Riddick: the dog that started it all!

Riddick was rescued from an individual that bred and trained Border Collies. Once he had Riddick the breeder/trainer didn’t know how to handle him. He had rescued Riddick from someone who had started service dog training with Riddick but couldn’t handle the Belgian Malinois energy. So, we were this pup third family before he was even 1 year old. And he stole our hearts immediately. Yes, he had energy, though not overly so considering his breed. He was great with our cat, minimal chasing and no aggression. The only time he showed aggression was if one of us was walking him and we passed a group of strangers. He was great with kids, other dogs, and anyone we allowed into the house. Devastatingly, just 10 months after finding this perfect boy he became really sick. We took him to the vet who thought it might have been food poisoning. So, we went home and gave him medication, by this point he would not eat. The next day he was worse. It was the weekend, but our wonderful vet took our frantic phone calls giving us another medication to try. By Sunday he was still worse, at this point I knew something was bad wrong. We called the vet who told us to come in Monday morning. He took blood test that showed our Riddick was in the final stages of kidney failure, and nothing could be done. The vet told us it had probably been failing for a while. He never showed the pain he was in until there was not a way for him to hide it. His only concern was that we were happy and taken care of. That day we lost our best friend. His life inspired us to start this rescue and training center. To help other dogs find a home where they can love and be loved in return.

Otto

We found Otto through a post on Facebook. A vet tech made the post because Otto had bite history and the owners were considering putting him down. We drove 23 hours, round trip, from East Texas to Kentucky. As we talked to the owners we found out their yard was backed up to a kindergarten, and the children would come over and pull Otto’s hair. In return Otto would “bite” them. As we have worked with Otto we have found he does nibble bites when something hurts. That reaction has become less, but because it was allowed for 4 years he will do it from time to time. Because of this Otto has become a sanctuary dog, where he will be with us for the rest of his life. Otto has become a wonderful surrogate parent to the puppies and small dogs that have come into the rescue. He is a great watch dog when they are out in the yard.

Bane

Bane came to us as an owner surrender. The parents of his owners ended up with him when they moved into an apartment that didn’t allow dogs. The parents did not have any experience with Malinois, though they loved him very much. One day the yard gate was left open, a girl and her mother were riding bikes past, and he went after the girl. She is ok, but it was the last straw for his new owners. They realized they did not have the experience to take care of him. Bane will still chase bikes and people running past from inside the yard fence. Though he has gotten better about being called off. Bane is very protective of his family. That is where some of his aggression comes from. Because of his history Bane is also a sanctuary dog. We wouldn’t have it any other way. Bane loves tug-o-war, and usually gets most of the bed. He is wonderful with most of the rescues and protects the puppies like they were his own.

Kimber

Kimber came to us because her foster parents were moving and unable to take her with them. They tried contacting the shelter Kimber came from, but the shelter would not call them back. Her owners told us she had worms when she came into the shelter. She did not see a vet before being fostered out, and every time they called, they did not receive an answer. When we took Kimber in, she was a little underweight, but she was full of energy. Kimber is English Mastiff and Malinois, yes, she is big and growing every day. Kimber is an utter sweetheart though she has the stubbornness of the Mastiff. Kimber is working on her basic training. She is super smart. If she knows one of us will tell her “Off” she will just put her paws in the air like “I’m not touching you”. Kimber loves new people and dogs. The only thing she is likely to do is lick someone to death.

Nyx

Nyx is our little fur-missile or as we like to call her “Nyxle”. She can scent in the air as well as along the ground. She is fierce to strange people and dogs around the property, though a happy submissive pup to anyone she knows. Any time we go somewhere she has perfect manners. Nyx came to us because her owners could not keep up with her energy. She is sometimes easily distracted, though she is getting better at focusing. She is only about 7 months old, but she is faster than Bane, who is quite swift. Nyx has become a rodent hunter. She makes tiny holes on the yard scenting and listening for them. We have watched her catch, and eat, gophers and moles. We rarely see signs of them in the yard now. Her favorite past times are anything that involves running, chasing or playing in the water. Nyx’s training is coming along well. She is getting her basics down and working on her focus. Not allowing distractions is still difficult for her. Nyx has an abundance of talent that is a joy to work with.