The German Shepherd

I have had the pleasure of having a German Shepherd in my life for nearly six years now.  Being a first time GSD owner, I was a little apprehensive when I first brought Aeva home.  I had heard all sorts of talk about how a shepherd could be "unstable" and that they were a breed that could not be trusted.  But I had also heard how fiercely loyal and protective they could be, which is a quality I greatly value in a canine companion.  So I took a leap of faith and brought home a four month old female shepherd puppy. 

Things were a little stressful at first.  Part of it was the normal stress that accompanies bringing home a puppy and part of it was from adjusting to the breed with which I was unfamiliar.  But we quickly got accustomed to each other and I realized what a prize I had found in Aeva.  She was the smartest puppy I had ever been around, and also the easiest to potty train, a huge plus!  She was attentive and when I was training her she listened aptly like she was trying so hard to understand what I wanted from her.  It didn't take long at all to train her to come when I called her name, to sit, to lay down, to chase her favorite toy and then bring it back to me.  And her protective qualities began to show through early on.  She would bark at anyone who so much as stepped into the drive and alert us every time she heard a strange noise outdoors.    Aeva also became a built in smoke alarm.  Once, someone left a pan of leftovers on the range before bed.  At some point Aeva jumped onto the front of the stove to get the food and in the process turned the range on.  Upstairs I was watching T.V. when soon the sounds of howling came from the kitchen below.  Upon entering the upstairs hall I could smell smoke.  As I was racing to the kitchen I discovered the leftovers were burning on the stove and poor little Aeva was cowering in the corner, crying and howling her displeasure.  Fortunately, largely thanks to Aeva, no damage was done (save the burned pan) and the crisis was averted.  Since then, Aeva avoids the stove altogether, leftovers or not, and also goes into a very bad mood every time someone burns something in the kitchen.  Or lights a match, for that matter.

I have to say I feel quite a lot safer going for a run up the road knowing Aeva is at my heels.  But in addition to that, she has become part of the family, a loyal companion who follows me everywhere and is always the dependable little shepherd.  Or not so little!  Does she like strangers?  No.  But that's the idea, right?  I wouldn't want her welcoming any idiot into the yard, and she doesn't.  She's no fluffy poodle, no little yapper that rides around in some rich lady's purse, and I wouldn't have her any other way.  Aeva has won my allegiance to the breed, that's for sure.