09/28/2026
Last night was one of those moments that reminded me exactly why I appreciate the Tornjak temperament so much.
Daz and I were overnighting at a Love’s truck stop on our travels. I normally feel pretty safe at Love’s. They’re well lit, there are cameras everywhere, and I always let the staff know that I’m a woman traveling alone and sleeping in my vehicle. They tend to keep an extra eye out for me.
We arrived later than expected because of nighttime road resurfacing, so it was around 12:30 AM when I was outside setting up the van for the night.
While I was getting everything situated, a man approached me asking for money. I told him I was sorry, but I don’t travel with cash. I offered to buy him a drink or something to eat if he wanted to wait for me inside the building.
He seemed irritated by that answer and walked away, but he didn’t really leave.
He kept watching me.
Daz was waiting patiently inside the van, but I could hear a very quiet, low grumble coming from him.
Once I finished setting up, I took Daz over to the fenced dog park before bed.
The same man approached me again.
He asked if I was traveling with anyone.
I said, “Yes. My dog.”
At this point Daz was still completely under control, but I could feel the tension in him. I was tense, and he knew it.
Then the man started toward the dog park.
I told him, “Sir, you don’t have a dog. Please stay out of the dog park. If you want a drink or something to eat, wait inside and I’ll be happy to help you.”
He ignored me.
He opened the gate and came inside.
That was the moment Daz decided the situation had changed.
He moved in front of me and gave a low warning growl.
The man took another step toward us.
Daz answered with a deep, serious bark.
I told the man very clearly that he needed to back away. I told him my dog is a guardian and that I would allow him to protect me if necessary.
The man stepped toward us one more time.
This time Daz stepped forward with a much more serious snarl.
Message received.
The man turned around, left the dog park, and walked away. He never went inside for the food or drink I had offered. He left the property on foot.
And Daz?
As soon as the man was gone, Daz shook off the tension and immediately returned to the extremely important business of peeing on every available surface in the dog park. 😂
That part might actually be what impressed me most.
He didn’t lose his head. He didn’t continue escalating after the situation ended. He didn’t react until the man repeatedly ignored my requests for space and entered the enclosed area with us.
He simply matched his response to what was happening.
Watch.
Warn.
Escalate when the person continued approaching.
And the second the threat moved away, it was over.
I wholeheartedly believe that if that man had continued toward me, Daz would have defended me. Thankfully, he didn’t have to. His warning was enough.
This is one of the qualities I appreciate most about my Tornjak. They are incredibly discerning dogs when raised and trained to hone that trait. Daz can travel with me, work as my service dog, walk through busy public places, attend dog shows surrounded by people and dogs, and understand that those environments don't require him to guard me.
But last night?
He knew something wasn't right.
And when I needed him, he quietly put himself between me and the problem.
Then went back to peeing on bushes like nothing had happened.
Good boy, Daz. ❤️
