Mia came to us 5 years ago past may. She was 2 and a half and very excitable, she had separation anxiety and was deemed destructive if left on her own.

We were told Mia didn't know her name, so we changed it to Cassie, Sunday name Cassandra. I am not going to say that Cassie was easy in the beginning due to her excitedness she was very keen on walks, overly keen when meeting other dogs on the lead and barley listened or understood any commands.

We did in the beginning take Cassie for training and used the Borders Rescue fields to allow her off the lead. I would say it took about a year and a thousand pounds of sausages before Cassie had us fully trained. In return we have a very smart loving and very funny companion.

We were fortunate to have neighbours who had a couple of Dobermans so we were able to socialise Cassie early on. We would still err with caution when meeting other dogs on the lead but she has accumulated boyfriends at both ends of the street.

We were lucky my husband is retired so we have never witnessed her destructive side. And when she is left which is very rarely and never for any length of time she has always been fantastic.

Cassie will create a fuss when left for a few seconds due to the separation anxiety but settles very quickly and has often been happy to lie in our garden while we are upstairs in the house.

Cassie is a very loving dog we cannot get up the street but she has to cuddle all the neighbours, she even has some of them trained as they always have a little something for her.

She has given us such joy and love we take her everywhere with us and cannot imagine what life would be like if we hadn't met her. She is such a big presence.

Thank you German Shepard Rescue Scotland without you we would not have met our wonderful girl who we love very much.