"The great dane combines, in its regal appearance, dignity, strength and elegance with great size and a powerful, well-formed, smoothly muscled body... A great dane must be spirited, courageous, never timid; always friendly and dependable. This physical and mental combination is the characteristic which gives the Great Dane the majesty possessed by no other breed." - Great Dane Standard
Well... it will change your life. Actually, it will change your world!
You will quickly become trained to obey your dane's every whim when he gives you "those eyes". You will KNOW that dogs belong on the furniture. You will no longer think that Dobermans and Rottweilers are big dogs. You will carry on actual give and take conversations with your dane.
You will wipe slobber from the ceiling. You will always have drool on your countertops. Keeping things out of reach of your dog will take on a whole new meaning. You will long for the day when heartworm pills come in sizes for dogs over 100 pounds. The mention of the word "bloat" will strike fear into your heart and make you think twice about things that never occurred to you before.
Your dream of having that two seater sports car will quickly morph into the dream of owning a custom ordered mini-van complete with colassal crates. Or better yet...a full sized conversion van! You will learn in depth about bone and growth disorders because your puppy is limping. You will become a master of tape. You will laugh like you never have before. You will be angry like you cannot imagine.
People will question you when you say that all of those bruises and black eyes are from your dane greeting you...some will even suspect spousal abuse. You will feel that your home is somehow safer (even though you know if someone were to break in, your dane would show them where the good jewelry is hidden!). You will get a second job to help with the food, vet and toy bills. You will always feel guilty leaving your dane at home when you have to go out. You will never stay out past 10:00.
You will notice some family members not coming around anymore. You will notice other people becoming more like family. You will learn to buy clothes that are the same color as your dane. You will find that wherever you take your dane, you are the center of attention. You will learn to smile when you hear the saddle comment, or the who's walking who comment for the MILLIONTH time! You will become an educator to the public about the breed..regardless of whether you want to or not!
You will be thankful that grocery stores use plastic now, as it is a handy sized bag to have around for clean ups. You will laugh as your lap dog crushes yet another unsuspecting (and disgruntled) guest. You will learn to sleep in strange crumpled up orgami type positions to make room for your dane in your bed. You will often times wake up paralyzed, only to find that you cannot move because a dane has mistaken you for an "open spot on the bed".
But when all is said and done you will have, as your devoted companion, an animal that is somehow more loving, generous, caring & courageous... than we could ever hope to be.
