"NEWTON"
Holtz Mr. Las Vegas NA, NAJ
DOB 10-20-03
Newton was my first Great Dane.
I had always wanted one, ever since I was a child. He was rescued as
a puppy from Las Vegas. We drove by Wayne Newton's place right after
we picked him up, and that is how he got
his name.
Newton has brought me great joy.
Although
his
breeding
may
be poor, he has exceeded all my expectations. He exemplifies the breed's
standard of fine character and good temperament. He is full of love
and life, and he lets everyone
he meets
know it.
In the past I've competed
in Agility with my Boxer and
German Shorthaired Pointer. It never occurred to me that Danes could
compete in Agility until I adopted Newton and began looking at some
of the wonderful Great Dane web sites out there. I never would have
imagined!
I had already started Newton
in Obedience classes, but Agility has proven much more
exciting
for
both of us. After less than a year of training and only a few months
in the ring, Newton completed his AKC Novice Agility titles and he
has legs in
the
Open
level. I do not know how far we will go, but rest assured we will always
be having fun!
* * *
"MERLEN"
Holtz Mr. Wizard
DOB 12-15-03
Only a few months after
Newton entered my life, he had brought me so much joy, I knew I had
to have
another Great Dane. I picked Merlen out when he was just 4 weeks old
and brought him home at 7 weeks, after his breeder decided to "kick
out"
the litter.
He has grown into the sweetest, silliest, most loving dog I have ever
had
the pleasure
of
raising.
I knew early on that
Merlen would be my competition Obedience dog. He just has that special
personality
and a strong desire to please me.
I started him in Obedience classes early last year and hoped
to debut him in Arizona at the GDCA National, but unfortunately Mother
Nature had a different plan.
Merlen
was diagnosed last May with Wobblers syndrome, which is caused by
compression of the cervical spinal cord.
In June he underwent surgery to to remove the C4 through C7 vertebrae
in his neck and relieve the pressure
that was damaging his spine.
A second MRI, performed just before the surgery,
revealed a
disc
protrusion in his lumbar area. Some
of the worst things happen to the sweetest
animals!
Obviously
our competition
hopes were on ice.
Merlen's health has since improved.
I have worked a lot on building his rear-end awareness, and tried
to build muscle, too. Six months after surgery, he is finally starting
to develop more muscle in the rear. Plus, I think various other supplements
have helped – cholodin, fish oil, and some homeopathic
treatments.
Just two weeks ago Merlen returned to Obedience class and he's doing
very well. He will never
walk
perfectly,
but
I'm
more
than happy to lose points for
his crooked sits. It is more than enough just to be out there working
with a dog who adores me so much, and I am happy to report
that Merlen no
longer
falls down. In fact, he can run like the wind again!
* * *
Through my two Great Danes
I have met many wonderful people and made
many new
friends. Dane owners seem to have a very special bond. Strangers will
go out of their way to help each other any way they
can, and they don't stay strangers for long. Of the several
breeds I own, the Great Dane is the one I find most rewarding. You
might say they are addictive!
Thank you, Ginnie,
for loving this breed so much and for taking the time to celebrate
them. It is truly an honor to be a member of the Dane community and
part of this web site.
— Stephanie
Holt
