My 40-pound Sheltie is a lousy guard dog but she's a phenomenal watch dog. She sleeps by our bed with us and if anything's stirring, she lets us know.

A few weeks ago around midnight, she came to my side of the bed and gave me a single, serious "woof!" I opened my eyes and saw her brown eyes gazing into mine. I said, "What?" I swear, her demeanor implored me to rise, as if to say, "This one's important. You need to get up."

I did arise from my warm bed and she walked in front of me, out to the front of the house. I looked outside and someone was messing with my car - silently. I had no idea how she heard them. I opened the front door and they heard the noise and took off.

Well-loved dogs that have been made a member of the family are the very BEST watch dogs.

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