04/30/04
Hello WAMAL friends!  My husband Scott and I adopted Miss Elfin in October 2002 and we've been meaning to send an update ever since!  We started calling her Miso so she knew she was starting a new life with us. The poor "little" girl had pretty bad tartar and she was a bit obese when we got her.  And, when a friend came to meet Miss Miso, she found a lump on Miso's neck.  We got to know our vet very quickly.  It turns out the lump was nothing serious and Miso's been OK ever since.
Since we don't know what Miso's story was before we brought her home, we have had to make a few guesses about her.  She would not (and still won't for that matter) go anywhere near a crate or a house.  She is also very VERY uncertain about going into the bathroom.  We're guessing that she was locked up for long periods of time.  Now, she's got a nice big yard to rule over (and rule she does!) and free roaming privileges throughout the house.   
We are very lucky to have found Miso.  She spoils us entirely with her happy, loving nature.  Miso is such a sweet girl, and everyone who meets her loves her on the spot.  Of course, being a typical Mal, she loves them right back!  It's difficult not to be overtaken by her incredible cuteness!  We are also thrilled to see that Miso is something of a celebrity on the WAMAL website.  Her picture is the "turn my world upside down" sponsorship icon.  That's the picture that made me fall in love with her.  I am just thrilled that she came into our lives!
Take care, and I hope every dog on the site finds a loving home!

04/27/04
Pics of the boys and a couple funny pics of dogs and polar bears in Eastern Canada.  It's weird that the dogs get along with the bears.  They are about the only thing that bears get along with. The boys do run off and chase stuff thru the woods, but return pretty fast.  Jordan comes back much quicker.  Taku is a hunting machine. I leash them if I'm around frozen lakes or super steep terrain. As soon as they hit water or snow, they go wild and start sparring. They definitely like dad.
I really like Kia's look.  I'd consider a third, but I really think that's too many for just me. If I had a sig other, the 2 of us could handle 3.  If you find me a sig other (Female), I can get another dog. :)
I should mention Jordan got into it with a Golden over a water dish.  The Golden was tiny at about 60#s, but apparently is aggressive.  Of course Jordan won't back down either, so away we went.  I had him in an instant and that damn golden then bit me.  I pulled Jordan back and fell off the trail and down an embankment with him on top.  Taku just watched. :)
So Jordan and the Golden are fine, but I'm bit and all banged up.  Oh well, doggie fun!

04/27/04
Kodi is doing very well. He has become a beautiful, sweet happy puppy. He now lets other women occasionally pet him and doesn't run from either men or women. Men, however, he keeps a safe distance from. He is curious so I know that he will get past that barrier also. I am so lucky to have him. By the way, he weighs 70 lbs. now. When I took him to the vet for shots the other day, I looked at his chart. When I took him in to be fixed he weighed 50 lbs. He is still small for a mal. but he is sturdy and has big feet. I know because occasionally he paws at me when he wants something. I thank my lucky stars and WAMAL every day for my "miracle" puppy. I plan on going to the BBQ in Cle-Elum with my three boys. I don't know if you are going to be there. It would be great to meet you finally.

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!

04/26/04
We adopted one of your rescue dogs a little over a year ago and are so happy with our choice.  After a little bit of rough going, she has become the love of our lives---and our mal mix's, happily so.
I have a question for you folks though - we recently noticed that she has begun leaking urine (incontinence) and know that of course she was spayed.  I also know that that is a problem with especially spayed females.  We have had her in for urine tests - no stones (crystals) or infection.  We feed her Eukanuba Large Breed and add salmon once per week.  They want to put her on the med for incontinence (phenylpropanolamine) and wondering if this has any adverse effects with mal's in particular, especially if we run her - we run them on a scooter a couple of miles per day 3 times per week. 
Thanks for doing what you folks do - we have grown to love Denaya unbelievably and can't thank your programs enough for putting good dogs together with people and situations that bring out the best in them.