"Jack" is a 2ish year old Doberman Shepherd mix by way of the Baxter County Sheriff's Office in northwestern Arkansas. In the truth about Malinois being devoted and focused on "one handler" — and her being focused on Dawg Dad more so than Sirius ever was, I wanted my Brimstone 2.0 to my husband's Sirius 2.0. Parts of me want to do a DNA test on him but but that MIGHT come in time if the thought of him being a Beauceron or an Australian Kelpie. I'm not familiar enough with these or Dobermans much less German shepherds so I have to do a lot of research before I spend the money on no a true guarantee.

     Welcome "BlackJack". MomDawg — me — needed a dog since Phantom adopted Rich. Keeping the devotion in mind, since BlackJack entered the scene, Phantom has shown a little jealousy in my attention to him. She now cuddles more with me in the evening on the couch. Or both of us. It's clear she's happy he doesn't fit on the current couch with her and us humans. * Neither of these dogs are lacking for attention with the 3 retired "hoomans" in the household.

     Now as for renaming Jack — we all like the name he came with and most suitable change was to name him after an Army general nicknamed "BlackJack" who was instrumental in producing ballistic missiles. Keep in mind our Sasin "Sassy" was named after an intercontinental ballistic missile the Sasin. His nickname is Narc cos the intensity he sniffs EVERYTHING suggests he had a legit job.

     Now you might be wondering if BlackJack is truly a Doberman German Shepherd mix because of the white spots on his chest and paws. I researched this as I have seen white pawed German shepherds before. Here is what I found.... White patches on Dobermans, why are my Doberman's feet white? and why does my German shepherd have white paws? I'll need to look into this more ans decide if it's more than a genetic factor.

     I can't say I've ever seen a dog happier than BlackJack. If Phantom and BlackJack are not passed out or inhaling breakfast, lunch or dinner — they look like this:

     I was all excited about moving to a new house with no carpeting vs 4 huskies' fur but as it turns out, the shepherd variations are equally heavy shedders and the tumbleweeds are more like a far and wide field of grassy knolls. I have to now be careful to not step on a tumbleweed and slip while hobble-walking in my walker!

     Now... with laminate flooring, Phantom can't go anywhere with click clacking the whole way. BlackJack's paws are just so where well-trimmed claws don't make noise. But the DROOL!!!!! This Doberman Shepherd drools like a pack of hound dogs!!! My Gawd!!! Too bad I can't use it to mop the floor with cos these floors would then be spotless!

     Returning to nicknames, I'm still working on being camera ready but at least I can see why here in this picture why I can call him "Yoda". Although I'm not sure I can say he's THAT smart but good luck UN-seeing those Yoda ears!

    Grooming him is equally more difficult than I was expecting. Clearly, I got condition to grooming the soft, fluffy huskies, despite the Malamute guard hairs. Grooming will take practice but I'm armed with various tools and treats so I will have pictures soon enough.

     BlackJack does have an off switch but him at his current age... it doesn't work much. But it does work! He is a pretty smart dog who learned the door ribbon of bells as quickly as Banshee learned to ring them when she wanted out. Now if he could just teach Phantom since she's supposed to be smart than he is. We'll see if "old" dogs really can learn new trick....

     This all is never to say he's not on point to play guard dog. Phantom is showing him the ropes on just how annoying he can make his bark. For that and them — I have a bark collar coming by way of Amazon! The dog whistles I got were a great starting point but I'll always one up them as necessary. I learned this tactic from my days in police science college classes or in the Citizen's Academy I attended for the 40th anniversary for Police Department in Lewisville, Texas.