"Huge"

Dear Jane and the HT-Z Rescue Organization,

I owe you a huge (no pun intended) apology for not writing about HUGE. HUGE is a Giant Schnauzer I adopted in July. We’ve been so busy getting to know each other that I have neglected to tell you how well things are going!
HUGE has fit into my life beautifully! He is a wonderful companion to have around. HUGE wants to please, and therefore is not stubborn like other giant schnauzers I’ve encountered. HUGE has a gentle disposition and he is also quite a clown!
Having owned a giant before, I was prepared for a struggle and test of wills as we got to know each other. I was concerned that because HUGE was rescued, he might have trouble bonding with me. I was thrilled to see how much HUGE wants to please! That has made training a dream! He knows the commands, “back off”, “mine”, “sit”, “wait”, “heal”, and “down”. We are still working on the “come” command and “stay”. That’s because he’s either chasing chipmunks when I say “come”, or he’s dying to be with me when I tell him to “stay”. My ultimate dream is for HUGE to be a therapy dog, but we have some basic training to do before that happens!
To my joy, HUGE has a wonderful gentle nature! He leans against everyone he meets and stares at them adoringly. Many times he will simply collapse at their feet and beg for a belly rub! In fact, on Halloween night, HUGE was desperate to help hand out candy! To my frustration he escaped out the front door, only to roll over on his back for 4 neighborhood boys! HUGE got a long belly rub, and then came back inside happily! That gentle nature applies to most other animals too. He immediately hits a play stance when he sees other big dogs! With small dogs, HUGE will actually lay down until they sniff him. The neighborhood cats are not so convinced that HUGE is a teddy bear, but they’ll come around eventually. : 0)
HUGE is well known in my family for his funny antics. He loves to show off, get attention, and earn a laugh. He wants to be a part of the family so much, that he will try to wake everyone up for our morning walk! Most visitors don’t want a big, wet dog nose in their face at 4:45 in the morning! But HUGE is relentless! I’ve seen my mom, exhausted from traveling, crawl out of bed to walk with us in the morning! When we go to visit my parents in Florida, HUGE likes to coral us into the same room, if we are all doing something different Only then is HUGE relaxed and happy. He has to have his family together!
Thank you again for such a great dog! He has been such a delight, a steady companion, and a gentle friend! I can’t imagine life without him!

Sincerely,


Julie Catherine Valentine

P.S. I keep promising to send pictures, but I still have not taken the film to be developed! Silly me! Thanks again! JCV