Getting started

Hey! Welcome to the first post on my second attempt to blog! I hope this one sticks. Ok, so let's get started. My name is Annie and I am the proud owner of a two year old Great Dane named Keena. She is awesome! Don't get my wrong, she can be a MAJOR handful and we have come a VERY long way in the 7 short months that I have owned her. It's funny because sometimes I feel like I've had her forever. I adopted Keena September 22, 2010 from a rescue shelter about an hour south of where I live. I found her picture on petfinder.com (which I highly recommend for anyone looking for a pet) and acted quickly. I had learned the hard way that Danes don't last long on those sites! I got to the shelter as quickly as I could and asked to see the Dane. To my surprise the receptionists didn't seem to know what I was talking about and simply pointed me in the direction of where the dogs were located. I practically ran to the back and began my search. How hard could finding a giant dog be? I was getting a little worried until I came to the very last pen where I at last set eyes on the dog of my dreams. Of course, at the time all I could see was her long legs through the little door that let her to the outdoor part of her run. I whistled and she trotted inside to greet me. She was massive. I put my hand up to the gate for her to sniff and she responded by pulling her slender, lanky body up on her hind legs and her front paws up on the gate. She was taller than me be far! Her sharp amber eyes met mine and I knew she was meant to go home with me! After convincing the manager that I infact did know what I was getting myself into with this giant creature who may or may not have ever been in a house. Soon I had her in my car and was on the phone with my mom to congratulate her on her new grand-dog. She was very happy, or so she did a very good job of acting like she was. It was much appreciated as I had no idea what was instore for me.

   I took my furbaby home and from there it's all a blur! I distinctly remember floods of pee and some very lovely smelling piles of poo on my carpet. She did very well considering she was found tied up outside.  We had a very disappointing vet visit were I discovered my worst fear. Keena was heartworm positive, about 30 pounds underweight, flea ridden, has marks on her neck were her chains dug in, wasn't spayed, and you could see every bone on her poor body. She didn't know how to love me, how to act around me. It took awhile for her to become affectionate with me. Soon she became very attacthed to me and I to her. After a spay, expensive heart worm treatments, high quality feed, and lots of love, Keena put on weight and now weighs in at about 125 lbs. She is pretty small for a Dane, I believe if she had been taken care of, she would have been a little bigger than she is. Size isn't everything, right? Above I put some picture of her meeting some of my family for the first time. She looks so sad! The last picture is of her now and healthy! Don't mind the messy apartment. :)