I give UP! I've spent fifteen minutes trying to edit the post to no avail. Anyway, hope you enjoy the puppies, Raven.

Very, very sweet.

Very, very sweet.

(Sorry, just teasing a little. I've had my houzz problems too....lol.)

Raven, I'd be a regular volunteer, too. I've even become attached to their assortment of rescue donkeys + mules.

Thanks for sharing, rhizo. That is one big dog!

I know I watch the donkeys too. They are so funny sometimes..

We had a Great Dane that was apparently abandoned or lost after Harvey in this area. It was very scared and skinny. We got several people in the area that would put out food and water for it. Finally we were able to catch it. It had no chip so no idea where it belonged. We posted it on all the local lost pets sites. It needed serious attention and help. A local facility that does that work took him in and he is really coming out of his shell. We have a family here that has 3 Great Danes and they are wanting to adopt it and make it part of the family. They take great care of their dogs. It took a big joint effort to rescue the dog but I am so happy it was successful.

They are such amazing animals.

I am amazed at what these animals are able to accomplish with their human partners. They are raised with so much care, kindness, and discipline and seem to love their advanced service dog training.

If, for some reason a dog is unfit for service, he or she ends up being given to deserving family or volunteer as a 'perfect pet'. The only dogs that are not neutered are those who are ever so carefully selected for breeding. European dogs have joined the bloodline, not only for genetic diversity, but because the owner likes those big, heavy European dogs.

Their personalities are as big as their bodies.....and almost as big as their hearts.

rhizo, you know so much about them. Have you had them as pets? I am very unfamiliar with them, perhaps because their size intimidates me.

I have had multiple Danes over the years of our lives. She is spot on. You can't believe how incredible they are.

I would qualify for one of those dogs but they don't send them to this area. I miss my sweet Majic so much.

Once I was visiting a home for the first time and when I rang the bell, this huge, huge 'thing' looked me in the eye through the glass door! Frightened me but on meeting this gentle giant, he was the sweetest and most majestic creature I had ever met!

tjkeen, I've never had one but have known several. My first encounter was with my brother's Brittany. I think he named her after a favorite Playboy Bunny, lol. Danes really want to be lap dogs, I learned. Brittany's version meant that her four feet stayed on the floor, but she would plant her behind in your lap!

I've learned so much about these particular service dogs by being able to watch them on camera from birth to seeing them matched with a recipient. Many of the recipients are good about sending pictures, videos, and diaries over the years for us all to see.

Raven, are you sure that they don't do matches in your part of the country? I thought that as long as a potential recipient could travel for a lengthy visit, on-site training with the dog, and can come back for tweaking training, then a dog can be donated happily. I may be wrong about that.

I've been checking a couple of times per day, but every time they're just all snuggled up together. Any idea how many puppies there are? Mama is beautiful!

There are five happy puppies. Difficult to see them clearly since they are all black. They had hopes for a few spots or dapples as the daddy is very spotted. They will each have their own personalities, though, and there is only one boy in the litter. He will have a time of it!