I was fostering dogs for Great Dane rescue in the mid-90's when the local Dane club was running the program, and in December 1995 Patience came to me as another foster. I fostered her for approximately 5 minutes - it was love at first sight!

She had been purchased as a puppy by a young man who promptly moved in with his girlfriend in an apartment that didn't allow dogs. He convinced his mother to take care of the puppy "just for a little while until we find another place to live". Well, a year later his mother had had enough and surrendered the then 18 month old Mantle female (named "Moose" ugh) to Rescue. First thing I did was change her name! LOL

I had shown my other Danes in obedience, and planned to train and show Patience also. She exceeded my wildest dreams - she got her CD quickly, then finished her Open title (and was in the National Top Ten of Obedience Great Danes in 1998) then finished her Utility title in March 2002. She was again in the Top Ten that year, and is one of only a handful of Great Danes who has ever completed a UD title.

She was a certified Therapy Dog for the first 3 or 4 years I had her, and we visited many rehab hospitals and worked with therapists to help patients achieve their goals. She LOVED visiting hospitals - actually she loves going anywhere that people will fuss over her! I had to drop out of the program due to a lack of time to devote to it, but maybe we'll get back into it someday.

Now 9 years young, she is still going strong and hopefully will compete in Agility this fall. But even if she doesn't, she is still one of the best dogs I've ever had the privilege to know. Sweet, outgoing and intelligent, she is an example of what a Great Dane should be, and usually is. She is a "mentor" to the Rescue Danes I foster nowadays, and helps teach them how to behave both at home and out in public. She is a joy to live with, and proof positive that a Rescue dog can do ANYTHING!!

Patience - Owned and adored by Barb Bristol.