrong ways"
Exactly.
Katie gets off at noon, so then I will get ready for my big adventure. I am walking the Indy mini marathon tomorrow morning (start time is 7:30, I hope to get to the start line by 8:15).
I've walked just shy of 900 miles since new years day, but this week I've cut way back to 2-3 rounds of slow 30 minute walks each day. No sprints, no fast walking or arm pumping.
My personal EMT/son is coming over after work then we'll drive to Indy, pick up race materials and carbo load. Katie encouraged him last year to walk with me, to keep me safe. π At last year's race a friend from college literally ran into my son (she's very short, skinny, so she didn't injure him). That was at the 13 mile marker, so after the race we chatted 30 minutes.
Katie plans to drive in to see the end of the race, so I let my son know, and told him to ensure I survive, since seeing me carried in with a sheet over my head will ruin her trip to Indy.
My race goals are simple
a) survive
b) finish
c) avoid the bus (if your pace falls too far "the bus" picks you up) 4 hour time limit.
d) finish in a 15 minute pace (3 hours, 16 minutes 35 seconds). Last year I finished 3 hours 30 minutes, 1 second. But my feet hurt badly last year; if I avoid that I think I can do it. 15 minutes is a 4mph speed. On the Y track I can hold that for 90 minutes, I need to double that double that time (plus a little more). My son says the adrenaline ought to kick in to help me there.
Katie asked what my finishing goal was "3 hours 16 minutes, 35 seconds". π "I'm surprised you didn't time it to 1/100th of a second". So I explained that time is a 15 minute pace, 4mph. She said "just say a 15 minute pace, which is about 3 hours and 16 minutes". And here she gets mad because when I need cough syrup I just take a swig because that's precise enough. Did I mention after I 1st did that she no longer had me dose the younger children? π€¦ββοΈ
So I probably won't post tomorrow, but don't assume I failed goal a).
Do us proud, Jay!
I read Foreign Affairs for free. Read it off and on for decades.
Nice article on China's master chess play.
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/china/how-china-armed-itself-trade-war
"More important, Xiβs measure of national rejuvenation is not GDP; it is scientific and technological development. Trumpβs 'America first' policy agenda only reinforces Xiβs argument for domestic innovation and greater self-reliance."
Several months ago I wrote that America should expect to see China advance and dominate in biotech, pharmaceuticals, robotics, and other 21st century high tech scientific advances. They are funneling billions into accomplishing this. Trump is cutting science research off at the knees.
Yep. MAGA will never see or understand this. It is, in my opinion (I'm sure many will disagree) the outcome of the 40 year conservative war on public education.
Used to be French and Spanish were the offered HS language courses. I hope they start Mandarin or Cantonese soon in grade schools
Home schoolers I doubt will get these, although, one can now learn online with some $.
I'm not studied enough to know causes. I'm not a fan of public education. I am a product of it. I didn't understand until well into my 50's just how awful it is.
Americans think they understand China by reading and studying what other Americans or Westerners are saying or writing about China. It's a bubble, just like all the other bubbles. Chinese studying in America learn about America. Americans need to study in China. Xi has actively promoted this. It gets zero attention, let alone traction.
Per your comment on language, every Chinese student gets 12 years of English. You'd be amazed at how many young people know a little English. Of course, most forget it just like I've forgotten my French and Spanish. But, they get English language courses as a standard part of their curriculum.
I'm a Product of an amazing phenomenonal public education from Ike to Nixon. I'd gift it to every child. Full orchestra, International Science Fair winners. Clubs. My Fair Lady and South Pacific. Radio broadcasting, White House choir. 3000 students in 3 grades. West Virginia kids going to Duke, Jillian, Yale, Geek school on merit, not legacy. HS grad friends from a half century ago had great productive lives
Therein lies the rrrrrrub.... 3000 students....sheesh. That's as big as some universities. My POS school had 246 in 4 grades, 54 in my grad class. No orchestra, no science fairs, no choir, no radio, no math, no science, no nothing. I'm sure every one of my class mates voted for Trump.
My experience is why I've long advocated for my National Education policy:
A. No property tax funding. All K-12 federal funding
B. Large campuses. Bus ti them.
C. One HS per small county or several counties depending on distance
D. Merit hiring. No Education BA MAs. All have core BA BS MA MS in English, Literature, mathematics, chemistry etc
E. 2x higher salary and 2% mandatory termination on low performance.
F. VoTech campus on large HS. Machining, Coding, Electric and Electronics, Nursing, Veterinary etc
G. Reduc# of sport duplicates. Not 5 HS football teams in a county - but 1 great one
A look at how AI can break bottlenecks in research and development.
My take... so this is just smarter searching... so far.
I like CoPilot vs Google now because I can ask complex questions for complex analysis and information gathering.
https://thebulletin.org/2025/04/ai-can-accelerate-scientific-advance-but-the-real-bottlenecks-to-progress-are-cultural-and-institutional
Spin Physics. 1980s. 2024 Nobel in Physics.
How Physics made AI possible- Neural networks
https://www.quantamagazine.org/the-strange-physics-that-gave-birth-to-ai-20250430
That's a great comment and analysis!!!
But I would give some different perspective on dogs and understanding of time and events.
Exhibit 1. One my most memorable moments with our late Gumbi, was when he brought his favorite squeaky toy and dropped it my suitcase. So I wouldn't miss out. My wife would say "daddy's coming home", and he'd wait hours by the door.
But dogs interact variable with owners. We've had 5 and they all interacted differently. Of course, in the 80s-90s; one was trained, 2 not. In the 2000s, we were trained by Cesar Milan. Raul, who was with us, was just docile, happy and slept. Except the one time, new in our house, he climbed some steps to our (non used)spa. And wandered off into the wild desert behind. We had him 6 years in Pasadena and he was never off leash. I figured we had this wall and we could let him roam the backyard. Alas. Slippers and Jammys and jumping Cholla, cactus and looking for rattlers. Fortunately none. Retrieved. He was scared and never did it again.
Gumbi - never wanted to be far from us
Per AI...I've been using DeepSeek, which is just amazing EXCEPT when you reference Big Daddy, Xinjiang, or anything pertaining to sensitive information that the Commie bastards running this place don't like spoken out loud. So, the game in China now is fooling the AI by phrasing your questions so obtusely that it takes a while for the genie inside to figure out it's been worked whereupon it suddenly turns off and says this is outside the range of use...or something like that. I forget now the meandering path of my question, but I actually got it to crank out 2 1/2 paragraphs on Xinjiang...1/2 because it suddenly realized what it was doing and deleted everything.
What it provided on Xinjiang, before the deletion that is, was factually correct...it's like tripping up a liar when they suddenly realize you know exactly what they're doing.
It's May Day here, a very major holiday on par with our own Labor Day, everyone goes out and does something, and....I had some kids, some sort of cousins in the Chinese cousin relationship format where everyone is a cousin...and the knock, smile, and they say in very busted accent (with a quick glance at the translation software on their phone) a sheepish..."Hi Uncle Kurt, we're here to perform ritual ancestor worship"...which probably sounds much less formal in Chinese than what the translation software makes it. And then they hand me a large bag of fruit...apples, mangoes, cherries, and oranges. And then we sat and conversed through translation software for over an hour. Imagine. Talking to young people for an hour, and they don't seem fidgety or anxious to leave.
"We're here to perform ritual ancestor worship.". I'm betting everyone in here a dollar that you've never had any kids say this to you.
My goal in life now is to get my nieces to refer to me exclusively as βritual ancestorββ¦
εεεεγγγ(thatβs hahahaha in Chinese characters)
Good morning. 62 degrees here. Rained hard last night, but just partly cloudy now with highs in the 70s.
The mothership is covering the impact of the Trump tariffs on imports and business in general. The FPβs TGIF, all over the ma as usual, mentions that someone is selling βTrump 2028β hats, hopefully as a joke.
The resident professional troll made a very short post. And got one like.
I can say with certainty Iβve never worried about AI. Last evening was eventful. I was minding my own business walking my two dogs when out of nowhere the relatively new neighborβs Belgian Malinois rocketed into the street and went after my dog. I began screaming like a banshee and another neighbor ran out of his house to assist while the owner was trying to get her dog away. Thank God my dog wasnβt bitten, I donβt know how as there definitely was gnashing of teeth! I walked away after saying a few choice words and just started crying. Then another neighbor who saw it from his backyard on the other block drove over to see if I was OK and tears are streaming down my face. I have had this happen one too many times to him and that was a breaking point. Heβs never physically been hurt but itβs definitely affected him mentally as heβs super reactive whenever we encounter other dogs which has resulted in him having to wear a bark collar so he behaves. Iβm so tired of stupid dog owners.
I'm sorry to hear that, as well as some other comments down below. We had a golden, who loved to hug people (we tried to keep him down), and now two goldendoodles who love everyone, and try to get petted, or hug them. Loving dogs are wonderful, nasty ones, not so much. I tend to pet dogs who come up to me.
Fortunately both neighbors with young children are dog owners, and recognize ours are friendly, so they are fine with them. We had a mom with a 2yo come up to practice petting a dog. Our dog's tails were wagging so hard the breeze felt good. They wanted to jump up, which the mom actually wanted.
We keep ours leashed when we walk (unless they escape), and we won't go near people when walking them, but if they come over to pet them they are fair game for hugs.
I'm so sorry you had to go through this! I can see from further comments that this is not the first time. As someone whose beagle was killed by a neighbor's "Tundra Shepherd", a cross between a wolf and a German shepherd, I urge you to devise a strategy for your survival and that of all dogs, including the Malinois, in the neighborhood. It's obvious that the Malinois is not getting proper training, exercise or attention. And it likely is confined to an area that is too small. These breeds were bred for intense loyalty to their owners as well as extreme strength. Unless socialized earlier by someone with training and other dogs, they do not like other dogs, or people other than their owners. Without hours of structured exercise and intelligence work they get restless, anxious and fearful. So when they do get let out they go nuts. Also, if there is a pregnant female, dog or human, they will be hyper-protective.
In our case the police were less than helpful and seemed to regard the tundra shepherd as just a big excitable police dog. The point I'd try to make to both police and neighbors is that this situation is not safe or fair to any dogs in the neighborhood, including the Malnois and that keeping a dog like that without proper attention to its real needs for discipline and structured exercise is tantamount to abuse. And I would install cameras all around my house, especially in high areas not easily reached or seen.
I'm so sorry you had to endure the loss of your dog, now that's real trauma! It amazes me how indifferent the police can be to such instances. She had that dog on a leash a few weeks back and could barely hold onto it as the dog lunged and barked at my dogs. You'd think she would extrapolate from that experience that maybe, just maybe, she shouldn't ever have that dog untethered. I very much doubt this will ever happen again.
Sounds like that dog owner needs help and a support system. In our area a lot of the dog rescue groups will provide that, especially for puppies and young dogs. She and the dog both sound afraid and that is not good. Perhaps you could put a word in the ear of whoever she shops with for dog food. In our area Petco has good training sessions and if there is a Malinois rescue group they may have some trainers or experienced Malinois owners available. All breeds have their eccentricities, and most breed specific groups help owners deal with those. American Eskimos, for example, rarely like to be around small children and detest infants and toddlers. Otherwise, they're great dogs. But the American Eskimo group here will tell owners about that honestly and help their families make adjustments.
> keeping a dog like that without proper attention to its real needs for discipline and structured exercise is tantamount to abuse. <
Hear, hear!
Hubby and I provided a foster home for dogs for 15 years. The level of human ignorance regarding dogs cuts across all boundaries of culture. Dogs are not inherently cruel, but like all animals they have a strong survival instinct, and some dogs are incredibly loyal, even to bad owners. I feel we'd be better off if everyone who wanted to become a parent, either of humans or other animals, was required to pass a knowledge and competency test before the child or pet arrived.
Have you looked into filing a dangerous animal report with the police?
I'd be filing a dangerous person report along with that, and also a personal injury report from when I gave that xxxxx the back of my hand.
Since my dog wasnβt injured, Iβm not inclined to do that. There are ramifications in small towns. Itβs just not worth it.
My husband just texted me he ran into an acquaintance at the grocery store this am who asked how I was doing. The word is out. Small town living!
Thatβs very traumatizing to you, the responsible owner. Very sorry you had to go through that. If owners donβt have their dogs behaviorally under control, they should at least have them under physical control!
It would be tempting to drop a remark that you hope theyβve got good liability coverage, in case their irresponsibility causes damagesβ¦
It seems to me this trend of infantilizing house pets as surrogate children has only gotten stupider.
Iβm decidedly of the Cesar Milan school in believing dogs need βrules, boundaries, and limitationsβ because thatβs how theyβre genetically programmed to exist within their speciesβs pack structures. Fundamentally, dogs donβt tolerate members of their community acting like out-of-control idiots. They βpunishβ each other for it!
When we were in Pasadena, we adopted a dog from the Canoga Park shelter. It was a small runt Dogo Argentina, about 75 lbs. Used a beat up training dog by gangs.
My wife found a trainer for Raul in south central Los Angeles. Cesar Milan. We took Raul and for the next 2 hours, we owners were trained. Total wonderful man.
Fabulous! π€©
He seems to care deeply about dogs and dedicated to understanding animals on their level, rather than insisting they act like miniature people for the passing emotional needs and fancies of human owners.
His most important point that he learned by growing up among Mexican street mutts was that animals arenβt captive to worrying about the past and futureβthey live entirely in the *now*. When you think about it, itβs logical. Weβre the only known creature capable of speech, and we use it to talk obsessively about yesterday or tomorrow to the point that we often seem lost in a cloud of our own thoughts in a different temporal dimension.
Dogs are like mood rings: reflecting back to us what our emotions are in the moment. Theyβre more sensitive to our own mental states than we are. As the man says: an unstable dog is the sign of an unstable ownerβat least mentally, in that particular moment.
Anyone who has a Belgian Malinois and lets it run loose in the neighborhood is a textbook definition of stupid. Carry bear spray.
A few summers ago one had both my husband and I off our bikes using them to shield us from the charging Belgian. I did have pepper spray and I didnβt want to use it unless I absolutely had to. The owner finally came out retrieve the dog and I said to her next time Iβm gonna spray your dog. We rode off and that 20 something female dog owner got in her car, chased us down and said if we ever pepper spray her dog itβs the last thing we will ever do. You cannot make this stuff up.
I'd have pepper sprayed her.
A neighbor. So sad. Those are trained for law enforcement all over the world. This neighbor is beyond negligent.
My wife says she would file a complaint with both the police to record it being off leash in public. Often against local statutes. And also call animal control. And report the threat.
This is horrifying; Iβm so sorry you have to put up with this.
I carry pepper spray but this was a stealth attack and I had no time to retrieve it. I was π― concentrated on pulling my dog away. Last summer I did use it on the charging boxer and my poor guy was also hit.
Arenβt those the dogs used by police to subdue suspects?
Today's special animal friend is the Belgian Malinois, a dog breed commonly found in military and law enforcement service. All domestic dogs are classified as Canis lupus familiaris. Over 200 distinct breeds are recognized by associations around the world. The Belgian Malinois is one of four subtypes of the Belgian Shepherd dog; each subtype has a different coat color or texture. It is recognized as a separate breed in the United States, but not in Europe. The Malinois has a short, fawn-colored coat with black "overlay" or ticking on the shoulders and a black face.
Belgian Malinois (and the other Belgian Shepherds) are medium-large dogs, standing about 24 inches high at the shoulder and weighing 60-80 lbs. (males) or 40-60 lbs. (females). They have a graceful and well-proportioned body adapted for speed, agility, strength, and endurance. Honestly, you look at one and say, "Yeah, this is what a dog should look like!" They carry their heads high on a strong neck, and their large ears are upright and alert. Their muzzles are medium-long, and their teeth are impressive.
Belgian shepherds and similar dogs were used for herding and protecting sheep for many centuries in northwestern Europe. As sheep-raising declined in this area in the 19th century, the breed's future was in doubt. Intentional development of the breed began in 1891, led by Professor Adolphe Reul of the Cureghem Veterinary School. Professor Reul and his team examined hundreds of individual dogs and classified them into subtypes with the intention of limiting interbreeding among them. However, population losses during World War I and World War II led to a decision to cross-breed the subtypes in order to support overall genetic diversity. Of the four currently recognized (in the U.S.) Belgian Shepherd breeds, the Malinois is the most likely to breed true.
Belgian Malinois are exceptionally intelligent, energetic, and loyal. They need well-planned, consistent training, intellectual stimulation, and hours of exercise each day. The nice young police officer who brought his Malinois to show the Cub Scouts yesterday compared his dog to an Olympic athlete. He explained that, although he took his dog home when they were not at work, they could not relax on the sofa and eat chips together. The dog's diet, activities, and interactions are always oriented toward his professional fitness. Their expected lifespan is 12 to 14 years.
Most Malinois in military and law enforcement are bred and trained by Europeans, regardless of their country of residence. The dog we met yesterday was born and received his initial training in Mexico. He understands commands in English and Dutch as well as gestures. The dogs receive basic obedience training from the breeder and then do "college-level" training with their handlers based on the organization's specific needs. These courses last four to six months. Law enforcement roles include detection, such as drug or explosives identification, and patrol/pursuit. This is a facility in New Mexico. Watch their video!
https://www.ruidosomalinois.com/index.html
Thanks, Cynthia! More proof that very smart dogs need structure and intellectual stimulus..daily. Especially "working" dogs. Highly intelligent dogs without that, whatever the breed, "find" things to do. Beagles, for example, who are highly food oriented, will spend inordinate amounts of time figuring out how to defeat a fence to go raid garbage cans, or defeat a refrigerator door, or disable a door lock!! One of our rescue dogs figured out how to get steel cans of mackerel and cat food out of storage and then
gnawed them open!!
Some of what you say seems to me to apply to people, too.
My favorite dog Instagram account features a Malinois, deputy_dog_radar.
Stately breed.
I'm very sorry about your experience. I agree with you about stupid dog owners.
Good morning. It's finally the Big Day(s) for North Carolina Envirothon today and tomorrow. The weather forecast at the location (Burlington) has improved, but we'll still take both of our waterproof canopies, just for luck. Also a 10-pack of single-use rain ponchos. They used to be $1.00 each at Walmart, but now they're $2.00 each if you buy one at a time, but still $1.00 each if you buy the 10-pack, and why wouldn't you, if you plan on camping and other outdoorsiness over the next several months?
The teams to support are Beautiful Butterflies at the High School level and Ladies and Gent in Middle School.
I hope they "float like a butterfly and sting like a bee".
Best of luck!
Who knew there was such a thing as βsingle useβ rain ponchos?
I thought those were called garbage bags with cutouts for the head and arms.
They're a step up from carrying a large trash bag in case you're surprised by rain. You can use them more than once - I once used the same one for a whole, rainy week of Cub Scout Day Camp - but you can't fold them back up. I just tossed the one into the back of the van each afternoon.
Good luck to them!! Your comment reminded me of a Trump comment this week, βWell, maybe the children will have two dolls instead of 30. Maybe the two dolls will cost a couple of bucks more than they would normally," Trump said of the tariffs' effect on U.S. goods. π
The price of the rain ponchos went up steadily over the last three or four years. It's not a sudden thing for the Trumpish tariffs.
Morning! Weβll be rooting for the Beautiful Butterflies and the Ladies and Gent all day!
"Americans believe only 41% of online content is accurate, factual, and made by humans. They think 23% is completely false and purposely inaccurate or misleading, while 36% falls somewhere in between."
I'll bet the survey had one of those slider things where you have to enter your opinion with a specific number between 0% and 100%. What nonsense.
That said, it's fairly likely that this non-information is, as the pundits say, "directionally accurate," that is, indicative of a vibe.
Surveys, Iβve come to believe, are for entertainment purposes only. News media, after all, are a subset of entertainment media.
It definitely made me hopeful that online denizens become more circumspect about online information.