meloncon's blog

Frequently I get calls or emails from past adopters with updates on their Adopted Danes. Most of these updates are cute, funny or just touching base ... I love that! When folks adopt I "Welcome" them to the GDRNT family. We do not adopt and run, we are here for you during good times and bad. Sometimes the updates are not so happy and involve making the hard decisions. These calls that are not so easy. Being entrusted and leaned upon in a time of worry is an honor and privileged I do not take lightly.

    BEFORE I WAS A DOG MOM
    [Author Unknown]
Before I was a Dog Mom: I made and ate hot meals unmolested; I had unstained, unfurred clothes; I had quiet conversations on the phone, even if the doorbell rang.

Before I was a Dog Mom:  I slept as late as I wanted and never worried about how late I got to bed . . . or if I could get into my bed.

Before I was a Dog Mom:  I cleaned my house everyday, I never tripped over toys, stuffies, chewies, or invited the neighbor's dog over to play.

You have heard me say that the best job in rescue is adoption day, well here Is an example of the stuff I hate! Some days opening our email is enough to make my eyes roll, stomach turn and blood boil.

We had a great volunteer offer to update our brochures and I asked some of our dedicated fosters for their thoughts on Fostering for "quotes" for the Brochure... One of our long time, dedicated rock star fosters wrote this and I had to share it with you... it says it so much better than i ever could... This week we took in Dane number 1422, that means 1,422 danes have come thruough our program in the last 11 years. That is 1,422 lives made better, 1,422 foster spots, and 1,422 vet bills of Great Dane proportion.

Yesterday the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex was hit by devastating tornadoes. It is a amazing that nobody was killed, as complete neighborhoods are wiped out. Early warnings and good emergency plans no doubt played a role in the everyone surviving and so few seriously injured. One of our awesome foster families was in the path of the devastation and while their home sustained minor damage, many of their neighbors homes are gone or un-inhabitable. The Foster mom was home alone with her foster dog and personal dog when the tornado hit and her story left me chilled.

Yesterday the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex was hit by devastating tornadoes. It is a amazing that nobody was killed, as complete neighborhoods are wiped out. Early warnings and good emergency plans no doubt played a role in the everyone surviving and so few seriously injured. One of our awesome foster families was in the path of the devastation and while their home sustained minor damage, many of their neighbors homes are gone or un-inhabitable. The Foster mom was home alone with her foster dog and personal dog when the tornado hit and her story left me chilled.

National advertises making a commitment to rescue animals. A few years back I met Paige Anderson (who is also devoted to rescuing). Paige is the driving force behind BEAST Agency which represents animal talent for all mediums. BEAST has cast animals for many national retailers including local National Retailer JCP. Paige's dedication to rescue animals has spread over to her client base, specifically JCP. Mocha has worked for Paige in the past and done some small "professional" jobs here and there.

I realize I am probably preaching to the choir when I talk about the importance of heartworm prevention here. The American heartworm Society has released this video that says it all and more....http://youtu.be/RNmWYqs_IZE Anyone on our Adoption Team will tell you that large sections of the pet -public is ignorant to the risks associated with Heart Worms. What is even more amazing is that heart worms are almost 98% preventable for less than you spend of coffee or soda.

I generally do not follow the Iditarod Dog Sled Race, but one story from this years race will touch the heart of anyone ever to love a dog. There is also a good lesson for any pet owner. Scott Janssen, know as the "Mushing Mortician" was making his way down a steep section of the Dalzell Gorge when his dog, Marshall, collapsed, presumably dead. “I was sobbing,” said Janssen, who began a kind of mouth-to-snout CPR – compressing the husky’s chest and breathing into his nose. “I really love that dog.”

Many of you have followed Jacques updates on his profile and have asked how me how his snout got so damaged. Honestly I have hesitated to share the details as they are not nice, and because I have been unable to tell the story with out being "bleeped". However the thing that makes Jacques story unique is that we know what happened to him prior to rescue and he carries his scars from that life in the open. Each of our danes has a story and when possible we must be their voice.