Up until nine years ago, I was cat person.

I grew up in a military family, and all my growing up years, we had cats. They were easy to move with. Easy to clean up after.

I liked the idea of dogs, but out of control, yappy, obnoxious dogs on retractable leashes – or worse, running loose – made me crazy. Dogs jumping on me. Dogs pooping everywhere. No thank you!

Then came Mitzi.

I decided I wanted a dog, and I researched and picked a breed that was intelligent, and that I could exercise with. During my low days, I’d have to get up and walk the dog. Nine years ago, I met with the breeder, and eight years ago, I brought Mitzi the Australian Shepherd home.

She’s been a loyal companion. We both went to puppy class through canine good citizenship (AKC CGC), and I discovered it’s usually the owners fault the dogs misbehave.

I love Mitzi! She turned me into a dog person.

In October, I found a rescued German Shepherd (GSD) online. We’ve fostered a lot of dogs, but my husband wanted “his dog”. Pepper was 8 months old and dumped at a kill shelter. I have no experience with GSD’s, but he grew up with them. He fell in love, and we brought her home, renaming her Layla.

Both dogs love My husband tremendously. He knows how to interact with them, and he’s been a dog person as long as he remembers.

Layla has been a pain in the butt. She’s dog reactive. She’s anxious. She goes after my cat at any chance she can. She’s done a standing jump over a 5′ fence into the neighbors yard.

She’s also very cuddly, and will. Not. Leave. My. Side.

I don’t know if she’s sensing something, or if I resemble someone, or if she just likes me. Even when my husband is home, she is next to me. Always touching me.

I tried to stand back, let hubby take the lead. Yet the dog follows me everywhere.

It could be because the Aussie is always by my side, and she follows her. But where Mitzi sleeps at my feet, Layla will have her head on my shoulder.

In any case, hopefully as the hubby starts training her more, she will follow him around.

I doubt it.