Hi everybody, this is the newest member of our family, Mac.. short for MacGuyver
Yes, we named the doc MacGuyver, it's metageek ironic humor, live with it. Besides, he likes it.
Mac was a desert rescue from a co-worker of Mels; apparently someone threw him out of their truck off a side road out near Superior, AZ. Dan, Mels Co-worker found him, and fixed him up, but couldnt keep him (they've already got like six dogs), so he's come home with us.
Near as we can tell he's definitely an Akita, mixed with something else. From the ruff and coat color I'd almsot say german sheppard, but it could be any of the stronger, and larger, working dogs. Plus, the dappling and markings he has arent consistent with sheppard; in fact they almost look border collieish.
Whatever he's mixed with, he is STRONG. This is a dog that can pull ME along behind him; but he's well broken to the leash, well behaved, and responds to voice very well.
Mac is unfortunately a bit overweight, because he hasnt had enough excercise at all (the folks who fixed him up didnt have the time or space) but we're gonna fix that, which of course means I'M gonna have to get off m,y fat ass as well and walk this big boy. I havent weighed him yet, but I HAVE picked him up, and I'd guess he's about 140lbs. We're thinking 100lbs would be better, because Mac is not a young dog. He' showing some age around the mouth and eyes, but theres no eye degeneration, so we're gussing he's 7 or 8, solidly middle aged for an Akita.
Oh and did I mention he's cute as hell, loving, and very very very energetic? Yeah getting these pics was somewhat less than easy.
Well, the kids don't know about him yet; they'll be back later today and what a surprise it will be eh...
Update from Mel:
There has been much squealing in this household since the kids got home. They are delighted to have a dog, and Mac is extremely good with them. He doesn't bite or jump on them, even when they get in the way of his food. He seems to love him, even if he is barely enough dog for two active preschoolers. He will lose a lot of weight, very quickly.
Update from Chris: Yes I know the show spelled it MacGyver. The show was wrong, and it irritates me. A Guyver is a Scottish raider, mercenary, or guardsman, with armor and a longsword, depending on which reference you look at.
Angus MacGyvers name was changed from MacIver, which is an ENTIRELY different thing. Iver is a viking name, and the name of a town in Scotland and another town in northern England, so MacIver would be the son of a viking raider, or the son of a resident of northern england/southern Scotland, whereas MacGuyver would be the son of a SCOTTISH raider or guardsman.
Of course the dog is Japanese in descent anyway AND there is an anime and manga called Guyver about powerd combat armor and mercenaries (which they got from the original Scottish sense - and which inspired a REALLY bad movie).
See what I mean about metageek...
