Rover is a wonder

WUNDERDOG-Rover the German shepherd exhibits that sexy mix of tough and tender. He can leap over a high wall, chew a metal door frame and pull a basketball hoop right off its base. Rover, an 88-pound German shepherd, is a super dog, "the Michael Jordan of dogs," according to his owner, Jeroo Darvwalla of Calabasas.

Once Rover scared a coyote right into the family pool. Another time he swallowed a piece of metal and then threw it up two days later,

But this hard-as-nails pooch has a tender side as well. "He is one of the most affectionate dogs I've ever met," said Darvwalla. "He sits in the family room close to us and sleeps near our bedrooms."

Rover even joins the family when they pray and gently sniffs anyone who seems upset, trying to comfort them.

Rover is wonderful with babies, sitting near them protectively.

This tough guy also shows his soft side with his best friend, a small white Shih Tzu named Mischief. Friends since Rover was a puppy, the two are best buddies. Rover is gentle with the little guy, even opening his big jaw and gently nudging (not biting) Mischief and letting Mischief scoot under him to reach the dog bowl while Rover's eating.

And it's Mischief who barks at and chases Rover, a dog several times his size.

At 10 years old, Rover still "runs like a bullet"-a true superdog.

Jeroo Darvwalla of Calabasas submitted Rover's story to The Acorn.