I had not planned to keep a puppy from my C litter but, when the pups were a week old, there was something about the little red collar girl that just really stood out.  That little bit of something became more apparent as she became the first to climb out of the whelping box, the first to find and explore Irma’s food bowl, the first to want up on the bed and one of the first to begin using eye contact.  I told myself over and over that I was not keeping that little red puppy, that she would make someone a fantastic working or sport prospect, but as she attached herself more and more to me, it became less and less likely that she would be going to a new family.  In the beginning, she was bold and adventurous, but not crazy, high energy like some of the other pups.  She would calmly follow me or just sit right in front of people and look at them.  She was an old soul in a puppy body, which eventually led to her name, which is Celtic for ancient one.  As she developed over the first 8 weeks, a mischievous, playful, but very wise personality became more and more apparent.  She wasn’t necessarily the quickest to learn in the litter as she had a mind of her own and an independent streak, but when she was focused and not off on her own agenda, she picked up new skills lickety quick.  She wasn’t the most toy driven of the bunch by any means, but she showed enough interest that I knew it could be developed.  Her food drive was excellent, and she scored as a nice sport, possibly working, and definite active family dog prospect in her temperament testing at 7 weeks of age.  I had several inquiries about her, but each time I thought about placing her, my stomach got sick and I just couldn’t do it.  So, that is how Cian von Cluskey became the fifth member and 4th female of my Von Cluskey German Shepherd pack. Over the years, she has definitely fulfilled the early promise I saw and which was reflected in her early temperament testing.  We have earned all 3 levels of the CGC and have finished our rally excellent title with some wonderful scores.  She has completed her AKC scent work novice title and is working at the advanced level in both buried and interiors and at the excellent level in exteriors and containers.  She has earned her NACSW ORT (odor recognition test) as well as her level 1 container and interior certificates, several master level skills challenge certificates  and is working on her NW1.   She received excellent hip health scores through PennHip (.22, top 95th percentile for the breed) and  normal elbows through OFA.  Because of some quirks in her personality, I have chosen not to add her to my breeding program, but she remains my best friend and working partner and I look forward to many more years of fun and adventures together!