"Sara"

Sara was just a puppy when she found herself in an animal shelter. The couple who adopted Sara took her to their mountain home, where silly puppy Sara terrorized the cats, peed in the house, and did all those things that a normal youth filled Giant is want to do. So off Sara went to live in the yard, with her chain and her ball and lots of neighborhood children to play with.

In her nine year tenure as a yard dog, Sara patrolled her territory well, even treeing several bear who dared to venture too close to her family’s abode. She never sat still or let down her guard, after all she had a job to do and being a Giant, she was driven to do it well.

Things began to change when her main care taker became terminally ill. Sara watched her family’s children come home to say their goodbyes and take over the care of their invalid father. All too suddenly the day came when the women she loved was no more and everyone in Sara’s world mourned.

It was decided that Sara needed a new home; her remaining owner’s only request was that they find a home with a family who would love and play with her. With tears in his eyes he handed the list of Sara’s "likes and dislikes" to the Rescue person:

Sara Likes: Balls, Kids, Milkbones, People, Play

Sara does not like: Cats, The Bridge

Singing Jefferson Starship’s "Sara" softly to the matted old girl, who restlessly rode in a crate, the Rescuer drove the long road to Sara’s new foster home. Doubts filled the Rescuer’s mind, would this be the time where the next and last stop would be the Vet’s? An emergency bath and clipping were performed before Sara finally settled down for her first night both in a crate and indoors. Still concerned the foster family decided to give Sara time before making that final decision.

Sara’s love of life is what saved her.

Sara is like a puppy inside a senior suit. She is everything that a Giant should be and more. Almost everything that most Giant owners and their Giants take for granted are new to Sara. She has quickly learned about going to dog parks and how to hop in and out of the back of a station wagon to get there. Sleeping inside, having a dog bed to lay on, a peanut butter stuffed Kong, and a squeaky toy to play with are all fast becoming some of her favorite things.

Now not everything is rosy, grooming and vetting Sara is no easy thing to do. While it is possible to touch her anywhere with bare hands, Sara is leery of hands with objects in them and is quite the air snapping pro. She will buck and wriggle with amazing skill and strength. Despite this she has been treated for a mild ear infection, a chronic bladder infection, and urinary incontinence. An ultrasound, urine culture, and blood panel have all have shown that she is a healthy girl and her teeth are amazing, no wear, no tarter, and none missing.

The Cat and Sara

In Sara’s foster home there resides a Cat. This Cat was raised by a Giant. This Cat for better or worse doesn’t have enough sense to swat or hiss at visiting canines. He has baffled more than one foster dog when he rams his furry rear-end into their faces. After a few sniffs and paw checks Sara and the Cat came to the conclusion that they could be friends.

Sara went so far as to run the Cat over rather than chase it when the foster mom was preparing dinner in the kitchen. The Cat was so thoroughly miffed at being treated no better than road kill that he stomped off to his bed atop his own Giant’s crate. The next day the two were caught laying side by side on the dog bed in the front room.

Sara and the Young Fellow

One day the Rescuer received a call, a teenage Giant needed assistance. This cheerful young fellow joined Sara in fosterhood. It was soon discovered that the two of them delighted in ripping around the back yard together. The boy would tear around the outer edges of the yard, while Sara would take shortcuts across the corners to keep up with him.

Once not long after his arrival the young fellow got a bit too snotty with Sara, so sweet Sara showed him how tough a senior Giant can be. Sara came up on his rear as they were running together, wrapped both front legs around his back legs, tucked her head on his flank, and pressed down on him with her massive chest. After rolling to a stop and pinning him down briefly, Sara walked casually over to the amazed Rescuer and calmly sat down. Within minutes they were off ripping together again.

When the young fellow finally went off to his Forever home, Sara sadly walked the yards hunting for him.

Sister Sara

The foster family has a friend who lives in their mother-in-law unit. One year ago she was diagnosed with fourth stage kidney cancer. After completing chemotherapy she determinedly returned to work, however, she could never find the strength or energy to return to her gardening or taking the dogs for a walk. That was all to change when Sara entered her life.

Sara needed walking and the friend needed to exercise. It was that simple. They started out with short walks around the neighborhood. Sara had seldom gone on walks before this, however she quickly learned to set her pace to match her new friend, ever careful not to pull too hard or jump up on her.

These walks turned into long hikes in the Regional Park near their home. Riding in cars is a new adventure for Sara, one that she really likes. So when her friend opened the trunk up to pull out her backpack, Sara hopped in, tail wagging, eyes sparkling, waiting to go. Once she figured out that riding inside the car was a much better route to her destination than the trunk, they were off.

On one of their treks the duo got lost. Sara was not lost, she knew exactly how to get back, she just couldn’t seem to convince her friend of that. When her friend decided to take a short cut down a hillside and ended up on her rear end. Sara calmly stood firm so that her friend could use her to pull herself back to her feet. After giving her a look that seems to say, "silly person", Sara turned around and led the way back to the car.

Sara’s friend has resumed her gardening. Sara is the ultimate assistant, transplanting flowers, trimming leaves, and returning lost tools. She can often be found simply" following her friend around the yard as they water and talk to the plants.

The Finale

There is no way that one could expect or anticipate a dog like Sara. Who would have guessed that beneath the smelly matted coat and rough outdoor dog exterior, there was such a sweet and loving character.

There are dogs who are determined to find a job to do, Sara is one of these dogs. Sara has a way about her that makes people want to laugh and share their time with her. She can give you a look that makes you realize that she sees and hears things that the rest of us don’t pay attention to but maybe should.

Sara has given us a glimpse of what it means to be a Giant and a reminder that this breed has the potential of being so much more no matter what their age.

Sara’s Song could only have been possible due to the generous and caring support from Carolyn Janak, Miriam Rose, and HT-Z Rescue. Please consider these senior dogs when you are asked to support rescue. They are not the first choice for adoption and their foster homes are all too often their last.