I often marveled at Oba the Belgian Malinous’ strength,
speed and agility. Many times over I enjoyed just visually following her stride as she
ran back, forth and around as we played fetch.
She was and remains a through-bred in form, coloration, temperament and
intelligence. In short; she was one truly amazing animal. Malinous have been
described as the Lamborghinis’ of the dog world. They are as a breed the most
popular choice among the current military and law enforcement.
Oba was a strikingly beautiful animal. Whenever I took her out
on the street or in the park she never failed to be complimented by some
passerby. She was also protective, intuitive and vastly inquisitive. She used
her strength to great effect often pulling me as we strode down the street and over and through hilly fields of grass, brush and trees. Oba loved these adventurous
outings like a true champion.
The Malinous; as bred, are working dogs that are on a 24
hour cycle. They enjoy being on guard, hitched up to and pulling brush, digging
holes and amusing themselves rolling and retrieving rolling balls and other objects often completely
on her own. I have heard from other
Malinous owners that their herding instincts are applied to small children. The
dogs will follow toddlers lightly snipping at their heels guiding them around a
room or other area.
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| Baby Oba |
Oba had other amusements included when we took
our walks, wading in streams, stretching, chewing and sniffing out anything she could find. She enjoyed her rope throw toys more than anything. I was
constantly reworking them because she loved to chew them apart with her sharp teeth. I believe this was often in an effort to redesign them. She would always wait patiently
while I repaired them and they would always look different from their previous incarnation when I finished. She loved her indestructible Buffalo Horn. She chewed on it (along with bones and wood, her favorites too) and because it was so round in shape she
could throw it and roll it away from herself and then chase it. She would
sometimes throw it into the air catching it, then rolling it again. Another
thing that seemed important and fun for her was barking at neighbors walking by, often with their own dogs and barking at them each. Oba was something of an endless
entertainment.
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| Oba's Favorite "Throw Toy" |
Oba is named for a West African Yoruban River Deity. She possesses a
regal presence not unlike one you might expect to find in a goddess. She is; technically and in reality a Malinous
X. Belgian Malinous and German Shepards
are very similar dogs but they do have different traits and personality characteristics.
Their temperaments, size and human interactions are not exactly the same. The
Shepard is more stable and steady while the Malinous is much more eager and reactionary, depending on situations. The Belgian
Malinois is a keener/ impulsive breed. Many of their actions are even comedic. The dogs are bred together in an effort to combine the best
of both breeds but the off spring will overwhelmingly possess distinctly one or
the other. Oba's ways, for all practical purposes, 100% Malinois.
I learned many life lessons through my interactions with
Oba, things that I might not have known otherwise, things that were made fresh
because of her and much more deeply resonant. The bond between particular dogs
and humans is so integral to nature itself. We have so much in common; warm blooded,
caring, hunting and group bonding (the pack.) The dogs keen senses combined with their
strength and endurance give humans extended powers in much needed situations, ways
particularly beneficial when living without the many modern technical
advantages we now have. We were able to provide shelter, warmth (originally
through fire) and the numerous advantages of our opposing thumbs for the
animals. It comes down to the most basics of life and existence that are at the
core. After centuries still, the DNA of both creatures remains the same…man and beast.
Sadly my time with Oba was for only about six months. Oba
was owned by my granddaughter and she was unable to keep her chiefly because
she lived in an apartment and Oba was a “Barker.” Oba was given up for adoption a couple months ago and she quickly found a new owner that just happens to be a
veterinary student. I couldn’t think of a better scenario for Oba. Her continuing happiness, health and care are most important to me.
I like to think of the value of my days with Oba in the way
that unfolded in the literary classic “Black Beauty.” The protagonist in the
tale; a magnificent black horse with a white forehead star would go through life with many different owners. The various
owners of “Beauty” ranged from kind and understanding to brutal, ignorant and
unforgiving. In the end though she found her way back to her original home, to the peace and
tranquility of her early life. I like to think something of the sort
might be in Oba’s future. She may be home again. I still keep her water dish on
the patio and some of her toys in their dining room box. Who knows?
