Winnie looks beautiful and sweet! Is she in your area?

Everybody's right when they say "you'll know" when you meet the right dog at the shelter. I got Max and Pepper (now deceased) from the shelter. Both times, I felt it immediately.

The people at the shelter were puzzled when I chose Pepper. They didn't think anybody would want her - she was all matted and dirty. But when she saw me her little butt started wagging - she just went crazy! I couldn't take her right away because they had to give her former owners time to claim her, so I brought in some blankets and a dogloo for her (the shelter is very cold in the winter). I asked if I could bring her home and introduce her to Jake before I made up my mind and, since I had visited the shelter so many times, they trusted me. I got her out to the car and she jumped in right away. She was such a smart, sweet little dog - with so much character.

When I got Max, the people at the shelter didn't think I'd be able to handle him. He's big and extremely strong. But I felt such a connection to him. When I tried to walk him at the shelter, he saw an open truck door in the parking lot. He took off like a bat out of heck and pulled me right down on my face! Then he jumped in that open truck and sat there waiting for somebody to give him a ride. They were right - he is extremely hard to handle, but he's worth every bit of effort and training. He's the best dog anybody could ever ask for. Beautiful and strong and courageous and loyal and playful.

I got Jake from a breeder. I love him and he's a sweet dog, but he doesn't have half the character of Max and Pepper.