Our Story

A lifetime of loving (and being owned by) wonderful dogs has led me to the Best Dog Breed imaginable: 

                                                                                The Belgian Malinois 

2004

My appreciation for this amazing breed really began with a brush with death in June 2004.  

I was poisoned on-the-job with Carbon Monoxide which was seeping into my office through the air ducts--from a gas-leak.  This resulted in Acquired Brain Injury.  I lost 1/3rd of my grey matter (brain), my job, my career, and many abilities that I had, up until that point, taken for granted.  It was a chronic and acute poisoning which, in the main, severely affected my short-term memory.  

After a scary trip to the hospital one morning (when I found I could not stand), I wound-up sitting at home alone some days later, 'out in the country', with a head that felt like it was stuffed with cotton, trying to navigate the simplest "activities of daily living".  (Years later, I ran into the ER doctor who told me that he was surprised that I had not died that day.  Apparently, I came close).  Fortunately, I was able to hire a Helper who took me shopping, helped me pay my bills, and tried to re-educate me in everything from tying my shoes to building a sandwich.  My ability to walk quickly returned, but it would be 4.5 years before I could (safely) drive, again.

2005

My life was like a long, dark, empty tunnel.  A time of losing things, dropping things, forgetting things, and sort of floating through a day, not connected to anything or anyone, except my Helper who came to me for a few hours twice a week.  It was this wonderful Helper who suggested that I buy or adopt a dog to keep me company.  What a wise woman!  I wish I could remember her name!

2006

At last, I had something exciting to think about!  But, what kind of dog?  I asked my Helper to find me a Service Dog.  I needed a smart dog who could pick up the items I was forever dropping or losing, especially when out in public, and who would remember where I put things (when I could not) and bring me those things so that I did not spend most of my day trying to find a hairbrush, my tools, my shoes, and so on.  Turned out, a Service Dog, could be trained to help me, but an adult trained dog was Way out of my price range.

Then I thought that I could, perhaps, start with a Working Breed, and train a Service Dog from a puppy!  Some breeds I considered: Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever, German Shepherd Dog, and Labradoodle.  I also thought it would be good, given that I lived alone, if the breed I selected was a bit intimidating in appearance, like a Doberman Pinscher, German Shepherd or a Belgian Malinois.  In doing my research into the Belgian Malinois, I came to the conclusion that this was the breed with the best genetic health, intelligence, size, versatility, trainability and "no-nonsense" demeanor.  This was the breed for me!  

2007 

My Helper and I spent hours on the internet looking at Belgian Malinois Breeder websites, and researching pedigrees.  We called and wrote to Breed Organizations and drove to kennels in search of a Belgian Malinois puppy for me to raise and train.  At last, I found my pup!

Our Adventure Together Began! 

If you have never spent time with a Malinois, it is difficult to describe the relationship.  I have had many dogs in my lifetime of many sizes and breeds, but a Malinois is just, well, . . . different.  My Mali was constantly watching my every move and hanging on my every word, ears pricked forward, head cocked from side-to-side.  Somehow, he seemed to know that he was truly needed.  As a herding breed, he shepherded me through our days together.  He picked up the many objects that I inadvertently dropped, found the items I misplaced, and gradually learned the names, and remembered the locations, of hundreds of items, from my pocketbook to my garden gloves.  He would not eat until he had performed his favourite chore:  bringing in the mail.  No question about it:  This dog was super smart!  

For my part, seeing to it that he had all that he needed to thrive, gave me a sense of accomplishment.   Knowing that I had to keep him on a schedule of feeding, exercise, walks, and so on, put "bookends" on my day.  I had to become focused and organized.  Trying to think of ways of training him to help me, was helping me to think more clearly.  Without even realizing it, my brain was building new pathways to compensate for the parts that were lost.  Little-by-little I was becoming a new person embarking on a new life.  Little-by-little, my Mali was becoming a very well-trained, well-mannered Service Dog.  More than that, we became best friends.  

Earthaven

Before the year was over, I had come to the conclusion that I wanted to share my love of the Belgian Malinois breed with others.  Everywhere my Helper took me with my Malinois, he drew looks of admiration and many questions about the breed and training.  The last question being:  do you have any puppies for sale?  I decided to get involved with the breed in a big way, and purchased a female--who came with two female puppies of her own!  I named our little kennel Earthaven as my friend and partner, had guided me out of a dark place into a full and happy life.  Our home in the country became a haven on earth:  Earthaven.  

From being alone and on my own, I had quickly become a 'family' of one human and four canines.  I was forced to become even more organized and focused.  I learned as much as I could about running a kennel, caring for and training dogs, breeding my 'foundation stock' and selling puppies.  I am proud that the buyers I chose continued to keep in touch--sharing many stories and pictures of their pups as they grew into cherished partners and family members.  

Puppies went to individuals in need of a Service Dog, but they also found their way to herding seed bulls in East Texas, checking baggage for drugs at Raleigh-Durham International Airport, doing all manner of Scent Work, and just being great Companions to individuals and families across the country.  Many went to retired Police Officers and ex-Military personnel who had become acquainted with, and highly appreciative of, the Belgian Malinois Breed through police work and military deployments overseas.

By the end of 2008, I was able to live on my own, drive, and take care of myself and my pack.  Now, in 2024, many old skills and abilities have returned, or have been re-learned.  Some memory deficits remain.  Although I cannot resume my old career, I have a new mission:  To share my appreciation and respect for the Belgian Malinois Breed, and to produce Puppies of Excellent Quality for a select clientele of discerning Future Owners.  

My breeding focus is on Good Genetic Health, Intelligence, Solid Nerves and Amenable Temperament--suited not only for Work and Sport, but also to become an important part of--someone's Home and Life!