We are grateful to have stumbled upon the Belgian breed. They are fine dogs, high energy, but as you say, happy to lay around too. They’re waiting now for their last outing of the evening!

your photos of your Belgian sheepdogs are beautiful, they speak to me. We have a rescue dog that happens to be a Belgian sheepdog maybe mix, but he looks just like your purebreds. My daughter saw him online and just said thats the one. Had no idea He has high energy but can also lay down for hours. I like your idea of melancholia.

We adopted dogs from the shelter here and they’ve been incredible companions. We stumbled upon the Belgians in an attempt to “replace” the last shelter dog with one we thought was similar. Each of our three Belgians were considered “rejects” in terms of showing. Junior’s ears fell down making him unsuitable to show. Lily’s teeth were slightly off making her unsuitable. And Aiden was an AKC Champion but a shoulder injury meant he could no longer show. Those “rejects” have been incredible additions to our family. And the breeder is so caring about all her dogs and placements. It’s like we’re part of a big family. And part of the adoption agreement states that if something happens and we can no longer care for the dogs, she’ll take them back. She wants to know her dogs are in good places and well cared for. We feel honored to have stumbled into the canine situation we find ourselves in.

I should go downstairs now and rub some dog bellies!

I smiled reading your note when you came to “nap.” I need a nap right now. Head hurts, tired, sore muscles, and a handful of medications to take that I wish was otherwise.

Tomorrow the dogs and I will be walking in the swirl of leaves. And I hope the melancholia fades with the sunrise!

It’s nice to realize the blues have departed. And going for a ride will just make everything better!

You are absolutely right Karl. Each season is a unique, special, beautiful experience. I am grateful to witness them. Autumn is here and I sense will be gone before I know it. So my Vespa and other machines shall whisk me into the world!

Yeah, I have fond memories of many dogs in my life. And a couple cats. Bittersweet. But I am glad I have them.

Thank you Kevin. It’s always a strange time of year for me.

I’ve been trying to focus more on Vespa content after some of your previous comments. It’s tougher now as I spread my attention around to four machines where two are not scooters. I ride the scooters a lot but I’m getting lazy in my old age in regard to making pictures or videos…

It sure is strange the twists and turns our minds, hearts, and lives take. I’m happy to be on the ride!

(We did not get them all at once!!)