“Don’t bite the mailman.”
- What Would You Say, The Dave Matthews Band
I wasn’t planning to adopt a puppy …
It was April 2004. Part of my job at the cable company where I worked was to plan and coordinate marketing campaigns. Working with “Animal Planet” we had come up with a “Pet of the Month” promotion to help increase adoptions at the Idaho Falls animal shelter.
I dropped by the shelter to finalize some details and I still don’t know what possessed me to walk back to the kennels that day. I already had a grumpy, eight year old, 20 pound cat at home. Owning a dog wasn’t something I was even contemplating.
Then I saw her. In a kennel with six other puppies. The six were standing up against the kennel door, yipping and pleading to be released – loudly. They were all boys, and they mostly looked like black labs. Curled up on a little bed at the back of the kennel was the cadpig – the smallest of the litter- and the only girl. Unlike her brothers, she looked like a German Shepherd –a lot like her mother, who was housed in the next kennel. Her big brown eyes smiled as she yawned and stretched and made her way to the front of the kennel. She squeezed her way through her writhing, whining brothers. “Can you believe this racket?” her expressive little face emoted. “Get me out of here, won’t you?” I grinned and opened the door and scooped her up. She licked my face and snuggled up under my chin. And I was a goner.
My niece Eliza Jo, who was just five at the time, couldn’t wait to meet the new member of the family. She came over the very night I brought the puppy home, and they bonded as only puppies and girls do. Carefully stroking the puppy, EJ outlined the dark fur around her lips and eyes. “It looks like she has make-up on,” EJ pronounced. I looked at my sister. “Maybe she’s born with it?” I said. And Maybelline was named. Maybelline officially; “Maybe” for playful moments.
While we attended Puppy Kindergarten and Obedience 101, Maybelline had a lot of other humans helping to train her. The day after she was spayed, my boss was in town. I asked him if it was okay if I brought her into the office; I didn’t want to leave her alone after her surgery. A dog lover himself, he agreed without hesitation, and then he held pretty little Maybe on his lap through meetings all day long, even taking her outside to “do her business.” I asked if she could come to work again, and Gene said sure, she can be our mascot. Maybelline still likes to sit on laps, although at 90 pounds today she is not quite as easy to hold.
So Maybe came to work! She was as comfortable and confident at the office as she was at home. Maybe practiced MBWA – management by walking around – every day. First thing in the morning, she visited the techs before they headed out on their routes. Richie gave her butt scratches on demand. Clancy taught her to “wait” and to “fetch”. Dave spoiled her with belly rubs. Then, into the office to see who was working today. AnnaLisa, the office manager, was a particular favorite; the two still have a special bond. In the event I had a meeting that Maybe just couldn’t attend, AnnaLisa would “dog sit”. Our offices were adjacent and I could hear AnnaLisa cooing and Maybelline’s delighted, wagging tail as it whacked up against the wall. Every morning, Maybelline would scratch at the door of the dispatch office until she was allowed in to greet Dawn and Melissa. Even with the hubbub here – ringing phones, beeping radios, techs and service reps darting in and out, dot matrix printers, multiple conversations taking place – “dispatch” was one of Maybelline’s favorite spots to nap.
Luckily for us both, Maybelline has been with me most of the time – at home or at work, even on the road when I travelled by car. When I was flying around extensively back in 2009, she would stay with my sister or a live-in pet sitter. So she’s never really had to be alone much. On the occasions when I do need to leave her, she is anxious and waits by the window until she sees my truck return, then greets me at the back door.
At work, Maybelline very quickly figured out who belonged in the office, in the warehouse, and in the big fenced yard. She understood that anyone could be in the lobby – no barking allowed there. She learned who visited the office – sales reps and vendors - and on their arrival went around my desk to welcome folks, and sit by the visitors side during meetings. But she also fiercely defended the back entrance and warehouse where expensive equipment was stored. She recognized all of the staff and barked a warning if someone unknown – like a new UPS driver or soda machine vendor or just a stranger – was in one of these areas. Once she understands that someone is a friend, she is loving. But she’s very protective and wary of strangers. She’s a great watch dog at home too: she knows my sisters, nieces, friends, the neighbors, the mailman, the milkman, the girl who delivers the newspaper. And she warns me about anyone else.
Maybelline gets along with other critters pretty well. She loves cats: when our old cat passed away last year, Maybelline became so depressed I had to get a new cat to cheer her up. She generally loves smaller dogs, while it takes a little longer for her to warm up to dogs her own size or larger.
“A tired puppy is a good puppy,” our Puppy Kindergarten teacher told us, and in Maybe’s case, it was sure true. AnnaLisa and I started walking Maybe every day at lunch: as good for us as it was for the dog! Our route took us along a big field, complete with canals filled with quacking ducks and nesting pheasants. Maybelline would stop, “point” and then run at full speed after unseen fowl, stopping only at water’s edge. To this day, she hates to get wet. A troublesome problem for a dog who wants to catch a goose. She loves to play outside, especially in cooler temperatures; in the summer, we romp early in the day, before it’s too hot outside.
Smart as a whip, Maybelline has a vast repertoire of “tricks”: sit, shake, lay down, wait, leave it, fetch, “go to your bed”, catch a frisbee and army-crawl. She can distinguish her “cow baby” toy from her “pig baby” and “squirrel baby” and will fetch whichever you ask for. Teaching her to speak was challenging – she is very quiet unless barking a warning. We have bells hanging on doors that she nudges with her nose to ring if she needs to go outside when her doggie door is closed. With practice, she has mastered “speak”, “whisper” and even “Wookie” – she does an exceptional imitation of Chewbacca! She will “wait” motionlessly for up to 30 minutes, even if a hot dog is inches away. I’ve never tried to make her wait any longer, but I bet she could. Currently we are working on “tidy up” – putting her toys away in a basket – and bringing me a Kleenex when I sneeze. (Yes, really!).
She is a good looking dog – this is not just pride of ownership talking. Strangers comment on how beautiful she is. Exotically tilted brown eyes lined with black, a creamy beige undercoat, distinctive German Shepherd markings of rust and black on her legs and back, and a single patch of bright white on her chest. A thicker ruff of hair circles her neck. She has soft, floppy ears – one or the other will stand straight like a "real" German Shepherd when she is listening intently - and her tail that curls up over her back when she is happy: which is most of the time. Her skin is loose, and her fur is soft and shiny – and it is everywhere, since she sheds like crazy. (No outfit is complete without dog hair!) She is definitely a girl – her mannerisms are totally feminine, from the way she walks to the delicate way she eats out of your hand. And she’s big, but not fat, all muscle.
Maybelline is six now. She will be a “senior” on her next birthday, given her large size and counting in "dog years." While very healthy, she’s starting to show signs of age. She’s already had surgery to remove a benign tumor. And I’m watching for hip dysplasia – it’s very common in Shepherds and in Labs. I’ve always assumed her father was a Lab – remember all those Lab-looking brothers.
Then my wonderful vet Susie told me about a great new service that might help us be on the lookout for health issues: DNA analysis for mixed-breed dogs, a/k/a pound puppies. I could learn all about Maybelline’s significant ancestry. And a portion of the $60 analysis fee would be donated to the new local “no kill” animal shelter.
So I picked up a kit, swabbed the inside of Maybelline’s cheeks a la CSI, and sent in the sample. Last week, on Christmas Eve, the surprising results arrived.
The dominant breed was, of course, German Shepherd. That was no surprise. One of the smartest breeds in the world, these dogs are loyal and protective. They love to learn and are very obedient. They’re not huge fans of water. Straight standing ears. And females are very “girly.” That’s my dog.
But the rest of her DNA? I had to GOOGLE the other breeds.
#2. Chow-chow. This is one of the most ancient dog breeds – over 4000 years old! Elvis Presley had a Chow-chow. They are not a tiny dog – females can weigh up to 60 pounds. This is where Maybelline’s almond shaped eyes come from, I figure, and the rust colored highlights in her fur. Also her slow acceptance of strangers. The tail curled up over her back. A chow-chow likes a brisk daily walk. This all makes sense!
#3. Maltese. Like the falcon! "Canis Melitaeus" – the Ancient Dog of Malta. I don’t see any physical evidence of this toy breed in my dog except maybe for the patch of white on her chest and the silkiness of her fur. These little dogs weigh no more than seven pounds! But Maltese temperament abounds: highly intelligent, loving, some separation anxiety, a playful demeanor, and a high energy level. Exceptional watch dogs. And remember that Maybelline still tries to sit on laps…
#4. Pekingese. Another old and tiny breed. According to Chinese legend, a cross between a lion and a butterfly! They don’t like heat: Maybelline shares this trait, along with the black eye rims and lips that every Peke exhibits. Her “mane”, her floppy ears, muscular body and double coat of hair (more to shed!) could all be traced to her Pekingese forefather! Alice Roosevelt Longworth was given a Pekingese by the last Empress of China.
#5. Scottish Terrier. Another old breed! Scottish Terriers are reputed to be good watchdogs, barking only when necessary. They are self-assured, loyal, playful, intelligent and determined. Maybelline exhibits all of these traits! Three U.S. Presidents have kept Scotties as pets. And Maybelline does have good political instincts…
Now I know more about what makes my Maybelline Maybelline. Somewhere back in time, a big dog and a little dog hooked up to have some fun. Ancient bloodlines combined. My big, smart, lovable lap dog who loves cats and Shih Tzus is the result.
I still don’t know why she points before giving chase to chukars…but I guess a little mystery is okay.
