Great Dane Love

Great Danes....where do you even start? They are so loving! As with any breed, not every one is the same as the last, but Great Danes are gentle by nature! Raise them right, and they’ll be the sweetest dog you could ever imagine.

My Great Danes name is Bella. She’s a brindle, who everyone compares to either a tiger or horse. (Unless you are my roommate, then she is a dinosaur). But to me, I’d compare her to a living teddy bear. She is cuddly, loving, and always there for me, just like my teddy bear was as a child.

I wasn’t going to purchase my next dog from a breeder, I wanted to rescue a dog from a shelter. I also wanted to be sure they would be an amazing emotional support animal, as I have high anxiety and clinical depression. I was torn between a few breeds, and stuck on rescuing a mutt.

I don’t even remember how, but my dane’s mom’s owners got in contact with me, they let me know they heard from one of my previous coworkers that I was in the market for an emotional support animal, and they wanted me to meet their Great Dane. She was a small (in comparison to other Great Danes I had known) black, super sweet dane! I fell in love immediately and knew I wanted a dog just like her! She had just had her puppies and there were three in particular that were overly sweet and attentive to me when I went over to them. I went home unsure of what to do, but had them stuck in my head for two weeks. At this point, the owner called me again and I went to visit the puppies once again. Long story short, Bella was the one puppy that would come back to me each time she was done playing for a few minutes with her litter-mates. A few weeks later the puppies were ready to find their new homes. I was worried I missed my chance to get one, as I never put a deposit down. The owners called me again and asked if I wanted the brindle female that was attached to me, of course I said yes!

From the day I brought Bella home, until today, she has been my best friend! If she can help it, she’s right by me. When I’m having a hard day, she can tell and makes extra effort to be right in my face, or on my lap! This giant girl thinks she is just a teeny tiny dog!

Everyday when I come home from work, she immediately, and as gently as she can, jumps up to give me a hug. She’ll stand on her back legs with her front paws on my shoulders for a few minutes while I pet her and tell her hello. She will give other people she trusts hugs as well, such as my boyfriend or parents. Other people have to convince her for hugs; but she’s kind enough to give them one, usually!

I have a young daughter, who has grown up with Bella. Bella sleeps with me when my daughter is at her dad's house, but she knows the routine when my daughter is here. She lays on my bed with us until it is time for my daughter to get in her own bed. I tuck my daughter in and read her a book, when I’m done Bella knows it’s time for cuddles! She runs into my daughter's room, climbs onto her bed, and cuddles right next to her feet. My daughter knows no monsters will get her with Bella there to protect her!

Another crowd favorite is Bella’s random lap sits. It doesn’t matter where you are sitting, if Bella wants to sit on your lap, she will try her best to do so! From couches, to lawn chairs, to stairs. If your sitting, she will likely sit too. The best part of this is that in many situations, her bum and back feet are off the ground and on you, while her front feet are still on the ground for support.

Great Danes bring many laughs, loves, and smiles to everyone around them. Anyone that comes over is immediately a best friend to Bella, she will nudge and shove your hand until you are convinced to pet her. And when you stop, she nudges some more! Many of my friends have joked about stealing her, because she is such a lovable dog!

I’ve grown up with many breeds of dogs, from Jack Russells, to Spinone Italiano; And I can say, without a doubt, my Great Dane has been the most intuitive and caring breed I’ve had! She may not be the brightest, or easiest to teach, but to me, her cuddles and attention over rule those factors!