Bu and the Old Man

Okay, so it is like this... Bu makes a TON of friends through our new Great Dane Meetup and Rescue Group of NWO. At one point, I was even kind of sulking cause it felt like he had more friends than I did (We humans have interacted more and are friends now too!) So, this group has grown from just a very few of us ...to like 58 people (65+ dogs now?) in a matter of just a few months. GREAT! We've been having fun. We even "rescued" our first dog and found her an appropriate home. (You have to fill out 3 pages and have references!) But, we mostly were thinking of taking care of great danes who were young, healthy, just finding the right place. And that's where "lil john" aka "the old man" comes in.

This is the "old man" -- He is a black mantle great dane with cropped ears. (Both can stand up, but the one is usually flopped down...which I personally think suits him well.) He is about 9 years old. He was thrown out of a car into a park and left behind. Heartworm positive. Someone took him to the humane society...where he was neutered, x-rayed, and treated for heartworm. Surviving all that is no small task. He was put in a foster home, but the other dog wasn't too thrilled with him so he was back at the shelter. This is where our group comes in. He's not so much of an "adoptable" dog...but what can we say, we felt so sorry for him...a few of the members went to see how he was -- there were questions about what was wrong with is back end...how "alive" he was...what was going to happen. A few of us wondered if it wouldn't have been much more humane to put him to sleep from the stories we'd heard.

Well, Kim and her family went to visit him on Monday -- and he mushed himself right into their hearts. They knew that I said that I *might* be willing to foster him. But, I was pretty clear...I couldn't handle a dog that couldn't walk...who couldn't go up and down one step to get outside..who couldn't get into the car. The Old Man made it very clear he was ready to go with her family and hopped right into their van. That's when I got the phone call saying...want to come meet him? So, I did. And he came home with me.
"Want to go for a car ride?" -- Out the door he went, right to the car and with just a little help with his rear end he was ready to go. So, I guess I did get a new car so that I could have 2 dogs ride in it.

This is Bu and The Old Man sitting on the grand observation deck watching over the land. Bu is a bit stressed out and not too sure what to think of this other 'dog'. Bu is great friends with many dogs, but most other dogs will play, outrun, or at least bark back at him...The Old Man just totally ignores the young whippersnapper. A little love from me, a soft bed, and he's contentedly snoring. Bu on the other hand isn't sure what that is...why he's getting lovies from me...and where in the world did it come from! Other than a bit of jealousy ... and a bit of "why don't you play with me" -- Bu's still a happy dog and will learn to share (I hope!) It sure has made my Bugenhagen turn into a puppy again, desperate to play.

Funny story: While we were at Kim's house (with her 2 great danes, 1 mix dog, and her parent's 2 other dogs...and 3 children) There were sirens in the background and The Old Man started to HOWL this beautiful, deep, baritone/bass howl. We laughed so hard, I was snorting! I promise, I'm going to get that on video before he dies!

And, that's the first part of the on-going story of Bu and the Old Man. He was quite a looker in his day...and perhaps his "happily-ever-after" will be a pretty good story too. If you're interested in donating to our Great Dane Meetup and Rescue -- Let me know! Our T-shirt sales will help defray his, or other great dane rescue vet bills.