tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-190392992009-07-13T19:08:38.147-05:00This is the story of a Great Dane named Savage, detailing my experiences with researching, buying, feeding, training, and living with my big puppy. I want to share what I've learned about the breed, and my week-to-week struggles and joys of Dane ownership, as well as lots of pictures of Savage from puppy-hood to adult.Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07547637264760728047noreply@blogger.comBlogger152125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19039299.post-17905763219887287122009-07-13T18:16:00.004-05:002009-07-13T19:08:38.168-05:00

This summer has brought with it a host of bugs (blackflies, ticks, mosquitos, etc.), and therefore neverending frustration for Savage and me. Each year he gets insect bites all over his groin area and the insides of his back legs, but this year it seems worse. Each bug bite gets red and raised and extremely itchy, so he licks the area a lot, which eventually causes more irritation. I've not

Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07547637264760728047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19039299.post-22887220044219605092009-06-25T16:48:00.003-05:002009-06-25T16:56:19.491-05:00

"You ask of my companions. Hills, sir, and the sundown, and a dog as large as myself." ~Emily Dickinson

Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07547637264760728047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19039299.post-1846861855045570962009-06-16T16:25:00.003-05:002009-06-16T17:04:13.592-05:00

It started a couple weeks ago with Savage shaking his head a lot and scratching excessively at his left ear. And then in a couple days he actually couldn't (or wouldn't) hold that ear up at all. His right ear stood up smartly, while the left hung out to the side, reminiscent of when he was little and I would take his ear tape off for a day before taping them upright again. It's been quite awhile

Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07547637264760728047noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19039299.post-52043533653919381652009-06-02T19:55:00.001-05:002009-06-02T20:02:02.691-05:00

Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07547637264760728047noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19039299.post-65235838237575774292009-05-13T13:27:00.002-05:002009-05-13T13:33:27.973-05:00

Savage and I are having some problems with our satellite internet equipment, and have not been able to update the website for the last few weeks. I'm working with my internet provider to correct the problems, but it may be a while before I can devote any quality time to The Story Of Savage. In the meantime, my boy is doing well and enjoying the warmer weather (ticks and all!). Please check back

Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07547637264760728047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19039299.post-47785093376380064872009-04-09T14:34:00.003-05:002009-04-09T14:45:08.468-05:00

Here's Savvy's new "Rodeo" brand dog collar I ordered online from Hot Dog Collars. It's a full 2" wide with two stitched layers of black leather and rows of metal spikes and studs. I got it to replace the old spiked collar, which was only 1" wide, and this one seems to be better quality. At the wearable length of 21" to 25" it's a bit large on my dane, but looks fantastic and cost me under $30.00

Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07547637264760728047noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19039299.post-7388222725881294462009-03-31T13:14:00.003-05:002009-03-31T13:32:38.780-05:00

A candid "family portrait" of sorts: Paula, Savage, and Randy.I put the pillow on the console of the truck so Sava can rest his big head on it while we're driving. The back seat in the Dodge is getting even more uncomfortable, even though I've covered it with blankets and pillows since my puppy destroyed it back when he was a little guy. The upholstery keeps ripping even more, and the stuffing is

Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07547637264760728047noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19039299.post-1896294323232559322009-03-20T20:36:00.007-05:002009-03-20T21:29:04.214-05:00

Changes are coming to The Story Of Savage website! Starting soon I will be working to convert the blog to an entirely new layout, and it may take some time before I get everything in order. This post is just a note to let Savvy's loyal site visitors know that during the transition there may be some broken links, missing content, and no doubt other problems I haven't even anticipated yet! The

Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07547637264760728047noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19039299.post-20094464469325943382009-03-06T15:55:00.009-06:002009-03-06T16:54:39.020-06:00

Yesterday I bought Savage another (!) pair of booties, foolishly hoping that they would fit. In the package they looked pretty big, and they were the largest size the company made (XXL) so I figured we'd give them a try. The weather is significantly warmer up here now, but I'd like to find warm, durable booties with good traction for next winter's below zero weather. These ones seemed like the

Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07547637264760728047noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19039299.post-91685269508807471182009-02-26T11:07:00.007-06:002009-03-06T16:33:39.908-06:00

Dane toenails are extremely thick and tough to cut, and I've been using a scissor style Miller's Forge "Large Dog Nail Clip" on Savage for years. He's always been a little uncomfortable with getting his manicures, but lately he's gotten a lot more sensitive about it. I have to assume it's because after a couple years, the blades have just gotten dull. When I first started seeing television ads

Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07547637264760728047noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19039299.post-60324151304477037842009-02-10T10:17:00.005-06:002009-02-10T10:35:07.069-06:00

Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07547637264760728047noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19039299.post-38893025344703494082009-01-20T20:04:00.005-06:002009-01-20T20:31:33.681-06:00

For the morbidly curious, here is a picture of poor Savage's extracted canine tooth. Because it was so damaged already, the tooth broke in half during the beginning of the surgery. Dr. Hanson said it was badly infected and probably the worst case he's seen. On a lighter note: Savvy's swollen nose returned to normal soon after I started giving him more aspirin, and is now acting like himself again

Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07547637264760728047noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19039299.post-64376780304664822382009-01-17T12:40:00.004-06:002009-01-17T13:02:43.117-06:00

Yesterday morning we noticed right away that Savvy's entire right cheek and muzzle had become very swollen overnight. Prior to having the tooth extraction done, Savage was on a 7 day course of an antibiotic called Clavamox, and then cephalexin (500mg 3x per day). He finished the cephalexin yesterday morning, so I was advised to switch to another antibiotic (!) because the first two might not have

Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07547637264760728047noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19039299.post-22452720873027891252009-01-16T11:45:00.007-06:002009-01-20T20:28:03.060-06:00

Savage and I picked possibly the coldest day of the winter to drive 2 1/2 hours to the vet so his tooth extraction could be done. On the way I periodically let him out of the truck, hoping he would go to the bathroom before his appointment, but at -35 degrees Savvy hit the ground, turned around, and immediately leaped back in. Savvy went into surgery shortly after we arrived at the clinic so I

Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07547637264760728047noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19039299.post-71647286446845934842009-01-05T08:44:00.002-06:002009-01-05T08:48:09.209-06:00

My puppy looks like he has my sister's german shepherd "in his sights". Photo credit: Laura Marxen.

Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07547637264760728047noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19039299.post-3528740109613352612008-12-29T13:57:00.009-06:002008-12-30T18:03:54.173-06:00

About a month ago I noticed a swelling on Savage's gum above his teeth. I originally guessed it was from a sliver of bone that got stuck between tooth and gum, or a chunk of wood from the sticks he's always chewing on. In any case, I assumed it was a foreign object that would work it's way out in time. Only a week ago did I realize it was infected and leaking pus, and I took him to the local vet.

Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07547637264760728047noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19039299.post-85820909059276029142008-12-25T17:32:00.000-06:002008-12-25T17:34:56.254-06:00

Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07547637264760728047noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19039299.post-65459842069466728942008-12-18T12:19:00.007-06:002008-12-18T18:24:23.242-06:00

The last few days have been bitterly cold, and my dane can't stand to be outside for more than a few minutes. His paws get cold so quickly that even eliminating outside in the snow is uncomfortable. Regular readers of my blog will remember my previous attempts to find Savage sufficient exercise in the really cold months, namely the treadmill I bought that he refuses to walk on, and the booties I

Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07547637264760728047noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19039299.post-45800603466511846302008-12-02T17:08:00.001-06:002008-12-02T17:17:40.395-06:00

"DOG, n. A subsidiary Deity designed to catch the overflow and surplus of the world's worship . . . . [H]is master works for the means wherewith to purchase the idle wag of the Solomonic tail, seasoned with a look of tolerant recognition." - Ambrose Bierce The Devil's Dictionary, 1911

Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07547637264760728047noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19039299.post-20151364164245909902008-11-17T22:38:00.009-06:002008-11-18T12:17:54.062-06:00

No cake, no singing, no silly party hat this year. Just Savage, Randy, and me hanging out and relaxing in our new house. Because we are pretty much living in the guest bedroom and most of our things are stored there while the rest of the house comes together, Savvy's bed (an old twin mattress) is set up out in the empty living room area. Which is not to say that Savvy actually spends much time

Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07547637264760728047noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19039299.post-44405604496026544192008-10-22T12:00:00.000-05:002008-10-22T12:04:05.680-05:00

Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07547637264760728047noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19039299.post-40039626584031029262008-09-29T13:07:00.006-05:002008-09-29T14:49:03.252-05:00

As September nears it's end I've had quite a few great photo opportunities involving my favorite subject, my amazing Savage. However, having just gotten a new digital SLR camera, I'm a little overwhelmed and pretty much just experimenting at this point. In any case, I feel that Savvy's beauty comes through even with an amateur behind the lensThis fall has been packed full of activity for our

Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07547637264760728047noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19039299.post-67780870935366172272008-09-02T13:40:00.000-05:002008-09-02T13:51:20.143-05:00

Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07547637264760728047noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19039299.post-7909564892533420362008-08-15T09:40:00.002-05:002008-08-15T09:45:42.041-05:00

"Dogs don't know about beginnings, and they don't speculate on matters that occurred before their time. Dogs also don't know — or at least don't accept — the concept of death. With no concept of beginnings or endings dogs probably don't know that for people having a dog as a life companion provides a streak of light between two eternities of darkness." ~Stanley Coren

Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07547637264760728047noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19039299.post-25493269925637281672008-08-06T10:27:00.003-05:002008-08-11T13:52:44.278-05:00

In the process of making our new house livable by the coming fall, Randy and I have been very busy working on the construction, plumbing, electrical work, etc. This partially explains why I haven't posted anything on the blog, but during this time I also haven't had Internet access in the the trailer I'm temporarily living in, either. Additionally, during the move from the old house I somehow

Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07547637264760728047noreply@blogger.com4