Hi Friends –
Everything has been going so smoothly, I haven’t broken anything lately. I haven’t eaten anything I’m not supposed to. I’ve even been taking my pills like a good boy. (It helps that Dad hides it on a banana chip with peanut butter covering it, but still…). I thought I wouldn’t have anything to share with you this week (Dad’s been working on ability posts to fill in for me). With this in mind, you can see how I would be surprised when I went downstairs for breakfast and all of that changed.
I really thought Halloween may have come early this year, I know that this is my Dad’s favorite so it wouldn’t surprise me. I asked Dad what day it was. As soon as I did I knew I made a mistake. He said “Hump-DAAY! – Woot Woot!” Alright…yes, it is that. I asked again, the date, what’s the date? He said “September 18th, why?” I walked him to the kitchen and pointed. Dad asked if I’d been watching Animal Planet shows again. He said Danes were bred to hunt, not point, there are no birds here, what are you doing? Finally he looked. All three basement monsters were up in the kitchen! I didn’t chase because I have never seen this and honestly didn’t know what to do. Dad was so happy and he immediately gave me a ‘down-stay’ command. I didn’t follow it, because my Dane-brain was processing three monsters on the same surface with me in the room! The best I could do was to keep my distance and stare. The only thing I could think was weeping angel, weeping angel, don’t blink, DON’T BLINK! (We love our Doctor Who…it rubs off; Whovians back me up here!) Both of the girls, Lucy and Pixie were right in the middle of the floor staring me down and yelling at me, even Winkie was there. He retreated a bit, but only a few feet. This gets even more nightmarish. Dad bent down and gave pets to all of them! Yep, he gave them my pets. I could hardly believe it! If I was blinking I wouldn’t have believed it myself.
The basement monsters eventually did go back behind their gate, but not until Dad filled both the wet and dry bowls. After that I felt much more comfortable. I went to the open gate and greeted Winkie. He’s the silent Zen type and much more approachable. (The girls will tell me where to go and point the way.) We exchanged sniffs and I even gave him a small lick. I think now, that was kind of crossing a bro-line but I was nervous, I didn’t know what to do. He was like, whoa dude…sniffs bro, sniffs are cool, and licks are reserved and I’m not there yet. Lucy and Pixie kept an eye on me the entire time they ate and even until we got out the door.
As soon as we loaded up in the truck I had to talk to Dad. I said, “What in DOG’s name was that?!” He laughed at me, and said that this is what they’ve been waiting for. You’ve been waiting for a monster invasion? Laughing he said, no we want all of our family together and feeling free to roam around. He went on to tell me that before I joined the pack Lucy used to sit right on his lap every night! Winkie used to give him head-buts and even sleep on his side of the bed, all night! And, Pixie used to sit right next to him on the couch purring away. I could hardly believe my ears. I thought for sure I had yeast in them. I checked, they’re clear, and I DID just hear that. He then told me that other Danes from my SDP pack have cats in their packs home; for example, Perry. He said that Perry learned to ‘down-stay’ when he sees a cat. Lola has a cat too! That’s why Dad asked me to try it. I figure if Perry can do it, I can too. The next time I see him I’m going to ask him about this. Maybe he can give me tips. If it makes my pack happy, I’ll work on it every chance I get.
written by DFS
Tagged: animal interactions, basement monsters, cats, dane, disability, disability awareness, dog, family, great dane, kittehs, kitties, mobility dogs, puppy, service dane, service dog, service dog training, silly puppy
Casper the Friendly Dane 
LOL. Casper & the invasion of the Basement Monsters should be a book. I can see you in the future with the Monsters as your buddies.
“Don’t Blink!” I will never look at an angel statue the same again. 😱
Oh Casper. What is there about you that’s not to love. Even the basement monsters will love you. Just give it a little bit of time and they will love you and you will love them. We certainly love you.
See, the “monsters” are not so bad after all. You will all get used to each other eventually, and someday you may even play with each other. Imagine that! Keep on learning about the world around you, Casper, and you will be an even better friend and helper to Dad.
Aw, Casper, it’s amazing how quickly you learn. Loved reading about your encounter with the basement monsters, it’s the little things every day that make for an interesting life, isn’t it.
Casper meets the Basement Monsters! Too funny! Soon you, the brave secret service dog, might find yourself smuggling with a monster! Good Dane, Casper.😘🐾
I’m sorry to say that I’m not a Whovian (Star Trek all the way; not the new movies, though), but I know that “Blink” episode. I really liked it, and I realised that I myself had stopped blinking while watching it. Jeez, did my eyes burn afterwards! Poor Casper, I hope you’re not in shock anymore.
Cats are not so bad. I lived with one for 20 years, and while she drove me nuts sometimes with her antics (like making heartbreaking noises on the balcony at 4 a.m. because she wanted to be let in, especially during holidays when I was sleeping like a puppy), I still loved her. They’re just a bit… peculiar and need time to get used to. I think you’ve successfully managed your Close Encounter of the Feline Kind now (See, I can do sci-fi references, too). I’m so proud of you.
Love you, Casper. Your adventures are a never-ending delight. ♥
Keep working on it, Casper….you are so smart and such a good secret service dog, I’m sure you will figure it out quickly. When in doubt, ask dad.
Don’t worry Casper they will like you and eventually you will like them and lay down when you see them. You have to figure you are smarter then they are but don’t let on that you know that. Then it will be okay. You made me smile today. I can imagine the look on your dane face. But I also love the Dane Brain one also. I will have to use that with my two Danes. Enjoy your day Casper.
I am a Whovian and enjoy Dr Who references when I find them in unexpected places. The cats will eventually tolerate you and maybe even let you admire them from time to time. Remember you, the cats, and your humans are all part of a great pack and once you and the cats figure out where you are in the pack, you’ll be fine. BTW cats aren’t really monsters. Cats are cool!