ERIC FOLTIN

Belgian Malinois

  • First Responders, Festive Dogs, and 60 Degrees in November

    The First Responders Tree Lighting in McMechen, WV, sponsored by the ever-awesome Paw It Forward, went down tonight — and for once, no one lost feeling in their toes. The weather was suspiciously perfect. Like, someone must’ve bribed Mother Nature with bacon-wrapped treats. Instead of shivering, people were walking around in light jackets, sipping cocoa…

  • Unfriended by Blood, Adopted by Dogs

    Describe a family member. Family. That word usually makes people smile or cry or post some fake Facebook memory captioned “#blessed.” Me? It just makes me want to scratch my head and pet my dogs. Because honestly, they’re the only ones still showing up for me. My wife’s off-limits—she’s my favorite human and a fiercely…

  • Couch Command Center: The Security Detail Never Sleeps (Except When She Does)

    This is what “downtime” looks like when you live with a Belgian Malinois named Larkin. She doesn’t cuddle—she occupies. The second I sit down, she assumes her post: head of security, emotional support tank, and part-time suffocation device. There’s no such thing as personal space when she’s on duty, just loyalty with a heartbeat and…

  • The Night Watchdog Chronicles

    Larkin doesn’t sleep—she patrols. Sure, her eyes close, but the rest of her is running background surveillance like a furry secret agent. The second I shift, she’s on alert, scanning the room for imaginary threats or late-night snack rustles. Who needs a motion sensor when you’ve got a Malinois whose entire purpose seems to be…