Just in the nick of time, Hilde was rescued from the Martinez animal shelter and relocated to the Berkeley Humane Society, where volunteers spent a month working on her social skills. When Hilde arrived in Berkeley, she had no idea how to play and interact with other dogs. When John and Deb discovered her at the shelter, they realized she was a very smart and intense dog. They knew she'd be a challenge, but they recognized Hilde's potential and proceeded with her adoption.

Hilde now has many toys and canine buddies with whom she is only too happy to share these toys. She loves her rough-and-tough pals Mia, Gus and Lily. Rowdy and playful, Hilde loves to stalk and hunt anything and everything. When I went to Deb's house to meet Hilde after I was commissioned to paint her portrait, Hilde immediately zeroed in on my purse. Thinking the coast was clear, she opened the flap and quickly "captured" a baggie containing the rawhide chew I'd brought for her.