Kira

Kira, Belgian Malinois/German Shepherd Cross, Adult, Female 

10. She is beautiful

9. Her endless energy.  She never slows down, never stops, and always pushes for us to run that extra few miles. 

8. The perseverance she has shown in overcoming her past.  She was abused, neglected, and tied to a too short chain as someone's guard dog.  It took months for me to earn her trust.  She does not hand her heart over easily but if you earn it the rewards are incredible.

7. Her confidence.  She has had to rely on herself for so long that she doesn't doubt or second guess herself.  I wish I had even half her confidence.

6. When she runs and gets to relax, she defines freedom.  She runs at full speed around the yard, races through the woods chasing animals.  She can bring a smile to anyone's face just by watching her run.

5. She has a goofy side once she trusts you. She drops the aloof, seriousness and acts like a puppy. She runs around, grabs toys to play with, teases, and lets herself relax.

4. She is determined and once she sets her mind to something, she WILL accomplish it, no questions.  She refuses to give up until her "job" is done.  She never quits and never backs down.

 3.  She has amazing intelligence.  She knows an incredible number of tricks: sit, down, stay, shake (both paws), speak, heel, front, back, left, right, slow down, stop, watch me, leave it, drop it, get it, go find____, patrol (go check the yard and the house), and touch. 

2. While she is sometimes a hard dog to live with and a hard dog to bond with, the reward of winning her trust and loyalty is beyond anything I have ever experienced with a dog. In everything she does, she is intense, good and bad. She is the most incredible dog I have ever met and I know I will never have another dog that even compares to Kira.

1. Above all else, Kira is 100% loyal.  She will follow me anywhere, stick by my side through anything, protect me when it is necessary, make me laugh when I need it, and be there when no one else is.  I have never met a dog as loyal as Kira.