Author Archive

Bella

Bella

Just wanted to give you an update on Bella. She is doing AMAZING, and she is so much apart of the family it feels like she has been with us from day one. She is one the sweetest dogs that I have ever been around, with a human personality. Sometimes when she does things we just laugh because it different for us. In the morning I watch the news and she sits on the couch right next to me staring at the TV like she knows what is going on. She sleeps on her dog bed through the day but she has to sleep thespyexpert in my bed at night, and she makes sure she has a pillow, I couldn’t ask for a better dog. She has gained 10 pounds and looks healthy 🙂 I can’t thank you enough for her, she is simply the best. I adore her.

In Memorium John Martin January 16, 1941 – April 23, 2014

In Memorium John Martin January 16, 1941 – April 23, 2014

Sadly, we lost one of our most precious GDRNC members and a wonderful friend, John Martin. John lost his brave battle with bactrimsale.com cancer with his devoted wife, Karen, by his side. John and Karen manage the Reno, NV area for Rescue, and have been invaluable members of our group. John was one of those people who you liked right off. I think it is rare when you meet a man like John, who was truly one of the nicest, most decent men I have ever met. This was a good guy. He loved his own rescued Danes with calm, tender love, and was protective of the sad fosters that came into his and Karen’s home. The joke was that we always worried when a Dane came to stay with John and Karen, that it would never leave. Karen would tell me John would say to her each and every time a new rescue came into their home, “Karen, we HAVE to keep this one. No one will adopt it.” John felt a connection with every animal that came into his life. We are all better for having known John Martin. Our sincere condolences to his wife Karen, who we know will continue John’s good work with Rescue.

I asked Karen to write a paragraph about her husband, and this is what she wrote:

When you met my husband, you could see he was a nice guy. If you were fortunate to spend time with him, you would see a wise, funny, caring man. If you liked to golf, fish or go shooting, you could be best buddies. Since moving to Reno, we’ve brought in sixteen foster Danes. John never wanted to let any of them go. He was so proud to say we fostered for the Great Dane Rescue. He was a Great Dad to all the “kids”. I am so grateful to him for this, for it completed us as a couple. John showed you can be happy, life is wonderful and love lasts! Cathy (our rescued Great Dane) and I miss him so very much.

 

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Gator

Gator

Gator is doing very well for such an insecure fellow.  We have determined he is not a vicious dog, but mostly very scared of others.  He is incredibly frightened of anything that looks like a hose.  I have found a vet who understands this and doesn’t feel the need to immediately muzzle him.  Our vet is about 5’4″ and Gator regularly touches noses with her.  He does seem to favor women over men, so far he has added my husband, our son and a close male friend to his “male repertoire”.  He has many more female friends.  Makes you wonder what happened to him in his about it previous life.  He  is getting white in the muzzle and prefers sleeping by the heater, but when the spirit moves him he is quite rambunctious.  We love him.  Thanks again for finding him for us.

Virginia N.
Editors Note:  Kincade (Gator) came in very thin and dirty, and the owners were sparse on sharing info on him (language barrier).  Virginia and her husband adopted him and had some trouble at first, but stuck with it and worked it out.  This is a good example that not all dogs fit seamlessly into their new homes, and sometimes take love and patience and good dog-sense to make it work. Not all dogs are perfect and Virginia realized that she could live with Gator’s “issues” and her love for him outweighed the problems.
Thank you to Virginia for sticking it out with Gator.

Marco

Marco

Marco (shown here with May) is surpassing all of our expectations.  He’s such a gentle boy and loves everyone.  He even gives great hugs….so touching!!  He acts like he’s lived here for a long time already!  We are both totally in love with this guy.  The grandkids came over today (we had a house full) and Marco passed the test with flying colors.  He was sweet and gentle with all the kids and they are all in love with him too.  Marco and Mya are good friends and play as well as cuddle together.  We truly love this boy and are so grateful that you trusted us to have him become a member of our family.

Opie & Aunt Bea

What I can say is I thought I would never get a dog from (GDRNC) since I couldn’t travel and could not go to pick one up. Much to my surprise after I contacted GDRNC and Bob & Lynn, they were kind enough-towards the dog & then to me to bring her out to me.  Aunt Bea and my Opie hit it off right from the beginning & they have played daily ever since.  Just what I wanted & needed since I can’t run & play anymore & throwing Opie’s ball is virtually impossible for me. But with a rural setting & a yard close to 1 acre with lots of interesting things to do, Opie & Bea can run full out & play all daylong.  Our little Aunt Bea is a wonderful watchdog as well. All 3 of us are very happy.
THANK YOU, GDRNC!
You are wonderful!
Anne

Shawnee & Cochise

Shawnee & Cochise
My sweetie Shawnee wanted me to write to you (gotta say the paws and keyboard thing are not a good match) to let you know how much fun she is having with ME!
Our personal dog park has made all the difference and if I do say so myself, we can put on quite the athletic display.  We can be quite impressive even without working on it too hard. AND I taught Shawnee to sit on Mom’s lap too, so she is now extra busy with that.  Hasn’t quite managed to get both of us on there yet, but I can imagine that being next.
Ah, it is spring — lovin’ the spring grass, the birds, the turkeys, the deer…so much action to supervise.  Shawnee is starting to behave herself a little.  She did get a sponge, but it miraculously reappeared in the courtyard a couple weeks later — though looking a little worse for wear.  Mom scooped it up before anything else could happen to it.  Meanwhile, we are just filling our days with lots of doggie stuff..
When Mom and Dad go away together these days, Shawnee has to go into a (can’t say the word out loud here, so am whispering) crate.  But she doesn’t seem to mind and gets a treat.  Boy, she is anxious to get out again. Hopefully that accompanies food too.
Well, gotta go as it is our time to play hard in our dog park.  Then we rush to the house and EAT!  Can life be better than that???
With love from Shawnee and Cochise!

Caius

John and I wanted to let you know that Caius is doing very well  in our household. He and Cassandra are BFFs. He can still be a little wild at times; spinning donuts and jumping over the couch instead of going around so I make the effort to take him on daily walks and free range runs (when possible) and have exposed him to both obedience and agility classes. I wanted to share his progress so take a look at the posted video. He really is a good boy.
Dora & John M.

I have now rescued two Great Danes through the Great Dane Rescue of Northern California.  Colleen and her fostering associates made the experience easy and rewarding.  The dog evaluations were very accurate and arrangements to see and adopt the dogs were very professionally handled. Careful concern was given to make sure the dogs were online going to a good home.  It is obvious that the group’s sole concern is with the welfare of these dogs who have fallen on hard times.  The experience was totally rewarding and the two dogs…well, they were everything I wanted and more.  I would not hesitate to send anyone who has a good home available to these wonderful folks!

Barbara S.

 

Millie

Millie
Hello Colleen;  Happy Holidays!  I hope this note finds you well,  We just wanted to send you a quick update to let you know how wonderful Millie is.  We love her so very much.  She continue to grow and is now about 120 lbs.  She is very loving and playful.  She enjoys trips to the beach (we go to Fort Funston about 3 times a week), playing with her toys and snuggling on the couch.  She is very popular at the park and has enjoyed the Great Dane meet-ups in the Bay Area.  We celebrated her first birthday last week on 11/21 and she received new toys and a special homemade “cake” made from ground beef and mashed potato frosting and a carrot stick candle.  Thank you for helping to bring her into our family.
Sinee H.

Betty Thomas – February 2012

Betty Thomas – February 2012

Great Dane Rescue of Northern California founder Betty Thomas passed away in February of 2012.  She will always be remembered as a tireless advocate for the breed.  She truly gave her life to rescuing Great Danes.  She will be forever missed by her friends.  Without her, the Great Dane Rescue of Northern California would never have existed.