:: GREAT DANE RESCUE REPORTS 2007 ::
December 2007
I'm afraid I get a little 'bah humbuggy' at this time of year because the pre-Christmas dumping season gets a little on top of me. I cannot understand how anyone can feel that their dog is no different to a piece of furniture that you get rid of when it gets in the way. In this case, in the way of their peace of mind when they go on holidays. So they dump this nuisance and get a new puppy when they return. For me, I cope by focusing on the dog and believing that it will be better off in a home that treats it as part of the family.
I have been privileged to deal with such wonderful people in the last month or so. Topping the list is Ida Vos, who some time ago took in Sasha who is epileptic. Sasha has settled in very well in their home in Berry and is a friendly, sociable girl. So when Max, a happy 12 month old male turned up in the Hawkesbury Animal Shelter with 48 hours to spare before going to God, I asked Ida if she would be an emergency foster for him. She was there the next morning and took Max straight home where he settled in as if he had always lived there! Ida contacted me a week or so later saying that Sasha insisted that Max stay permanently and who was I to argue?! Thank you Ida and family.
Dee Milthorpe, the friendliest post office lady in NSW at the Grong Grong PO, also helped me out when a 12 week old Dane baby was dumped at the vet at Wagga Wagga. She took this frightened little mite in, nursed her back to health and re homed her to a lovely home nearby. Thank you Dee and family too – you’re always ready to help and I appreciate it.
Ollie and Lily were quite a feature in rescue. Ollie, a 9 year old merlequin dane and his lifetime Munsterlander friend Lily, were in dire straits and needing a home together. Into the picture came Dee again and organised transport and a home for these two. On the day of exchange, the owners decided they may be able to keep the dogs after all and nothing was heard for a week. They then contacted Dee again, saying Ollie and Lily needed a home again. I'm told all is well now and the dogs are settled and happy together.
Not every story is a happy one...I had to walk away from a black male at Renbury Farm because he was too unpredictable to re home. He would love some people and attack others without warning. I have to wonder what made him this way. It breaks my heart to have to admit defeat, but there are too many 'good' Danes needing homes to struggle with one that could hurt someone badly.
Emma and No-Name (as yet) are still in need of homes. Emma is at the RSPCA at Rutherford near Newcastle. She is a 4 year old harlequin and friendly as anything. Negotiations have to be made directly with the RSPCA if you are interested in helping her. No-Name does have a name but I am waiting on more information on this one. Her owners work full time and have no fencing so she is wandering around other properties. The owners are not prepared to build any fences or yards and she is tied up all day. She doesn't like little dogs much but is a friendly girl otherwise. I should have more details soon, so please contact me if you’re interested in helping her.
Merry Christmas to all of you and your Danes. Remember those Danes in strife over the holidays and give your loved ones an extra hug for them.
Marie Bowyer-Jennison
Club Rescue coordinator (NSW)
September 2007
Those of you who have been keeping an eye out on the web page for rescues, will remember that I had two young bitches requiring new homes.
Sophie is a two year old black female, de sexed who had originally been rescued when she was four months old from a pound in Canberra. She was emaciated and very frightened, but her owner persisted and within another four months was carrying healthy weight and was much more outgoing, if not a little possessive about her owner. The problem was Sophie doesn't like little fluffy things like cats, rabbits and small fluffy dogs, of which her owner has a couple. So the search began to find Sophie a good home, which came in the form of Samantha in Sydney. Samantha traveled to Canberra and Sophie immediately loved her. So far, all is going well and she is being spoiled and socialised as much as possible.
Mystique or 'Misty' is a merle bitch whose owners were moving to a caravan park and couldn't take her with them. A friendly girl, but also not one for little fluffy things. Help came in the form of Barbara who long ago took a rescue bitch from Japan called Konatsu. Well Konatsu had crossed the bridge recently after a long and happy stay with Barbara near Dubbo and Barbara felt her other dogs were pining for a Dane. She was right with two of them, but old Barney felt otherwise. Things never sorted themselves out between Misty and Barney, even though the issues were Barney's! So along came Kim, luckily living in the same district. She has a mini foxy who was used to living with a Dane so decided to give it a go. Misty and Shabby get along just fine and so far everyone seems happy and settled. Phew!
I also received an email from another rescue organisation about two Danes in the Kurri Kurri pound on death row. I rang their carer and organised for them to have more time so I could get them a home. One is a harly male and the other a fawn female, both from the same breeder(!) However, the pound was making things difficult because they really wanted the dogs to go together seeing as the female was very nervy and a fear biter. So several good homes went begging, which is a shame. However, hope has come in the form of Kylie Prowse, the RSPCA supervisor in Coffs Harbour and Port Macquarie. She herself owns two Great Danes, one of them a rescue she got through me many years ago. So I was relieved to see her take both of them to the RSPCA there where they will both be desexed and re homed together.
I am bracing for the annual Christmas dumping season so please, if anyone can help foster, or knows of someone who may be able to foster if needed, please contact me.
Marie Bowyer-Jennison
Club Rescue coordinator (NSW)
July 2007
The past month has been quiet on the rescue front, which is good news in the sense that (hopefully) there haven’t been Danes out there in trouble. But there have been some frustrating instances of dealing with people who are not familiar with the rescue process. So here are a few reminders for those who need to re home their Danes and those who would like to adopt a rescue Dane.
:: Re homing your Great Dane ::
There are many reasons why you may need to re home your Great Dane and our rescue coordinators are not here to judge you. We are here only to ensure that your Dane is matched up with an appropriate 'forever home'. This does not mean there will be a home available TODAY! Sometimes we can have a list of potential homes but neither will suit your Dane.
It is important that you make an effort to ensure that your dog is healthy and socialised. We are not here to take a problem off you and pass it on to someone else! If your dog hates all other dogs, cats and children, your chances of finding an appropriate home are remarkably reduced. We do our best and in most cases we do find our Danes a wonderful home.
Be patient and please be prepared to make an effort, such as be willing to transport your Dane to meet up with potential owners and make yourself available for them to visit you and your Dane. At the end of the day, the Dane is yours and the decision is yours.
:: Adopting a Great Dane ::
Please be absolutely sure that you are ready to take a Dane into your home before you set the wheels in motion. We expect to see from you a real desire to put an effort into accepting a new member of the family. It is IMPERATIVE that you are honest with us as to your living arrangements and how much time you will have to spend with your new Dane.
We will help you contact transport companies if necessary, but you have to make the detailed arrangements. You may be needed to travel a certain distance to meet with your prospective Dane and its present owner, or you may be subject to an inspection if the Dane is in the custody of the RSPCA.
Adopting a rescue Dane involves a serious commitment and willingness to go with the flow. It takes approximately two weeks for a Dane to settle into its new home. In this period the Dane may exhibit separation anxiety, confusion, restlessness and sadness. You need to be able to spend extra time with your new family member to help him/her settle in and accept you as a source of comfort, food, shelter and affection.
Every rescue Dane comes with some form of 'baggage' and you have to be flexible and prepared to deal with it as it arises. However, you are not stuck should things unexpectedly not work out. We are here to offer advice, support, referrals and in a worst case scenario, move the Dane. This is as a last resort only as in the vast majority of cases the new owners and their Dane settle in very well and happily.
Marie Bowyer-Jennison
Club Rescue coordinator (NSW)
March 2007
I have got to wonder if other rescues are as busy as we are... Because if they are, there is a Dane dumping epidemic out there. Are breeders selling to the wrong people? Are prospective Dane owners being fully educated about the pros & cons of owning a giant breed? The reasons vary so much as to why the dogs require re homing that one has to wonder what preparation (if any), went into the pre-puppy purchase? I urge all breeders to be emphatic to interested parties about the need for socialising & training their puppies as early as possible, as I am seeing so many dumped Danes with none of the above skills. Anyhow, we have been mostly successful with our listed Danes.
To date Summer, Lisa, Monsta, Jacob, Sebastian & Rocco have been successfully re homed with the assistance of interstate rescuers & the support from GTE Transport. GTE Transport do a great job of getting our rescue Danes to their new homes safely & for very affordable prices. Thanks guys! (GTE Transport - contact Ray on 0429 434 445 or Dorothy on 0409 434 445).
Virgil & Meko have stayed with their owners who decided when the reality of re homing their Danes hit them, to keep their pets with them. An ideal result really for all concerned - especially the Danes.
Ludwig is almost re homed! His new owners have to complete a necessary fencing upgrade before he can stay there permanently. He has had a couple of 'sleep overs' & it seems he will settle in well.
SCOOBY still requires a home. He is located in Maitland outside Newcastle. Scooby is a de sexed black male, micro chipped & wormed but needing his vaccination booster. He is great with all dogs of all sizes & just needs a family who have the time to give him lots of TLC. Scooby was rescued from a 'breeder' who neglected him terribly, but is in good health now, happier & more outgoing.
If you can help Scooby, please contact me asap.
In the meantime, give your Danes some extra love & cuddles this Easter but no chocolate!!
Marie Bowyer-Jennison
Club Rescue coordinator (NSW)
January 2007
Word that there is an active & genuine Great Dane Rescue in operation doesn't take long to get out! From the onset, Jenni & I have been flat out. The pre-Christmas dumping season seemed to be tapering off & then almost every day brings another call from someone needing to re home their Dane. Very discouraging.
To date, I have re homed Albert (now known as Floyd), Sasha, Angel, Dylan, another Sasha, Gracie (a joint venture with Jenni in Vic), Remi, Destiny & Angus. Jenni in Victoria has re homed Mordi, Pepe, Bella, Gracie, Zedd, Ada & others. As long as the 're homed' list is longer than the 'needing a home' list, we will feel we can cope!
Presently on the books I have:
SUMMER
Summer is located in northern NSW & is a three year old fawn, entire bitch. Summer has become 'too protective' of her family, especially of the children whom she adores. She will often not allow their friends to play with them & has snapped at, but never bitten, some visitors to their house. Summer is fine with other dogs, probably not with cats or rabbits. Summer was bred by Dahomey Kennels.
LISA
Lisa is located in SW Sydney & is a three year old de sexed bitch. Lisa is 'grey', I presume merle. She has been mistreated in the past, but is very affectionate with people, especially kids. Lisa really dislikes all small animals (eg. cats, possums & foxes) & has killed all these before. Lisa would be fine with a male Dane. The neighbours want Lisa gone asap as their cats were her victims.
VIRGIL
Virgil is located on the north west coast of NSW. He is an eight year old entire black male. Virgil is fine with other dogs, loves kids but is also a little protective of his family. Virgil was bred by Hildydane Kennels.
Having real support from our club & its members is refreshing & encouraging. If anyone can help us re home these dogs, or know of anyone who can genuinely foster from time to time, please contact us asap.
Marie Bowyer-Jennison & Jenni Casalaz
Club Rescue coordinator (NSW) & Rescue Worker (VIC).
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