My friend, Vanessa

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Across
  1. 6. Pioneer
  2. 9. Providing encouragement
  3. 11. As Tina Turner would say...
  4. 12. Common canine attribute
  5. 13. Musical super-talent
  6. 14. Guarder of secrets
  7. 15. Possesses a large ticker
  8. 16. A champion of others
  9. 17. Capable of being relied upon
Down
  1. 1. A raiser of spirits
  2. 2. "______ of the pack"
  3. 3. Absolutely certain
  4. 4. Thinks outside the box
  5. 5. Obi Wan, to Luke
  6. 7. Invokes awe
  7. 8. Christopher Reeve played one
  8. 10. Having aptitude and ability