the adoption experience and having a Dane
move into their hearts.
dog. The first time we left him home alone, I had visions of destruction because of his size. When we
got home, he was sleeping and nothing disturbed. He is also a gentleman, when the cats are drinking
from his water bowl, he patiently waits his turn. It was greatly appreciated that when we got him he
had all his shots, was neutered and had his I.D. chip. He walked well on a leash. He also has a sense
of humor, yes, he pulls a trick on us and you can see his glee when it works. He goes to the back door
and barks to go out, we go and open the door as he runs in the opposite direction, looking back to
see our reaction, he might do it a couple of times in a row. I know he's laughing. Ok, guess I sound
like a doting parent, but guess that’s what I am. He is nicely behaved indoors, in fact prefers to stay
near us. He hasn't ever knocked anything over. He is affectionate, gives kisses. We had not had a
Great Dane before but we are Great Dane fans for sure. Carol
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Dane! It was in the stars, meant to be. Diane's Mother's sister always had fawn Danes on their horse farm. The love was
there from birth! Much later a dear friend of Diane's had a black Dane pair with a litter, the Mother's condition forced an
immediate separation from her young. Diane's family fostered two at a young age (3 weeks)for a weekend and later that
week they were given the Alpha female in the litter, a solid black Great Dane named Sage. You can see and read about
her in In Memory Of. Sage was beyond incredible, as close to ones soul as any being can reach. When she passed at 11
years, Diane and her husband Bruce thought they would never be the same. The ache of her loss was tremendous. We felt
her love in guiding us to Sherry's Lifeline Danes!!! Such an amazing experience being in the presence of so many Danes
that needed homes. Sherry herself is amazing! We loved her Danes! Diane had always dreamed of a Harlequin joining
her family...that special day came when Emma arrived at Sherry's. Having spent many weeks waiting for that right match,
Sherry called us the moment Emma arrived. Emma's condition was heart-breaking, so emaciated, bitten up and filled
with physical challenges. We all fell in love the moment we saw her. Our hearts were filled with so much love from Sage,
we felt room for one more Dane for Emma. Fancy arrived and the story now has a very happy ending or better yet
beginning! The girls are so energetic, graceful, regal, gentle giants, playful, so alert and smart, great companions, love
luxurious living on couches and beds and being petted by everyone who sees them going on walks or outings together!
Emma and Fancy are now sisters, enjoying their lives to the fullest in a loving home and environment. See Success Stories
and Happy Endings! There is NOTHING like a Great Dane! Try two!!!
Diane and Bruce Schwartz
whether or not this was a good idea. After spending just an hour with Rose, we asked Sherry if she could stay with us to see
if she would be a good fit. I was so amazed at how well behaved she was. I was still a little leery of bringing such a large
dog into my house with my two small daughters (then they were 6 and 4 years old). In less than a week, my husband and I
fell in love with Rose and decided to make her a permanent part of our family.
Rose is such an amazing animal and so good with our daughters. During that first week with us, my 4 year old was walking
with a cookie in her hand. Rose walked up to her and my daughter stood there and ate the cookie right in front of her.
Rose stood about a foot away. She really wanted that cookie, but made no attempt to take it from my daughter.
One time, Rose stole a pork chop bone.... I saw that she had it. She went under the kitchen table and I went in after her. I
put my entire hand in her mouth and took the bone out. She never once growled at me.
Rose is now very protective of our family. We don't have a fenced yard, and when someone comes in our yard, Rose
growls and barks and let's them know not to get near me or the kids. I feel completely comfortable letting the girls play
outside with Rose around!
Rose is truly a gentle giant. She is very aware of her size, especially around my daughters and takes care not to get in their
way. She let's them hug her and cuddle her and she loves every minute of it! She is very affectionate.
The most surprising of all was my husband, who is admittedly not a dog lover. He still talks about how amazingly well
behaved and affectionate Rose is and how happy he is to have her!
We are so happy to have Rose! She is truly a member of our family!"
The Thebeau's
learning to walk by leaning on them, taking a nap sprawled out against them and stroking their soft muzzle. I thought it was time for a
change, less mess, less food to buy, but I had underestimated just how strong was the pull of this wonderful breed. A year went by, and
we were entertained by the antics of our rescued Great Dane mix, Annabelle. When our golden retriever died, Annabelle became
depressed. We all were. She didn't eat and kept looking for her friend. My 15-year-old daughter started a campaign to adopt another
Great Dane. She missed having one of these gentle giants in the house, and since it was her turn to pick out a dog, I said yes. We found
Sherry's rescue group on the Internet, and she was always on top of our e-mail questions and phone calls. She invited us out to see her
"herd" at her home, where she graciously gave us the time we needed to get to know all of her special four-legged guests. Baron, a
handsome 4-year old black male with outrageously long ears and an almost cross-eyed stare was our pick, and after being approved
we adopted him. I always advise friends looking to adopt a dog to pick one of the many, many adult dogs out there. True to form, he fit
in effortlessly into our household routine. He right away knew the blankets on the one side of the bed were his special spot, knew to go
to the door to be let out, and rides like a dream in the car. There have been a few bumps in the road - as we got to know him we found
out that he loves baked goods left on the counter - but we have adjusted and know now to just move the food up higher out of his
reach. Sherry had warned us that Baron might have an attitude problem and growl a bit if he didn't like to do something, but so far he
has never exhibited this with us. Annabelle is overjoyed at her new friend and is eating again, and she is doing her best to teach him to
play by dangling toys in front of his face and encouraging games of chase. Both my kids are in love with him and he has made our
home a happier place. We are so glad that Great Dane Lifeline was there to give Baron a second chance.
He is such a good boy. He has learned to sit, lay down, stay, and balance a treat on his nose. I am working on teaching him to jump
through a hoop - he is at the point where he will walk through it. The kids are trying to teach him to do his "happy dance" on cue. He
does the happy dance, shifting excitedly from one foot to the other, when he is about to eat.
When I come home from work I can see his head outlined in the window as he watches for me. He has such a funny outline with his big
head and square, long ears. He has also gotten more comfortable with our other dog, Annabelle, and they take turns stealing bones
from each other. He waits until she has chewed on the bone for awhile, then will steal it when her back is turned. She then waits and
whines in front of him as he chews it until his back is turned, then she steals it back.
He has become a great favorite with all of my family and friends that visit due to his friendly nature. He is very gentle and has fit in just
great with the family. Just last night he waited patiently with antlers on his head while we took many pictures around him.
He and Annabelle race out of the back door every time I open it, looking for squirrels or rabbits. He chased a squirrel along the top of
our privacy fence this week and even leaped like a race horse over our lounge chair outside, until the wily squirrel changed directions
and came running back toward the house. The dogs were puzzled when the got to the end of the fence and no squirrel, but quickly
changed directions and came charging back, but not before the squirrel had jumped onto the house to chatter at them from a high
ledge.
Karen Steward
sleep downstairs on his big couch with Hitch at night. He joins us for early morning coffee , we walk to and from Noah's school
almost daily , the kids and parents adore him, and think that the two dogs are a cute and comical pair. I now don't just have a little
white shadow following me around EVERYWHERE, I now also have a big black one! (yes I have gotten tripped several times)
He does well when we leave them out when we have errands to run and patiently waits for our return. He gallops through the lower
back yard like its is very own personal park. He didn't really eat much the first few days, but now has a hearty appetite. And quickly
realized that if he goes outside to 'potty' he then will get a little treat when he comes back inside.
We had a driveway bath/water fight. He obviously enjoys hoses. And he is loved by both mine and Jason's parents, as he has been
accepted as the newest "grand dog". We even had a little family welcome party for him, he got to unwrap a few new toys to play
with. Hitch isn't so frightened anymore. Parker still intimidates him, but they usually lick and play when we aren't looking. Hitch
figured out that Parker doesn't like to go under the dining room table after him, so that is his usual resting spot when he needs to take
a breather. So the refrigerator finally got replaced by the company, the wind damaged tree finally got removed and fence rebuilt,
our streak of 'bad luck' seemed to change once Parker joined our family.
We totally love this guy. We've all gained a new best friend. Thanks bunches and bunches for such a snazzy fellow!
Amanda Delfel
organization to work with to adopt a new family member. We've always adopted our dogs, but GDLL-St. Louis is the best
organization we've found. We're so glad they gave Danny a chance even though he isn't a purebred Great Dane.
Bruce, Linda & Jason Vawter
about & dreaming of getting a Great Dane. A few months ago, life style changes fell into place & I told my family I was going to
actively look for my "dream dog.” I found Great Dane Lifeline, contacted Sherry, & applied to adopt. I was more concerned with
finding the right temperament & personality than with color, ears, etc.. I run a small business next to my home. My plan was to find a
dog I could keep in the shop with me. Sherry was VERY patient with all my questions & concerns. At the same time telling me to be
patient as the right dog for me would come along. She did. I adopted Elan, now Anamchara, shortly after she arrived at Great Dane
Lifeline. She's everything I imagined my Great Dane would be. She readily adapted to my life style. So much so that when the doorbell
rings, announcing a customer for the shop, she often beats me to the door! Regular customers ask to see her if she's not in the shop
with me. Our 3 & 5 year old grandchildren love & climb all over her & she returns their affection. Chara allows our little mixed breed to
boss her around & never tries to take the little dogs established favorite places. After just a few days, we felt like Anamchara was a
long time family member. I honestly wish I had the room & resources for another Dane. I hope to have one the rest of my life! I also
know that, if I ever do go for another, I'll adopt an adult again & hopefully through Great Dane Lifeline. Thank you G.D.L. for helping me
find my new best friend.
Janet
First of all, my husband had been playing around with the idea of getting a new dog to add to our family and a Great Dane was what
he had in mind. I knew our anniversary was coming up and I didn't have an idea in the world of what to get him. I had been
researching Danes on-line to see just what he was wanting to get us into. I WAS STUNNED! A DOG THAT BIG COULD BE A HARMLESS
COUCH-POTATO JUST LIKE MY HUSBAND??? I had always admired the breed because they are so regal and all around tough looking
but I didn't know much about their mannerisms until I came upon the Great Dane Lifeline website. I knew then that I had found the
perfect anniversary present and his name was Sultan. My husband immediately fell in love, as did the rest of my family. We knew right
away that Sultan was the one for us.
We have had Sultan for about two weeks now, and for the most part he has been WONDERFUL!!! BUT, he has been a challenge in
some areas, he likes to chew on a few things, like the carpet in the corner of the front door. But I know that it is just because he
doesn't want us to go to work during the day. (We kennel him now, during the day). I can't be angry at him though, because when I
get home in the afternoons, he is right there ready to go for his walk and be loved on for a while. Oh, if he just wasn't so darn cute. We
couldn't have asked for more, except maybe another Dane. Sherry has added something to our family that I don't think could have
came without the love of our Dane. Our family and some of our friends think we are nuts to have such a magnificent animal in our
house, but I feel sorry for them because they don't have what we have. We always wanted a big family, and now it seems complete.
Thank you so much, Sherry. You and the Great Dane Lifeline have given us a lot. Sultan would thank you too, if he didn't have left over
carpet between his teeth, Ha ha ha.
family absolutely loves her. As long as you have a spot on the couch to spare I recommend adding one of truly gentle giants to your
family."
Jan
loves walks, car rides and a stuffed bunny I got for her. It's so nice having someone to come home to and watch Blue's games with.
She gets a little excited when I clap when they score. Thank you for allowing her to come into my life. She is truly loved.
Amanda
with us all season and is now catching up on her rest and relaxation here at home as we all are. Ha Ha She is been such a blessing
to us and are so happy to have her in our lives. We can't image life without her now nor even want to think about it. Her and
Buster(yellow lab) are the best of buds and she knows she rules the roost ha ha, they are like two peas in a pod.
about a week his tail really came alive and he is right at home. He follows us everywhere and he and Lucy (the ancient Golden
Retriever) have made a gentle peace. He tries to sneak into bed when we're not looking but Lucy won't let him(yet anyway!). Looks
like we made a good choice and he seems a good fit for all of us. Here's a couple of photos to show his "Happy Ending". Thanks to
you for your help.
Scott and Anna Mitchell
