Maya is my friend’s Australian shepherd.  It wasn’t really love at first sight between us as typical of shepherd dogs, she was very protective of her humans and did not immediately warm up to me, a stranger.  She was barking rather madly (the kind that’s sure to scare anyone) when she met me, but I’m such a dog person I just stared her down till she quieted and let me pet her.

Eventually, I became her constant playmate the whole week that I was in Manila.  Each morning before and after breakfast, we’d play games in the garden.  She’s such a sweet giant of a dog.

And oh, so active.  There’s no rest where she’s concerned.  She would go to my room with her toy and insist that we play.  Sometimes, she’d chase me around the house too.

Maya’s also very intelligent and stubborn.  She loves disobeying her humans, and it’s funny how she has this look whenever she doesn’t feel like following someone’s instructions.

And yep, she loves displacing me and hogging the bed to herself.

Despite her stubbornness, Maya’s really sweet (especially when she wants food, te he) and can easily charm someone’s socks off.

Isn’t she adorable?

Oh, Maya, I so miss you and can’t wait to see you again next year!