The first thing people notice about Duchess is her penetrating stare. But it’s her massive head and vise-like jaws that instantly win your respect.

Give her another minute, and she’ll win your heart, too. Duchess is an 11-year-old Rottweiler, but she’s only lived with her current owner for about two years. There were other dogs and even cats to learn to live with at her new house, and she’s done beautifully. Oh, there were some issues with the rat terrier, but who doesn’t have issues with terriers?

Duchess is the embodiment of the popular slogan “keep calm and carry on,” seen today on posters, coffee mugs, t-shirts and tote bags and originally produced by the government of the United Kingdom at the beginning of World War II. When the other dogs are going crazy over a trespassing squirrel or some invisible danger, Duchess quietly observes, sizes up the situation and determines that her castle is not under threat. She is serious, noble and courageous, if need be.

Bringing an older dog into the fold had the potential to be more than a little challenging, but Duchess’ new owner says she wouldn’t trade the experience for anything.

“Duchess has taught me so much, especially about trust and patience,” she said. “I look behind that penetrating stare and see a trusting soul who reminds me to keep calm and carry on.”

Ann Malone is a pet photographer and can't remember a time she did not have pets in her life. Today she has three dogs, three cats and one parrot. She can be reached at annmh@live.com.