I think I had read everything there was to read about Great Danes. I went to the Pet & Animal Expo every year to see the Danes and talk to the Breeders. I spent hours on the Internet looking at pictures and trying to find out more.
I had my spoilt Burmese cat, all I wanted now was a Black Great Dane. After years of wanting one, I contacted June at Great Dane Rescue to see if I could give a home to a dog that needed one. June took my details and added me to her list.
........I waited and waited.......
I finally got a phone call, there was a black dog available that was good with cats. My fiance, Scott, and I drove over three hours to see the dog. I was so excited, I was finally getting my big dog.
When I first saw Vladimir, I could not believe the condition he was in. he was in the care of a family who had saved him from his original owner. His name was Roley, but there was nothing Roley about him. He was all skin and bones; his eyes were so sad, he didn't even wag his tail. I honestly wondered how he was still alive.
I wasn't sure I wanted to take him home - I didn't even like to look at him, but I had to give him a chance.
He didn't seem to respond to his name, and I decided that name was connected to a bad life - for his new life he needed a new name! So I gave him the name I had picked out years before, for when I got my black Great Dane. His new name would be 'Vladimir'.
I concentrated on getting Vlad well. I had him wormed and vaccinated, checked for heartworm and at the all clear, started giving him heartworm tablets. He still didn't wag his tail and had absolutely no idea of what playing was.
Less than a year and a half later, Vladimir is a different dog. He looks happy, he never stops wagging his tail and LOVES playing with rope toys.
He has been to obedience school and has proved you can teach an old dog new tricks. He is very obedient and people comment on how well behaved he is when we take him for walks on the lead.
It is impossible to go for a walk without people wanting to pat him and tell us how beautiful he is. He's wonderful with children, and loves his cat, Gomez. He's even very well behaved when Gomez bites his ankles.
It took a lot of good quality food, a lot of time, a few visits to the vet and most of all, an awful lot of love, but now it feels like I've known Vladimir forever. I'm so thankful to June and to the family who saved him for me.
Life would not be the same without him - my perfect big black dog.
Laura....
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