[slodave]

I grew up with Great Danes. Mom would leave me out side for a minute or two to answer the phone and the first Dane, a fawn, would watch over me. Some where at my parents hous, are pictures of me as a baby crawling around and riding on him. Great dog, but I was a little young to remember too much, as they only live about 8 years. I found him dead one morning of old age.

Second was a female. The breeder and the person that clipped the Dane's ears had an argument and unfortunately, her ears were the target of frustration and the ears never stood up correctly. She was all black and was supposed to have a white patch on chest, but it was on the bottom of one of her front paws instead. I had a habit of tripping over her at night in the dark. I found her dead of old age right after she had breakfast.

The last Dane was a harlequin (white w/small black spots), but the spots were all wrong and he looked more like a dairy cow. During this time and with the prior Dane, I had a parakeet that flew around the house. Amazingly, the dogs and bird got along great. With our last Dane, after he ate, he would come into the kitchen for two cookies. The bird would follow and eat the crumbs. We used to wrestle until he became too strong, heavy and rough. We should have submitted him to the Guinness book of records, as he was gigantic. He developed issues with his hind legs and ultimately (while I was away) had to be brought to the emergency vet. They kept him alive until I got back to town and was able to say goodbye. I could not be in the room as he was put to sleep. He was like a brother, we fought, but we were the best of friends.

Now I have two English parakeets, one chameleon (I've had others), four African Cichlids and a tiger plecostomous.

Dave

P.S. Names: 1st Dane: Razzy - pedigreed famous parents, 2nd Dane: Missy - I liked the name, 3rd Dane: Odie (White Shadow Odessy) - also pedigreed with famous parents. First parakeet, Birdie - I was terrible with names. My 'keets now Skyler Bing and Joey - don't ask, it was my ex-wife's idea. 1st chameleon: Louie, the rest are nameless, as are the fish.