[Dan in Pasadena]

A long time ago there was a donut shop I would stop by in the mornings on the way to work. An older man in his 70's would invariably come walking up each morning with his Great Dane, one of the black and white ones. He'd have a leash draped over his shoulders but the dog was off the leash and would obey him like the Almighty himself. I would pet and talk to the dog sitting outside the store and he was super friendly. But he never took his eye off his master through the glass fronted shop and the instant his master turned to walk to the door the Dane sat there quivering until he came out. He absolutely adored his master.

I have always wanted one but the idea of them consistently dying so young would really bother me. Maybe someday if I have a truly piece of property for one.