Great Danes Tazzy & Molly

Photo blog of Tazzy our rescue Great Dane and sweet Molly, his little sister Dane..

Wednesday, July 25, 2007

Molly & Tazzy enjoying a rare fine day

Looking back on many of the photo's I've posted, most are taken indoors. The weather has been so wet since Molly's arrival that we have had little chance to enjoy the garden. So, on Tuesday (the first sunny, dry day for ages) we spent quite a bit of time exploring and playing in the garden.





Tazzy having a drink from the stream and Molly investigating.
She doesn't like to get her toes wet.. but if Tazzy can do it.....

She also quite likes playing hide & seek..

























Very brave Molly walking over the little wooden bridge.....

Tazzy & Molly very settled together.....


We find that Molly sleeps with Tazzy most nights now.... she likes to snuggle up to him. I am waiting for a new larger bed to arrive...


Lucy still sleeps on her own but sometimes, if Molly is quiet.... will let her sleep with her for a while too.

Molly & Tazzy - update




Tazzy
is like a real big brother to Molly. He is becoming a lot more gentle and allowing Molly to win sometimes. For example, on Sunday Molly jumped up and knocked his shoulder, he collapsed and allowed her on top of him.





When excited she is like a little piranha...
Tazzy has yelped a couple of times when she catches his jowls or ears but as any good father, he has bitten her back a little harder (not too hard) to try to show her how it feels. He has learnt, with great sleuth and agility, how to avoid those snapping little jaws of hers!

On Sunday my daughter and her boyfriend came to visit... I explained that when they are playing it may sound like Tazzy is attacking her (very deep and loud growls) and not to worry about it as I am keeping an eye on them. After a while of quiet and sleep the guys began to play.... my daughters face was a picture.... she was absolutely horrified!

Molly is a little tinker regardless of all our reprimands. When she is told either by us, Tazzy or Lucy not to do something she will answer back and bark at us. She is so funny. When she does this we all try to ignore her... she will eventually learn. Tazzy is also good here too... he knows the rules and if she breaks them he comes straight in and tells her off (nicely).

She has learnt to sit, walk nicely on a soft lead (only around the garden and for very short distances). She is learning to sit patiently and wait for her food... if she barks (hurry up mum!) I will stop what I am doing, wait for her to clam down and then carry on. Tazzy and Lucy wait patiently on their beds. If we are eating (human food) she is learning that nothing will come her way - with a simple shake of our head she has learnt that means 'no'. She is learning lots and is quick to learn.


With a giant breed we are always well aware that one day she is going to grow very big.... and some behaviour that's funny as a puppy may not be so cute when she is 8 stone plus. At the moment we are learning what it's all about to be quiet sometimes... the gentle 'shussssh' command will come in handy here!

Both Tazzy & Molly are booked onto training courses set to begin the end of September. Tazzy will be starting his KC silver (as he already has his bronze) and Molly will be taking the bronze. I am really looking forward to this... great fun!



Molly Dane - Saturday







Molly modelling her new pink/purple collar and enjoying a chew with one of her new toys.









Today we decided to take a trip with Molly to the nearest pet superstore. It's about a 25 minute journey. So, armed with towels, carrier bags, wet wipes, kitchen rolls etc.. off we went. I sat in the back of the car with Molly, plastic bag posed at the ready....lol At first she was very restless... but I kept her calm with plenty of gentle talking and stroking..... and she was brilliant! We arrived with clean bags and towels... fantastic!


It was a lovely experience... everyone stopped to talk and have a stroke... Molly enjoyed all the attention too. The only problem we had was being able to carry Molly for any length of time. We could manage about 15 minutes each before our arms became someone elses...lol.

One thing I did find a little disturbing was someone asked if we were going to breed from her. When I smiled and said she was going to be a very loved pet only and will be getting her spayed, he replied, '...she is such a stunning looking girl it's a shame not to breed'.

We did manage to find a couple of new toys and a pretty pink/purple collar for her... she looks a star in it. Pink/purple are certainly her colours.... We found it very difficult to find soft toys without a squeak... why? Tazzy is 3 years old and needs to be crystal clear that when Molly squeaks he has been a little too rough - squeaky toys would only serve to confuse communication and promote excitement. Also an important lesson for Molly to learn too.

The journey back home was good and Molly remained calm throughout... brilliant! During the ride home, Molly enjoyed pulling and chewing the laces off her new leather slipper...

Wednesday, July 18, 2007

Great Dane Molly - again Day 4



Tazzy & Molly have been having a great game together this evening. Tazzy can fit the whole of Molly's head in his mouth..... and a good portion of her body too...!

Here's a rare one I caught of Molly getting her own back.... good one Molly!


Great Dane Molly - still Day 4








Our little angel...lovely and quiet for a little minute.....

Great Dane Molly - Day 4



Very hot today.... everyone is panting and sleeping. Lucy sleeps and sleeps. Molly plays with her blanket!







... but sometimes Molly sleeps as well...

Great Dane Molly - Day 3


Molly is really lovely, but incredibly active when awake... she will put anything and everything in her mouth.... she's a little monkey!

WOW!!! I had forgotten how demanding puppies are.... but she certainly makes us laugh and the pleasure she gives us is well worth it. She will not wander very far away from my side even when the others decide to go off round the garden.

She is sleeping by my side as I write.

She is a wriggly worm with Tazzy.... but he is working her out well and is really starting to relax, bless him. He is even letting her sleep on his bed beside him now.

Molly had her vaccinations and a general check-up today - the vet nurse was terrific. Molly didn't even know she had had an injection and she said she was in perfect health. She weighed in @ 6.8 kgs. An absolute credit to Joanne for looking after her so well since birth. She is booked in for her second in two weeks. She will need worming every two weeks until she is 12 weeks. Then, once a month until she is 6 months. Thereafter, as is usual for an adult dog.

Molly was car sick twice - we are going to try some DAP (mummy pheromone spray) to see if this settles her. I also called in at my local farm supplies to pick up some more food..... everyone had a little cuddle....



Monday, July 16, 2007

Great Dane Molly - Day 2


Molly is settling in really well. She has a squishy, cosy bed under the table.


Under the table is a good place for Molly as it gives her somewhere to go if Tazzy decides to be a little boisterous.

Being a young male Tazzy is very sniffy, 'a bull at a china gate' describes him well at times. Saying this, he has taken Molly under his wing and rather than him follow her about (which is what he initially did)...... she has started to shadow (& mirror) him.

Tazzy knows the house rules well and is teaching Molly...... for example, because he was a rescue with some significant issues he has not been allowed on the sofa's. When Molly tries to jump up Tazzy intervenes and tells her this is not allowed. This is OK and we don't interfere. We just keep a close eye just to make sure he is being gentle and not too rough. Little Lucy is still getting her peace and quiet.

I have just booked Molly in for her vacinations tomorrow, so I am hoping she will be ok with these and not feel too off-colour.

Molly seem's to be taking it all in her stride. She growled a couple of times when first meeting Tazzy...... but after that she realised he was OK and she was fine. Tazzy is relaxing more and more and is letting Molly sleep right next to his bed and on his vet bed... and whilst outside enjoying the warm. dry weather.


Sunday, July 15, 2007

Molly & Tazzy


Standing by the back door: the guys hoping to enjoy a dry spell, wondering whether the rain had really stopped and whether it would be safe to venture outdoors for a while.


Introducing our little Merle Great Dane Molly

Molly joined our family yesterday. She is 9 weeks old. She is very sweet and enjoys being cuddled. She has settled in well and is bright and adventurous. Little Lucy gave a brief short growl and is left alone.

Tazzy is still getting used to Molly's puppy zoomies... and she can sure nip with her razer sharp teeth for Scotland, England and Wales, although she is quickly learning to be gentle. She is eating well and learning to ask to go outside to the toilet.

She is lovely and an absolute joy to have around.