In Memoriam

Farewell Sweet Carson

Our hearts go out to Russ and Dorothy after the passing of their beloved Carson. Karen remembers them coming to Reno in 2008 to meet a stray she was fostering. They sat on the floor in her living room for about 20 minutes, coaxing this shy boy to come by them. Karen watched their patience and their reaction when he finally came up to them. She knew this was the family for Carson. We guessed his age to be three, so he had a long, wonderful life. We thank them for that.

Here is what Dorothy wrote to us: “I am so grateful for having had the chance to have him be a part of my life. He leaves a lot of people who loved him too much. Everyone has been better to have known him, and they are all grieving his loss. I know he is running like a freight train and eating everything I would not allow. My son is sure he is chowing on bowls of deer poop! I am so very lucky that you took a chance on us, and I hope you know that he gave us more happiness and joy than I can ever express.”

Rest In Peace Bodhi

Our sincere condolences to Marilyn Jasper who recently lost her beautiful brindle boy Bodhi.

In 2008 Marilyn had contacted me inquiring about adopting a Dane. She lived locally and was very active in all local animal and conservation issues, so I had met her before. One day I get a call from the Auburn Shelter that they had an approx. 9 month old Dane that needed rescuing. I went to pick him up, and saw such a pretty young brindle male. Driving home I was just hating the idea of having to board him at the kennel, he was such a puppy and very sensitive. Then Marilyn popped into my head. I called information and luckily she was listed. I dialed her number, she answered and I told her of the sweet Dane I had in my car. She said come on by and that day this wonderful puppy became “Bodhi” and lived for nine years with Marilyn in her mountain top retreat. As Marilyn does foster care for puppies of all breeds that come into the local shelter, Bodhi had a constant stream of new puppy friends during his years with Marilyn. He was a great ambassador for our breed, as he was so accepting of other animals. Marilyn loved him and did all she could in his last years to keep him up and walking and comfortable. We thank Marilyn for providing such a warm, loving home for Bodhi.

“A Hard Goodbye” – Kale

Our condolences to Paula Huffman on the loss of her girl Kale.  Pictured above is Kale and her brother Augustus with Paula.  I remember Paula adopting Kale, a Dane with issues.  She was not good with other dogs and had some other things to work on, but Paula did not give up and stuck with it.   My heartfelt thanks to Paula for being a true Great Dane person who put in the work needed to make Kale the Dane she knew she could be.  Here is what Paula wrote about Kale:

“I’ve been dreading this email….this inevitable email.  But I did want to let you know that I had to say goodbye to my sweet girl Kale.  She was over 10 years old and my dear companion for over 8 1/2 years.  Tears fill my eyes and are literally running down my cheeks as I write this.  Even thought I have Augustus, my other Dane, there is an emptiness in our home.  Life is different and we are learning to adjust without her quirkiness, her silliness and her presence.  I am so grateful to you and Great Dane Rescue for providing me the opportunity to have her all these years.  What you guys do at the rescue matters and it really does positively impact many lives.  I will always be grateful for you.”

We are grateful to Paula.

Rory’s Story

Our condolences to the Speth family on the loss of their beloved boy Rory.  Elizabeth came to adopt a cute fawn puppy almost nine years ago.  They named him Rommel.  This was their first Great Dane.  We then adopted the other three littermates to new homes.  About 3 months later one of the puppies named Rory came back into Rescue.  His owners were having “issues” and chose not to keep Rory.  Being that Elizabeth is a friend of mine, I let her know Rommel’s brother was back and not happy in the kennel.  In fact, he snapped at one of the kennel girls, obviously very stressed.  Elizabeth raced over that day and put her arms around Rory and said he could come live with her family and his brother Rommel.  And there he spent almost nine years with his brother Rommel, in a wonderfully active, loving family.  On Rory’s last day, all the adult children came home so the entire family could spend the day with Rory, feeding him special foods, laying next to him (see photos below), and when the vet came to the home, all who loved him made his crossing as peaceful as it could be.  Rory spent his life surrounded by horses, cats, other dogs and most importantly, a very special family.  We thank the Speths for adopting Rory and giving him an extraordinary home.

Rest in peace sweet Rory.

Brother Rommel pictured above.

Donovan – Another Final Photo

Here is another great photo of our beloved Donovan prior to his sudden passing.  Shown here riding in the convertible, which he loved to do!

Donovan – Rest in Peace

So sad….. poor Donovan passed away a few days ago unexpectedly.  His owner, Amber, fed him and her female Dane, and a few minutes later came back into the room and he had passed. Such a shock.  Thanks to the Bargers for providing Donovan with a wonderful year of love.  Over the last year Amber had brought Donovan over to visit me in the back of her small convertible.  Such a sweet sight to see this very tall fawn male sitting in the back.  He was such a placid boy, rescued from the Sacramento shelter where his owners dumped him.  I had the privilege of doing foster care for Donovan until adopted, and he was such a sweet, calm boy.  I am so sorry for their loss. But am so glad that the last year of his life with filled with joy.

In Memorium – Stella

Our condolences to the Broude family on the recent loss of their big black girl Stella.  Adopted from Rescue in 2008, Janet had to say goodbye to her sweet girl recently.  Here is Stella’s final photo.

Rest in peace sweet girl.  Thank you to the Broude family for providing Stella with a wonderful, loving home.

I still so clearly remember the day she was adopted.

Rest in Peace Maxwell

The Falt family recently wrote to let us know of the passing of their beloved Great Dane, Maxwell, whom they adopted from us in 2008.  Here is what Desirea  wrote:  “You adopted to my husband and myself our best friend.  We had him for 7 1/2 wonderful years.  I wanted to let you know that he passed away yesterday (January 1st) peacefully.  In his life, he gave and received much love.  Traveled across the country with his people, saw St. Louis and spend 3 1/2 years exploring his new home in New Hampshire.”

 

Our condolences to Desirea and her husband on their loss. (SO nice to see people move and actually keep their Dane!) 

Jackson – Missing His Girl

Lori Lynne and Eric sent this photo of their boy Jackson.  They recently lost their beautiful rescue girl Priscilla after 18 months of battling health issues.  They say Jackson is getting by with lots of love and attention.  But this photo made me sad.  I know how Danes grieve for their “siblings” and this photo looks like Jackson is surely missing Priscilla.  Our love to them all.

 

Rest in Peace Sweet Priscilla

Our own Lori Lynne and Eric’s sweet girl Priscilla recently passed on. We want to extend our heartfelt sympathy to them on the loss of their beloved girl. Lori Lynne and Eric kept Priscilla going many months after medical problems arose. They went above and beyond what most people would have done to make Priscilla happy and gave her quality of life. We are so sorry she lost her battle, but know she crossed over in Lori Lynne’s arms in her own home, as peacefully as could be.