Kenzie was our 8th German Shepherd, who came to us at 11 months of age. She was a challenge, as she was used to being the boss, and when she realized that she was going to have to learn some manners and obedience, she was up to the challenge - and challenge she did! But, she was a quick learner and we bonded over that time. She had not been socialized as a young puppy, so she was dog aggressive, which always kept us on our toes. She did manage to accept and play with our adult children's dogs, as I'm sure she sensed they were family - but we still kept a close eye on her. She seldom left my husband's side - and made almost every trip in the car with him (weather permitting). She camped with us and over the years she only had one dog put her in her place - and she never forgot that lesson (and no one got hurt!). I think the fact that we worked so hard to help socialize her, made her even more special to us. Each of our shepherds left a legacy with us, but there was something special about her. She left us too quickly, at only 8 1/2. She was diagnosed with DM, and crossed the Rainbow Bridge only 3 weeks later.