Layla is a mix, a rescue but owner Beth Baum said, "We did one of those doggie DNA tests and it came back that she was half Afghan and a quarter Doberman and the rest kind of unidentifiable. So we say she's a 'Sighthound' mix from the family of Greyhounds."

At the age of eleven Layla looks younger and is, "very active for her age."

"We lived in North Carolina at the time we adopted her so she came from the Orange County Animal Shelter in North Carolina. We found her online where she was featured as the Pet of the week by the animal shelter."

NOTE: This marks the first time in the history of this feature that a Herald pet of the week has previously been a pet of the week elsewhere.

Sleep is a favorite activity for Layla but she's not a lazy dog. "She punctuates her sleep with periods of vigorous activity," said Baum," she like to chase squirrels, and cats, though that's not one of our preferred pastimes."

Most unusually however is that Layla likes to go up to the mountains and join Beth and her husband Ryan on Cross Country Ski outings. She runs beside us and we have a 'skijoring harness'. You'll see it in Nordic country sometimes and you can put it on the dog and ski along and the dog runs with you."

There's no unusual diet for Layla and her treats are conventional too.

A KONG toy is her favorite. It's a big red toy with a hole in it where you can stick a treat. It's made of rubber."

Layla loves children and Baum explained that, "We actually think that the family we adopted her from had kids because she's very very good with young kids. If she hears babies crying her ears perk up and she gets all agitated. Kids will pull her tale and she just licks them. She loves people and she's a sucker for attention."

There is a pug next door that she hangs out with but "she really likes Golden Retrievers," said Baum, "She likes to pull their tails. It's one of her favorite kinds of play." The couple likes to walk with Layla all over West Seattle and enjoy roller blading with her on Alki when the weather is nice.

You might see Layla and Beth at the Farmers Market on Sundays in the Junction since they go there every week.

How to nominate your pet for Pet of the Week:

Want to nominate your pet for Pet of the Week? Stop by the VCA West Seattle Animal Hospital at 5261 California Ave. S.W. and just ask for a form. A nomination is not a guarantee of appearance and your name and photo may appear in our newspaper and online.

Photos may or may not be used and our "Pet Reporter" may be in touch with you to arrange to take a photo. Pets nominated will be chosen on the basis of uniqueness of the pet and the quality of the story and information submitted.