It's hard to imagine someone giving away one pedigreed dog, let alone ten. Yet, Central Florida Great Dane Rescue is actively soliciting help to place ten Great Danes dropped off at a local rescue shelter by a breeder. The ten are part of the original group of twenty that was brought to the shelter in September. In all, CFGDR received thirty unwanted Danes in the same month.
Helping animals is truly a labor of love for the volunteer membership of the rescue organization. Similar groups exist nationwide, often focusing their efforts on one or two specific breeds in order to best apply the collective knowledge and expertise of volunteers for the animals' welfare. From greyhounds to pit bulls, these groups take in unwanted and abused animals and ensure they are matched with a suitable family. Families and individuals also volunteer to provide temporary "foster" homes to animals as part of the programs.
All dogs have unique characteristics - strengths and weaknesses - that are particular to their breed. In the case of the Great Dane, many deal with gastrointestinal disorders and severe bone and joint disorders such as arthritis. It is not uncommon for puppies to require extensive treatment for such diseases. The range of disorders extends to deafness - as is the case in many white Great Danes. White Danes carry a gene that can cause deafness and blindness.
For Angelika Gruber, a Central Florida Great Dane Rescue volunteer, any perceived limitations that Danes may have pale in comparison to their strengths, especially for dogs that have been abandoned and have often jumped from one home to another.
"These animals really know that they've finally met a person that means well," Gruber said in a recent interview with a local Ormond Beach newspaper. "You can really tell how grateful these animals are."
Gruber owns two Great Danes, one of which she adopted through the rescue organization.
"I wanted to give back some of the joy these dogs created in my life," she said.
In the case of Great Dane rescue organizations, many of the surrendered animals come from families that were uninformed or ill prepared for the demands of such a large dog. CFGDR helps prospective owners prepare for Dane ownership through community activities and events aimed at raising awareness for their cause. Their Website, www.cfgdr.org also offers extensive information on Great Danes and photos of animals currently available for adoption.
However, don't think you can simply walk in and adopt an abandoned Great Dane. Application fees are involved and each prospective family undergoes an extensive interview process to ensure they are emotionally, physically and financially prepared for the particular demands of owning a Great Dane. This is especially true when it comes to knowing the health demands of the breed.
Often, common issues such as gastrointestinal upset and osteoarthritis can be treated easily and at little cost. Again - this is an example of the power of knowledge and foresight. Simple steps - such as nutritional supplementation - can help these gentle giants avoid much of the pain and discomfort of genetic bone and joint disorders.
One such supplement, glucosamine combined with chondroitin, has been shown to be especially effective in combating degenerative joint disease in all dog breeds, including Great Danes. Syn-Flex for Pets is one of America's most trusted names, offering a multi-ingredient glucosamine supplementation in an easy-to-take and very effective liquid form. Synflex (Syn-flex), originally and primarily marketed to people suffering from osteoarthritis, proved so effective that Synflex made a formula specific to a pets taste. Its success has pet owners along with veterinarians praising its effectiveness. You can find out more about this remarkable product by visiting http://www.syn-flex-usa.com To find out more about Central Florida Great Dane Rescue, as well as similar leagues throughout the United States, visit cfgdr.org. |
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