VIRAL! Hot in Cleveland's Wendie Malick & Her Rescues Zoe & Miles Are the Cutest Trio—You'll Swoon!

A Q + A with Wendie Malick

Last refreshed: April 14, 2025

We said goodbye to two dear 'best friends' back in November 2009. Then on New Year's Day, my husband shipped my niece and me off to a shelter, and that's where Zoe picked us. You know how it goes—that instant knowing you're meant to be. Miles showed up as a sweet pup with HUGE paws, and it didn't take long to see he'd be more than the older gent who'd taken him could handle. We had space for him to run, and Zoe needed a buddy. Q: Does either take after you? A: Miles is dog, pure and simple. Soft, trusting, no complications. He loves with his whole heart…I touch that place now and then, but like Zoe, I can shut down too.

What's their idea of bliss?WM:The second I move in the morning, they know a walk's coming. Miles groans by my bedroom door, while Zoe waits quietly till I step out, then they both lose it…leaping and bouncing with glee. Same when we ride out, or whenever a car—mine or my husband's—cracks the driveway: they throw a happy fit and tackle each other.

Who needs more love?WM:Miles has to be touching someone, always—flopped on our feet, leaning in, the works. Zoe's our lookout. She spies and announces everything. But boy does she crave affection once she 'clocks out' at night, loves a good bedtime cuddle. She still carries the marks of being left behind, yet learned to love and play again, mostly thanks to Miles.

What's having these rescues taught you?WM:My family's been saving animals my whole life. It's the simplest, kindest call we can make: ease the pain, hand over love and warmth and a roof, and gain a friend.

Where'd your huge soft spot for animals come from?WM:My folks. As a kid, my 'older sister' was a Collie named 'Bonnie.' I can't picture a life with no animals. Our place is shared with three horses, two dogs, and two mini donkeys. We're about to take in two wild mustangs…so many incredible creatures are out there waiting, if we'd only open up.

Adolescence is when many pups start gaining confidence. A dog who once fled from something scary may now go on the offence. He learns that barking, growling, or lunging makes the big scary thing—dog or person—move away fast. A dog who barks at other dogs on walks is ‘rewarded’ when they leave, even though they were just passing. A dog who fears a hand overhead may air-snap, making the person yank it back. Those outcomes reward the behaviour, so it repeats.

Fear Reactivity vs. True Aggression: What's the Difference?

Telling fear-based reactivity from true aggression is tricky, especially when an owner thinks their dog is guarding them. I’ve had clients swear their four-footed bodyguard wouldn’t let anyone near—only to find the dog was essentially protecting himself from strangers. A dog who lunges while standing in front of his owner can look like he’s guarding, but so often it’s fear-based reactivity in disguise.

“Leash-reactive dogs often growl, bark, or lunge toward things that make them nervous or fearful, trying to make the scary thing leave. Their triggers may be other dogs or people.”

Fear vs. Aggression: How to Tell Them Apart

So how do you tell? Just ask the dog. Not out loud—by reading his body language. Next time he reacts, study his whole posture. Is his weight forward or back, or balanced in the middle? A confident dog’s weight is even. A truly aggressive dog leans forward (though excitement-pulling can too). A fearful dog shifts weight toward the rear.

Next time your dog reacts, study his overall body posture.

Reading Body Language: Fearful vs. Aggressive

A fearful dog’s ears sit farther back. A truly frightened dog may pin them flat; there are gradations—slightly back, or just one ear tilted with concern. A confident or aggressive dog’s ears point clearly forward. As with weight, ears can mean other things: forward may signal interest, laid-back may signal submission. Pricked ears show position best; for floppy ears, watch the ear base.

Understanding look to the tail

The tail is another revealing clue. A fearful dog carries it low, and a terrified one may tuck it under. A nervous dog may hold it low while wagging in a fast, tight arc. A confident dog carries it higher; an aggressive dog holds it high and may wave it stiffly.

A hard stare is a threat in the animal kingdom—a dog laser-focused on another dog isn’t showing fear-based reactivity, he’s issuing a challenge and possible danger.

Other body-language pieces matter too. The eyes may be the window to the soul, but they also reveal how a dog feels. A hard stare is a threat; a dog fixed on another isn’t reacting from fear, he’s posing a challenge. A dog wanting to avoid a threat will avert his eyes and may turn his head or whole body away. Other nerves signs: lip-licking, yawning, ground-sniffing, or a sudden itch. No, he didn’t catch fleas—biting his hindquarters or scratching his face with a back leg briefly turns him from the threat, breaking the tension.

Though body language helps, fear-based reactivity can carry emotional conflict. A dog may bark like he’ll attack, yet his ears and weight sit back—in my experience that mix is classic. I’ve often seen ‘people-aggressive’ dogs lunge then dart back while barking, as if to say, “You big scary thing, don’t make me come over there!” What they really want is for the scary thing to leave.

Every signal must be read as part of the whole picture and the situation, to tell fear-reactivity from true aggression. Take time to observe and judge right—especially since once a dog is labeled ‘aggressive,’ people see all his behaviour through that lens. He may miss the rehab he needs, or worse, end up rehomed or euthanized. Knowing it’s fear-based reactivity opens the door to proper behaviour modification, with a pro if needed. If you believe he’s truly aggressive, avoid his triggers and get professional help.