Ruby #12, went to Heaven today, Nov 2, 2020 |
Axel Earned his Angel Wings Aug 3rd, 2020
Sad, sad, news! We learned Tues that Axel, #10, Kelly Green ribbon, earned his Angel Wings Aug 3rd, 2020. To see the rest of Axel's Obituary, Go to his page
Wonderful old videos and pictures from Nov 26, 2010 Axel, Gunther, momma Bella and Axel's sister, Venus, at their home in Madison, CT
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Axel and Gunther 11/26/10 |
Axel and Gunther play 11/26/10 |
You can find us on Facebook! Bella's Baker's Dozen: a family of Great Danes
Feb 6 through March 27 we celebrate the Baker's Dozen Adoptions
See each individual page for more pictures of each dog.
Annual Santa Photos 2016
The story behind our Santa photosWhy must pictures be taken on the same weekend? How on earth is the same Santa in all the pictures?
Bella, the Fawn Mantle with cropped ears, was rescued pregnant in Nov 2009. She had a litter of special needs Great Danes on Dec 13, 2009 (Brenda's mother's 75th birthday). We call this litter Bella's Baker's Dozen. We enlisted assistance from a large breed rescue to place the puppies into suitable homes and donated the adoption fees to the rescue. We had several contingencies: to be an intricate part in the placement of the puppies, to be the fall back should the puppies need to be returned, and to be in continuous contact with owners. After 7 years, we are the best of friends with our families! We share birthdays, and losses (two have passed away)! On two occasions we took back two of our puppies! On Nov 19, 2010 we took Levi, the black and white Merlequin second from the left in the picture (Deaf) at 11 months old and on Nov 20, 2011 Boomer, the Gray Mantle Merle on the far right in the picture (at 1 yr 11 months with seizures) was returned to us. The day after both of these puppies were returned we had Santa pictures taken. It has become a tradition to celebrate the anniversary of our puppy's return to the homestead where they were born! We also found a special Santa to whom we are connected. Our Santa connected to us immediately too! Luke, is a retired service disabled veteran (USN) and our Santa Dave is also a disable veteran. Our connection was immediate, as was our puppies connection. They don't forget anyone or anything! They know their photographer Tom Feist with PhotosByFeist who takes our Santa pictures each year on the same anniversary weekend for the last five years. Our first two years we had a Santa with another organization. As the way things unfolded, they didn't have a Santa event on our anniversary weekend so that is when we found PhotosByFeist. He truly loved our babies, spent time with them, time with us, gave us our own time slot, and proceeds went toward our own Chesapeake Humane Society. PhotosByFeist has raised over $20,000 in funds and supplies for the organization since doing the Pet Pals portraits. We have years of cherished memories and wonderful friendships. We nurture and care for our aging Santa. In 2015, Santa Dave had a stroke. He was not well enough to be in our pictures so we got into the pictures with our dogs. In the past, the set was never large enough for three humans and four huge dogs too. But after several near death health scares (Santa's and a scare with our Boomer who had his colon twist and had to have his colon removed), and also Bella is aging (10 yrs old which is old for a Great Dane) we made the decision to be in all our Santa pictures in the future. So our Santa pictures are extremely special, to us, our Santa, and our photographer. Santa Photos in Review 2010 - 2016 |
Our home in Chesapeake, VA - November 2015
Photographer - Rob Cordosi
From the Left: Gunther, Mom Brenda, Levi, Boomer, Dad Luke, and Great Dane mom Bella far Right.
Christmas Photograph 2015 at Two Brothers Dog Wash.
Taken by our Christmas Photographer Tom Feist - PhotosbyFeist
Each year the family has pictures taken with Santa on the same weekend to celebrate the anniversary of to pups return to the homestead. It is the anniversary celebration when Levi and Boomer came back home. Levi came back to the Sickles home on November 20, 2010 and Boomer returned November 19, 2011. The year Levi returned Brenda was taking Bella and Gunther to get pictures with Santa at Care-A Lot pet Supplies where the founder of the rescue was a trainer. She wanted to see Levi and his current condition so Brenda brought him along. His picture with Santa was solo as an adoption photograph. However, he was never put back up for adoption as Brenda and Luke decided he went through enough and he wanted to be nowhere else but with them. He never wanted to leave in the first place. So since that date, and the coincidental return date of Boomer on the same weekend a year later, they get their picture taken each year.
December 2011 Sickles Six Pack (4 Danes and 2 Humans)
We had this picture taken by a photographer that advertised in the pet store. She rented a hotel room and brought her green screen. The dogs chose the poses for all the photos.
Brenda and Luke's Philosophy about animal rescue
Pets should be spayed or neutered! The procedure may save their life or the life of another unwanted pet (their offspring) that may not be rescued and will have to fight for their life.
Treasure your pets. They are a creature created by God and we have been appointed their caretakers. Take care of and treat your pets just as would your children. If you cannot, you should not own a pet. Pets love unconditionally even though some owners do not deserve that love.
Animals are childlike; they rely on their human companions for their shelter, safety, and food. Brenda and Luke refuse to watch God’s creatures suffer because humans make bad choices, therefore Brenda and Luke rescue animals because humanity is flawed.
Treasure your pets. They are a creature created by God and we have been appointed their caretakers. Take care of and treat your pets just as would your children. If you cannot, you should not own a pet. Pets love unconditionally even though some owners do not deserve that love.
Animals are childlike; they rely on their human companions for their shelter, safety, and food. Brenda and Luke refuse to watch God’s creatures suffer because humans make bad choices, therefore Brenda and Luke rescue animals because humanity is flawed.
If you own a pet you should go to a CPR and First Aid training course. You should know how to perform CPR on your pet.
As you can see my certification has expired. When I attended I encourage them to add some items that are specific for Great Danes or large breed dogs. We shall see if they took my advice.
April is Pet First Aid month. Go to the Pet Tech Site and get your free PDF booklet.
You can locate a course near you at this website
http://www.pettech.net/schedule/webfindc1.php
As you can see my certification has expired. When I attended I encourage them to add some items that are specific for Great Danes or large breed dogs. We shall see if they took my advice.
April is Pet First Aid month. Go to the Pet Tech Site and get your free PDF booklet.
You can locate a course near you at this website
http://www.pettech.net/schedule/webfindc1.php
_http://www.pettech.net/index.php
Puppy Mill Awareness - Marmaduke
With the movie Marmaduke opening June 4, 2010 there will ultimately be a peak in Great Dane breeding as well as many other breeds featured in the movie. What does that mean? It means that in 6 months to a year there will be tons of abandoned Great Danes (mostly Danes because their size and care outgrows most households not prepared to care for them) in shelters and rescues all over the United States. Please be aware and share this brutally honest book with everyone you know who might be slightly interested in PURCHASING a dog. Download the FREE E Book below from Happy Tails.
AKC and Dane Club agree.. Don't get a Great Dane!
June 10th, 2010 7:05 am CT
http://www.examiner.com/pet-scene-in-dallas/akc-and-dane-club-agree-don-t-get-a-great-dane?cid=parsely#parsely
June release of "Marmaduke" prompts warning against spontaneously purchasing a Great Dane
http://www.examiner.com/great-dane-in-cleveland/june-release-of-marmaduke-prompts-warning-against-spontaneously-purchasing-a-great-dane?cid=parsely#parsely
happy_tails_ebook_puppy_mill_dog_manifesto.pdf | |
File Size: | 1124 kb |
File Type: |
Lost Souls: FOUND! Inspiring Stories About Lost Souls: Great Danes
Excerpt: When we first brought Bella home from the rescue, our 10-year-old English bulldog, Tonka, did not appreciate her enthusiasm to become instant best buddies. Bella’s quieter approach the second time we introduced them went well, and though Tonka remained the boss, they reached an agreement. Tonka quickly learned that Bella had many talents; for example, she could shield him from the rain when he used the bathroom. His strategy was to wait until Bella did her business and then quickly run down the stairs and stand under her to pee. “Bella Umbrella” tolerantly waited, checking between her front legs to make sure she was covering him completely. She’s his perfect “big” little sister. Debbie, Scott, Kaitlyn, and Ben McIntyre
(Books purchased today are pre-ordered: They will ship toward the end of June.) Books can be purchased in various formats, pdf or paper. Order online.
In this book Lucy is featured at 6 weeks old. Our friend's Great Danes are featured in several pictures, Wally is on the front. Pictures by Rob Cordosi.
144 Pages I Preview Book I Meet the Authors and Their Dogs
http://happytailsbooks.com/buy.htm#great
(Books purchased today are pre-ordered: They will ship toward the end of June.) Books can be purchased in various formats, pdf or paper. Order online.
In this book Lucy is featured at 6 weeks old. Our friend's Great Danes are featured in several pictures, Wally is on the front. Pictures by Rob Cordosi.
144 Pages I Preview Book I Meet the Authors and Their Dogs
http://happytailsbooks.com/buy.htm#great
Photograph Copyright
The photographs on this website may not be downloaded, reproduced, copied, stored or manipulated in any manner or form whatsoever without prior written permission from the Birth Owners, Brenda and Luke. Photographs are the exclusive property of Brenda and Luke (unless otherwise indicated - submitted photographs from adoptive owners). All rights reserved.
All images and text are protected under United States and International copyright laws. None of the images on this site are in the Public Domain.
There are certain specific conditions under which we, the Birth Owners, Brenda and Luke, give adoptive owners permission to link to (copy or print) JPEG images and other material at no charge and without written permission.
None of the puppy's/dog's photographs are to be sold or used for any financial gain or use whatsoever without the Birth Owner's written consent. All monies that are raised from any use of said photographs from a puppy/dog from this litter will be donated to a rescue of the Birth Owner's choosing.
All images and text are protected under United States and International copyright laws. None of the images on this site are in the Public Domain.
There are certain specific conditions under which we, the Birth Owners, Brenda and Luke, give adoptive owners permission to link to (copy or print) JPEG images and other material at no charge and without written permission.
None of the puppy's/dog's photographs are to be sold or used for any financial gain or use whatsoever without the Birth Owner's written consent. All monies that are raised from any use of said photographs from a puppy/dog from this litter will be donated to a rescue of the Birth Owner's choosing.