Big Paws Only Dog Forums

  Thanks everyone.  Getting your opinions and feedback since I found this site has really helped me get thru some tough times, make informed decisions, taught me so much more about ALL the large breeds and been a place of comfort and acceptance.  THANKS SO MUCH!!
  I was gonna go to bed and cry...I'm just too sensitive!   

Definitely don't go to bed and cry about it. 
Feste is my 2nd rescued Dane.  The first was set up by a friend who was a vet tech who knew of a Dane (My boy, Alexander the Great (Dane)) in need of a home at another vet.  Even though I had no giant breed experience, I did have large breed experience and he felt like it would be a good match.  Well it was just about the most wonderful experience I have ever had.  When Alex died suddenly of heart failure after I had spent a year nursing him back from abuse and stage IV heartworms, it nearly killed me.
After a little time had passed a friend started pushing me to look into either adopting another or fostering one.  I finally realized that I had something to offer a Dane in need and that it would be a good memorial to Alex, so I started looking into it.  I got very frustrated going through the process and dealing with the suspicious and sometimes hostile attitiudes. 
I finally ended up talking to a (reputable) breeder in New Orleans (where Alex came from), who really helped me to cope with it.  It basically comes down to what the others in this post have said - they deal with at times horrible cases of abuse and /or neglect and work hard to ensure the dogs  get adopted into good homes only to see them come back sometimes.  It does, unfortunately, get to people at times. 
My best advice to you is what that breeder told to me.  Be patient, be persistent and be honest.  People will see that and will work with you. 
Best of luck to you... there's a rescue dog out there that needs you and you will find him or her.

Tom

Because of a discussion in chat, if you only had to deal with ONE BPO bad habit, would it be the drool?  Or the grooming?

I tolerate the shedding slightly better than the drooling.  People you encounter, if they have any sense, expect dog hairs to be left behind, but that big wad of drool slunnnnnnnnnnn nng from stem to stern and hanging from the the ceiling fan blades after a really good head shake... well that's something else entirely.  the only thing endearing about it is when he slides up to lean on a really persnikety neighbor of mine.  Always, and I mean ALWAYS, manages to leave a slime trail somewhere just out of her sight.  I should be a ashamed and shouldn't laugh, but.... 
Tom, Feste's 'papa'

No way I'd ever leave without mine either.  People harrass me about my permanent and consistent refusal to even consider evacuation, but honestly, where would I go with a combined 280 and growing lbs of dogs and 2 cats with bad attitudes.  Then there are there the chickens... lol  my family and friends love me, but I'm not sure evem I'd open the door to me and the menagerie - lol.
Tom, Feste's 'papa'

Is someone new breeding them and selling them to all comers?? sounds and looks, form the picture) like people getting a sweet dane puppy then discovering 6-9 months down the road that they have no clue how to deal with him!!  Shame he's not closer.
Tom, Feste's 'papa'

Hey there, Lisa... great to know we have neighbors in the area.  Hope things are o.k. over there now.  I haven't been able to get over that direction.  Probably wouldn't put Feste in the show... we are still working on his training.  For such sweet compliant dogs, Danes can be a pain to train when their stubborn streak comes up.  He's coming along... surely, but slowly... LOL.  But I look forward to seeing your beauties there!

Tom, Feste's 'papa'

Lol... still learning to use this site.... I'll try to get some more up there.  BTW - your girl is gorgeous... I've never seen coloring like that! 

Hey All  -   Sorry we've been out of touch for the last week,   We're in Mobile and have been dealing with our bit from Hurricane Katrina here and haven't been able to get back to the site. 
Thanks to all for the compliments to my boy.  He does have some big paws, but he is filling some big paws too, and doing well at it.  Although I think his coloring is striking and handsome, it's his personality that wins everyone over!   
He's an amazing creature, I always find it insane to see the great animals that end up in rescues.  I take him to a lot of functions that welcome dogs and he is always a hit, wherever he goes.  We went to the Petpalooza here about 2 weeks ago and had the best time.  He just soaks up the attention!

BTW - He has a tatoo in his right ear - 'M S' - Anyone know of a breeder of Brindles who uses this tatoo?
   Tom - Feste's 'papa'