We're celebrating our three year Mandy-versary!!!  This big girl is such a sweetheart.  She has come out of her shell and realized that the world isn't as scary as it was in her old life.  She is still cautious around strangers and uses her piercing stare to keep them at a safe distance, which works quite well!  Under that intimidating exterior though, she's the typical Dobie goofball who keeps us laughing every day.  She still has a quirky opinion about her personal space and will unfortunately never be a snuggler, but now enjoys getting pet all over and even backs up to us so she can have her tail scratched.  A few gray hairs are starting to show on her muzzle which add to her distinguished stature.  

She chooses "her people" after a long and methodical interview process, but once you make the cut she won't leave your side and uses expert poke-you-in-the-armpit skills to make sure you know she's ready for some love.  She is really good with other dogs and even cats!  She fence-plays with the Husky next door, rolls around in the grass with the Golden Retriever across the street, and really likes to play with the 8 pound Pug-Tsu on the corner.  So gentle with the smaller creatures. 

She loves riding in the car, basking in the sunshine, chasing squirrels in the backyard, and our almost-daily walks and hikes.  And as you can see from the photo, she is also an excellent yoga instructor while "sharing" my yoga mat with me.  The GPS tracker on her collar (in case she ever gets loose) notified us yesterday that she has walked 1,000 miles!!  If only it tracked how many times she stopped to pee on things during those 1,000 miles...wait, no, I don't think I want to know.