Vikki on her first day in foster care - 65 pounds.

Vikki on her adoption day with her new owner, Sam Schock.

Vikki's Story
by Georgia Alyce Thomas

Vikki's new life began on January 8, 1994 - the day she entered the GREAT DANE FOUNDATION rescue program.

Much of the credit for Vikki's rescue goes to the special person that she is named for, Vikki Grant. Vikki (the human) first spotted this starving fawn bitch three weeks earlier (on December 18th, 1993), scavenging for food near her home in rural Fort Bend County, Texas. She tried several times to lure and catch this dog, but was unsuccessful. The local police and animal control people had no better luck.

Then she called me and we made arrangements to meet in the field were the dog had been seen the most.

When I arrived, Vikki (the human) was lying in the field (remember, this was the middle of winter) trying to offer this dog some food. The dog would come close enough to eat a little and then would run off if any movement was made toward her. I joined Vikki in the process, tossing cookies, getting her gradually closer, and then trying to reach for the chain slip collar she was wearing.

It took many attempts until Vikki finally got her hands on the collar. Once caught, this Dane readily loaded into a crate in my van.

Our first stop was the veterinarian's office where she was weighed. (Now I know what a 65 pound adult Great Dane looks like!) It was determined that she was about one year of age. She was then vaccinated, and treated for hookworms. Then I took her home for a hot meal and a nap on a cozy bed in a warm house. She was most appreciative.

Vikki spent the next three months at my home. We wanted to spay her as soon as she could physically handle surgery, but then she came into season. So we waited out her heat period and let her gain weight until she could finally be spayed.

In April, Vikki was placed in her permanent home, with Cheryl "Sam" and Bill Schock. Sam and Bill are very special people. They worked their way through a difficult transition period with Vikki adjusting to her new family - which included another Dane named "Circe" and a Golden Retriever named "Gemini."

Since that day in the field, Vikki has gained 45 pounds, and now weighs in at a normal 110. She has completed not only the required eight-week basic obedience course (donated by Companion Dog Training Center), but has gone on to Novice level training with the hopes of earning an obedience title (or more). Vikki has begun Flyball training, and has also shown great potential for Agility.

Because Vikki cannot talk to us, we can only make assumptions about her past. My guess is that she was taken out to the country and dumped. When I look at her, I see a dog that is not too far removed from someone's show breeding program. I wish that all breeders understood that rescue is everyone's problem. Maybe by looking at Vikki's sweet face, more will understand…