I’m Coffee the German Shepherd. Mine is a rags-to-riches story: I was a thin, abandoned pup and found a home. In return, my parents say, I’ve been a treasure in their life through the quiet, unassuming power of my personality and wisdom.

“When Coffee was about six,” mom Lisa recalls, “we learned that our neighbors - some of whom had only heard about him – called him ‘The Mayor’. He has long been revered here as being special and unique; he has this magical ability to capture everyone’s heart. He’s no trickster; he’s a healer…”

I was only 4 months old but I remember my travel crate opening at the airport. I rushed to my parents with huge kisses, ignoring everyone else around. Ten years later they still can’t imagine how I knew them! Anyway, to distract them from asking me about it I did a ‘California Pee’: it lasted about a minute (gosh, I’d waited all the way to Florida!).

“From day one Coffee has been amazing in every way; his goodness and thoughtfulness combines with an innate sense of right and wrong. He has never done anything ‘wrong’ or destructive. The FIRST time he had to go outside he walked up to the door and pawed it as if knocking. No training needed!”

Mom forgot to say that I once allowed a kitten to burrow into my fur and sleep. As to the opossum intruder into my back yard, I knew he meant no harm so I simply went and sat by him.

“We’ve all heard the saying, ‘Give me a lever, a place to stand, and I’ll move the world.’ For us it’s ‘Give me a dog like Coffee and I will show you my blessed and restored life,” Lisa concludes.