"Capo"

Capo came to live with us about 1 week after we had to send our 10-year-old male Giant to the Rainbow Bridge after he had endured Lymphoscarcoma.  My kids, my husband and myself were heartbroken.  I knew we needed to have another Giant in our hearts and home as soon as possible and started to inquire on a yahoo group about breeders.  Jane Elias, as well as several other wonderful rescue people, contacted me about 2 young males being fostered in N.Y.  She put me in touch with Heather Cary, who was fostering both, and it was immediately clear that Capo was meant to be our boy. 

We met Heather in Western Massachusetts at a Dunkin’ Donuts parking lot.  As soon as we pulled up, we saw Capo standing in the back of her vehicle.  He was freshly groomed and looked gorgeous!  He was a skinny 76 lbs. At the time and looked petite to me.  After spending some time talking to Heather, we left with our new boy in the back of our SUV.  He was very calm and sweet on the 2-hour ride and would come toward the front for a kiss every now and then.
 
That 76 lb. boy has grown into a strapping 105 pounder!  He is very tall and large boned, the biggest male we’ve had.  He has the sweetest personality.  All he wants to do is play and be loved!  My girls call him their baby and just adore him.  Between the four of us, he is very well exercised, played with and attended to!!  He gives hugs, sweet kisses and takes treats out of the hand so gently.  We just love him so much.

 
Capo loves all people he meets and wants so badly to play with every dog he encounters.  He does very well in a local dog park and has a Wheaton Terrier buddy who comes to the back yard to play every now and then.  We have survived his mouthy stage, although he still likes to lead me to his food pantry when I come home from work by gently taking my hand in his mouth.  He has lots of toys and knows what he can put in his mouth and what belongs to a human and is off limits.  He has been so easy to train and has really settled as he reaches 2 yrs of age in May 2006. 

 
Four months after Capo’s entry into our lives, we had a 6 ½ year old Standard Schnauzer re-homed to us from a wonderful breeder.  Zoe and Capo have worked out things between the two of them and are great together.  She is the Alpha and keeps him in line!  She has helped him to mature and he loves having the canine companionship.  He likes to antagonize her when he is in a playful mood, but she lets him know she is the boss and she’ll play on her terms, and he’ll back down.
 
Many thanks go out to Jane and Heather, and anyone else who was involved in bringing Capo into rescue.  We are forever grateful for being allowed the privilege of adopting Capo.  He makes us laugh and want to shower him with hugs and kisses.
 
Lori, Tony, Kyra and Rachel Ortiz

Capo and Zoe

 

Taking a Dip 

 

Proud Mama with her “Fur Babies”

 

Kyra and her “Baby Boy”