We were very fortunate to add our first Miniature Australian Shepherd, Dodger to our household in March 2002, when he was just 8 weeks old. He came to us all the way from Bluegrass Kennels in South Dakota. We thank Lynn & Gardner Gray for breeding a dog with such a wonderful personality and temperament.

Dodger is the most toy-motivated dog on the planet. Just come visit our house and you will see, ... he will bring you a toy and instigate play within a minute after your arrival. If Dodger had only one toy, it would have to be his frisbee. He is a frisbee nut, and it is rare that he will quit playing before you do. He also loves to play a mean game of tug-o-war with anyone who is willing.

Agility is a favorite weekend hobby of Dodger's. He's never competed, only participated in fun matches, but he's continued to take agility classes for the past two years. He's learned all the obstacles and is getting pretty quick at running a full course. Jumps and tunnels are his favorite, and if he can sneak in one unpredictable, high-speed zoomies course of his own, he thinks it's been a great day.

Even though most of the time it appears he has a one-track mind, Dodger also loves people, both adults and children. He'll give barrels of kisses to anyone willing to put their face close enough. And watch out because he's been known to sneak kisses on people unexpectedly. He's earned the nickname "The Kissing Bandit".

After a couple of years of obedience training and socializing, Dodger earned an AKC Canine Good Citizen award. He followed this up by passing the Delta Societies evaluation to be a Pet Partner, and so did his moms. Dodger expects to start visiting senior citizen patients at some point in 2005. His love and gentleness will likely warm many hearts.