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Dana

We rescued Dana, the GREAT, Great Dane from the Mustang, OKlahoma animal shelter in 2001. We were told it was close to her last day because of lack of space and length of time she had been there.
Dana was truly a “gentle giant.” At just under 100 pounds, she thought she was a lap dog. When guest would come and sit in her favorite chair she would get up in the chair and try to sit in their lap.
Less than a year after Dana came to live with us she got “bloat” (the stomach turns). This happens in big chest dogs and can kill them unless corrected quickly.
After a trip to the emergency dog hospital and $1,300, Dana was fine. A few years after that, Dana was “campaigning” in our local mayor’s race and as she was jumping back into our car her tail got caught in the door! After a trip to vet, she was fine but ended up with a tail about 4 inches shorter than most Great Dane’s.
Our dear Dana developed bone cancer in December, 2006. With care and medication we were given a short, but good 3 months with her.
One of her “best friends” was Newton, a Catahula/ Cattle Dog mix (even though he looks a little like a Dalmatian with his spots, don’t tell him because it makes him mad. He’s proud to be a Catahula/ Cattle Dog!) Newton is also a rescued dog from a shelter. Ironically, we adopted him and brought him home the day Newton was scheduled to be put to sleep because of lack of space and length of time at the shelter.
Dana and Newton became instant friends and really enjoyed playing, walking, chasing and all the things friends do. Dana was a Harlequin Great Dane (white with black spots) and Newton is white with black spots. (Maybe Dana thought she was Newton’s mother!) We always thought what a great mother Dana would have been.
When the time finally arrived to send Dana to the “Rainbow Bridge” (that is the place where our dear pet companions go to wait for their human friends when they then
cross over into God’s Paradise together), our veterinarian, Dr. “Jim”, came to our home at 5:00am on that day. He was so patient and kind! He gave Dana a shot to relax her and then the amazing and most touching thing happened. Newton came over and lay down beside Dana putting his head on her big old chest and after a few minutes for us to “love on her”, then Dr. Jim administered the drug that would put Dana to sleep. Newton put his paw on Dana’s paw and stayed with her until she left for the “Rainbow Bridge.” After Dana was “gone” Newton stayed with her, but finally got up, licked her nose and said goodbye, “I will see you again” and yes, we will too!

Mary and Mike from OK

Dana