I've noticed a trend in this blog of mine…I have been focused on Great Danes that come to us with serious issues (like Amy) or the Great Danes that come to us with two paws in the grave (Ruby and Oscar). Don’t get me wrong, it is important for all of you to hear their stories – because their stories must be told. But there are just as many perfectly healthy, well-mannered, no-issue Great Danes in our program that deserve some attention too.
note - click "read more" to view the rest of the story and click any word in blue for links to additional information
Take Merilee as an example. Merilee was the first transport for Doris, one of our new volunteers. Instead of trying to explain Doris' experience, I will let you read the email she sent to me right after she picked Merilee up from death row at an area shelter and dropped her off at one of our rescue vets:
"Man-o-man, I sure thought about you and your mantra this afternoon.......and your blog about the dogs you've transported with sores, fleas, mange, infections, ad infinitum, and almost felt guilty that you weren't doing the transport instead of me. I had more than a few trepidations as I drove to the animal shelter to pick up Merilee, fearing what I was going to find when I got there. What I found was an o-so-sweet girl with NO visible problems. She is not underweight, not a wild child, not any of the things you wrote about. She got in the backseat of my car, laid down, and nary a peep out of her until we arrived at the vet. She was turned in by a family living in a rent house with a 6 ft wood fence in various states of disrepair the landlord wouldn't fix, so she easily went through the fence. Because of that, they felt they couldn't keep her. She appears to have been well cared for - other than being left outside. Just had to tell you how often you were on my mind this afternoon. Obviously all rescued Danes aren't in the sad condition you wrote about, but this one was incredibly good...whew!"
Doris was right, Merilee was cared for (of course my definition of a well-cared for Dane includes not keeping the dog outside where it will try to escape in an effort to find human companionship – but in general, Merilee really was in good shape). She did not have heartworms, she was not emaciated and she has absolutely no personality issues to overcome. Now, because of her family's situation, she finds herself looking for a new home.
Atticus, the first Dane I adopted through GDRNT, had a similar story. His original owner treated him very well and took the time to train and socialize him. After four years together, Atticus' owner passed away unexpectedly and the owner's grown children did not want the responsibility of caring for a giant dog so Atticus found himself homeless. He was the most well-behaved dog I had ever met and even though he was clearly heartbroken from losing his long-term companion, he still bonded with me very quickly.
Merilee and Atticus are not the only ones like this – Gandolf, who was adopted only four months ago, came into rescue already trained in basic commands and he, along with his 14 year old human companion, completed certification to be a therapy dog and he now spends time brightening the days of nursing home patients.
Speaking of certified therapy dogs, adopters from Great Dane Rescue of North Texas are really good at turning rescued Danes into therapy dogs. The list includes (but is not limited to) – Brooklyn, Chad, Chief, Jinxie, Lucy, Panda, and Scooby. Some of these dogs are certified through the Delta Society, and others are certified through Therapy Dogs International or Heart of Texas. Chad is getting older, so he’s not doing therapy work any more – but for a dog that came into rescue emaciated, full of heartworms and covered in scars he had a really good run.
So, if you have ever been reluctant about adopting a rescued dog because you thought it might be sick or have some sort of defect, please remember that there are a lot of Great Danes in our program that are as close to perfect as you can get.
Merilee
Doris is right, Merilee is absoluitely wonderful! She has bonded with us so quickly. She loves our other cats, dogs & birds. She comes when called, sits, stays, goes to her dog bed or crate when asked to do so. and gives lots of kisses!! Merilee loves to play & is very gentle. I am sorry her previous family felt the need to give her up. Her ONLY issue is she could stand to lose a few pounds! Can you imagine! Usually, our babies need to gain MANY pounds! Merilee is fabulous & deserves the best forever home!
Nora
Our first rescue
Jinx was our first rescue, but our 6th Dane over a span of 30 years. We had always gone to very reputable breeders and brought home AKC champion pups.
I had severely injured my back and didn't think I could handle a puppy again, but I was so lonesome for a Dane in our lives that we turned to GDRNT. What a joy! We are so impressed with all everyone does for and with these beautiful creatures that we will only turn to GDRNT in the future.
Jinx is 5 1/2 years old. She's perfect in the house and plays carefully with her stuffed toys as if still a pup.
I always thought it would be wonderful to have a therapy dog but never thought I'd be able to train one well enough and didn't know how.
As fate would have it an evaluator from the Delta Society came to our small town and told me all about them and tips on using Clicker Training. Eureka! Now Jinx and I are official Delta Society Pet Partners and are approved to work in "complex" environments! We now work at Kidz Therapeaz, a facility for disabled and Autistic children and have been invited to the Veterans Administration Hospital to work with Hospice patients. We have still to complete the VA's requirements although we've made one visit. It's such a rewarding experience and it's brought us even closer. I love the way she calms herself way down and is so responsive with these children and patients.
I still have bad health days and often am confined to bed. Jinx is the perfect Bed Buddy! She curls up next to me and asks nothing but to be close.
Having Jinx in our family is a total joy and we will always be devoted to GDRNT!
With gratitude and love,
Ellen, Loyd and of course Jinxie
soo true
we have adopted 2 danes. (one from GDRNT one from a group up north) BOTH were BORN in rescue because their moms came to rescue pregnant..... now that may not happen often but it does happen....
I have also been transporting for GDRNT for three years and can tell you that more often than not I am amazed at the sweet loving nature of the dogs.... yes I have picked up the sad furry face that makes you loose faith in the human race but more often than not the problems are not so much with the dogs as the humans they have encountered along the way....
too frequently the problem is not with the dog but with the humans who owned them not wanting or understanding the responsibilities of pet "ownership" (sorry I hate that word... you own a car not a living soul... but I digress)
In rescue we hear many excuses, some are completly valid and heartbreaking ..
but many are simply the by product of irresponsible humans who do not fully consider the responsibility of inviting a pet into your life.
chances are if you are reading a blog on a rescue site you "get it" ... so the next time a friend says ... we are thinking about "buying" a dog... take the opportunity to tell them about rescue.... GDR or ASPCA or any other breed rescue!
YES you can rescue a prue breed! many breeds have rescue groups, labs, goldens, King Charles, sheperds.....
My boy
Yes, I think people need to know that even though some rescue dogs do have some challenges, many are good to go as soon as we get them checked out by our vet and evaluated. Chad is my boy and in spite of wandering the countryside, someone at some point had taught him commands, to listen, and obey. I know it wasn't me because I am a big softie! This dog was already housebroken, knew sit, stay, come, waiting to be invited on furniture, not to leave the yard, etc. All he needed was some food, heartworm treatment, and love. He really is the "perfect" dog and I am blessed he walked into my life.
Sara (Bubba Chad's and Shammy's mom)
mine too
our 2nd dane rescue, bruce, came to GDRNT along with his brother after their elderly owner passed away. we were afraid that since we already had 1 dane and couldn't take both of the brothers, bruce would have a problem being separated from his brother.
as it turned out, he was a sweetie right from the start. clean bill of health, no behavior issues (not even counter-surfing!) and not a minute's problem with separation anxiety.
we're on our 3rd personal dane and have fostered many with no issues, and no damage to the house, lol!.
if you're considering adding a giant dog to your family, please consider saving one of the many beautiful babies who have been given up by their families for one reason or another. most are just looking for someone to love them and spend some time enjoying their company. YOU CAN RECYCLE A LIFE and gain a wonderful companion at the same time.