Dog's Name & Age
Hoped-for: not born yet
In a Word, My Maltese Is…
a dream
Best Characteristics of the Breed
gentle and joyous
Most Challenging Characteristics of the Breed
NONE, of course!
When, Where and How I Got My Maltese
My Maltese is a Maltese-wanna-be, for it's the dog for whom I have longed 30+ years! As a mother of 4 wonderful, active sons & as a passionate canine-addict, I knew my breed of choice didn't belong in a family with so much youthful zest & emerging testosterone. So I loved our kid-friendly choices of Labrador Retriever and Cairn Terrier for 30 years while we've raised our sons to adulthood. I've waited for the right time to present itself. Patiently waited. And waited.
Now that the last of our ducklings is about to leave the nest, I'm dreaming Maltese with reality in mind! I have faith my dream will soon come true!
I'd Describe My Dog As…
I'd describe my Maltese as a long-postponed bundle of happiness. The moment of opening my arms and having a silky ball of fluff run into them will probably occur in the next 18 months. My search for just the right dog has begun in earnest now that my own children are raised and our household is free of the high-energy and often overly enthusiastic hugging for which children are known. I've loved raising my four sons but the empty nest signals a time when my husband and I can consider our own desires and create a more self-indulgent lifestyle. For me, that means finally getting a Maltese for whom I will lovingly care and cherish.
While I've waited for the appropriate time in my life before opening my heart to my very own Maltese , I've poured over breed book after breed book, many times over! I've studied carefully to learn everything I could about this ancient and beloved breed. My focus has been on the Maltese temperament, its health, conformation and grooming needs. I've tried to be objective in my evaluation of my life-style and have given particular attention to the amount of time I realistically have each day to devote to this tiny breed's emotional and grooming needs.
Having seen too many photos of little dogs dumped in shelters, their bodies covered in deeply matted hair, I made a serious vow. I will never let any dog of mine suffer in such thoughtless, unnecessary pain. I'm certain I have both the time required for daily brushing and top-knot construction and the finances necessary to support regular professional grooming. However, since I'm not interested in participating in conformation competition, I believe it will make more sense to keep my own Maltese in a "puppy-clip"(which still requires daily brushing and regularly scheduled haircuts & grooming). My Maltese will be destined to be a treasured companion but not a show ring diva, so a puppy-clip will work quite well for us both.
Although my Maltese addiction has had to be satisfied by net-surfing for photographs of silky-haired sweeties, swooning over television broadcasts of National Dog Shows, and stalking local town residents fortunate to already have their own Maltese, I'm looking forward to this next chapter in my Maltese Journal. Finding just the right Maltese is going to be an amazing adventure. I'll be buoyed by the knowledge that at the end, I'll have a remarkable companion with whom to share adventures for a rich and wonderful period of time ahead of us both. Pure bliss.
Advice
- Due to its tiny size, this gentle, beautiful dog is a great temptation for young children to treat as a toy doll-- something it most definitely is NOT! Please look at your home-life realistically: if you have young, energetic children, or are not home for hours at a time, please choose another breed to love. Both you and your dog will be so much happier and healthier.
