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Diesel left us Christmas Eve, 2016, at the age of 15 years old. His funeral was at Homeward Bound and his ashes still sit beside my bed. He was, no, he is, one of the most treasured friends I have ever had. He was such a credit to this breed and will always and forever have a piece of my heart. Normally, after one of our special souls has left this earth, we move their page to our Never Forgotten page. It has been 2 years, and I still just cannot bring myself to move him… DIESEL If I could have a conversation with Diesel, I would let him know that just as he would lay down his life without hesitation for me, I would do the same for him. I would let him know that I am aware of how much he loves me and that I love him with all my heart and soul. I would tell him how he has been my rock when I could not even find a footing, and that his strength was what held me together when everything felt like it was falling apart. If I could have a conversation with Diesel, I would thank him for all the years of love, devotion and patience with my kids. I would let him know that even though they are young and perhaps seem ungrateful, they love him just as much as I do in every way a child is capable. I would let him know that all those times where he caught them before they could fall, kept them away from the stairs, and lay patiently for hours so that he did not disturb them as they slept on him did not go unnoticed. I would reassure him that all those times that he helped them get into trouble, by being the step stool so they could reach the cake on the counter or the bucket of Halloween candy, were received with amusement and love. If I could have a conversation with Diesel, I would ask him to give me a sign when he was no longer able to walk beside me on our journey so that I could carry him. I would also ask him to let me know when he was no longer able to be carried so that I could remember how much I love and be kind enough to let him go. I would tell him all about God and Heaven, and reassure him that we would see him again soon, and he would still be ours, and we would still be his as I know his greatest concern in letting go would be for me and his family.
If I could have a conversation with Diesel, I would let him know that he is not just a good dog, he is my best friend.  There is a saying that, “You only get one good dog in a lifetime.” I have been very blessed to have several good dogs, but Diesel is my great dog. He is perfect in every way and I feel so privileged have him as part of my family. He is able to somehow combine a very sweet, gentle and quite affectionate disposition with that renowned Rottweiler power. Diesel is not lacking at all in confidence, and I have yet to see something that he hesitated in approaching. Besides being a constant companion and guardian to our family, he has saved my life twice and shown great courage in defending my (or “his”) children as well. I have been so proud to exclusively offer his offspring so that others may know the same completeness that comes from owning a “Diesel-dog.”
 Ethan looked so adorable watching Sponge Bob wth Diesel that I had to go get the camera.  I told Ethan that, as cute as he was, it was time for his nap. He gave Diesel a kiss goodnight- which I was so glad that I had my camera for (little did I know that I was moments away from getting some of my most favorite Diesel photos ever!)  Ethan then climbed on top of Diesel and insisted he was taking his nap right there. I took another photo, told him again how cute he was, but that it was really time for a nap now.  Ethan made as far as the floor and Diesel of course followed. Ethan then snuggled up to Diesel again. It is nearly impossible to be the responsible parent when your kids and dogs are this cute!  I was just about ready to give in and let him nap with Diesel…  The Malakai came over to play and Ethan forgot all about his nap…  Playing with a fuzzy kitty is much more fun than trying to nap  Finally, I told Ethan that if he was going to play with the kitty, he had to go to bed.  So of course Ethan immediately laid back down 😉  He is too cute and I just want to reach out and rub the belly!
 I left the room for about 5 minutes to answer the phone, and when I came back, Ethan had gotten his blankie.  Maybe he’ll actually settle in for a nap.
 The naughty kitty has come back to play some more.
 It would probably be easier for him to fall alseep if the crazy mom did not keep making this bright camera flash go off in his face 😉  Finally starting to fall asleep…  Ethan could not get comfy on the floor, so the next logical step (of course) is to climb on top of Diesel 😉  And of course, here comes trouble again! 😉  It never ceases to amaze how this massive, strong dog has the capacity to be so incredibly gentle.  Diesel’s neck is thicker than Ethan’s entire body!  Over the years, Diesel has been the step stool, baby gate, chair, couch, table, and bed for all of my children.  If anyone ever questioned the profound emotional capacity of a Rottweiler, only one look at this photo should remove all doubt.  I have been asked many times over the years if I would be willing to sell Diesel- look at this picture and tell me what price you would put on that?  FINALLY asleep.
 Diesel was the first Rottweiler I purchased and is definitely an ambassador for the breed. He is very calm and gentle and infinitely patient with children. He is 124 pounds of pure muscle and stands 27 inches at the withers. (Click here for German Standards.) My Diesel Dog is the flawless result of aFox Crni Lotosand Mandy Vom Hennekamp breeding. (Once you follow the link to pawvillege, you can continue clicking on the “Sire” and “Dam” to follow Diesel’s German heritage back to the early 1900’s to the original Foundation Rottweilers in Rottweil, Germany. You may note that the German standard has changed very little in over a century.) He has dark mohogany markings with a huge bear head and compact muzzle. Diesel has dark gums and very dark eyes. (He is also pictured on our “Home” page.) Diesel is not only the foundation of Guardian Rottweilers, but the heart of it has well. Diesel is a registered Service dog (United States Service Dog Registry 1355381181) and has faithfully cared for the youngest, smallest members of his family since he was a pup. Here are some pics of Diesel and Serenity on set at the Exotic Feline Center for a production by Animal Planet!! https://guardianrottweilers.com/news/animal-planet/   This is my boy at the dog show in North Carolina this weekend looking as handsome as ever! Just look at those muscles and that powerful head and neck.
  I could fill my entire website with Diesel stories, but at my husbands suggestion, have included a few of my favorites.
 I was unloading groceries out of the back of my pick-up truck. (SUV’s and mini-van’s are great for transporting my 2-legged children, but not so much for a few wet and muddy Rottweilers that have been playing at the lake all afternoon!) I had already put the kids inside the house and had returned to the truck for another arm full of groceries when I heard the storm door slam open and my Diesel came flying off the front porch, barreling towards me with a sound that can only be understood by those who have seen a Rottweiler in action before. They are loud when they say “hello”, and they can even sound ravenous when at play, but when they are in defense of their loved ones, it sounds like they have been plugged into a subwolfer! As I spun around, I saw a man approaching me from the rear squared off with both fists clinched. You do not have to be a police officer to realize that it was not a “let me help you with the groceries” stance. Upon seeing, and more likely hearing my dog, the man quickly crossed the street and ran through the neighbors yard. To my surprise, Diesel did not give chase, but instead remained glued to my side as I finished unloading the truck. What I really found quite amazing was how, every time I reached back into the truck for another load, he would then face his rear to to me and the truck, so that he could remain vigilant on his “guard duty.” It was a much like a SWAT maneuver where the rear gunman covers “the six” or the back of the person in front.
Miguel was quite upset with me later when he came home from work and I told him about my day that I had not called him sooner or the police. I told him that if he had seen the look of terror on the guys face, he would know he was not coming back. Besides, he had not actually done anything worth reporting. You can’t arrest someone for “looking ominous.” That’s why I have a Diesel!
Bad guys are not the only thing Diesel defends against. He also takes care of naughty husbands…
My youngest son, Ethan, was born at home. He was a water birth, and the most amazing, beautiful and empowering thing I have ever been a part of. After he was born, Miguel took 2 weeks off work to help with our other children and the dogs. (Ironically, we had a litter in whelp at the same time
 I was delivering my son!) When Miguel finally returned to work, I think Diesel was no longer used to him coming home at 3:am. Diesel usually has full run of the house, so if he hears something that warrants inspection, he is free to take care of it. I have always loved how, instead of barking at everything he hears, he simply goes to take care of it himself. Ethan’s nursery is adjoning the master bedroom. After my son was born, I started sleeping with our bedroom door closed, this way, if Ethan woke up in the middle of the night, he did not bother my other children. This made Diesel uncomfortable as he could no longer make his “usual rounds” inspecting the rest of the house and checking on each kid periodically during the night. More importantly, he could not go and check on “things that went bump in the night” by himself as he was accustomed. Believe it or not, all this “background” info is really leading to a good story…
 When Miguel came home at 3:am, I could hear him downstairs. I was confident it was him, so I was not concerned–besides, if it was not-each kid has a dog in their bed, as well as my Diesel covering Ethan and myself, so I was not worried at all. Diesel was not convinced so he did a low growl (I say low because of the tone, it it still quite unsettling!) and went to the bedroom door. There he crouched, literally as if waiting to spring into action. He reminded me of a lion waiting to pounce on a wildibeast! From my standpoint, it was very neat to see as I often took it for granted that Diesel was a Rottweiler as he is so gentle and nurturing with my kids. I tried to reassure Diesel and told him it was “just daddy.” He then turned around and gave me this look that I am certain said, “woman, go back to sleep. I’ve got it covered.”I could hear Miguel on the steps approaching the doorway to our bedroom. Diesel’s growl started back up again and he lowered his center of gravity as though ready to strike. I yelled through the door for Miguel to say something to Diesel before he opened the door because Diesel did not know it was him. Whether arrogance (come on, you men all know you have plenty of that to go around 🙂 or simply confidence in himself, Miguel did not head my warning. As the door opened, Diesel got about a foot off the ground before he recognized Miguel. He then dropped back to the ground and started to wag his little stump. Miguel missed that part. He had already lept in the air, slammed the door back shut and screamed like a little girl (I had always heard that expression and wondered why they said “like a little girl”. I didn’t think a grown man could really sound like a little girl. BELIEVE ME, he can!) When Miguel finally came back into the room, he was quite angry over his bruised ego and yelled at Diesel. I on the other hand was roaring with laughter!!
 Ok, in all fairness to my husband, I should tell about the time Diesel got me good too. It was about 5 years ago, (so Diesel was about 2). As a police officer, I always came home at odd hours of the night. (It’s not like I can say, “well, I was going to arrest you, but my shift is over, so if you promise to be good, you can go back home!” or, “well ma’m, I’m off work now, so you’ll have to drive yourself to the hospital. You can use my cruiser, but be sure and return it in the morning.”
When I got off work, I always came in through the garage. Well, in Washing D.C, we had a pretty good snow storm and there was about 2 feet of snow in the drive. After a double at work, the last thing I felt like doing was shoveling the drive, so I just parked in the street and decided to come in the front door instead. We lived in a split level at that time, so when you came in the front door, you had a small entrance and then immediately half the stairs went up to the first floor, and haft the stairs went down to the basement. Diesel was obviously not used to me coming in the front door, because as soon as I opened the door, I swear there was a bear in my home with 6 inch fangs! He had his head lowered in that infamous stance with that very frightening growl that you are sure could only be produced by a rabid bear. I “did a Miguel” screaming very much like a little girl and slamming the door shut. I nearly fell off the porch! When I finally got the courage to open the door again (very slowly!), Diesel was there, stump and entire rear wagging and very happy to great me.
Like I said, I could fill a novel with Diesel stories so I have tried to include just a few of my favorites. This last one goes to show that Diesel is not all “big, scary Rottweiler,” he is also very gentle, loving and patient with the little ones.
 When Diesel was just a little guy (ok, he was probably never really a “little guy” but he was maybe a year old), he kept getting scabs on his ears. We took him to the vet, who was just as perplexed as us. I asked him if it was insect bites, and he said that it looked more like human bite marks! I quickly dismissed that, and just gave him antibiotics. About a week later, I was in the kitchen making dinner when I heard Diesel let out a small whimper. I looked over and Tahlia, who was only about a year herself, was laying on top of him as she frequently did. As I walked over to find out why he had whimpered, Tahlia put his ear back in her mouth and began biting!! Poor Diesel just laid there and took it. He knew if he got up, she would fall, so he just lay still. When I told her “no” and pulled her off, he pushed my hand away from her with his head and licked her in the face as if to say, “it’s ok.”
  Diesel with one of his daughters. Diesel with one of my daughters.
My six-year-old has been riding Diesel since she could walk. Diesel is always gentle and patient with all young ones, and although he has great conformation, it is his temperament that won my heart and the hearts of everyone who have met him.
I don’t know who enjoys going out sledding more in the winter, my dogs or my kids!
 
Diesel’s Pedigree:
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DIESEL
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