I drove up to a very unassuming home, fenced in yard with stables in the back. She told me to wait on the porch and she’d let them out, that they were remodeling inside and it was a bit of a mess. So, I wait.
A few minutes later, the front door opens and I felt the porch begin to shake, my eyes getting wider and wider with every second. Oh boy. What have I got myself into, I wonder. You know on those old western movies, where they are about to begin the cattle drive and the excitment builds up, men in horses riding around in a frenzy. The enthusiastic western music begins and you see the cows in the pen, hides pushed up against the wooden fence that is straining to contain them. And then, all of a sudden, someone throws open the gate and there’s a stampede of these huge animals, all pushing and straining to fit through at the same time, pouring out into the wide open and you just know if some unfortunate soul was standing in the way they’d surely be trampled to death. Well, when that front door opened, I was that poor, unfortunate soul! A herd of Great Danes came bursting through the door, most larger than a small horse, all rushing past me, down the steps to play outside. There must have been twenty full grown Danes thundering around me and I was terrified! *L* My breath caught in my throat and I was shocked. But after the initial fear had mellowed out and I caught my breath again, I fell. Right then and there. That was it. I was IN LOVE! They were the most beautiful animals I had ever seen!! Gorgeous colors, huge shapes and size and floppy ears. Grins from ear to ear and paws that could almost put a grizzly’s to shame.
Okay, so put up the big fellas… I get the point. I can see what I’ve gotten myself into. But, there was no way I was changing my mind at this point. Bring out the pups, I say. So, she does. There are about four of them – two males and two females and they are the smallest, tinyest little things I’ve ever seen!! Hold on. Something’s not right. There’s no way on this earth that these teeny little things will turn into those monsters that I just saw!! No way! She explained that this litter had been orphaned when they were only a couple of weeks old. Their mother’s milk had dried up and she was feeding them on another mother she had. Yes, they were so tiny and to be honest, she wasn’t sure they were going to make it. They’d need extra attention and lots of love. So, she said – I’ll give him to you at a discount. Half off. Well, I couldn’t pass that up… so I decided to take chance and I picked out the pup I wanted. A small fella – smaller than the one beside him, but he had the prettiest, smooth red coat. Not as much black in it as the other little guy. We put a collar around his tiny neck and I gave her my deposit. I said goodbye and went home to wait for another couple of weeks. I was full of excitement and thrilled to finally be getting my big boy that I always wanted!!
Two weeks later, the day before I am supposed to pick up Boone (that was his new name!), I get a phone call from the breeder. I’m sorry, she says. Bad news. The pup I chose didn’t make it. He had collapsed the day before and was rushed to the vet… but there was nothing they could do. But she still had the other little male if I still wanted to take a chance on him. What was I to say? I was terrified to get this pup and something happen to him. It would break my heart! But I was already sold on the idea of my Dane, so I said okay. I went to pick him up the next night. And the moment I saw him, I knew. That was it. He was my boy. That was my Boone. He was so little and I was so scared, but we made it home okay and I walked in and introduced him to his papa and his new sister, Peyton. From that day on, we’ve had such an amazing time raising him. It’s a constant amazement how big he’s gotten!!! Wow!!! HUGE! But he’s the love of my life – my goofy boy, my gentle giant. I can’t imagine my life without a Dane in it. I’ll always have one. So, that’s the long story of how we started our life with our little clearance puppy. From sole survivor of a litter to a member of our family, I wouldn’t change a thing. :) He’s a lover, for sure. Constantly needing affection, he loves his ears scratched and when he growls at you he sounds like a bear. He’s uncoordinated, goofy, loves to pounce and hop up and down, like Tigger. His favorite toy is a dirty sock and he was born on Sept. 11, so he’s extra special. Here’s a few pics of our Boone, then and now. Enjoy!
And my honey is going to kill me for putting this picture up because, yes… he is in his boxer shorts in the front yard… but, this was the ONLY shot I have recently of Boone next to someone for comparison in size… so, sorry hun!
