Who could have known what a delight it would be to come to know the Sloughi? When we were first introduced to the breed, we began to pour over the pictures and articles Ermine had put together in the Sloughi packet. We immediately became totally fascinated. What elegant creatures. What beauty and what history. We couldn't wait to actually see one in person. Still, nothing really prepared us for what living with Sloughis is really like. To know them is to fall in love with them.

We got our first female, Melka de Moreau, three years ago. As a puppy she was quite mischievous and very independent (except when wanting in the bed, of course). We determined even before we got Melka that we would draw the line of our dog's rule of the house at the bed. The couch was as far as we were going to go. Definitely not the bed, though. When we brought Melka home, we fixed up a nice comfortable chair with blankets and pillows in our room. "Okay," we said, "this is your bed - feel how comfortable it is." Bedtime came around and we lovingly put her in her bed, making sure she was as comfortable as possible. What more could she want? Satisfied with our "tucking-our-girl-in-the-bed" ceremony, we then got into our bed and turned out the lights. In a few minutes, we could hear her stir, then suddenly feel her breath upon either one of our faces (depending on which side she came). Turning on the lights, we saw a little Sloughi puppy standing at our bedside staring longingly at us. We got out of bed and showed her again where her bed was. This persisted for a few more times. Then, we did the inevitable - gave in. She's been sleeping with us pretty much ever since. So much for laying down the line.

During the day time, Melka would much prefer the company of other dogs (or whatever animal she could get to play with her) to us at first. In spite of this, she had developed a special greeting for us when we would come home. She would see us pull up, and as we came to the door we would hear her running to the couch. She would wait there on the couch for us, smiling, and eagerly anticipating for us to come and love on her. Then she would get up and run into the bedroom and wait for us to come and love on her on the bed too! We would run into the room and love all over her, telling her how much we missed her. It became our little routine, and her way of letting us know how happy she was that we were home!

Her air of independence was strong as a puppy. But over time that has changed. We have all become quite attached to each other. She still loves to explore and adventure and play with other dogs, but then she is sure to seek us out for comfort and companionship. The puppy stage has its fun, but we have really enjoyed how as Melka has grown and matured, so has our relationship.

It has also been amazing to us how good these dogs are with children. They are so tolerant and so careful around them. Melka particularly has always loved children. Whenever she hears any children's voices she totally lights up in excitement. She wiggles and wags and desparately wants to go see them. One day we had her out on a leash in the front yard of our new home. A group of small children saw Melka and came running over to meet her. Then up came one of the moms, just as her young daughter leaned over in Melka's face to pet her. Melka was so happy that she began to smile. Of course all that poor mom saw was big Sloughi teeth just inches from her daughter's face! We saw the fear in her face, but she just didn't know Sloughis! We quickly reassured her that Melka was really smiling at her daughter. The kids and the mom got a big kick out of that! In fact, Melka regularly smiles at children or when friends of ours come over to visit. She is very outgoing and social.

Ermine told us when we were getting Melka how she really recommended that people take two dogs so that the dogs could have the play and companionship together. At first we just got one Sloughi puppy. But as time went by and we were gone more frequently we really noticed Melka having a hard time. She was lonely and showing signs of depression. We were expecting a new baby soon and were worried about how Melka would do when Mom and Dad's attention was on the new little one. We had always wanted to get a second Sloughi at some time, and decided, "Why not now?" So last summer, about a month and a half after our baby daughter was born, we got Tahira de Moreau. Now we had Melka and two babies!!! Melka was amazing with our new infant. So careful. Surprisingly not jealous, Melka seemed more to want to over and protect our little baby. Every time she would see Jessie in her bassinet or in her car seat Melka would go over and look and sniff and just make sure she was okay. Tahira on the other hand was not so sure. She more or less ignored Jessica. She figured she was a baby too - she should be getting all of that attention! So we had to make sure to give everybody lots of love!

Of course, Melka and Tahira became fast friends. They run and play and sleep together. It has been a very good thing for Melka to have Tahira. She no longer is lonely. And of course, with all of her puppy energy, Tahira has been happy to have her big sister Melka to play with. But she definitely is not as independent as Melka was as a puppy. She follows us everywhere. We practically are tripping over her all throughout the house. Wherever we are is where she wants to be. Tahira is exceptionally loving and eager to please. She also is very protective of her owners and her house. And so smart. Too smart for her own good! She figures everything out. Once she found out where we keep the dog treats, whenever she did something she figured was worthy of reward we would come into the kitchen and find her sitting there staring at the cabinet, asking for one!

Our love for these dogs and the wonder of them continues to grow. The depth of their character has been such a joy to discover. We often comment that they are really more like people than they are like dogs - at least the dogs we had formerly known. It is as if they can communicate through just their eyes. They can just look at you and you know exactly what they are thinking or what they want. They are so intelligent and so loving and affectionate. So aware of their own special nature. It is amazing to see dogs who seem to intrinsically know that yes, they belong on the couch, and yes, they belong on the bed. And yes, if you are sitting on their favorite spot on the couch they will stare at you until you move over for them. But then their affection more than makes up for any inconvenience!

We have quickly come to the conclusion that we wouldn't want any other dog than a Sloughi!

Rob & Shelley Diaz
Marianna, FL