Moping. Coping.

April 1st, 2016 

Zuma is moping.  

While she is MY dog and BFF, she gets in a sulk when Doug leaves.  I never leave her for longer than a visit to the shops, so I don't know how she would react if I wasn't by her side,  I cannot imagine being without her.  She doesn't appear to have true separation anxiety but she is a worrier.  I am a worrier. There is saying in the HORSE WORLD:  Show me your horse and I'll show you yourself.  I guess we have that going on.

When Doug has to leave for business I'm fine, but Zuma's 'dog pack' is clearly not together and, while she never vocalizes her anxiety, she is visibly miserable when Doug exits. She stares up the driveway where I last removed Doug from her life, taking him to the airport.  She picks at her food and openly exudes "I'm pretty much an orphan now".  She frets, doesn't want to go for long walks, stewing all the time and wanting to return home to Hula Girl, praying to her Dog God that Doug will be there when she puts her paw in the door.  Her fave headrest is Doug's sneakers. It's pathetic.  But sweet.  I've had to put them away, it just makes me sad.  

She, on the other paw, is a worry wart, like me.  But I'm fine as I know he'll be back.  She is consumed with mourning.  When he gets out his suitcase I have to take her for a walk far way from here; he quickly packs and loads his suitcase into the car but SHE KNOWS.  And so the moping begins.

When I returned from the airport after dropping him off a few days ago it started.  We decided not to take Zuma to the airport as she is so sensitive we knew it would set her off.  Returning "home", I got "the hairy eyeball" from her.  "He'll be back" I casually assured her but she's not buying it.  Yesterday she rapidly snarfed down a bundle of green grass and promptly puked twice with much acrobatic drama. I felt myself heaving in sympathy.  Lovely.  No, that's not what I said but yeh, lovely.  GAAAK.

I rewarded myself with a slow drive into town and a DQ ice cream cone.  Medium, not the usual small.  I thought Z would have a slurp but no, she declined my humble offer of a lick.  Her heart just wasn't into it, I guess.

The campground at Bear Creek is FULL but we have spot #4 (my lucky number) and it's got a nice green space on one side so we can stretch out.  We love the Asheville area and can execute day trips from here so we've booked in at Bear Creek until April 16th.  That way, when Doug returns from Holland and England, we can explore more of the area. 

On April 11th, Zuma turns four.  She is still so puppyish and silly. It's a struggle to believe she is at her half-life.  Great Danes don't live long. 7 to 8 years is the average life expectancy.    It makes me sad when people ask the usual questions:  Do you have a saddle for that? What's her name?  How OLD is she?  Dog people seem aware that Danes lack a long lifespan.  We knew this going in and I researched Great Danes and learned they are unfairly cheated on longevity.  We'll just make the most of our time together.  We'll make every day special.  
We love her.  

Emma wanted me to have this dog.  I was ready for a new family addition, after losing our beloved Hank.  Thank you Emma, this is the best dog ever.

A few years ago, while on a Florida vacation with a friend, I bought a souvenir t-shirt at a restaurant in Cabbage Key (off Cayo Costa). The staff informed us that the money is donated to charities.  The island is well-known as the place where Jimmy Buffet wrote his famous song 'Cheeseburger in Paradise'.  I've never heard the song but we had to go there, a short boat ride from the State Park we were staying at, watching porpoises and dolphins cavort in the waves and experiencing the whole touristy deal on Cabbaage Key. 

The cheeseburgers were nothing to write home about but it was fun basking in the sunshine, watching a gang of mischievous sea otters raid fisherman's coolers as the boat owners quaffed cold beers surrounded by thousands of dollar bills pinned to the walls.  The restaurant's staff wears green t-shirts that explain the most frequently asked questions by patrons:

I'd be embarrassed and wouldn't do it but I think it would be helpful if I had a t-shirt made, explaining:

Her name is Zuma.
Yes, she's a Great Dane.
4 years old on April 11th, 2016.
She's a rescue, our daughter found her.
4 cups of WELLNESS Dog Food a day, 2 feedings.
We walk three to ten miles every day.
Danes are Gentle Giants.
Her best friends are small dogs and yes, she loves children.

Zuma is the best dog we've ever had the privilege to live with and we'll never have another breed.  So many people think it's cool to own a giant breed but they don't do the math. I wanted a dog to run with me when I ride my horses, a dog who would be loyal and stick close to home, a dog I didn't have to bend over to pet.  I needed a kind gentle companion who would be honest with children as we have sweet neighbor kids who come over. Zuma fits all of these requirements and she loves our adorable neighborhood children and all the dogs she meets.  Doug and I have decided we'll have another Dane, we couldn't imagine living without a Dane.  I've already named her, we just have to find her:  She will be called TAXI. She's out there somewhere.  Or will be.

These dogs are so different from all other dog breeds we've shared our lives with.  They lean against you once they feel comfortable with you; they envision themselves as small dogs and like to perch on your lap, they are the gentle giants of canines. Like every Mom, I worry about Zuma's self esteem when people (usually middle aged women) snatch up their little dogs with a yelp and bolt from our path.  Zuma doesn't seem to notice that people are scared of her.  She just wants to be a little dog when she grows up.

The strange thing is, Zuma is attracted to little dogs.  Her best friends are Peanut, a 4.5 lb Yorkie, who scrambles with turf flying from his teeny hind feet to greet Zuma, and Sadie, a 13 year old Siberian Husky who easily walks underneath Zuma.  Just for kicks and giggles. 

There are many Great Danes out there who need a home.  I'm blown away by the number of people who don't research and yet still take on a dog this size.  While they are quite happy to loaf on the couch all day, Danes do require a substantial amount of exercise  to maintain their health and they are very sensitive and devoted to their families.  I hope that, if nothing else, our trip will encourage people to respect this breed and see that they are kind, honest and gentle.  We've never loved a dog as much as we love Zuma.