Here we are - human parents Margaret and David and two Great Danes, Henry (a Brindle) and China (a Harlequin) wishing everyone a Merry Christmas. We live on the outskirts of Bristol in England – about 120 miles west of London and close to the picturesque Cotswolds, Wales and the west country of Devon and Cornwall. So a nice place in the scheme of things.

Why Great Danes?

I’ve wanted a Great Dane ever since I can remember. David had his first Great Dane, a fawn called Miss Ellie, in the 1980’s before we were married. She was 6 when he adopted her, and a sad cruelty case, weighing a mere 91 lbs. They adored each other and spent 3 happy years together before old age and years of neglect sent Miss Ellie across the Rainbow Bridge. David’s heart broke and it was a long time before he could be persuaded we should have our own dog. It was only when Ellie’s picture kept turning up unexpectedly that her dad decided she was telling him something.

And what was that?

4 days of Ellie’s pictures appearing, our beautiful Megan, a blue Dane age 6, came to live with us.

Megan was a gentle, loving girl, just like Nana out of Peter Pan. She gave us 4 years of joy before she suddenly developed squamous cell carcinoma in her mouth. There was nothing to be done and sadly she left us aged 10 on 28 December 2004.

But meanwhile …..

China joined the family in April 2003.

China and 4 full and half siblings were kept in shocking conditions, the person who rescued them said he had never seen dogs so traumatised. We had NO intention of getting another dog but we saw China curled up under her rescuer's chair and our hearts melted. The rest, as they say, is history.

So – introducing China:

Nicknames: Miss Minx; Boogaloo Babe

Best trick: figuring out how to unzip the awning so she could go and find her dad in the trailer park

Pet peeve: being left behind – sits on the stairs and howls like a wolf; her halti

Favourite treat: dentastix

Favourite toy: anything that Henry has

Favourite pastime: running, running, running and – er – more running

Worst habit: Best not to say ….

So dreams do come true: Henry and China keep our hearts full and us on our toes. There’s never a dull moment as China matures and learns new ways to bend the world to her will and Henry – well, Henry is just a lad who loves to be loved.

Great Dane motto: To paraphrase Rene Descartes:

"I lean, therefore I am".

And as if that wasn’t enough …..

19 Dec 2004 Henry arrived. He’s the product of a broken home - his owner couldn't care for him as she was a nurse on shift work. Poor Henry was handed around like a parcel, he was spoiled though, used to getting his own way. He came to us aged 14 months just before Megan went to Rainbow Bridge. Despite our best efforts, he’s still a spoiled brat.

Let’s meet Henry:

Nicknames: Henners, Boyzee Bo, Flapdoodle Drooly Chops, Mummy’s Sweet Laddums

Best trick: Sitting on the settee like a person

Pet peeve: Water – in any form. He knows there are water goblins in the tiniest drop, all set to wind their slimy fingers up his little leggies

Favourite toy: Anything as long as it’s fluffy

Favourite pastime: Playing ball

Worst habit: Drooling. He has broken the central heating by scoring a direct hit onto the thermostat control.