11/17/20
We absolutely love Snowy!!  She is so affectionate which has helped us heal from having to say goodbye to our previous rescue dogs (a Mal who crossed the rainbow bridge a year ago in August and then the following month our Akita-GSD cross--cancer sucks).   Snowy loves to cuddle in the evenings and sleeps in our room at night.  She's most playful in the mornings (before 10am) and then sometimes again mid-evening, having several squeaky toys that we toss around the house for her to fetch or play chase (you can do a circle through our entry-kitchen-dining-living rooms--at least until you or her get dizzy).  We are still working on anxiety during car rides and acknowledge that she might not fully get over that (Sato, our Akita-GSD never did) and that's okay.  We put seats down so she can get close to the front and I just found the natural calming treats we tried with Sato so we'll try that next time.

She loves people but we watch her with young children because she makes a low rumbling sound (we call it purring) when she is happy, but then it can make it hard to tell when she has had enough and wants you to stop.  Our eldest (who was studying abroad in South Korea when we got Snowy) established a new procedure when we aren't sure if Snowy's still okay with the petting--we stop petting her, pull back a little bit, and ask her for her paw.  Petting resumes after she gives you her paw.  We've also been working on her "using her words" (a bark rather than rumbles).  She wasn't very talkative when we first got her (unlike Rainey, our last Mal).  I can guess why, her voice is more ear splitting than our prior Mal, but we think it's important for a Mal to feel free to Woo.  

She still has a pretty high prey drive, but we are used to that from our previous dogs (I grew up with GSDs).  We back up to a green space with squirrels who are pretty wiley so that gives her some entertainment but mostly she prefers to be indoors which is just fine with us. Our back yard is on a hill and she loves racing around--even after a morning walk.  She is not a fan of the rain but she's really good inside the house.  We had to have child locks on the cabinet with the garbage with our last Mal.  She is very content being the only dog and we are more than happy with that arrangement, too.  When people tell me we spoil her I say, "absolutely!"  We still set boundaries that we enforce, but there's a reason she knows the sound of the cheese drawer opening.

05/07/20
Good morning,
It’s me, Leia, but I get called by my first and middle name mostly, Leia No. I’m really goofy and always trying to get my brothers to play with me. I am fully vaccinated, and I am getting spayed on July 10th. My mom says she can’t wait, whatever that means! 
I love digging, jumping onto everything and giving kisses. I love walks, but I get car sick going for a ride. My brothers think going for a ride is so cool, I just get nauseated. But we are working on it.
My humans just started my invisible fence training which I find hysterical. My dumb brothers buy into it, but I am bold and fearless, and I laugh at their attempts to keep me back from the fence line. I did hear my humans say it’s a good thing the trainer is coming back out a few more times.
At puppy class I was more interested in ignoring my humans so I could stare at all the other puppies in class. Now I have to do video chat training by myself and my humans have to give super high value treats for my cooperation. 
I throw epic tantrums when I first go into my crate and my favorite place to lay is the coffee table. It’s a throne fit for a princess. You will see a picture of me laying there! I also am showing you a picture of the baby gate the humans use to keep us in the living room....jokes on them, I jump over that and laugh at my brothers just standing there waiting for the gate to magically open!!!
My mom is a WAMAL volunteer and I have been doing a good job reminding her of important skills necessary for training strong willed, confident, goofy dogs. She loves WAMAL and I am keeping her on her toes, and she understands the need for good volunteers, fosters, and adopters. She says “oh Lord, give me more patience than Leia has”! 
I hope all my litter mates and their families are healthy and happy. We love updates and wish you the best during these crazy times! 
Stay Safe,
Leia and Family

07/22/05
Well another year has gone by and Dakota's doing great.  The salivary gland problem has sped up though but our Vet has found some literature saying Tetracycline may slow it down or stop it, it seems to be helping and we want to exhaust all noninvasive options first.  His weight is hovering between 85 and 90lbs, which is what the vet wanted to see him at after his first weigh in was 72 lbs when we got him.  He still does just fine with Alkan, if anything Alkan is the dominant one at times, LOL.  He has figured out how to knock him down by sneaking around from behind, little punk :).  Anyway we just wanted to drop a little update and say thanks once again, I'm not sure we can remember life without his antics.

07/06/04
Yes, everything is going great- thanks for asking.  Dakota and Alkan keep each other busy chasing each other around the yard whenever he is not sleeping on the couch, lol.  The groomers think he's the greatest- in fact they sat him in the window while he was waiting to be picked up- advertising :). Everywhere we go everyone wants to pet him- and are quite surprised at how nice and well mannered he is- people tend to think he looks scary yet beautiful/unique.  His gland has not changed or been a problem so we're just leaving it alone.  He's on Glucosamine and Chondratin for his arthritis.  I think he has gained some weight since we got him- he was a bit thin through the hips (he was only 72 lbs. when we got him home- now more like 75-80 I think).  He is such a fancy pants when it comes to eating- everyone thinks it's a hoot, such a big dog eating so delicately and being so picky.  He and Alkan have run of the yard themselves or with our daughter jasmine all day- it's more freedom and space than I think he's had before.  He's still indecisive about being inside or out- he changes his mind where he wants to be every 5 minutes.  He gets jealous if we are working on the computer and will come put his head on our lap then proceed to knock our arm up with his head.  He woowoo's a lot when he's excited and he loves going to the park and smelling all the other doggy marks in the woods.  The other day a raccoon was eating some cherries under the tree next door- oh boy he was excited- literally tore through several planks on the fence with his teeth- one of the few times I’ve heard him really growl.

04/27/04
Thanks - she is SUCH a sweet dog - it was so amazing to watch her come out of herself and actually learn to walk on GRASS (she was terrified of it for some crazy reason) and to play.  I can even get away with feeding them treats side by side now and NO fangs!  I of course don't let anyone else do it but it is very reassuring  - not to mention being able to wrestle with her on the floor like a big teddy bear!  We have thoroughly enjoyed her and Kodi is just in dog heaven.  He has turned into quite the 'man' with her around and is forever trying to prove how wonderful he is!  Think they have replaced our kids (they are grown so it is okay~!)  Even little Pele can get away with going up and licking her in the face so there ya go!
Take care.  I do occasionally go on the WAMAL site and pine - I wish I could adopt them all to be honest but probably would lose my hubbie if I did!