I adopted Monkey five years ago. She came already with her name and a big personality. As the smallest of a litter of 10-13, I imagine she needed that extra feistiness to survive. I hear two or three puppies didn't make it. After a year, all but one of her litter mates were adopted. The family just wanted to keep one puppy, so they put an ad in the local paper. Friends speculate that she was too much for them to handle.
She is half Boykin spaniel and the other two parts are German shepherd and Portuguese podengo. It's rumoured that her father was found dumpster diving in Portugal.
Monkey is a little wild. I used to take her to the beach in the mornings and on trail runs at night. She began to be too boisterous around other people and dogs, so now we just do long walks in the forest at night when everyone is home in bed.
She also is very smart, and has recruited a fellow that lives on our property as her personal attendant that dispenses treats, affection and recreation all day long.
Monkey always gets to go in the car whenever possible which is most of the time. I can tell that this is a very important part of her day.