A Morkie Story - Ginger

by Marlena Gohm
(Powassan, Ontario, Canada)

Ginger is the most lovable dog I've ever had. She is happy and playful and very attached to her mommy, but loves everybody who will rub he tummy. She greets me at the door every night after work with hugs and kisses, so happy that she finally has somebody to love.

She loves to play fetch, and has a great memory. I can tell her to go and find her ball and off she will go in search of it, and always remembers where it is. Actually just the other morning we were playing fetch and the ball rolled under the microwave stand where she couldn't reach it. Two days later in the evening I asked her "Ginger where's your ball?" she went straight for that microwave stand and started to cry. She actually remembered right where she lost it. lol it was so cute I just had to move the cupboard to get it. The thing that I though was really great was that she already knew how to fetch I didn't have to show her. When she was a pup I got her a ball, the first time I threw it she just brought it back and dropped it in front of me so that I would throw it again. She just loves to chase it.

Although she practically trained herself as far as listening to me I had a terrible time house breaking her. Nothing would work. Finally over time ( I'm talking 2 years she was finally trained to go pee outside) It took alot of patience and understanding but she got it. It was very important that I didn't get really mad and yell at her because she would just get scared and go and pee on the floor again. Instead when she went on the floor I would show it to her tell her calmly to go pee OUTSIDE (emphasizing the word outside) and then I would put her on a time out in the bathroom. I think because she loves so much to spend time with me. Making her be alone when she knew I was there was enough of a punishment.

She is so empathetic as well. For awhile I lived at my parents house with her. My parents have two other dogs, which she got along with perfectly. It's funny though because If one of the other dogs wanted in from outside she would jump up on the couch and cry and look at you and then out the window then back at you and so on until somebody got up to let her doggy friend in. She is just so loving.

Don't let her small size fool you either. She is protective of her home. When somebody drives in the driveway she will always bark and make sure I know what she means, and if there are any weird noises in the night she makes sure I'm awake to check it out.

She's also great in the morning when you need to wake somebody up. Whenever my boyfriend sleeps over in the morning I'm usually up first and downstairs drinking my coffee. Of course Gingers there too. I will ask her "Ginger where's Matthew. go wake up Matthew, off she will go to the bedroom, up on the bed and jumps and licks and digs into the covers until she knows that he is up.. it's so cute to watch her.

If you are considering getting a Morkie like my little Ginger bear in mind that she needs lots of love and attention and doesn't like to spend alot of time alone. She sleeps with me every night and follows me around during the day. And as far as the housebreaking goes just be patient. They will catch on.. it will just take some time. But believe me it will be well worth it. I will never get another breed of small dog. She is just perfect.