My Ash & Mal
Two of the men in my life had a birthday this past weekend, and were able to take a moment out of their busy schedules of guarding the house and begging for cheerios to let me snap a picture for you. Aren’t they the considerate? To say that the first two years of having Ash & Mal in our care have been an adventure would be an understatement. It has been hilarious, trying, and wonderful- and bubbling over with fun.
When we first got them, they were the stars of the neighbourhood. They looked like little bear cubs with foxy faces, and people would come out of their houses to play with them. We got used to cars circling the block to get a second look, roll down their windows and ask us what they were. We built them a fenced in back yard, rubbed their tummies and told off people who offered to buy them from us on the street.
Their breed information was littered with phrases like “one of the most intense and curious of all breeds”, “mischevious and not to be trusted”, “hardy and loyal” and “extremely high energy” – but we were sure we could handle it. We watched a lot of Cesar Millan, after all.
Some highlights…
Schipperkes, they’re athletic! Mal is the main offender here, but as a little guy he found a way to jump straight from the ground to the top of the dining room table. He’s starting to grow out of this, but as a puppy I would often come home after work to find him curled up in a sunbeam on a pile of shredded mail.
Schipperkes, they’re literary! When they got bored in the winter, the boys took to pulling the books out of our bookcase and peeling their covers and binding off. We had to get doors for our bookcases and a treadmill for the dogs so they wouldn’t have so much energy to spare.
Schipperkes, they’re self sufficient! Ash has learned how to open drawers and where to bat at on the DVD player to make it open. His newest trick is to let himself into the basement, pull any laundry out of the dryer that is his (he leaves everything else, its creepy) and make a nest in it. He also loves the treadmill so much that he’ll hop on it and bark at us to let us know that he would like it turned on.
Their personalities are amazing. Ash is this larger than life, bold character who is always paying attention while Mal is our perma-puppy. Mal’s little ears never stood up, his coat still feels like puppy down, and all he wants to do is cuddle. Where Ash wants to investigate things and barge straight through to the next thing, Mal is shy at first and takes time to warm up to people. Ash is incredibly independent, and Mal is always tailing me wherever I go.
They are our funny little monsters, our shadows, and our boys. And now they are two.
I bet you that this is even the year when they start to grow some brains.
{ 82 comments… read them below or add one }
Oh my god they’re so gorgeous! I am very jealous. I want a puppy! Or two.
While your dogs are a little bigger than I personally would ever own, they are flipping adorable and really make me miss owning an animal. I miss the shenanigans, the companionship and the love–there really is nothing quite like having a dog in the house. :)
.-= Shop Girl*´s last blog ..Strike A Pose* =-.
Don’t let their looks fool you- they’re the same size as a Jack Russell Terrier =)
Mal looks like he just needs to be squeezed in that picture. I will gladly tend to his cuddles professionally.
.-= Ben´s last blog ..My mail is trying to kill me. =-.
He ALWAYS needs to be squeezed, in my books lol The best thing is that he’s really passive about it so he just becomes this living teddy bear when you pick him up. It’s kind of wonderful =)
Oh they are so so cute. I have never seen this breed of dog before!
I loved the treadmill post you did awhile back. That was just hilarious!!
.-= Lisa from Lisa’s Yarns´s last blog ..Book Review: Firefly Lane =-.
They’re really funny- and not a common breed. The only time we’ve had someone come up to us and know what they were is when we were staying in Minneapolis at A Loft, downtown. The Guthrie was letting out and we were swarmed by yuppies who had been watching the Westminster Dog show. It was completely surreal and amusing =)
Aww, happy birthday to the puppies! They are such beautiful dogs! It sounds like they are loved very much. :)
.-= Caity´s last blog ..You can’t fool me, cat! =-.
In spite of their copious amounts of bad, they are very loved =)
Okay, you got me- it’s definitely because of the bad lol
Your boys are so handsome! I always thought they were bigger dogs, too, but after seeing them in pictures with you, I realized that they’re little! They’re so adorable, though, and I’d love to get one someday.
.-= Megan´s last blog ..Age Seventeen =-.
lol They’re very sweet- but I might recommend another breed. While we love them, they’re really forced us to step up to the occasion or be overwhelmed. They’re not easy, but I think if they were they wouldn’t be ours.
I’ve told Mister in no uncertain terms that when we do get another dog, later in life, it’s going to be a golden retriever lol
I’ll just have to find a dog that gets along with Loki. We once considered an Australian shepherd or a Maltese. (Opposite ends on the size!)
.-= Megan´s last blog ..Age Seventeen =-.
Haha, your dogs sound awesome!
.-= Becky´s last blog ..Coping =-.
They’re awesome, and slightly terrifying at times lol Ash is like this little old man in side of a dogs body, he’s so peculiar! We’re taking them to obedience school this summer so they can be less awesome and more…calm ;)
Too adorable for words. I love their little quirks; definitely something all dogs have, eh? Jack’s latest one: he sleeps with his duck toy. And if he jumps on my bed in the middle of the night, the duck toy comes with him. I thought it was his “baby,” until he de-stuffed it and surely a dog would never kill his own baby. :)
.-= Nora´s last blog ..Lessons Learned on a Rainy Weekend =-.
They’ll turn on even the best of toys, won’t they? We’ve had to start buying tougher ones because if any soft toys have a squeaker they’ll rip it apart in a matter of minutes. It’s just gory! lol
They are adorable and I am positive that they would scare the living daylights out of Sandy. I love hearing the shennanigans your boys get into.
Oh my goodness, I can’t even imagine! My mom’s old border collie not only physically dwarfs them, but doesn’t have the time of day for them, it’s always funny to watch. Her german shepherd always ends up keeping them away from the border collie when he gets harassed, they have to go on double duty to keep up!
So, so cute!
.-= Good Girl Gone Blog´s last blog ..The big splurge! =-.
And so, so, bad! Don’t forget the bad! ;)
awwww cute!! makes me miss the puppy at home…
.-= Bridget´s last blog ..railways =-.
Oh that’s so tough!
Should I send you one of mine? Ash is the worst of the two, I’m sure you’d really like him… =)
Awww! I cannot WAIT to get a dog. I can’t, in good conscience, do that quite yet, considering I live in an apartment in the city and am rarely home. But, they’re such joys, such fun.
Until then, my fat, awesome cat will just have to do. :)
.-= Hannah´s last blog ..Pick up your crazy heart, and give it one more try. =-.
Oh I’m a cat person too- really, I’m just an animal person. Give me horses, livestock, hedgehogs or rabbits, I’m there. I even used to have turtles growing up! There’s definitely a reason I’m vegetarian =)
Gorgeous dogs Kyla! I love the laundry talent, now all you’ve got to do is teach him to sort it all for you!
.-= Charlie´s last blog ..On That Thing Commonly Involving A White Dress =-.
Charlie!! That’s brilliant- I do hear that dogs love to have jobs ;)
Only, aren’t they colour blind?? I’ll update you when I have a work around lol
ooh, they’re so adorable and gorgeous!!! i’m laughing about how they’re literary – i like that – i’m going to use that to talk about my yellow lab when he decides to rip apart books we accidentally leave lying around!! “he’s just literary” – love it!
.-= Piper´s last blog ..{perch! early bird pendant lights} =-.
lol You just need to work with him a little- he’s probably only tearing them up because they’re so much harder to read than the dog food bags are. I’m sure with a little encouragement he’ll stop very quickly ;)
Those dogs could take over the world!
.-= L.L.´s last blog ..A match made in sleep heaven =-.
I won’t disagree with you, we’re getting them into obedience classes if only so they’re occupied lol
happy birthday puppies! dogs personalities are so intriguing :)
.-= ria´s last blog ..happy – happy =-.
Thanks so much Ria- they’re sweet little guys, no matter how challenging. It just kind of endears them to me.
Happy belated birthday to Ash and Mal :) I loved the treadmill video you posted awhile back – I made my husband watch it and tried to convince him we need to get one for our hyperactive puppy but it was a no go. Her latest mischevious trick? Unzipping the couch cushions and storing her treats inside. Oh, and of course she has to remove a good amount of the fluff to make room for her biscuits and string it around the living room …
lol! What a brilliant (if messy) place to store them! It sounds like your puppy has a little schipperke in her! =)
oh my gosh. they are too precious. i’ve never even heard of that breed but they’re gorgeous. you wouldn’t have had to tell me off for trying to buy them from you. i might have just made a run for it. lol. what made you choose that breed and about how big do they get?
.-= Ashley´s last blog ..Make Me Beautiful =-.
I really wanted to get rescue dogs, but Mister had never had dogs before and my mom’s took a really long time to rehabilitate to the point where they weren’t running away or having behavioural challenges come up. We decided to get a puppy and were won over by the picture of the dogs.
We researched the breed and they seemed ideal- they’re high energy (we are too) and small, but they’re bred down from a large sheepdog so they’re not as tenacious as a lot of small dogs can be. They’ve been great- but you really have to keep them busy. They need at least 45 mins of walking a day, and even with that by the end of the week they’re squirrelly. But we’ve risen to the challenge! lol
They’re brothers from the same litter, and are full grown at 18 lbs each. They’re about the same size at the shoulders (only they’re much more broad) as a Jack Russell.
I still can’t believe Ash can PICK OUT HIS OWN LAUNDRY. Um, wow.
.-= Janie´s last blog ..On Turning 22 =-.
Dear Janie,
I know. SEND HELP!
Love,
Kyla
Your dogs look so cute! It’s amazing how they can have their own personalities and do amazing things (my dog learned how to shut doors with in the last year, and now he tries to shut all the doors even when we need them open). My dog just turned five, and even though he’s now considered and adult for his breed he still acts like he’s a little puppy.
.-= Michelle´s last blog ..Hotel Tips: Booking 101 =-.
Oh door shutting is a good one! Ash is all about opening everything and rifling through our things lol I think your dog should teach him the error of his approach!
He used to open doors – the storm doors were super easy for him to open because of the handles on the inside of the doors. My sister freaked out and started to teach him how to close them, especially because my dad uses a walker to get around we didn’t want the open doors to get in the way. He loves it. It’s like his little job, and he loves helping my dad.
.-= Michelle´s last blog ..Hotel Tips: Booking 101 =-.
“Mischievous and not to be trusted” … sounds like they would be fast friends with Stella.
Happy birthday, Mal and Ash!
.-= hillary´s last blog ..I Don’t Care Who You Are Where You’re From What You Did As Long As You Love Me =-.
We were going to bring them on our road trip, could you imagine the chaos if we introduced them all? lol /faints =)
So cute! I love the phase puppies go through when one ear is up and one isn’t. It’s extra cute.
Our SadieDog used to pull books from the book shelves when she was a wee little pup. She devoured a giant book of Shakespeare. She wasn’t a fan. :)
.-= terra´s last blog ..Adventures in HuskyMutt Ownership, Part 2 =-.
Oh my goodness, I know! Mal did that before his ears fell for good. We put the cone on him after he was neutered and his ears just never stood up again…. but at least we can tell them apart!
Oh wow, your dogs are adorable!
.-= jessica maria´s last blog ..We’re holding hands back in the street. =-.
Oh thanks! They’re really fun- I’m a big fan =)
I love doggie pictures and these two are just too cute!
And they seem to know it too!
Happy Birthday Ash and Mal!! I hope your parents showered you with cuddles, toys and treats. ;-)
They seem to get cuter with every picture you post. Hearing about all their escapades and tricks certainly makes me appreciate how “tame” my pups are in comparison. I can’t wait to see what they get up to this year.
Growing up with tame dogs, I didn’t know what I was getting into! =) But the cute makes up for a lot of it. lol
Awwwww how cute! I love puppy stories! Thank you for sharing and putting a smile on my face this morning. :)
.-= Lisa´s last blog ..Insecurities, body image, and discovering what beauty means to me. {Part One.} =-.
Oh I’m always good for some puppy madness- if you’re ever down, e-mail me and I’ll send you a photo update of the cute =)
They are so adorable! I can’t believe how intelligent and determined they are!
Happy birthday, Ash and Mal!
.-= StaceyParadise´s last blog ..On choosing your own adventure =-.
Sometimes I can’t believe it either! The trick seems to be to keep them tired lol =)
“They’re literary!” You crack me up, lady.
.-= Kerri Anne´s last blog ..Photographic Evidence Of A Canadian Good Time =-.
Well, judging by how much I enjoy your blog, then maybe we’re half way to being even =)
What a great tribute to your little monsters!
.-= Nilsa @ SoMi Speaks´s last blog ..Mart =-.
Well, they may be a little nuts but everyone deserves a birthday post when they live with a blogger, right? =)
Aww, what cuties! Happy birthday, pups! :)
.-= Cait´s last blog ..all smiles. =-.
Okay, that’s it. I’m shopping for plane tickets, so I’ll let you know when to pick me up. ;)
.-= Her´s last blog ..Sex, or trying again =-.
Yay! Puppies!!
They look like great buds!
.-= Mike129´s last blog ..Business Travel Travails =-.
Gah!! Adorable! That last comment sent me over the edge :)
.-= Kara´s last blog ..Blog quizzy =-.
They’re ADORABLE. How did the treadmill idea work out?? How did you come up with there names? Have you told us that part?
.-= Habbala´s last blog ..Freedom Run! =-.
Oh <3! Your little pups are about the same age as my little Quinn, isn't amazing how their personalities develop and they go from being gorgeous and little to really really cheeky and sneaky? :)
.-= Elly´s last blog ..Settling, and Unsettling =-.
Aw, what adorable (I mean, handsome!) boys! They grow up quickly, don’t they?
That pup picture is almost tooooooo cute.
.-= Kaci´s last blog ..Dainty tree necklace =-.
CUTIES! i am such a dog person, these photos made my heart melt a little, they’re so sweet!
.-= kelly ann´s last blog ..flowers and the sea. =-.
How cute! Dogs are probably my favorite creature ever, even above humans. ;)
And I have a feeling you’re going to have many more fun stories to tell us about your pups. :)
The Boys are delightful! Their little black beady eyes sparkle so mischievously….I am quite sure they might be planning something. In my experience, two are delightful, three are one too many. They are yin and yang, those guys!!
Well they are so kind to give you a few moment to take a picture. I LOVE that puppy picture though, OMG they are SO TINY! Well then they were.
I just love your pups :) I think my black kitty would fit in perfectly with them, hah!
I love your last sentence, it was epic. That’s how I feel about my pup!
.-= Alyssa´s last blog ..New Look =-.
Aww, your pups are so adorable and they’re lucky to have awesome parents like you two. This post makes me want to own a pup now. I know I want to someday but right now is not the right time.
.-= steph anne´s last blog ..God Created the Grand Canyon, But He Lives in Sedona =-.
So.Freaking.Adorable. God, I love dogs!
.-= Kim´s last blog ..Just Like Heaven =-.
And they are hands down the cutest things ever in the history of dogs.
.-= Doniree´s last blog ..Infielders and Outfielders =-.
Oh, I love the photos. So interesting how they have come to develop such distinct personalities. :)
.-= Ally´s last blog ..My Weekend: Bullet-style =-.
Happy Puppy Birthdays! Hehe. Sophie turned 2 in December. I’m still waiting for that secret intelligence to emerge. In doggie years, she’s what, 14 now? She acts like she’s a pup anyway, ha. Maybe I’m not ready for that to end though.
.-= MinD´s last blog ..The road to hell is paved with good intentions. =-.
It was enlightening to read the descriptions about each one, what they are like, and what they have done. They are absolutely gorgeous and seem incredibly smart and loyal.
You’re lucky to have them and they’re lucky to have you. :)
.-= Sara´s last blog ..feeling kind of dumb and lazy =-.
Oh, they’re so adorable. Happy belated birthday to your puppies :)
.-= san´s last blog ..Things you wouldn’t know… everything car-related =-.
Oh my. What darlings! Never lets you rest.. always keeps you on your toes.. and that’s just part of the fun!
.-= Veronica´s last blog ..Wedding Series – Part 5 =-.
They’re the cutest Kyla! I can’t believe how smart they are!! I love these little puppy stories – happy birthday Ash and Mal!
.-= Taryn´s last blog ..Barefoot Bloggers: Jam Thumbprint Cookies =-.
This is quite possibly one of my FAVOURITE posts of yours! Those little guys are just too cute!! Pets make life more fun!
They are so cute! Smart dogs are the best kind of challenge. :)
.-= Allie´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday – My Book Jacket!!! =-.