News and Stories from GDRNT

Emptying the Ocean with a Teaspoon

Submitted by Mocha on Fri, 08/17/2018 - 10:05am


Honestly that is what rescue feels like... no matter how hard we work it is never enough.... Rescue is probably one of the very few "businesses" that work hard every day to eliminate their existence. I dream of a day when there are no animals in need, empty shelters, and every dog has a loving home.

While our focus and mission is saving danes from area shelters a few years ago we challenged our volunteers and fosters to do more with other animal welfare organizations. Volunteers with shelters, animal outreach organizations and other responsible rescue groups. Several of our volunteers have joined with Animal Investigation & Response (AIR) assisting law enforcement, animal control agencies and communities with animal abuse related issues such as puppy mills and animal hoarding as well as, assists in disaster relief in Texas.

Working with local authorities a large scale puppy mill was shut down and 300 dogs and ponies were saved from deplorable conditions. Please check out Animal Investigation & Response on Facebook and LOOK AT THE PICTURES if you do nothing else.

Places like this exist because there is a DEMAND in the market for their PRODUCT. If you are buying your pets you are generating the demand and supporting this. Do not tell me your dog did not come from a puppy mill, that your puppy was "hand fed/home raised", that your breeder is "responsible". For profit breeders do not breed for the betterment of the breed, they breed for money not for the welfare of animals.

We thank the volunteers with AIR, Houston Humane Society and Grimes County Sheriff’s Office for making sure these animals are safe.

URGENT! Foster Homes Needed!

Submitted by Mocha on Mon, 07/16/2018 - 4:54pm

Do you have what it takes to save a life?
Most of you know this but... it is necessary to repeat..

GDRNT is an all volunteer group. We do not have a shelter .. All of our dogs are placed in screened, qualified foster homes. You have seen this.. from us and other quality rescue groups... So what the heck does that mean?

On a typical day we get 7 to 10 surrender requests a day from people wanting to give up their danes. A DAY. There is no way we can take them all... Our first priority is danes in local shelters since the are most in need. We will only commit to taking a dog if we have a pre approved foster willing to take the dog .. No foster and the dog stays at the shelter.

A quality foster home understands that your goal is to be the SECOND best home your foster pup will ever know. It means you are getting them ready to be a FURever dog for their FURever family. This doesn't stop at food, love and walks, some will need a little more

AmazonSmile Prime for GDRNT!

Submitted by Mocha on Thu, 07/12/2018 - 4:57pm

Amazon's Prime Day is almost here. Deals start July 16, 3pm ET and run through July 17. Prime Day is one of the biggest shopping events of the year and a great time to shop for vacation, back to school or get that thing you really want!

Just visit Amazon Smile and select Great Dane Rescue of North Texas, Inc. as your charity

Your shopping makes a difference. Amazon donates to Great Dane Rescue Of North Texas Inc when you shop Prime Day deals at Amazon Smile.

Happy 4th, Not so Happy 5th.

Submitted by Mocha on Tue, 07/03/2018 - 4:54pm


Everybody loves fireworks right? Nope! Did you know that July 5th is the single busiest day at most animal shelters? The busiest day around the country is July 5th. Shelters are "absolutely chock full of terrified dogs on the day after the Fourth of July," said Dr. Kate F. Hurley, director of the Koret Shelter Medicine Program at the University of California at Davis Center for Companion Animal Health. A quick poll of DFW Metroplex Shelters confirms the same is true here! With the busy Summer season most shelters are beyond crammed so lost dogs frequently can't be held beyond the required 3-7 days. A microchip can help assure your pet will find its way back to you quickly.

Fireworks cause high levels of stress and anxiety for dogs during the 4th of July. In her days as an animal control officer, Dr. Hurley saw dogs "jump through plate glass windows, they were so freaked out." Some dogs even need heavy tranquilizers to get through the night, she added. (Full article link posted at end of this story.)

Nala is on the Mend.. and so is our Emergency Fund!

Submitted by Mocha on Mon, 06/18/2018 - 2:31pm

Let me start out by saying Nala is expected to make a full recovery. But now it is time for our Emergency Fund to Recover.

When my phone rings late at night... it is never a good thing. So when I saw it was Nala's foster mom I feared the worst... Nala was bloating and thankfully her foster family recognized it and called. We were able to get her to the Emergency clinic where she underwent surgery , after the great care and a few days at the hospital Nala went home and is recovering well! Below we list some of the signs to recognize bloat.

Nala's emergency bill was over $5,100.

Remembering The Ultimate Price

Submitted by Mocha on Sun, 05/27/2018 - 8:03pm

"The brave die, never, though they sleep in dust: Their courage nerves a thousand living men."

-Minot J. Savage

Today we give thanks and pause for those who gave their lives serving our Country. We are grateful to those brave souls who paid the ultimate price.

Sweaty Dogs: NO Sweat, No Problem

Submitted by Mocha on Tue, 05/22/2018 - 9:29pm

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Contrary to popular dog do sweat and have some sweat glands. "While dogs primarily use panting to cool themselves down, they also sweat — but not where you may think", said Catherine Carrier, a veterinarian and Animal Operations Senior Manager at Covance Laboratories, a contract research facility that partners with pharmaceutical companies. It turns out dogs have sweat glands on their paw pads and noses.. which is hardly an efficient way to cool off. There is some scientific speculation that the sweat glands in paws and noises may have another purpose but we know it isn't for cooling off body temps

“Dogs do not have the same capacity to sweat like humans, therefore they cannot evacuate heat as efficiently from the skin surface and are prone to overheating and developing hyperthermia, an elevated body temperature,” says Patrick Mahaney, DVM, and owner of Los Angeles, California Pet Acupuncture and Wellness.

No Sweat: Big Problems? How the heck do they cool down?
Dogs pant as a means of evaporative cooling: when a dog gets hot, it will open its mouth and breathe heavily. As water evaporates from the dog's tongue, nasal passages and lungs, this helps lower its body temperature. Panting serves two main purposes in terms of cooling a dog down. Firstly, the moisture on the tongue evaporates while panting, while the heavy breathing allows moisture to evaporate from the moist lining of their lungs. Furthermore, dogs cool off via vasodilation. The blood vessels in their face and ears expand, enabling the blood to flow closer to the skin, allowing heat to be exchanged with the outside environment.

Spring has Sprung... with STORMS!

Submitted by Mocha on Wed, 05/02/2018 - 8:18pm


It is that time of year when Texas Weather throws the steering wheel out the window and makes life interesting. I have sen first hand the devastation that can be caused by tornadoes and hurricanes not only to structures but to lives. But it doesn't have to be a big storm to be an emergency for your family. A gas leak, plumbing flood, or a power outage may mean you have to evacuate your home fast and for a few days.

Being prepared can help minimize some of the stress for you and your pet should you need to evacuate your home.

-CRATE TRAINING
OK I get it .. your dog doesn't NEED the crate. But if you need to evacuate to a shelter your dog will be required to be crated. Or if you dog is injured they will be crated at the animal hospital... so to minimize the stress for your pet why not teach them the crate is a happy safe place? A crate with a familiar blanket or bed will be a safe haven in an emergency

-ALERT STICKER
On a front window of your home will alert first responders of the number and kind of pets in your home. This will assist in getting them to safety. IF you are able to evacuate with your pet, and have the time write EVACUATED on the sticker.

-ID
Layer your id to help assure a prompt reunion if you are separated from your pet. A collar with tags, microchip (is your information current?) and write your cell phone number on your pet... if your pet has long fur write it in the inside of an ear, if your dog is a dark color you can get a white or silver marker. This sounds silly but it is faster then scanning and may mean a quicker reunion. Keep a picture of your pet on your phone.. I also keep a copy of my pets vaccinations records as a picture.

-Veterinary Contacts
Obviously you want the name/number of your veterinarian in your phone but also have the name, address and phone number of the closest Emergency clinics.

-SAFE HAVEN
Do you have family or friends, a boarding facility or hotel names that accept pets? If you cannot car for your pets who is your backup caregiver? In a large scale emergency your local shelter may also offer temporary housing for your pets.

-EMERGENCY GO BAG
If you look on line you can buy a "Go Bag" but assembling one is easy. Check out the check list and make sure you have it all.

Obviously different species have different needs so check out this article by the sASPCA on Disaster Preparednes

$20 Microchips at Trinity GAP Fair Sat, 4/28

Submitted by Mocha on Sun, 04/22/2018 - 8:19pm

Over the years we have been able so impressed with this group and honored to be invited to help them by Offering $20 Micro chips for your pets. The $20 includes a 24 Hour Petwatch Microchip AND registration in their data base.

CANCELLED Meet and Greet, Three Dog Bakery, Plano, Sat, 4/7

Submitted by Mocha on Fri, 04/06/2018 - 10:08am

Gang we are cancelling the event because it is too cold. We will reschedule.

Join us at Three Dog Bakery in Plano from 10am to 12pm on Saturday, April 7th to meet some of our fosters, personal Danes, and volunteers, and learn more about our rescue. While you're there, pick up some tasty treats for your pups!
Please note that we do not do on the spot adoptions at Meet & Greet events. This is an opportunity to learn more about GDRNT and our adoption process, meet some dane loving folks and learn about life with a dane.

NOTE that we will be set up out front on the porch. If the weather is questionable or thunder lightening we may need to shut down early for safety.

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