What do you say about a friend that happens to be a dog? Do you talk about his bravery, grace or great accomplishments? When I was thinking about what to say to do this guy justice many events went through my mind but no one or two could cover all of the facets of his personality. Therefore let's stroll down paths to the past. There are a few twists and turns and even a few side trails. So watch your step while you get to know Karabasan Kalit, my little Rebel.

Prelude
     This journey began as I contemplated all of the animals I had ever cared for as I planned adding a new companion in my life. I made lists of what I liked what I hated and what was negotiable. Let me tell you, I can be pretty picky. However I had enough flexibility to know that I had to make a few compromises. So with a mental list to work from I began. Since I had already dismissed anything but dogs as possible companions for the moment you might think that it would be easy to go out and find what I wanted. However as the months rolled by I realized even with my list of concessions to offset my list of priorities this was going to be a difficult search. I discounted every breed I could name since none could fulfill my concept of the right dog. As in many projects where I hit a dead end, I resorted to searching through books. I was almost certain that the dog I wanted did not exist as a breed so the book search was my last resort for finding any pure breed that would fulfill my need.
     A couple of months more roll by as I realize that the Livestock Guardian Dogs shared similarities. The search narrowed. Then I discovered the the Asian dogs. I was gaining optimism. I was getting closer to something that resembled my mental picture. After several false starts I realized if my ideal dog could actually exist it must be among the Anatolian Shepherd Dogs. The true search began.
     I started calling breeders after consulting with the Anatolian Shepherd Dog Club of America and a couple of contacts with other clubs that promoted Asian dogs. After seeing many litters of pups by photograph and in person as well as seeing the parents when possible I was certain that this was the right breed. Now I had to find the right dog within the breed. My search accelerated at this point by good fortune. Sunny Goodier of Windy Springs, a breeder only a few hours drive from me had a new litter of pups and possibly a couple of older pups. I got on the phone. By now I had discovered that the best of these dogs could not be had simply by whipping out a checkbook. Sunny was no exception here. After a very long conversation covering a spectrum of details, I was invited to SEE her dogs, with no promise that anything would be available to me. An appointment was set. At that moment I had no expectations of of finding my ideal dog but looked on it more as another learning expedition.
     After a pleasant drive I finally arrived at Sunny's. This was quite a surprise to see since I thought such places were extinct in the San Francisco Bay area. It was a real honest to goodness piece of heaven just across the bay from the Silicon Valley. The first thing I saw was a flock of goats, then another flock in another area. But no dogs were in sight. I stopped and was about to open the gate but even though I had not seen the dogs, they had certainly seen me. No mere barking but thunder from all sides greeted me as I quickly thought better of opening the gate and stepped back to a more respectful distance.
     Sunny came to escort me in and we went to sit under the tree to talk a little and get acquainted. The other reason was to let the dogs that were scattered about within the various fenced areas get used to my presence. I was soon shown around and got to see what I later realized were actually a nuclear family of dogs. I got to see Susie the matriarch, maybe the oldest of the group but with a smooth grace and gait seldom seen in any dog young or old. Then there was Special. This guy was named appropriately as Special Someone. The name says it all. Tall, muscular and dignified are descriptive but don't cover it all. He was bold without any outward display of aggression. If it were an actor on stage it might be called presence. I wanted to stare but knew I shouldn't. Quiet dignity with a rather compelling twinkle in his eye that assured me there was a personality there that he simply withheld until he got to know you. Of course I suspected he may have been also thinking up a bit of mischief in case the opportunity arose to exploit it. All I could think as I saw him was "WOW".
     Wow squared! I had just seen Ahmet of Avanos. What I suspected to be and later decided was one of the finest dogs I had ever seen of any type. Bold, confident, a body that screamed POWER. I was viewing a force of nature. However true the first impression he turned out to have a really nice personality. Not the -in your lap- sort but the kind that, if he were human, you might enjoy his company over a cup of coffee and talk of the day's events.
     At this point we stopped and chatted some more and I became aware that all of these dogs, though not all related to each other, were all related to the puppies I would eventually see. As we talked my mind was working overtime exploring the possibilities that this group of genes could produce. This day had been well worth the journey.

When Eyes Meet
     Having thought of many possibilities in what I might see when I met the puppies at Windy Springs, I knew there was potential that the dog I was seeking might be there either now or in a future breeding. At this point in time I still knew that my quest for just the right dog was not complete. The potential was there for the right physical characteristics and stable temperament. However there was the abstract need for a compatible personality. This could not be predicted. It could only be found in the individual nature of the dog that I would ultimately take home. Thus I was still searching.
     At that moment Sunny and I were still talking and getting ready to see Sasha who was the mother of the litter I was to see. As we approached I was thinking that everything I had seen so far was too good to be true so there had to be a a down side somewhere. As I met Sasha I am happy to say that she was just as wonderful as the other dogs in her own right. Indeed she had the Anatolian physique in its feminine form. Watchful and above it all as she took a break from caring for her offspring, she was grace incarnate. I was ready to see these pups!
     As we approached the hay bale wall that enclosed the litter Sunny told me of one of the pups that had a very strong imperative to seek the company of the goats having several times escaped to go visit here eventual charges, she was only expressing her destiny. It was now mid-day as we crossed the boundary into the pups' area so I expected them to be asleep or at least lethargic from the heat and any morning play. I was right. Four pups were within my view; all gorgeous; all snoozing.
     As we watched, two of the four stirred. By all rights they should all have been too tired but these two were troopers. The loss of a little sleep was a small price to pay for the adventure of meeting a new human in their domain. I sat down to pet them and let them get used to me. Well, for both of them the time span for getting acquainted was about three seconds. Then it was play time with the new toy, namely me. The other two stirred and approached in a more dignified manner. They would be perfect in a family or guardian role. They were technically what I expected but I was looking far that little something extra that would make the pup my own perfect companion. The two hellions fit the bill nicely.
     After my hands began to resemble pin cushions courtesy of sharp little puppy teeth, they settled down a little. Then I notices mama was now on the scene inspecting my treatment of her little angels. Apparently I met with her approval since she decided not to carry the pups away and allowed me to stay. Over the next half hour I visited the pups as the two good pups went back to sleep and the two demons got their second wind. With either of latter I could have been quite happy. They possessed the body, mind and spirit of my "ideal' dog and either could develop the personality I wanted. The only question was which one should I choose? I was leaning toward getting a female but was flexible on that point and here was one male and one female to choose from and either could be perfect for me. However what could be the deciding factor?
     Shortly as gentler play progressed I began giving a little more attention to the female. I looked up and my eyes met those of the male. He apparently was not going to be content to take second place to his sister and I swear he was thinking up a plan to get my sole attention. Was that a twinkle I saw in his eye like I had seen in his uncle, Special? He circled around as if he were going to give up so I kept playing with the little girl. I was on one knee and suddenly felt my pants being grabbed and yanked.
     Apparently the twinkle I had seen in the boy's eye was not my imagination. The little guy had ambushed me. To be sure of my attention, his second mouthful of blue jeans included most of my hamstring. He certainly had my attention now. With my focus back on him, he immediately shifted into cuteness mode. It was not the ambush itself that impressed me, it was the planning and execution of that plan. This dog was a thinker and he had to be mine.
     As Sunny and I went back to the house I told her I wanted the spunky male but was strongly drawn to the female also. Sunny has still not put me on her approved list so although she was mostly favorable that she would do a little more checking. She would accept a tentative deposit with the right to tear up the check if she decided it wouldn't be a good placement. I agreed. On the way home I knew that either pup was what I had been looking for all these months but I was sure the little male was the one from the moment our eyes met, and each of us found the other worthy.

My Partner

     When I picked up my puppy I was very happy. I already had his name picked out. Kalit. As we left I tucked him under my arm as we went through the gate to my car. There were no complaints from him. As we drove down the drive he let out one yelp to see if his mother would respond but he was far from stressed. He looked over to see if I was a good driver, the settled down to sleep as I drive home.
     He made himself right at home when we arrived. This was definitely going to be a self confident dog. My only job would be to temper his natural enthusiasm with training in self control. My job was to be a long one. As time went on he learned and I learned. There was never any regret in my choice.
     His confidence was only challenged once at about three months of age when I first went to the zoo with him since I wanted to see the rough coated Anatolian Shepherd they had there. The people and animals did not upset him at all and he was thrilled. However there was a small locomotive in the park next to the zoo which was venting some excess steam and it was quite noisy. This was the first time I had ever seen his tail tucked between his legs. I leaned down and stroked his back. Confidence returned when he knew I was there with him. That was the first, last, and only ten seconds in his life that he would ever fear anything.
     In his youth he did show marked determination in having his own way. He also had the brains to make his wishes a reality even when I did not approve. From his pizza delivery high jacking attempts to his penchant for trying to intimidate other dogs (and some people) he was quite a handful in his youth. After only a short while I realized his name did not really match his personality. He reminded me of a sort of furry James Dean. He was a rebel. HE WAS REBEL!
     As time went on the name change from Kalit to Rebel was not as significant. He learned and grew but never lost his will to take the world on his own terms. He did learn patience, obedience (sort of), and ultimately became a true gentleman in its older sense. Another way to describe him is a velvet glove. Soft to the touch and oh so refined, but when needed the velvet would not interfere with his punching power. He became less of a rebel and more of a free thinking partner. Willing to compromise for the benefit of us both but just as willing to carry out his wishes if I didn't veto the idea. Although many would not care for this arrangement, it was just what I had hoped for when I chose him.
     As other dogs came in he learned to be a teacher. My time with him was well rewarded as he took the other dogs under his wing. He led them and taught them the house rules along with what ever rules he deemed appropriate. A true example of an Alpha. Oddly enough the role of alpha is not really understood and is often represented as being a leader through the exertion of power. In reality some power may be used as a reminder but it is seldom and quick. This was Rebel. His leadership of the other dogs made my life easy. I worked through him most of the time, and he took care of the details. My only work involved socializing them with people.
     All in all this was a great partnership. It had its humor and its trials of which I am sure to write about in the future but he will be at least as hard to replace as he was to find when it all began.

Finale
    As you may have surmised this great partnership with Rebel is now at an end. There is not much I can say to embellish his image. So instead I will relate one experience which, in the end says it all.
    I had been in the hospital for several days for surgery. I had left Rebel in charge of the house and other dogs and he did his usual fine job of taking care of things while I was away. I was released from the hospital a little too soon.
     Too soon because it was a day earlier than expected and I had no way to notify my dear friend Patty of the change of plans. Instead of waiting for me to contact her they simply stuck me in a cab and sent it to my home. Too early indeed. I barely made it into the front door of my house when I fell and passed out. The front door was wide open, I was laying there totally helpless to anyone who might have come with the will to rob the place. When I awoke the next day, there was Rebel at my side. He had taken charge, kept the other dogs from going out the front door and kept any possible villains from entering. He stayed right with me as my guardian.
     When I woke up to find him with me there was no more grateful person on Earth than I to know that Rebel was at my side.