Meet Gertrude, an almost 4-year-old bully breed adopted from Clifford?s Army Rescue in Shelby, North Carolina. Gertrude was abandoned with some other dogs in a fenced-in backyard and then saved by an angel named Angie. She had 9 babies (!) and was then adopted by an obsessive single lesbian in Asheville, NC. Gertie now has two brothers, -- one greyhound, one feline -- goes on hikes, hits the gym, visits her friends all around town, has a pink lifejacket for when she goes paddleboarding, and has an instagram account. Despite some pretty serious medical issues, Gertie remains the happiest little bully in Western North Carolina. She loves everyone, and lives for treats, adventures, and snuggles. Gertie is the picture of unbridled joy.

In a world where things can be hard and we are told to be quiet and small, be sturdy like Gertie!

*follow Gertrude's adventures on Instagram @gertie.b.sturdy