Ninja

Ninja is a trail-running, squirrel-chasing, Frisbee-catching machine. The most loyal of running partners, she never makes ''excuses'' or ''sleeps in.'' On the contrary: at 6am sharp she begins her routine face-licking to signal that she is ready for her 3 to 10 mile run, either along the streets of our hometown Charlotte or on the various trails near our home. She also has one 5K under her belt (collar?). She has an affinity for water, swimming laps with me during the summer months. But as much as she loves kicking asphalt and making waves, it's Frisbee that is her one true love. She cannot stand to be a near a Frisbee if it is not flying through the air and she is not flying after it. After a few close calls, we even had to resort to square plates in our house in an effort to save her teeth, because she will not hesitate to lunge for that ''Frisbee'' you're resting your bologna sandwich on.