So the excursion to the humane society also reminded me of my mom's other dog, Shadow - a Belgian Shepherd (Groenendael variety). She was the dog I knew while I was growing up - I remember getting her when I was much younger (age 7?). She herded me and my little sister (and our friends) around the yard all the time, nipping at our heels. She was always there to hug, and very affectionate. You couldn't put her on a leash for a walk - she'd circle you so many times, the leash would wind around your legs and trip you. Not even the dog obedience and training classes helped that. ;) She battled bone cancer, survived for a couple years after the amputation of a shattered leg, and finally died of cancer the summer after my freshman year.
With a dog like her in my childhood, it's no wonder I'm a dog person.

Pictures of Groenendaels (they're gorgeous dogs):
head shot:

all of one female, pretty similar to Shadow:




belgian male: