Moose & Jasmin

Saying Goodbye once again....

2011-04-26T13:10:00.002-04:00

Moosey's favorite place to get a drink

2011-01-24T17:32:00.002-05:00

Automatic Drinking Fountain

2011-01-14T22:13:00.001-05:00

We have had this for a few months & this is his favorite way to get a drink.

Chinese Takeout ?

2010-12-29T14:59:00.002-05:00

Christmas 2010

2010-12-26T19:20:00.003-05:00

Moosey spent his first Christmas without Jasmin. For the most part he hasn't shown us much emotion since Jasmin has been gone but on Christmas we loaded him into the car and all he did was shake. The poor guy was so scared and he has never been afraid of the car before, he must have been thinking he wasn't coming back home. (Moose was a rescue dog and we got him from a broken home 3.5 years ago) Everything turned out fine once we got to the in-laws house and he was able to mingle with 15 or so people. He even got a gift to open!
It's sad that he is alone now but we are keeping him occupied and awake for most of the days... he didn't get in his 2pm nap time this weekend.

Saying Goodbye to one of our best friends

2010-12-24T12:28:00.002-05:00

*click on the picture for a larger view

Jasmin was just 1 month shy of becoming 10 y/o when she crossed the Rainbow Bridge on December 21, 2010. She was a very stoic Great Dane.

I want to share our experience with Jasmin in hopes you never have to experience any of these problems with your Great Danes.

At the begining of this year Jasmin had a sudden episode of lameness in her back hind leg while we were in the back yard and would not bear weight on it. She was not running and I could not a reason why she suddenly just lifted her rear left leg and wouldn't walk. I helped her into the house, checked over her leg, paw and toes and found nothing. She showed no signs of pain. We took her to the vet and it was diagnosed as a torn ACL & she was to see and orthopedic surgeon. The surgeon was not available for a few weeks and in that time frame we were called by our original vet and advised that they suspected Jasmin had an osteosarcoma just above her knee. An Osteosarcoma is one of the worst diagnosis anyone wants to hear, especially with an older Dane. An appointment was made @ our request with a vet that specializes in large animals. During the next week before the appointment Jasmin began bearing weight on her left leg and now was having difficulty with her right.....wtf? Obviously a torn ACL was ruled out as well as an Osteosarcoma-yay! Jasmin was given acupuncture and some chiropractic care and the very next day she was walking on both hind legs, not walking her normal gait but walking without assistance. Jasmin's lameness would continue to wax & wane over the months, one day she would do fairly well then the next day out of the blue she sould not walk without her hind legs crisscrossing and tripping her up.

Over the next 7 months Jasmin was placed on Prednisone which allowed her to be mobile on her own but recently she developed a UTI with heavy E.Coli. After 3 months of multiple medications Jasmin's UTI would seem to go away only to return on the very last day of her meds. Not being able to come off medications for atleast a week we were unable to have another urine culture done. In this time frame her hind legs became weaker and weaker to the point of her not being able to walk on her own for more than 1 - 2 steps then she would sit down. We would have to basically carry her hind end to get her to walk outside just to do her business.

Jasmin remained a very happy dog but would spend the entire day sitting on her doggie bed until someone would lift her and help her to go outside, then she would only do her business and want to lay down. Jasmin was 165 lbs.

It appeared as if she had nerve damage somewhere in her lower spine but all the vets disagreed. We were given the option of a Myelogram but opted not to put Jasmin thru that as she is allergic to many many medications and we felt she would not survive the sedation never mind if a disc problem was found, she would not survive surgery. We just couldn't put Jasmin thru anymore, after almost a full year of acupuncture, medications, multiple vet visits & chiropractic care Jasmin was assisted across the Rainbow's Bridge.

This was one of the most difficult decisions my husband and I have ever had to make. We love our dogs like they are our children. Now we have Moose still at home, he will also be turning 10 next month. Moose is showing signs of slowing down a bit but will still take off out the back door to chase anything then the next morning he has a little limp in his stride-Mobic is now in his daily routine.

Moose is getting lumpy and bumpy & has had atleast one mass removed that was the size of a grapefruit. He is doing well but misses his sister Jasmin. We will be taking special care of Moose to keep him from feeling lonely.

Here are a few pictures of our Jasmin. Even up to the time of Jasmin crossing the Rainbow Bridge, none of our vets were able to make a diagnosis on her lameness and most agreed it was not nerve damage - we believe this was the case.

During this experience I learned that Jasmin was allergic to Keflex, sulfa drugs, most pain meds and anti inflammatory medications. After Jasmin received a dose of Keflex years ago she exhibited the very exact symptoms of lameness in her hind end, never did anyone tell me that Great Danes are sensitive to Keflex....I found information to prove that much later after searching and searching on the internet. Most of our vets ( not all) were understanding and didn't think we were crazy about all of the allergies but after thinking back we were able to prove it without a doubt.

I don't know if past medications, diet and vacinations had a role in Jasmins complications as she grew older but I had stopped giving her rabies vacinations a few years back. Moose is getting some of his shots as he does go out to public places but no more rabies for him either, he is 10 .....he isn't going to be around for many more years and we don't want him to have anything in his system that he doesn't need. I have even gone as far as making his food for him. With Moose being 10 already I think it would be difficult to switch him to a RAW diet otherwise I would have done it already.

**These are just our opinions and past experiences with our Great Danes. I have also been involved in Great Dane rescue for the past 5 years & feel we have seen the best of the best when it comes to our local vets.

Please educate yourself before becoming a Great Dane owner as these gentle giants can have a multitude of problems and a dog at 165 lbs is much more difficult to care for than a 25lb dog. I will continue to have Great Danes but want to make sure everyone understands just what it takes to care for them. A large van or truck is the ideal vehicle so they do not have to jump in...as they are puppies you might think it's fine but as an adult Dane it is very hard on their joints. A king sized bed would also be a plus as they want to be right on you.....literally. I will miss her 165lbs pushing us off the bed at night....you must get to bed before the dog!

We are open to your questions but will not respond to any negative comments made on this blog.

Dane

2010-12-24T11:45:00.004-05:00

Dane crossed the Rainbow Bridge March 2007

We are almost 10 years old!

2010-11-07T19:00:00.004-05:00

Accupuncture

2010-03-20T10:00:00.004-04:00

Jasmin had accupuncture on Thrusday and is feeling and walking much better as of Friday night and today Saturday.

Enjoying the rain

2009-12-04T21:02:00.002-05:00

Jasmin, outside on the back porch enjoying the sound of rain and wind.

2009-07-22T09:53:00.002-04:00

I want to be a Great Dane in my next life :)

2009-06-10T09:31:00.001-04:00

Yes, Moose sleeps with a toy, and Jasmin too but she had already gotten up and moved to the couch.

Accupuncture

2009-05-30T17:04:00.004-04:00

Today Moose had a visit w/a Holistic Vet here in town. His back and hind end has been bothering him for the past month after a tussell w/the neighbors dog.

Here are a few pics from my cell while he was getting accupuncture. He also had a chiropractic manipulation. Apparently he has arthritis, a few bone spurs near his spine and some inflammation. We are glad to hear this as we were fearful it was something uncorrectable.

2009-05-16T22:37:00.001-04:00

Random Dane shots

2009-03-17T13:21:00.002-04:00

A few funnies

2009-02-06T08:37:00.002-05:00

2009-01-26T12:04:00.001-05:00

Want to Play?

A Sunday after ritual...sitting in the sun by the pool

Squirrel hunting

A few years old, but a cute picture

After the playing

2009-01-23T23:28:00.002-05:00

Yes, Jasmin is sleeping with a heating blanket and Moose with a heating pad. It is cold this week here in Florida and our dogs are not used to the temperature change, neither are their joints. Since I usually feel better with heat on me when it's cold I figured the dogs would like it too. Tonight we bought this heating blanket for Jasmin and Moose is using the heating pad. Note, Jasmin like to sleep on my bed but Moose wil not get up on furniture so he has his own doggie bed.

Help us win!

2009-01-09T09:46:00.000-05:00

Please click on the banner and help Southwest Great Dane Rescue (located in Bradenton, FL) win up to $10,000. in cold hard cash!!! It takes a lot of moola to keep these guys fit and looking fine for all to adopt and anywhere we can get money we go for it!

As you all know, I write the webpage for the SWGDR and have 2 Great Danes myself, love them! Click here to view our Danes in rescue currently.

Sharing the couch?

2008-08-21T21:45:00.004-04:00

Jasmin & Moose
All mine!
No one to bother me!
Look, my back feet don't touch the ground.

Moose won't ever go too far from Jasmin's side, as you can see he will even sit on her. She doesn't care. The last picture of Moose is as far as he goes when it comes to sitting on the furniture.....he won't get all the way up only his rear-end gets the luxury of the couch.

Car RIDE!

2008-06-24T20:16:00.003-04:00

How much dog can you actually pack into a car.................................2 Great Danes, that's how much. They would and did sit on each other just to get in this car...anything for a ride.

A few of the weeks pictures

2008-06-18T17:43:00.002-04:00

Moose loves to drink out of the hose Jasmin and the neighbors son
Upside down Jasmin
Never too far from eachother
Jasmin and her squirrel (fake squirrel)

2008-05-25T16:39:00.000-04:00

2008-05-25T16:36:00.000-04:00

2008-05-25T16:33:00.001-04:00

Yard work

2008-03-30T22:20:00.002-04:00

Of all the places Jasmin could sit she decided to be right up in the flower bed where we were pulling out plants and re-planting flowers. What a funny girl. Moose was content hanging out in the front yard with a towel (all of the towels are his once he sees them)

How much food do they eat you ask?

2008-01-26T23:28:00.001-05:00

OK so he doesn't eat all 40 lbs at once, but he just can't wait to see what we filled the container with. A 40 lb bag last 3 weeks for my 2 Great Danes. They also get "treats" which consist of dry oral care food 2 times a day.

How to exercise a Great Dane

2008-01-26T23:24:00.000-05:00

Moose in 2008

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Moose

2008-01-06T11:42:00.000-05:00

Jasmin in 2008

2008-01-06T11:25:00.001-05:00

Doing what she loves best.....not much!

I'm all snuggly and warm

2007-11-13T21:59:00.000-05:00

Moose & his favorite squeeky toy

2007-09-30T10:28:00.000-04:00

2007-09-20T18:35:00.000-04:00

New Bed!!

2007-09-13T18:18:00.001-04:00

So how do you keep a 145 lb Great Dane off the new couch???? You don't !! Just bring out all the blankets you can find and cover the couch.

Jasmin is the only one that does this, Moose won't even step up on his doggie beds if there are 3 beds on top of each other - he only like 2 beds on top of each other.

Jasmin

2007-08-27T17:48:00.000-04:00

Where's my ball?

2007-08-27T17:46:00.001-04:00

Can I have your pizza?

2007-08-25T22:14:00.001-04:00

Please??????????????????????????
Yes, his but is planted on the couch and his head on the coffee table !

Best Buds

2007-07-29T13:46:00.001-04:00

They must like each other because he can't get any closer to her unless he sat on her.

My towel!

2007-07-29T13:27:00.000-04:00

And every towel in his sight! Our Moose boy!

Getting comfy!

2007-07-05T21:12:00.001-04:00

WE have no idea why he does this but this is what he does every time he gets on carpet.

He loves to take towels

2007-07-04T19:24:00.000-04:00

Moose, wants every towel in the garage to be his!

Now, this is love...

2007-06-11T22:04:00.000-04:00

Yes, you could call this bonding.....looks like Moose has found his way into Gordon's heart.

Jasmin in the pool

2007-06-11T22:02:00.000-04:00

This is about as far as she will go in the pool. As you can see she will sit in the shallow end just so she doesn't fall in.

Moose and Gordon in the pool

2007-06-10T16:33:00.000-04:00

After their walk....

2007-06-07T21:33:00.000-04:00

All worn out!

What Jasmin likes best

2007-05-26T21:29:00.001-04:00

Laying in the sun with "Froggy"

My Milkbone

2007-05-26T21:26:00.000-04:00

2007-05-26T20:58:00.000-04:00

Doing what he loves best-NOTHING

2007-05-26T20:53:00.001-04:00

Moose

We didn't teach him this

2007-05-23T21:32:00.000-04:00

Moose likes to take control of the leash......here he is walking Jasmin for the first time.

Who me? Going in the pool? Naaa

2007-05-20T19:48:00.000-04:00

Sacked out

2007-05-20T00:12:00.000-04:00

Yes, he even curls up into a ball

My bed

2007-05-20T00:10:00.000-04:00

Car ride

2007-05-20T00:08:00.000-04:00

Smile!

2007-05-20T00:04:00.000-04:00

What? I'm just relaxing

2007-05-19T22:05:00.000-04:00

My flower girl

2007-05-19T22:03:00.000-04:00

Mine!

2007-05-15T21:28:00.000-04:00

Oh, I'm a pretty girl

2007-05-15T21:27:00.000-04:00

I like my "suckie"

2007-05-15T21:23:00.000-04:00

Yes...I'm a girl, can't you tell?

2007-05-15T21:22:00.000-04:00

Pool time!

2007-05-15T21:21:00.000-04:00

Moose on his first day home

2007-05-15T21:20:00.000-04:00

Jasmin Girl

2007-05-15T21:17:00.000-04:00

Happy Boy

2007-05-15T21:15:00.001-04:00

Drool

2007-05-15T17:53:00.000-04:00

Flower girl

2007-05-15T17:52:00.000-04:00

Jasmin Doing what she loves best!

2007-05-15T16:45:00.000-04:00

Our new Addition

2007-05-15T16:41:00.000-04:00

Moose came to us in April as a foster for the Great Dane Rescue.