I'm sure everyone has heard the old saying about dog being man's best friend. Some people believe it. Most don't. But in my case it was true.
I had a Great Dane. I got her as a 6 week old puppy. I have a photo of my ex-wife holding her in one hand when she was a week old. Initially I got her for my ex-wife who had a Great Dane as a girl and wanted another one. Well the wife left me and the dog stayed. Since then that sweet dog has seen me through some of the worst times of my life. I won't go into all the details, but let's just say there are country and western songs that seem cheerful when compared to the last 7 years of my life. In many ways my dog kept me sane. She gave me something to think about and worry about other than myself.
She had a lot of health problems. When breeders don't know what they are doing, it's easy to stack the deck against a puppy from a breed like Great Danes. At 7-8 months of age her adrenal and thyroid glands just basically shut down. After the fact I learned this was a common congenital defect in Great Danes. At the time I had no idea. And neither did the first dozen veterinarians I took her to see. They all thought she had food allergies. But she kept losing weight and getting infections. Eventually she developed mange and vets were starting to suggest she may need to be put down. Luckily the 13th veterinarian I saw was guy who was smart enough to do a blood test and find out what was really bothering her. We put her on hormone replacements and she improved almost immediately. Her skin infections all went away and she started being able to put on weight and she developed a very good appetite.
The next few years were good ones. She felt good and was healthy. Since she was about a year old, every Saturday and Sunday we would go to some land my family has about 40 miles from my house. We have 143 acres that is mostly wooded, but also has fields and a large pond. Until she was 5 years old we would go all back in the woods. We followed pipeline roads and even deer trails. She was able to run and play and sniff all sorts of wonderful scents of animals she wouldn't normally run across in the city. To me, this was when she was able to be a real dog. We would sometimes stay back there for 4 or 5 hours just walking and seeing things. Occasionally we would run across a deer or a rabbit or a neighbor's cow that wandered over onto our land and she was having LOTS of fun trying to chase them. I knew how much she enjoyed this place not only because of how excited she would get but also because she would have such vivid dreams for the next couple of days after our weekend trips. While she was sleeping her little feet would move as if she was running and she would make little barking noises.
Once she hit about 5 years of age then other problems started catching up with us. She started limping so I took her to the vet for x-rays anticipating and orthopedic issue. What we found out is that she had hip dysplasia, multi-site arthritis in her legs, hips and spine and a condition called spondylosis. It started to become more painful for her to walk and she started to lose coordination and strength in her back legs. But we adjusted. We still went out to the family land. We just didn't walk as far and stayed closer to the farm house. But she still enjoyed going out there and laying in the sun and fresh air and playing with the Labrador retriever that stayed out there. Around this time we had our first serious risk of death. She developed something called stomach twist. Basically it's just what it sounds like. The stomachs twist and this action shuts off blood flow thus causing the abdomen to swell. It's very common in horses and certain breeds of dog that have a deep chest cavity. If it's caught early the animal can be saved. But if it isn't caught in the first couple of hours then the animal will likely die. Luckily we caught her very early. The surgery was a success and her stomach did not receive any debilitating damage. Next, shortly before her 6th birthday she suffered a partial paralysis of her right front leg. Whatever happened appeared to have occurred at the shoulder. It partially contracted but never became fully useless although she was never able to get it to a point where she could fully bear weight again. Coupled with the diminished use of her back legs this meant that her left front leg was her remaining good leg. She developed a limping gait, but I kept her on a good pain medicine called tramadol and she soon learned to compensate. She was never in undue pain and we learned to adjust. Then a few months later she had her first heart attack. It almost killed her. She was unresponsive and didn't even seem to know who I was for a couple of days. The vet didn't give her much of a chance. But I took her home, took two weeks off from work and nursed her back to health by feeding her baby food and pedialite and carrying her outside to go to the bathroom until she regained her strength. And once again we compensated. By this time she could still walk around the house, go to the bathroom under her own power, roam the yard a bit and lounge around near the farm house at our family land. The heart attack took away a lot of endurance, but she was still happy and could do the basics and still enjoyed her life very much. I viewed her like a person in their 70s or 80s who had some health problems, and needed some help, but who still enjoyed life. Of course with less exercise she lost muscle and got weaker, but she was still happy and relatively healthy. Then about a week ago I noticed she was a little weaker. I thought it was just a typical stomach bug that she sometimes gets. On Friday we loaded up in my SUV to go visit my mom and step father at their lake house. My dog was doing fine at the time. Just a little weak, but nothing to concern me at the time. She slept well that night and seemed fine when we went outside to let her go to the bathroom at about 6:30 Saturday morning. I noticed she went to the bathroom and seemed to struggle a bit. Then she took a few steps and just sat down. She seemed peaceful and just looked at the lake and sniffed around. I let her stay there for a while then asked her to come in with me. For the next couple of hours she sat on the air mattress on the floor as I talked to my mother. I noticed she started trying to cough something up. Like she had mucus or something. As it persisted and seemed to get worse I decided I would take her to the vet. In her weakened condition there was no sense in risking pneumonia. When I tried to get her to stand up to follow me out to the SUV, she couldn't stand on her own. Immediately I knew there was a problem. I carried her to the SUV and by this point she could barely lift her head. I drove her to the 1 hour drive to my vet's office and got in immediately. She was very weak, but peaceful and in no obvious distress. The vet examined her and said there had obviously been more heart attacks because the heart was very weak and erratic. He said her heart was so weak that her lungs were filling up and there was little they could do. He said at best they could prolong her life for a day or two in a vet's office, but that she would never be able to go home or to get better. She was simply too week to recover and the heart damage was just too extensive. So I kept my promise to her and put her to sleep. I had promised myself years ago that I wouldn't let her suffer. That as much as I loved her I would let go once any hope for an enjoyable life was gone. So I held her head in my arms and stroked her face and told her what a good dog she was and how much I loved her as the veterinarian did his job. And I watched the light leave her eyes and I know the last thought in her head was being close to me and hearing me tell her how much I loved her.
I believe in God without a doubt. That being said, I'm not nearly as religious as I ought to be. Like everyone else, I am a deeply flawed man and I haven't come to a point where I'm ready to fully turn that over to God. No excuses. That being said, on my drive home I talked to God. The first words out of my mouth were why did you do this. But then I thought about what I had just said and asked God to let me take those words back. Then I told him how grateful I was to allow me to have her for 7.5 years. That dog got me through some of the worst times of my life. When nothing was going well in my life and it seemed like everyone thought I was a son of a bitch, then one thing I could count on was coming home and seeing a dog that was happy to see me and that loved me unconditionally. And that is why she was my best friend.
I went back and I just reread a lot of this and I know I focused on a lot of the bad things, but I promise you she had a very good life. She stayed in an air conditioned house. She never slept on the floor. She was best friends with my 2 cats (also inherited from my ex-wife). She went out and ran and played in the country. And I was her best friend too. I gave her lots of attention every day. I talked to her. We played very often. And when she got older I took care of her. My dad said once that if reincarnation is real then he wants to come back as my dog. Anyway, she was my best friend and I was her best friend too. She was a wonderful dog. She had a life with challenges, but also filled with love and companionship. And when the end came, I honestly believe she knew it before me. And she was peaceful and without distress.
I'm bad at ending these sorts of things so I'll just say I love her, I miss her and I was very lucky to have her for 7.5 years. And if God had a place for dogs after they die, then I am sure he is looking out for my puppy. I don't know how it works, but I like to imagine my father is watching her for me until I come to join them.
Dan, I'm so sorry for Your loss, I know just how much she meant to you, and can only imagine how rough life is right now.
Nothing in life bothers me more that the loss of a dog, don't know why, but it does.
Take time to heal, you may have lost her physically, but she will always be a part of who you are.
Thanks chief. She was a great dog and a great friend and I miss her a lot. Luckily I have a lot of friends and family to help me through it. I guess I have been preparing for this day mentally for about a year since her first heart attack, but you never really prepare for a loss. The most disorienting part of it is that I still keep expecting her to be there and it's like the realization hits me all over again several times per day.
This isn't the same thing as losing my Dad 3 months ago. Nothing can compare to losing a parent except maybe losing a child or a spouse (don't know about either of those). But this is really hard since she has been such a big part of my life.
But I know she isn't in pain or suffering or limited in any way anymore. And I like to imagine her running and playing in heaven with my Dad looking out for her till I get there.
Condolences, Dan. It's tough to lose one, but she's not suffering any longer.
Quote from: Shooterman on October 25, 2010, 08:41:24 AM
Condolences, Dan. It's tough to lose one, but she's not suffering any longer.
Thanks Shooterman. It's kinda like with people you love. You just want to fight so long as there is some hope for a little quality of life. But having her spend her last day or two in a vet's office hooked up to a bunch of tubes as she struggles for air is no way to finish her life. Basically she was comfortable and it was only the last couple of hours that were tough. And even then she was calm and peaceful. I honestly don't think she suffered at the end.
Dan, although I'm not a dog person, I do entirely sympathize with (and applaud) your post.
In my case it started with a dear pal who lasted 17 years as my Official Cat, a neutered tiger tom who utterly spoiled me with unwavering love and devotion. He died in my arms in the vet's waiting-room. The next two cats lasted about 5 years each, both dying long before their time. The vet we use doesn't put an animal down in front of the owners, but yes, there are tears and emptiness after saying that final goodbye.
Honest tears shed over honest love is not a character flaw. These are the true friends, the ones who love us despite ourselves.
Quote from: quiller on October 25, 2010, 09:27:22 AM
Dan, although I'm not a dog person, I do entirely sympathize with (and applaud) your post.
In my case it started with a dear pal who lasted 17 years as my Official Cat, a neutered tiger tom who utterly spoiled me with unwavering love and devotion. He died in my arms in the vet's waiting-room. The next two cats lasted about 5 years each, both dying long before their time. The vet we use doesn't put an animal down in front of the owners, but yes, there are tears and emptiness after saying that final goodbye.
Honest tears shed over honest love is not a character flaw. These are the true friends, the ones who love us despite ourselves.
Actually I have 2 cats too. A boy and a girl that I got for my ex-wife about 2 months before we got the dog. When we split, I inherited the cats too. I never was a cat person before I got these two guys, but I love them dearly too and would never part with them. They were very good friends with the dog. And a couple of days before she passed I had a very cute photo of the girl cat sleeping next to the head of my Great Dane and barely touching her head to the dog's head. Very cute.
Neither of my cats fits the aloof stereotype. Both meet me at the door, talk to me, follow me around the house and absolutely love to cuddle. In short, their personalitioes are more like dog's than what I would have imagined for a cat.
Quote from: Dan on October 25, 2010, 09:44:35 AM
Actually I have 2 cats too. A boy and a girl that I got for my ex-wife about 2 months before we got the dog. When we split, I inherited the cats too. I never was a cat person before I got these two guys, but I love them dearly too and would never part with them. They were very good friends with the dog. And a couple of days before she passed I had a very cute photo of the girl cat sleeping next to the head of my Great Dane and barely touching her head to the dog's head. Very cute.
Neither of my cats fits the aloof stereotype. Both meet me at the door, talk to me, follow me around the house and absolutely love to cuddle. In short, their personalitioes are more like dog's than what I would have imagined for a cat.
My 17-year winner came when I whistled and refused to budge from beside me on any couch or chair I sat. The other (a female) was elegance personified, compared to him. He's been gone nearly a decade and I still miss him dearly.
We've got one beastie who's now about 7 years old and does the same won't-leave-my-side thing, and both she and the "Official Cat in Training" (formerly a male) share turns sleeping on either my shoes or slippers, nose-deep in places where
NOBODY oughtta go.....
Pet owners either get it or they just happen to have pets. When one dies, it's OK to express sympathy to the owner. A part of the family is a part of the family. It's OK to grieve your loss.
quiller pointed your post out to me, Dan. Reading about your dog brought tears to my eyes. There will always be a hole in your heart shaped like her, but you were blessed with her in your life. Everyone who has loved and lost a pet knows how you are feeling, both the loss and the blessing.
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naleta - Mrs q
Quote from: quiller on October 25, 2010, 10:06:57 AMPet owners either get it or they just happen to have pets. When one dies, it's OK to express sympathy to the owner. A part of the family is a part of the family. It's OK to grieve your loss.
I agree completely. That dog was part of my family and one I liked a great deal more than some of the human members of my family for that matter. :D
Quote from: naleta on October 25, 2010, 10:47:18 AM
quiller pointed your post out to me, Dan. Reading about your dog brought tears to my eyes. There will always be a hole in your heart shaped like her, but you were blessed with her in your life. Everyone who has loved and lost a pet knows how you are feeling, both the loss and the blessing.
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naleta - Mrs q
Thanks Naleta. She was very much a blessing in my life. I don't want to imagine the past 7.5 years of my life without her. She gave me strength and comfort and companionship. I couldn't have asked for a better dog.
Dan - Solar called me and told me about your post. I immediately got on an read your beautiful and touching story of your best friend. I am so sorry for the loss you have experienced but as you say you had a good 7.5 years with your "puppy". You will remain in my thoughts.
I am so sorry for your loss. I am looking at your day soon....But this has always been of some help to me when I think of whats to come... I hope it helps you to...
The rainbow bridge...... it's really a pretty wonderful thing.
Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....
Author unknown...
Elfie
Quote from: Dan on October 25, 2010, 08:24:59 AM
Thanks chief. She was a great dog and a great friend and I miss her a lot. Luckily I have a lot of friends and family to help me through it. I guess I have been preparing for this day mentally for about a year since her first heart attack, but you never really prepare for a loss. The most disorienting part of it is that I still keep expecting her to be there and it's like the realization hits me all over again several times per day.
This isn't the same thing as losing my Dad 3 months ago. Nothing can compare to losing a parent except maybe losing a child or a spouse (don't know about either of those). But this is really hard since she has been such a big part of my life.
But I know she isn't in pain or suffering or limited in any way anymore. And I like to imagine her running and playing in heaven with my Dad looking out for her till I get there.
I lost my brother first, then my dad at 93, but I never shed a tear for either, not because I didn't love them, but because they lived the life they wanted to.
My brother died at 60 from complications of being shot in Nam and poor lifestyle.
My dad, he lived a long good life and was able to spend his last days at home, he was a good man and left behind a loving family.
Now with that said, I have had dogs in my life ever since I was born, and can name everyone of them after 57 years.
But a dogs life is so short, yet they not learn the one lesson that is important in life, but teach us as well, and that is unconditional love.
I think that is why I fall to pieces when ever I lose one of these special friends, they teach us what it means to love unconditionally, they teach us patience, and humility, because they sometimes can't hold it, and we are forced to clean up after them, generally with a smile.
If those aren't reasons to celebrate the life they shared with us, I don't know what is.
Hang in there, she knows you appreciated her time with you.
She definitely appreciated the time you two had together.
Quote from: Solars Toy on October 25, 2010, 12:20:29 PM
Dan - Solar called me and told me about your post. I immediately got on an read your beautiful and touching story of your best friend. I am so sorry for the loss you have experienced but as you say you had a good 7.5 years with your "puppy". You will remain in my thoughts.
Thanks ST. Death is something we all have to face. I'm just grateful that she was able to face it so peacefully. It would have been much harder if she had suffered.
Quote from: Elfie on October 25, 2010, 02:42:25 PMYou have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....
Thanks Elfie. That is a beautiful thought. Sounds like heaven to me so I guess that could be the way it works.
Quote from: Solar on October 25, 2010, 02:53:44 PMIf those aren't reasons to celebrate the life they shared with us, I don't know what is.
You said it all right there buddy. I know my life was better for having shared it with my puppy.
Quote from: Dan on October 26, 2010, 06:43:57 AM
Thanks Elfie. That is a beautiful thought. Sounds like heaven to me so I guess that could be the way it works.
You're welcome.....I like to think it works that way.....
One day soon you'll be able to look at pics n smile...... I promise.
;)
Elfie is right Dan, I lost my best friend Heidi a year ago, and though I still miss her more than anything in the World, I smile every time I think about her.
Though I must admit, I tear up just posting this, but mostly because of all the happy times we spent together, not so much the sadness of my loss.
Quote from: Solar on October 26, 2010, 08:41:21 AM
Elfie is right Dan, I lost my best friend Heidi a year ago, and though I still miss her more than anything in the World, I smile every time I think about her.
Though I must admit, I tear up just posting this, but mostly because of all the happy times we spent together, not so much the sadness of my loss.
I'm so sorry chief. Although we've talked a lot, I never knew about your loss.
Quote from: Elfie on October 26, 2010, 08:29:59 AM
You're welcome.....I like to think it works that way.....
One day soon you'll be able to look at pics n smile...... I promise.
;)
Also I'm having her creamated and I am going to plant a live oak tree in a great spot and put her ashes in the the bottom of the hole. That way I can go out to the tree whenever I want to talk to her. In my opinion it's way better than a headstone and conventional grave. It's what I'm going to do for myself as well.
And sometimes I can look at the pics and smile. Other times I look at them and I want to cry like a baby. Seems to come and go with more than a little unpredictability right now.
Quote from: Dan on October 26, 2010, 09:01:42 AM
Also I'm having her creamated and I am going to plant a live oak tree in a great spot and put her ashes in the the bottom of the hole. That way I can go out to the tree whenever I want to talk to her. In my opinion it's way better than a headstone and conventional grave. It's what I'm going to do for myself as well.
And sometimes I can look at the pics and smile. Other times I look at them and I want to cry like a baby. Seems to come and go with more than a little unpredictability right now.
I got some great pics of my girl... Now she is very old and very sick. When I lost my first bestest friend, we had her cremated to. Went up the creek n put her in at her fav fishin hole..... her buddy is going with Himself, he wants her to be with him and do pretty much like you are planning.
My old girl now,,,,We'll just call her clunkerbut,lol. She will come with me..., ayep,,, right now, she's fightin like a big dog and to stubborn,so we pretty much hang out. It's the worst....but,well shoot, it just plain is.
Quote from: Dan on October 26, 2010, 08:59:28 AM
I'm so sorry chief. Although we've talked a lot, I never knew about your loss.
I found a puppy down in the creek while mining, it was a Lassie story, "Lassie says Timmy is stuck in the well" moment, so I went to see why she kept bugging me to see what was wrong, I walked downstream about a 1/4 mile, and up on a short cliff above the water, was a puppy, I thought it was a bear cub at first, but it turned out to be a 10 week old Great Pyrenees mix.
We brought him home and since no one would claim him so we kept him, long story short, she raised him as if it were her own, they were inseparable, he adored her to no end.
When she died, a week later, he literally died of a broken heart.
I buried them together.
For the first time in decades, I was without a dog in my life, I was totally lost.
I replaced them quite quickly with a Wolf hybrid, sweet, but dumb as a box of rocks.
I May never find another like her again, but I'll keep searching, and I know it will have to be another true German Shepard, not this screwed up American bred crap, they're great, but the health issues they've bred into them should be illegal.
I'm not going to get another dog for a while. Just doesn't feel right. But when it does I don't know if it will ever be the same. Between her illnesses and all the things I was going through both personally and professionally I just don't know if the bond could ever be duplicated.
I think part of the reason I am reluctant to get another dog even after some time has passed is the concern that it just won't be the same.
The best way is to have one fall into your lap. Although with my bestest girl,,,we talked n talked about getting one. Our friends husky had a liter of pups so we went n looked.... sure enough she picked me. I was in no way serious about getting one.... with her I learned what "she picked you" meant. Her buddy got left behind by one of my brothers. they were 6 months apart both husky half breeds. Smart as whips and double the trouble when they started thinking. Clunkerbutt, well after we lost my girl, the other was looking lost n lonely,,,so happened the newspaper came. I read the story after Himself showed me... Right then I knew she was mine. had to jump thru some hoops and they told me she was going to another couploe. I told the lady ok, but you'll call me tom orrow and I will come get her.... they lady was oh I am sooo sorry you are feeling tbhis way. I giggled. That night Tash had a massive coronary. An hour or so after we got calmed down and back from the vet the phone rang....sure enough, it was the lady......could I come get clunkerbut.....went from extreme intellect to puppy stupid in less then 12 hours....
Ya just never know til it hits you in the face..... Different is good,,,,,,you have learned so much all ready. One day,,, it'll smack ya and and another chapter will start,lol.
You're absolutely right Dan, it never will be the same, but it will be in it's own right, equally as good.
But whatever you do, make sure the breed, or mix, fits your need for that time in your life.
I've been lucky, all the dogs I've had go through my life, were perfect for the time.
If you decide not to get one, you will be leaving a void in your life, that only a puppy can fill. ;)
Dan, I don't know but what she may have looked like this. If not, enjoy anyway. He is the biggest.
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Quote from: Shooterman on October 26, 2010, 12:37:57 PM
Dan, I don't know but what she may have looked like this. If not, enjoy anyway. He is the biggest.
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Her daddy was a tall, muscular 200 lbs. No fat. The one time in my life I ever felt truly intimidated by a dog. But he was a sweet lap dog type who just wanted attention. Her mother was more lean and tall. My puppy was the runt of the litter. I seem to pick runts for some reason. I did it with both dogs I own. Anyway, she was sickly growing up because of her thyroid and adrenal glands shutting down at 7 or 8 months and all the digestive and immune problems that resulted. And since it took a dozen different vets and about a year to find the real problem, she was sick for a big part of her growing period. As a result, she was on the smaller end of things. When she was healthy she would range between 120-125 lbs. As she became sick and was less active she lost a lot of muscle. She was only about 80 lbs when she passed. Basically she was the size of a big labrador retriever with taller, leaner features. But thanks for the photo. He is a beauty. I love great danes, but I'm not sure if I will get another one. I'm kinda thinking that if I can semi-retire in 2 or 3 years then I might try to do a little small scale farming. Plant a few acres. Get some chickens and a few cows. If I do something like that then I may go for a working dog like a Lacy Dog. Or heck, I just might get one of each. It's too early to know what I will want in the future right now. Safe to say I'm at least a couple years out from getting anything. It just doesn't feel right to even think about it seriously now.
Quote from: Solar on October 26, 2010, 11:09:47 AM
You're absolutely right Dan, it never will be the same, but it will be in it's own right, equally as good.
But whatever you do, make sure the breed, or mix, fits your need for that time in your life.
I've been lucky, all the dogs I've had go through my life, were perfect for the time.
If you decide not to get one, you will be leaving a void in your life, that only a puppy can fill. ;)
I agree. Gotta match the dog with the lifestyle. Believe it or not, Great Danes are great house dogs and can even easily live in an apartment. So long as you give them good, regular exercise 3 or 4 times per week (a little more when they are younger) then they will do fine in a small space. Their big things are that they love being close to people, they are generally one owner dogs and they don't tolerate the heat well. I would never turn a Great Dane into an outside dog in a hot climate like the south.
Quote from: Elfie on October 26, 2010, 10:51:22 AM
The best way is to have one fall into your lap.
I hear what you're saying Elfie, but with breeds like Great Danes it probably makes more sense to be very deliberate. I love my Great Dane that just passed and I wouldn't trade her for anything, but I made the mistake of buying a dog from an unqualified breeder. Sure the animals were registered and they took good care of their animals, but in extreme breeds the congenital defects can be severe and must be managed by dilligent screening and disciplined breeding programs that span several generations. Thyriod & adrenal glands shutting down. Heart problems. Eye problems. Wobbler's disease. Hip Displaysia. Severe multi-site arthtris. These are all very common congenital defects that occur in Great Danes. The best way to buy a Dane is to find a well-respected show breeder who can tell you about a breeding process that involves screening for 5 or 6 generations back for congenital health problems. Nothing is a guarantee, but if I know the dog's ancestors have checked clear for the big problems going back several generations then my odds are a lot better. So the trick is to buy a pet quality puppy from a show breeder. It will cost ballpark of $1,500 as opposed to some guy putting a boy and a girl dog together and calling himself a breeder who will charge $600-$800, but the odds are better on the health risks. And if you take the wellfare of your animal seriously then you are talking about a lot of cash. I probably spent $500 for my dog and $15,000 in lifetime vet bills. I just didn't know what I was doing at the time. But looking back I could have bought a top flight show prospect and paid a fraction of the vet bills and come out about the same financially.
If I do get another Great Dane then I doubt I will want to show it. That's just a commitment I don't think I'm up for doing the way it deserves to be done. But I do think I would like to train one as a therapy dog to go into nursing homes.
Do you guys ever feel a little voice inside of you keeps telling you to do something and over time it just gets louder and louder. That's how I am with the therapy dog idea. It's a likely place I will be putting some of my time if I am able to semi-retire in the next few years. I have family friends who are in the therapy dog community in my city and they could help me get on the right track once I pick my puppy.
I know there are a lot of things that are needed and a lot of ways to give back, but this is something I am feeling increasingly compelled to do. Hard to explain. Hope it doesn't sound too crazy. It's not like voices in my head. More like a voice in my heart if that makes any sense.
Quote from: Dan on October 27, 2010, 07:37:07 AM
If I do get another Great Dane then I doubt I will want to show it. That's just a commitment I don't think I'm up for doing the way it deserves to be done. But I do think I would like to train one as a therapy dog to go into nursing homes.
Do you guys ever feel a little voice inside of you keeps telling you to do something and over time it just gets louder and louder. That's how I am with the therapy dog idea. It's a likely place I will be putting some of my time if I am able to semi-retire in the next few years. I have family friends who are in the therapy dog community in my city and they could help me get on the right track once I pick my puppy.
I know there are a lot of things that are needed and a lot of ways to give back, but this is something I am feeling increasingly compelled to do. Hard to explain. Hope it doesn't sound too crazy. It's not like voices in my head. More like a voice in my heart if that makes any sense.
Dan- I have often thought my little dog should be one of those dogs that goes to nursing homes. She is cute and lovable and a great lap dog. She is a chihuahua and Cocker spaniel mix. Eighteen pounds of love....
She actually became Solars therapy. When Heidi and then Pal passed on I had him take my little dog home with him so he wouldn't be alone. A week later I moved in.... :) :)
ST that's a great story. Sounds to me like you don't have a therapy dog. It sounds to me more like you have a matchmaker dog. ;D
Quote from: Dan on October 27, 2010, 07:54:21 PM
ST that's a great story. Sounds to me like you don't have a therapy dog. It sounds to me more like you have a matchmaker dog. ;D
Well he was holding her hostage at that point...what else could I do. ;D ;D ;D ;D
Truth is Dan, the puppy didn't want to go back to a 15 sq ft lawn, not after playing on all this land, with creeks and all kinds of wildlife, she was instantly spoiled.
Problem is, she is seen as a snack to most everything up here. :o
I agree Solar. All dogs are happier when they can run and play outside. I call it letting a dog be a dog. My dog loved being outside. When she was younger and healthier she would run and run and run. We would walk down pipeline roads and even go through deer trails in the winter when the leaves were down. She could smell all sorts of interesting scents from wild animals from deer to wild pigs to coyotes to rabbits to squirrels to raccoons to possums. Every once in a while she would run across a rabbit or cow or deer and try to chase it. One time she caught up with a rabbit and didn't know what to do when she caught it. Don't worry, the rabbit was unhurt.
After we were out at this family land she would dream about it for days. While she was sleeping her feet would move back and forth like she was running and she would make little, muted barking noises. Playing on so much land is like going to Disney Land for a dog so no wonder ST's puppy didn't want to leave. And you picked up a girlfriend in the bargain.
Quote from: Dan on October 28, 2010, 04:59:19 AM
I agree Solar. All dogs are happier when they can run and play outside. I call it letting a dog be a dog. My dog loved being outside. When she was younger and healthier she would run and run and run. We would walk down pipeline roads and even go through deer trails in the winter when the leaves were down. She could smell all sorts of interesting scents from wild animals from deer to wild pigs to coyotes to rabbits to squirrels to raccoons to possums. Every once in a while she would run across a rabbit or cow or deer and try to chase it. One time she caught up with a rabbit and didn't know what to do when she caught it. Don't worry, the rabbit was unhurt.
After we were out at this family land she would dream about it for days. While she was sleeping her feet would move back and forth like she was running and she would make little, muted barking noises. Playing on so much land is like going to Disney Land for a dog so no wonder ST's puppy didn't want to leave. And you picked up a girlfriend in the bargain.
Now the opposite has occurred, is has become old hat for her, in other words spoiled rotten, she no longer appreciates just how good she has it.
Would rather stay inside an sleep.
Now instead of her going back top her old home and dreaming of her good times here, she would see it as torture, or jail.
I think the dog suffers from depression, but can't really blame her, if I weighed 20 pounds in a rainstorm, and the fact that any cat could kick my ass, I'd be depressed too. ;D
My ex mother in law had a good comment one time on why dogs loved to sniff scents left by other animals. She said sniffing was for a dog like reading a newspaper was for a human. It told them who, what, when, where and why.
That always tickled me. ;D
Therapy dog is a great idea. I just didn't know Dane's were of that sort. I always thought of goldens. In any case thats a cool thing to do.....
;)
Quote from: Elfie on October 29, 2010, 06:15:34 AM
Therapy dog is a great idea. I just didn't know Dane's were of that sort. I always thought of goldens. In any case thats a cool thing to do.....
;)
Any dog can be a therapy dog. It's just a matter of proper training and socialization. But yes Dane's are called the gentle giants of the dog world. I know my dog was very sweet and loving and people always commented on how gentle she was.
And I think it would be kinda cool to walk in there with a 150 lb dog. It could be a nice change of pace from the beagles and the poodles they would normally see.
Quote from: Dan on October 29, 2010, 07:13:41 AM
Any dog can be a therapy dog. It's just a matter of proper training and socialization. But yes Dane's are called the gentle giants of the dog world. I know my dog was very sweet and loving and people always commented on how gentle she was.
And I think it would be kinda cool to walk in there with a 150 lb dog. It could be a nice change of pace from the beagles and the poodles they would normally see.
that would be cool. There was a lady at Bristol last spring, she had a dane walking with her, he was pretty gentle, she was promoting dane rescue. I bet it would be a good thing for what you're planning. That and it could open up a huge door for all kinds of therapy work. I hope you do that,,, I really do.
;)
I think Great Dane and Greyhound rescues are wonderful things. I truly do. But you have a much higher rate of health problems and sometimes they develop personality issues that are much harder to adjust as adults. Workable as a pet. Maybe not so much for therapy dog work. Some would be OK, but it would be a real hit or miss kind of thing.
I had so many health problems with my last dog. And it wasn't the expense or the time or the effort of administering medicine daily for her lifetime that made it hard. It was the fact that I loved her so much and it was hard to see her suffer so much. Maybe this sounds selfish, but I really want to get a healthy puppy that I can properly socialize from 8 weeks of age and minimize the problems that come with the breed.
I know exactly what you mean about health and wellness issues with dogs. Ol clunkerbut is a rescue... well, yea,lol, but anyway. its why I knicknamed her just that,,, she has had a rough start by all means,,,when I got her at 10 weeks someone had beat the daylights out of her, fractured from muzzle to tail,they blasted her left eye out destroying the orbital socket so no way to put a fake eye in there. they kicked her so hard the femor(sp) head is half out of the hip joint itself (so she clunks a bit I can feel it still), been serious arthritus since 4 months, all that at 6.5 weeks old. Now she's going to be 14 come 11-22. They said I would be lucky if she wasnt crazy from the head blows and gone before her 10th birthday.....
Jokes on them. These days I am the psyco bitch from hell when it comes to people and her,lol. She's losing her eyesight and her hearing... she frightens easily now,then again she always has been a fearful thing, especially of the dark,,,
Feisty little thing and full of the tude,,,which is her mix breed,, she's a canarly,,,ya can hardly tell what she is until the chow comes out or the playful lab comes out or when we're out in the woods , the cattle dog (you're going this way Mom) comes out,lol
Truthfully I am glad I have her, she has taught me tons of things,,,,she is with me 24/7 as a rule and only 6 days a year she is not and I still come home to check on her...It's a wonderful thing you thinkin about doing what you are doing..... and yep a healthy dog would be a good thing,,but I am glad I have her to know what to expect if it isn't so.
;)
I know what you mean. My dog wasn't abused, but she pulled virtually every congenital defect a great dane could have. When I commit to something I'm all in and I took responsibility for her life. More than that, I loved her like a child. If the next dog I get becomes ill or has special needs then I will give her the best care I can possibly provide. But taking care of an animal with special needs can be demanding and squeeze our time from other parts of your life.
I just want to try to do things the normal way for once. If it doesn't work out, then no big deal. But I want to pick something that gives me a good chance at a healthy dog this time.
With great danes the trick is to buy a pet quality puppy from a show breeder who has screened several generations back for the congenital defects common in the breed. That's not a guarantee of anything, but it's your best bet for a health dog.