Shield, a "drop-dead gorgeous" Australian shepherd, is a dog in love with life and with people.

He loves the latter so much, he'll even try to be a lap dog — a bit of a stretch at 16 kg. Exercise is his other major love and, having just turned 2, Shield would be a great candidate for agility training, and a likely winner.

Next on his list of loves are toys and food. Sharing, however, is not yet a concept Shield is comfortable with, and a bit more training would stand him well. The best thing about Shield to some may not be his looks or his attitude, it's the fact that he'll be fiercely loyal. Together, it's a rare combination. This dog is definitely a keeper.

If you are interested in adopting Shield, email ARK at [email protected] or call 050-1557-2763 Monday to Saturday (bilingual) for more information. Tokyo ARK is an NPO founded by Briton Elizabeth Oliver. It is dedicated to rescuing and rehoming abandoned animals. All animals are vaccinated, neutered and microchipped. Prospective owners are requested to undergo a screening process.