Filed under: World's Tallest Dog
RE: GIBSON Health Update/July 17, 2009 – - – GIB & I apologize for not keeping up on his Health Updates during his battle with Cancer. We will try to be more frequent with new postings. We want to thank ALL OF YOU for writing in with your emails, and wanting to know how the Big-Guy is doing. GIBSON had his 2nd Chemo Therapy Treatment almost 2 weeks ago. The 1st week was mighty challenging after treatment and the 2nd week has brought on the need for Vet Appointments & New meds regarding Upper GI Antibiotics/treatment. His appetite has been a great issue from bringing him home after surgery. It IS getting better, but still not where I would like to see it. GIBSON is a very special spirit to many, and he is quite unique! As his Oncologist has stated, “HE IS NOT YOUR TYPICAL DOG!” So with this brings “Not So Typical Issues.” Mostly … Well, how can I say, “There is a very definite Mental Component,” that has to be addressed…DAILY! If GIBSON isn’t doing what he is used to be doing, he pouts/He is an incessant talker (Rrrr-rrrrr-rrrrrrruv – Ohhhhhhhh – Rrrrrrrrr-rrrr – Gutteral Grunting and so on……..) So he lets you know what he is thinking a lot! What GIB is used to is getting into his Van and going & seeing his patients/clients/adoring people who Love -Pet – Adore & Feed him Yummy Treats. (Incessantly!) “What a Job-But somebody has to do it…” So We have been trying to keep up a little better with this in between “Health Issues.”(Both His & Mine.) He is such a Happy Guy when He is Making Smiles happen to All He meets. Also, after an outing like this – his appetite improves, he sleeps better & Mental component=SOLVED! For about the last week it has been 100 degrees + up here in the Mountains of the Sierra Mountain Range. (That is really some kind’a Mountain HOT when it gets to 100 up here.) But all 5 of my Dane Kids are kept in Air Conditioning with Fans going to keep them cool & Hydrating these big droolers takes on a whole new meaning! GIBSON has 2 more Chemo treatments. 1 in another week and his last treatment is on August 17th. We have had some interesting projects come our way and hope to be up & out & healthy around the last week of August/1st week of September. Until then… Thanks for all the phone calls & emails & well wishes from ALL. As GIBSON always says, “I Rrrrrrrrr-rrrrruv You!!!” Sandy & “G”
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Gibson is beautiful. God bless xoxo
Comment by danielle July 18, 2009 @ 4:03 amHi Danielle——– Thank you for the kind words and wishes. GIB & I really appreciate it. Sandy & GIBSON/GREAT DANES EXCLUSIVE/www.worldstallestdog.com
Comment by tallestdog July 21, 2009 @ 12:21 amSending well-wishes to Gibson and his family. I too have a male harlequin Great Dane with natural ears and similar markings as Gibson(just not the world-record height).
Could I ask you a question about Gibson? Do people frequently mistake him for being a Dalmation? I get that a lot?
When Gibson is better, I’d love to see him in person if he is ever in the Southern California area for a public appearance.
Again, best wishes to Gibson for a successful recovery.
Comment by Stephen July 23, 2009 @ 3:34 pmHello Stephen, Thanks for the good thoughts about GIBSON. It’s always a pleasure talking with other “daniacs!” “YES,” people see GIB’s color, and VERY frequently think he is Dalmation. It’s kind’a one of my biggest “pet-peeves.”(pun intended) We are getting asked alot when our next appearance will be? There is still so much going on with GIBSON’s ChemoTherapy treatments and battling this Cancer…That is first priority. Of course, he is doing so well adjusting to 3 legs and building stamina, and ALWAYS wants to go “Bye-Bye”, of course. He does go out on good days and does his therapy dog rounds, but we are still sticking close to the homefront for now. If I were to project a SoCal Appearance…possibly September’ish -November range? As soon as Doctors feel it is safe to travel with him, and GIB tells me he wants to go = Once again it’s “ROAD-DOG” Time!! Give your HarlBoy a hug from ME & G.
Comment by Lynn Limbro July 23, 2009 @ 11:58 pmThanks for the update on Gibson. His recovery is an inspiration to me as I try to deal with my Dane’s front leg problems. Both legs needed ortopedic surgery or he would likely be crippled. He is still recovering from the surgery so his activities are limited. The cause was determined to be most likely genetic as two other littermates were also afflicted. The problem is of a bone development nature and not HOD.
I have a YouTube video slideshow of my Dane which features a daily photo from the age of 8 weeks to 7 months. The music is Japanese because my Dane is named after a 1960’s anime character. I update this video every month so the link at the end of this paragraph will cease to function after the 14th of August. The leg problems were diagnosed at the age of 5 months(but can be seen earlier) and is shown on this video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TmrqMnZAqpc&feature=channel_page
Its so hard to resist a cute Great Dane puppy when you see them but I gave in to the idea of going the easy route to get one and went to a backyard breeder. Going to a quality breeder that is a member of Great Dane associations is not the easy way but I learned that is for a reason. They are not breeding for profit but rather to try and better the breed by using the best quality sire & dam available. Rescue is also a good way to get a Dane without having to raise one from a puppy(which is not easy).
I hope anyone who wants a Dane after seeing Gibson, mine, or anyone’s will think carefully first about this breed before taking the plunge. A real Dane is not going to be like cartoon Danes(Scooby-Doo, etc.). They are powerful and sometimes destructive. The reward is their endless and immeasurable devotion to their family and the pride of owning such a beatuiful and majestic dog. They are also surprisingly affectionate lap dogs that love to sit on your furniture. All Great Danes are the center of attention wherever you take them even if its not a world record holder. That doesn’t mean you will always like what others say about them. Better get used to it, nearly everyone says the same things.
LOL, I can only imagine the frustration of trying to tell someone Gibson is not a Dalmation. Seriously, has anyone ever seen a Dalmation that could lick your face keeping all fours on the ground? I can understand why its your peeve. Its mine too because after I explain, I still think don’t believe me.
Here’s more well-wishes to Gibson and hopes that he does find his way to So Cal. If he just stays local, maybe I’ll tell my friend in Nevada City that I want to drive up & visit as an excuse to see Gibson….lol
Comment by Stephen July 24, 2009 @ 9:57 pmStephen & KIMBA, Come into me on my email address: sandyband@prodigy.net . I’d like to speak to you sometime. Sandy & GIB^..^
Comment by sandy & G July 25, 2009 @ 1:02 am