Almost every village home has a dog. This isn't a whim, but a genuine necessity—the yard needs to be guarded. While a small dog can be kept in the front yard, the guard dog is often a large, purebred dog whose deep "woof" can not only prevent theft but also deter it.
It's the same with us. Zhulka lives closer to the central gate, and her barking is simply a signal that someone intrudes on the fence. And we're raising our Alabai, Lada, to be a serious guard dog.
My father really loves shepherds, but we've had some bad luck with them: sometimes we get stupid ones, sometimes they die after vaccinations. I only remember one smart shepherd—Gerda, and that was a long time ago.
We got our Alabai puppy in February, when he was 1.5 months old. He was such a small, warm bundle of joy. We thought long and hard about his name—we wanted it to convey both love and seriousness. We scoured the internet, asked friends, and finally settled on Lada!
She was so cute—a funny little teddy bear. We immediately took her to the vet for a checkup and a passport. We gave her all the necessary vaccinations and bought formula. The vet immediately warned us that it's better to feed the dog special food rather than leftovers from the dinner table.
At five months old, Lada was already quite large. Her paws seemed especially large! And her gait bespoke her pedigree.
Lada is very smart and just as cunning, like a child: she loves toys, attention, and treats. Her main diet is a budget-friendly dry food. Despite the low price of about 300 rubles, the kibble composition is impressive: it contains not only grains but also meat and fish with vitamins and minerals. The kibble is large, about the size of a hazelnut. Therefore, it may be difficult for small breeds or very young puppies to eat.
We carefully ensure that Lada always has fresh, clean water—this is essential when feeding her a dry diet.
I always bring my beloved dog treats—I buy special dog treats or just give her a piece of meat. As soon as we pull up to my parents' house, she'll give us away with joyful barking and jumping up and down. So, our arrival is never a surprise to her parents.
The dog's kind, radiant eyes are captivating, and she freezes in anticipation, only to draw attention to herself again later.
Lada used to be kept on a chain, but now that she's eight months old, she lives in a crate. At night, we let her out to roam the entire yard. Her parents' only concern is her training. Mom worries that if the dog suddenly runs out of the yard, she won't be able to physically pull it away from a person or animal in the event of an attack. Therefore, she needs to be trained professionally. Large breed dogs should obey their owner's voice, not force.
Even now, when she plays with me, she's dangerous: she bites half-heartedly, but it leaves bruises on my arms and legs. And if she suddenly runs up from behind, she'll slam her paws into my back and knock over even my husband! She's frolicking, but our strengths are no longer equal.
I never thought I could love a dog so much. But I miss this little girl so much! And as soon as she arrives, we immediately exchange affection—positive emotions for both of us.
I really hope that such a cheerful and playful teenage puppy will grow up to be a smart and responsible dog.