Hi Friends –
Mom & Dad sure have been taking over the blog, huh? I know, right? I had to give Dad “the Dane eyebrow” to get some time on here again. Of course, it worked, it always works. I have him wrapped around my paw. There was a condition, there’s always a condition. Dad convinced me to talk about what I’ve been up to recently when my service vest is off in order to get back on the blog. He is Alpha, so I guess its okay. Mom and Dad laughed about it afterward; sometimes the laughter takes longer to start than other times, but they do laugh eventually.
As you may know the human puppies have another pack they share their time with. I think that is wonderful and I’ve talked about expanded pack structures in past posts so it’s all pawsome. What this means, though, is that we spend time missing them and the energy they bring. I was having some of these moments recently. Tie this in with the fact that I really don’t see why Dad, if he’s so much the pack leader, can’t get his tail out of bed at 5 A.M on the weekend, too, and it spells trouble. A dog needs his food in order to be ready for those, at a moment’s notice, wake-up and work things. When he doesn’t get up it impacts the rest of us in the pack, even those furry meowing basement monsters. (Who by the way, are starting to come out more often!) What’s a Dane to do, but take action? I decided that if I don’t get breakfast and a walk, and I have to miss the puppies then I would go into their room and explore. I found all sorts of wonderful smelling and tasting things. So what did I find? Good question! I found some stuffies on the littlest pup’s bed. I was gentle, and just carried it around, and slobbered on it. (Don’t tell her, it’s one of her favorites) I also brought down one of the oldest pup’s new boots. (It didn’t fit me.) Again, with that one I just carried down to the living room. I didn’t really get in trouble for that since I used a soft mouth, just like we’re taught. For most that may be enough, but they also left some things in their room that Mom & Dad didn’t know about, like people cookies, candy and waxy sticks that Mom called cray-ons. I don’t know what a cray is or why you’d put it on anything, after tasting it! I figured they were an acquired taste though, so I tried about ten of them. I’m not sure I acquired the taste. I can tell you that I sure did like the people food I found, most of it was sugary sweet and didn’t taste like my bison food at all, but boy was it gooood. The only problem was I really need to ask the puppies to take their food out of the bags and wrappers next time. I mean I CAN get into them but it’s rather noisy and I tend to get caught in the act.
I can tell you one thing for sure there will be no more cray-ons being nibbled by this Dane, they didn’t make my tummy feel good and I had poop trouble. I couldn’t go like I usually do. Dad even gave me an extra walk and lots of fresh water to work it through me. I thought I was OK so the next morning we headed out for the day. There was a quick trip to Dunkin’ Donuts (Mom and Dad run on Dunkin’…maybe they’re followers and appreciate the plug? –Coupons?– Hey, it’s worth a try). After that we decided it was good to get the week’s groceries before SDP so we wouldn’t all be too tired to go after our visit. Looking back now, I should have asked for a walk because things really started moving once we were in the store for a few minutes. Maybe it’s the fact that I still dislike the noisy freezer cases, I don’t know. What I do know is that we had a colorful experience right in the middle of an aisle, and I didn’t even slow down to let Dad know it happened. The only reason he knew was someone yelled “Oh My Gawd” and Mom looked over to me. Mom said “I’ll finish up the shopping and you boys take care of that!” Dad had to stop laughing before he picked up the green, blue yellow and orange in the pile. He asked Mom if she was sure she didn’t want to take a look at the pretty colors. I don’t know why she wasn’t interested. (I felt really bad about doing this and was shaking afterwards. Mom and Dad both told me it was ok so I calmed down then.) It is a good thing we carry cardboards and bags in my pack. An employee came over with a spray bottle and a roll of towels to help but Dad had it all bagged. Dad laughed again because she stood there talking to Dad while he was on his knees on the floor. It was a very nice conversation, but he really wanted the cleaner. He had to ask specifically and she laughed, saying “oh, yeah sure” with a chuckle, like she forgot why she was there. Dad cleaned the floor. Added the towels to our gift bag and I braced, to get him up. The employee asked if Dad wanted help getting up. Dad laughed again, and said “No thanks, this is what he’s supposed to do” She offered to take the bag, assuring us she has big dogs as well. In the following days I have been feeling much better.
The puppies will also be required to clean their kennel and keep all people food and art gear in the accepted places where there is no chance for any of us to get in trouble next time. I’m not worried though, I can always find something to get into.
Tagged: big dog, dane, disability awareness, dog, family, great dane, human puppies, mobility dogs, playtime, puppy, service animals, service dane, service dog project, service dog training, silly puppy, weekend
Casper the Friendly Dane 
Oh, Casper… when I was a pup (human pup), I ate crayons too!!!! That was approximately 45 years ago, but mom said I had “colorful expressions”. I also sat on the floor one day with our collie and a box of the colored little Milkbones… One for her, one for me! (Strange child I was!) I have rescued retired racing greyhounds for my entire adult life, but over the last year I found SDP and became smitten with your brothers and sisters. I rescued a 5 year old Great Dane last month. Her name is Katie and I’ve posted a few pictures of her on the SDP facebook page. I absolutely LOVE the big dogs like yourself! She is not nearly as talented as you with your job but she is a great cuddler and little kiss giver. How is it possible that little kisses come out of your big heads??? I’m amazed she’s not a big slobbery kisser!!!!! I read Katie your blog every day. I must admit, she sleeps through most of it, but I’m sure she’s listening secretly! We enjoy your daily antics and education on the service dog job. Keep ’em coming!
Katie sounds wonderful! I am so glad she found a loving home with you.
Just loved your blog Casper. Was really funny. Had a good laugh on the rainbow poo. I keep forgetting that you are still a silly puppy & puppies like to check out (eat) everything. You are a very special pup Casper.
Casper, I’m with you. If you can get to it, it’s meant to be explored. I’ve never been impressed with the taste of crayons either. They smell much better than they taste. You were a very good boy taking care of the stuffies. My philosophy is everything is better with dog drool 🙂
Casper and family,,,,oh my gosh,,, I am crying from laughing so hard reading todays blog, thank you for letting us into your lives, you brighten every day for me 🙂
Rainbow poo, now I’ve heard it all!!! That’s too funny, Casper. Well, I guess your mom and dad knew it was going to come out at some point; took a bit longer than usual, but I guess, being plugged up with crayons will do that, but in the middle of a grocery store aisle??? LOL!! Sounds like something Carlene would have in her DD….. I guess they smelled good to you at the time, so why not? At least, you didn’t chew up the little one’s fluffy or the new boots; that was good, right? Keep blogging, I just love reading about your daily life/lives…..never a dull moment!
Ohhhh Casper. You have got to learn that unless it is in your bowl, DO NOT EAT IT. You silly silly boy.
Oh Casper, just love your sense of adventure!!! Your human family are very lucky to have such a wonderful, adventuresome, not to mention colorful guy such as yourself in their pack.
Oh, Casper, you are a riot! I just love you and your antics so much. Your “human” parents are terrific to be able to laugh at your antics.
I just love your blog, Casper! It is so enlightening and entertaining. You are one very special pup and have an amazing family.
Oh my… 😘
Now Casper you had me laughing on this one. I am sure it is your curiosity that gets the better of you sometimes. Crayons are usually not the best tasting (though I never had the inclination to try one) but colorful droppings are not appreciated by us. One of my old greyhounds had very cautiously taken a turkey out of the trashcan with a lid on top while we were out. Came home went to throw something in the trash and no turkey carcass. Like I know I put it in there. Next day belly didn’t feel good with her and amazingly had the same issue you did but with small turkey bones. A few days later I bought a wood trashcan with a heavy top so she couldn’t do that again. No one morsel left, no grease on the floor nothing but the puppy greyhound was in her crate at the time and had to watch her big sister eat this big turkey and she couldn’t have any. So you learn your lessons well. Good thing your mom and dad have a sense of humor and carry those bags and cardboard around. Makes those little boo-boos much easier. Keep eating bison, much better for you.
Oh, Casper, you always were such a colorful character.