The 'Little' Puppy That Could

He is a chartered member of the tallest breed in the world and now, the newest member of a family who longed for his entry into their waiting arms. 'Harry', the Great Dane, debuted last year as the cherished 8 week-old 'son' of my daughter-in-law's sister and her husband, becoming their special wedding 'gift', a celebratory note to last summer's main event: their wedding. ... He squirmed his adorable way into their hearts, arriving full of mischief and warmth, all wrapped up in a soft, satiny blue-grey coat, floppy ears, magnificent adornments to his fun-loving spirit and charming, inquisitive persona. “Here I am world”, he seemed to say.

The cage that houses this busy miniature 'pony' occupies a large part of their living room, for now, nothing but the best for their little boy. (It is a welcome 'short-term babysitter' whenever circumstances dictate.) Cages have come a long way since the days of the appliance box that housed our first and last litter of 9 retriever pups. (We'd been so busy caring for our 'abandoned in a park' 3 month-old female retriever that we'd forgotten, months later, to have her spayed. We'd been visiting a family friend and his retriever 'son' in western Canada. Never again. All puppies found homes by 10 weeks.) 

Harry's cage is a beautiful addition to the living room furniture. He is part of the excitement and enrichment, in and outside of this 'container' box with a door, not an onlooker to the events happening around him. His parents insist. With canines, large and small, suitable squeezing, carrying and chewing toys are critical to their health and development. The cage offers him the interim safety, comfort and solitude required to develop well, in a tumultuous modern world. Sometimes this 'home' away from home is a quiet refuge, especially when nap time is near. Everyone needs quiet time. Puppies need it more. They need time to think and grow.

Harry is growing quickly into this majestic beautiful boy while leaving his footprints on our collective hearts. He is an 8 month old, telling us, in no uncertain terms, that he is a playful presence, not to be ignored. ... Believing he is much smaller than he is, Harry walks under tables, often, thinking it is a normal part of his day. I smile. What a funny boy you are. He manages to maneuver towards the wall and squeeze between it and the chairs where family members are seated. But there are only few inches to spare, he realizes, and proceeds in reverse, to untangle himself, once again. He does it with such aplomb. He knows how. Mom and dad have shown him how to retreat, easily and calmly, in the kitchen and dining room. These are the special rooms, the food rooms, Harry has discovered. 

He can clear a table or counter in seconds, if given the chance. He stands tall. We all understand his uncanny ability in being able to clear tables, instantly. A twelve inch swath along the length and width of any table is his domain, he thinks. But mom and dad know better. There is nothing there, now. An advance guard was waiting. He meanders here and there. The food is gone. He will try again later. Will he jump, lick or nibble? His tackling skill has been challenged and is now a distant memory.

He is growing taller as his voice is becoming deeper. You know the baritone is here even if you cannot see him. His mom, a feisty young woman, a naturopathic doctor, too, takes her parental role very seriously. I am pleased. She does not allow for insubordination from her little boy. She is teaching him the ways of proper etiquette amongst humans and canine peers, alike. Harry listens, ever so intently. Mom knows best and is doing a marvelous job, ever watchful over Harry's antics with Mall Cop and his sister, Ella, his smaller older cousins.

Being a parent to a giant breed is no easy feat. I was, once upon a time, a parent to a retriever who became a 125-pound furry dynamo. Harry knows he is just a puppy. Mom and dad remind him daily of his place in their world. He fits their way of life, not the other way around. He is like a bendable tree, out for a jaunt, until there is a roadblock and dad or mom tells him, 'No'. They love him so. He is learning to be a companion with his cousins and respects the hierarchy. He is learning fast. Harry is not top dog, he is beginning to discover! 

He is restless but his daily walks with mom and dad help   sustain him while his toys provide another avenue of healthy 'exercise'. His bark, its deep baritone sound, resonates around the room, commanding attention from all who hear his roar, except from Mall Cop and Ella. Though Harry is over 140 pounds, they, a diminutive 40-pound brother and sister act, do not care. He is simply the newest and youngest member of their extended family. He'd better listen. And so he does.

At a recent gathering, Harry began 'talking', his deep voice penetrating the air around us, in a gentle swirling inquisitive way, hoping his 'words' would illicit a response from one seated guest. He sat and waited ever so patiently for the smiling guest to react, then turned his attention to another more interesting human whose attention to Harry bore witness to the exuberance of the puppy in our midst. The discussion began as Harry licked the face of the man, seated in the opposite chair,  in a face-to-face meeting of great minds, bound by love and respect. Who allows any gentle canine giant to lick his face without pause? When he roars, the nibbles and licks soon follow on the chin of the laughing guest. It is another spontaneous moment with Harry, the little puppy that could. 

Harry is not responsible for his DNA. He is tall, yet 'small'. ... He is boisterous, yet respectful. ... He is strong, yet gentle. ... His capacity for love knows no bounds. Harry is part of a family of dog owners who care about his ever-changing canine footprint. His mom and dad, new to the dog owning tradition, see beauty, love and a future of untapped potential for their soft cuddly 'teddy bear'. ... 

Once upon a time, this couple was building and shaping their careers and planning a wedding. Now, all of that pales in comparison to the joy that abounds and greets them every morning. Life is so precious. Their big boy with the puppy mind is a remarkable creature, chosen by them, to make the moments of their pet loving life special, every step of the way.