Dog Devotion

Well how-do-you-do?

Can I sniff your (butt)?

Koda, the sweetest Great Dane we have ever adopted

adoption through Rocky Mountain Great Dane Rescue, Inc.

Well, I have been feeling a little 'ruff' around the edges for the last few days,

 as all you know who read my blog regularly.

(and a big THANKS! to those of you who do!!)

:0)

Tanner, our current Great Dane, has just been such a nice

cuddle-boy. He loves to nap with me on the bed, and he always finagles his way around so his head is on me somewhere - usually my legs or feet.

He would prefer sharing my pillow if I let him, which is not very often.

I mean, hey! it's my pillow!!!
...and he snores!

Tanner, taking advantage of the bed

Yeah, that IS a picture of Tanner on my bed, with his

hind end almost on my pillow.

Sigh.

We change pillowcases alot here.

a vintage Jack and Jill magazine cover, with added dogs

courtesy of OrigamiBears

"You can say any foolish thing to a dog,

and the dog will give you a look that says

'My goodness, your'e right!

I never would have thought of that!'"

- Dave Barry, humor author

Tanner, trying to be a small dog and fit on half of our loveseat.

Pun of the day:

'Where do you find a dog with no legs?'

(answer below)

This is a lab puppy by www.Color-Your-Own.com
but you could color her to be lots of other kinds of dogs too!

I love these cute little finger puppets by

http://www.cherylasmith.etsy.com/

Makes me want to sing:

10 little puppies on the bed,

Me Oh My Oh No!

One falls off - and goes a scamperin'

Me Oh My Oh No!

9 little puppies on the bed,

Me Oh My Oh No!

One falls off - and goes a scamperin'

Me Oh My Oh No!

8 little puppies on the bed,

Me Oh My Oh No!

One falls off - and goes a scamperin'

Me Oh My Oh No!

7 little puppies on the bed,

Me Oh My Oh No!

One falls off - and goes a scamperin'

Me Oh My Oh No!

...6, 5, 4, 3, 2.....

1 little puppy on the bed,

Me Oh My Oh No!

sleeping on the pillow with his head,

M Oh My Oh.....snore.

Yes, you're right, you have never heard that one before,

because I just made it up!

10 little puppy finger puppets could be awfully cute...

vintage clip of little dog,

NOT my Tanner!

Tanner seems to know when I don't feel well.

I'm not sure if he is sympathising with me,

or just knows he can get more sleep-on-the-bed time!

Yes, this is Tanner on the bed, slowly sneaking his way up to the pillows...

Here is a page of vintage dogs, plus some bears and more, drawings

courtesy of Dover Books:

This next photo is from a contest held for an auction for breast-cancer charity in 2008.

I just love the creativity that these artists put into their bras!!!

I'm sorry, I don't know the artist/creator of this one.

Answer to pun question:

'Right where you left him!'

yeah, I know, I know...but it IS a pun....

a recycled CD clock, www.thegolfingdolphin.etsy.com

My good friend Julie adopted 2 dogs from the animal shelter.

She was only going to adopt one, but the dog she wanted

had come in with another dog, and she just couldn't split them up.

Good for her.

They don't really play or anything together,

but definitely are each others' security blankie.

One is a Chinese Crested Julie named 'Ellie'.

I looked for pictures of a Chinese Crested, and this coloring page came up:

Thanks to www.Color-Your-Own.com for their great drawing.

Now Ellie doesn't look that that drawing.

She looks kind of like a small poodle with a pointy nose 

with a really bad hair day.

But perhaps in her doggy-dreams she looks like the above dog!

Pun #2

'Why don't blind people like to sky dive?'

The next couple of pictures are taken from

http://www.littlepinkhouse.etsy.com/

I would encourage you to check out her shop!

She makes custom felt drawings of your home, and includes personal things like dogs and cats, flowers, etc.

These are 2 pix of 2 different dogs she has done for clients:

Aren't they just adorable?

I got in the mood for all things dog today because I read an article posted on Yahoo News! It was all about homes that were designed

with people's pet dogs in mind.

About time! I say, as a firm doggy-lover.

These pictures are all courtesy of

http://www.faunaplusdesign.com/

which is a Japanese architecture design company, I believe.

An award-winning Papillon Dogs Home in Kakogawa, Japan.

a Basset Hound House with smaller home designs in mind

Here they are catering to a low-to-the-ground sight line.

This next photo shows a lower entrance to an outside area, that includes an outdoor shower! You can see it in the upper Left corner.

It is designed by Kouichi Kimura Architects, Japan.

The last photo in this series is designed by

FaunaPlusDesign, Japan.

I just think this idea is absolutely super!

It was created for 3 beagles that are also watch dogs,

so now they can watch from above too!

Kinda' like from the castle walls....

What a great idea for doggy-at-home exercise!!!

Of course, Tanner's main exercise is to decide which bed/nap place he would prefer to move to....

Note the DOG NECESSITIES:

*a fire to warm him

*a blanket with extra cush to lay on

*a favorite toy nearby (the fox!)

*in the middle of things, so he can observe

Such decisions, such decisions.

What Napping Spot next?

In the office

TWO custom beds made for Tanner by

www.wirehab.etsy.com

In the living room (note big basket of toys to the Right)

and sometimes you just have to plop down where you are...

but of course,

make sure you are in the middle of everything so people have to step over you-

Here is a photo of a foster Great Dane we had:

'Drake'

from the Rocky Mountain Great Dane Rescue, Inc.

We so wanted to adopt him. I just fell in love with him.

Talk about a cuddle-boy!

But Drake was very young, and very energetic and really not house trained...

so he just didn't fit in with us.

This was before my back surgery, so I was in pain a lot, and couldn't take him for walks, or throw the Frisbee or play tug-of-war with him.

Did I mention he had lots of energy??!!

But what an absolute sweetie...

His adoptive parents had him for about 3 months, and then adopted another Great Dane for companionship for him. She was 6 months old at the time!

I was so happy for him. I cried when we let him go...

Dog bones, paws and houses hand painted marbles by

http://www.glassgemsbychristine.etsy.com/

Answer to Pun #2:

Because it scares the dog too much!!

(snark, snark, snark)

Gotta close, I'm getting too sentimental and wayyy too silly here!

Besides,

no Michael, I will not write a book,

I will not write a book,

I will not write a book.

And for those interested, my headache is all gone and I fell

MUCH BETTER!

thanks for your prayers.

inkspired

http://www.inkspired.etsy.com/

dominoes@myinkspired.com

Gentle Giant Tanner

(yawn)

WOOF!

woo-oooo-f!

('hi there', dog language)

June, 2009, front yard

Welcome!

I was up all last night with my Great Dane, Tanner.

(yawn)

Yesterday we had a little cuddle in bed before I got up.

He stayed in our bed (his preferred place to snooze).

yes, I change my sheets/pillowcases often!

So I'm doing my morning puttering routine, and I hear the most

AWFUL

screaming/whining/crying.

Yikes!

I rush to the bedroom, and Tanner has rolled over and fallen off the bed!

Now this actually could be quite humorous, except...

he has injured his back somehow and is frozen with his front half up on the bed

and his back half on the floor. He is trying to not put any weight on his back legs.

And he is crying and whining this most terrible sound.

So I am trying to calm him,

and support his back by putting my arms under his hips and raising him up a bit.

This helps him somewhat; enough so he can boost back up on the bed.

He is completely panicked (and in pain I suspect).

It takes me a long time to calm him down.

I try to do as much massage to his back hip as he will allow.

Whew.

I tuck blankets and pillows all around him so he won't fall off again.

I figured the best thing would be to let things settle,

un-spasm, calm down for awhile.

Tanner on HIS bed, sleeping like a vulture like Snoopy

Just a few little Great Dane Facts:

If you think you want a Great Dane or Danes in your life, be prepared for

BIG.

I'm talking about a dog that may well weigh more than you,

or you and your kids, put together.

Tanner with a friend, trying to pretend he can fit in small spaces.

Note the BIG bed.

With a BIG dog comes

BIG vet bills!

BIG doggy poopers!

BIG doggy kisses!

BIG doggy beds!

Tanner's BIG head. Note the size of the DVDs and VHS' behind him.

This photo has not been altered!

"My dog can bark like a congressman,

fetch like an aide,

beg like a press secretary

and

play dead like a receptionist

when the phone rings."

- Congressman Gerald Solomon

fawn/brindle Great Dane with natural ears,

hand painted and stamped domino magnet by inkspired.

http://www.inkspired.etsy.com/

There are a few things you should know about Great Danes.

They are susceptible to bloat.

The number 1 cause of death is bloat.

Bloat is a nasty thing that happens with deep and narrow chested dogs

like Great Danes, Dobermans, Greyhounds, etc.

The stomach twists, and gets 'strangled'.

You have about 3 hours to get your dog onto an operating table,

or they die.

Sometimes they die anyway.

Well, a lot of thought/research has been put into this

potentially life-threatening condition.

Here are a few basic "rules" that all Great Dane owners should know about:

1. Feed a Dane twice a day. Large meals can encourage bloat. Several small meals are much better.
2. Let your dog rest after eating. Play is discouraged. Kind of like when your mom told you you had to wait 30 minutes after lunch before you could get back in the pool.
3. Never allow your Dane to roll from one side to the other - like the popular dog trick "roll over". This motion encourages stomach twisting - BAD.

Tanner 'helping' decorate for Christmas.

As you can see, Tanner's favorite sleeping position is upside down.

Danes don't do that.

Ummmm...

well, I guess they do!

But it is very bad, as mentioned above.

Tanner constantly will roll from one side to the other.

He came this way.

It's not our fault!

(We adopted him from Rocky Mountain Great Dane Rescue when he was 1 1/2 years old.)

Here are some 'typical' Tanner positions in a day:

"Let's see what's in the back yard..."

"This looks like a good place -"

"Nah....I need something to lean on I think..."

"Ahhh, this is the spot!"

(Note, he is rolled over onto his back.)

"Whaaaa?

Did someone throw pennies at me???"

"I'm hot. Let me in."

"Hmmmm, this looks like a good place."

Children should view with caution.

Yep, that's Tanner SOUND ASLEEP on the living room couch.

Right click on the photo for a full effect...

"Hey Mom! Is that lunch I smell?

Little afternoon snack?"

"I am NOT begging...really..."

Tanner, facing the kitchen table.

"Out front? You bet! I'll help you garden!"

Tanner, supervising me working.

"This looks maybe a bit more comfortable."

Note, he is lying in the only area of the front yard that has no grass.

"I'm gettin' hot. Gotta find a cooler place..."

"ooooh yeah, this is cool."

"Ohhhh!!!

(loud happy tail thwapping)

DAD'S HOME!"

(Much happy tail wagging, kisses, hopping around like a silly rabbit

and whining like a sissy-dog...)

Tanner get's fed -

"Ever consider what they must think of us?

I mean, here we come back from the grocery store

with the most amazing haul -

chicken, pork, half a cow...

They must think we're the greatest hunters on earth!"

- Anne Tyler

Keep in mind that Rule #2:

2. Never let your Dane play immediately after eating,

it can cause bloat.

"Is it time to play????

I just ate and I feel GREAT!

How about a go-'round with MR. BILL...

Oh nooooooo..."

a stunningly wonderful gift from Grandma Trish and Grandpa Bill -

a plushie "Mr. Bill" (from Saturday Night Live).

When squeezed in the middle, it says:  'Oh Noooooo...."

Tanner has learned how to do this 'squeeze' repeatedly,

time after time after time...

you get the idea.

"How about my plushie 'funny fox' (Octopus) that has a moo sound in the middle,

and squeakers in each paw!"

This was Tanner's favorite toy before he got Mr. Bill.

"Maybe we can play with the fat fox?"

Tanner has a love affair with his 'fox'. We have purchased many 'foxes' for him.

It remains a constant favorite.

Sometimes they are not foxes, but we don't tell him. We call them all 'fox'!

This plushie is actually a raccoon.

"Fox? Are we up to playing fox?"

(little tired sigh)

a 'hot dog' in his fave winter place, in front of the fireplace.

note fox in foreground

"Play....(yawn)."

"Tired...."

"must play..................."

"Oh yeah, this is the best!"

Tanner with his most wonderful-est possession,

his Dad.

All is well.

Tanner goes to bed.

Dad goes to bed.

Pam and that irritating mystery of a cat/fox? thing goes to bed.

I'm doing some last minute jigsaw puzzling,

and I hear the most

AWFUL

screaming/whining/crying.

Again.

This time he is half in the bedroom and half in the hallway.

Sometimes he wants/needs to go out and do another

'last minute, night time potty'.

Apparently this was his intention, but somehow his back is out again.

Lots of yipping, crying, yelping.

I try to lift up his back a little to give that back right leg a bit of rest.

I try to calm him.

okay.

I get him into the living room and on the couch.

(For Great Danes, this means just kind of falling over, and you are on the couch.)

Lots of pets, lots of kisses, a little singing.

Tanner adores music, and tolerates my late night crooning.

big sigh.

Now he wants to go out.

Okay front yard, as it has grass (softer) and is smaller, in case he falls down

and I have to try and get him up or something.

Lots of pee. Good.

Inside, he goes straight to his BIG water bowl and empties it.

I lead him into the living room, and we have another little bout of

whining, crying, whimpering. He gets on couch, and we settle in a bit.

I try to run to the office to get his big orthopedic bed (from Costco) and he insists on following me - only he is not putting any weight on his right back leg.

Crying, yelping, yipping.

I finally tell him to 'stay', run to get the bed, run back to the LR and get it settled right next to the couch. He lays on it for a bit while I sit next to him, propped up with a couple of pillows against the loveseat. Okay, we're going to be fine.

Then he moves up to the couch. Okay, we're going to be fine.

I stretch (hah) out on his dog bed, throw a couple of couch pillows down, grab a lap blanket (thank you again Samantha) and think I am going to sleep.

Hah.

Tanner wants me to constantly touch him, pet his face or just to touch me.

I am awakened throughout the remaining night, actually morning at this point.

Like I could really sleep that way, anyway.

Did I mention I have titanium rods and a gob of huge honkin' screws in my back?

Fused vertebra. Lots of 'em.

That I'm not supposed to bend or twist for the rest of my life?

That not staying with a straight back causes incredible pain,

and puts me at risk for a fractured vertebrae?

yeah. bummer.

"A dog is the only thing on this earth

that loves you more

than he loves himself."

- Josh Billings

(yawn)

Okay, I'm a bit sore, getting a headache, a lot tired, and a bit worried.

Tanner is doing well this morning, although he is still favoring his right back leg.

I'll keep you all updated as we know more.

hand painted and stamped domino magnet by inkspired

a white cropped ear Great Dane, this color is usually deaf and also often blind,

due to poor breeding.

"The dog is man's best friend.

He has a tail on one end.

Up in front he has teeth

And four legs underneath."

- Ogden Nash, 'An Introduction to Dogs'

By the way, Great Danes are called 'Gentle Giants' because

A. they are huge, thus the 'giant' label.

B. they are incredibly gentle and well behaved.

The well behaved part comes in with proper training. Even completely untrained

Great Danes that are older when coming into the Great Dane Rescue

http://www.rmgreatdane.org/

are eager and happy to 'learn the rules'.

Great Danes just want to be part of the family.

This can include assorted adults, different ages of children,

other Danes, other dogs (yes, even yorkies!), cats,

rabbits, and I don't know...probably baby squirrels!

They are very sensitive, and Tanner gets his feelings hurt.

I have only lightly tapped him on his nose once,

for continuing to come into the kitchen (a big no-no) and ignoring my command.

He went into the office and laid down on his ortho-bed and wouldn't raise his head up until I went in and made sure he knew everything was okay. Yes, I stilled loved him.

Then all was wonderful with the world again.

Until the chihuahuas next door called him bad names.

I'm not sure what was said, but it hurt Tanner's feelings.

The chihuahuas have since moved. No loss Tanner says!

Oops. I wrote a book.

sorry.

see you tomorrow,

inkspired

http://www.inkspired.etsy.com/

dominoes@myinkspired.com

Do you have any dog pictures and/or stories to share?

Let me know!

I encourage anyone interested in having a Great Dane family member to contact the RMGDRI, web site address above.

Support only well known and respected breeders.

Check out shelters/rescues first. The largest dogs are the first ones to be put to death in most pounds/shelters. They simply take up so much space, and the current fave are tiny carry-in-your-purse size dogs.

Tanner sends you kisses.