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GABI
There’s a saying that’s heard quite often in the world of Great Dane
owners, breeders, rescue groups, and Dane showing enthusiasts;
“Danes are like potato chips – You can’t have just one!” Soon after
Rudy began his work with the children of Grandfather Home, both his
personal and therapy canine family began to grow!
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Gabi: Having Danes as family pets and companions for 25
years deepened Laura’s commitment to and love for the breed, which
developed into a life long passion. Shortly after Laura adopted Rudy
she realized it was time to consider finding a companion for him. In
general, older dogs are much healthier and live longer with a canine
buddy in the family.
A Great Dane puppy would also give Laura the
opportunity to work on her dream of showing Danes for fun and
relaxation.
Gabi, a gorgeous Fawn pup, was born on 12/18/03 and came home
to live with Rudy and Laura in late February 2004. He was bred to
show, out of BISS Ch. Pena-Zarlin Sharp Dressed Man "Connor" Top
20’s Sire, and GDCA Register of Merit sire producing over 15
champions. Like his sire, Gabi is a sweet, silly boy who loves to
carry "gifts" in his mouth. He is a notorious flirt and a natural
ham who loves posing for the camera!
Gabi is much more than a young Dane with champion
potential . . . he is a therapy dog at heart. From the time he was a
young pup, he has been working with troubled children, demonstrating
the same remarkable sensitivity and tenderness as his mentor, Rudy.
- Laura
Gabi has basically grown up with the children of
Grandfather Home. He started attending classes with them when he was
6 months old. Being very much still a baby, Gabi was on the
"kindergarten schedule" so he would have regularly scheduled naps in
the afternoon.
And boy has he grown during those naps . . . now almost
36" at the shoulder! Gabi will bolt out of Laura’s office with a toy
in his mouth, dash down the hall, and come to a screeching halt
before a child who he can feel is in need of his special brand of
nuzzling and tenderness.
Gabi
delights in spending his days with young children ages 6 - 9,
lounging and napping on their classroom floor. The children are
equally thrilled to see the classroom door open as Gabi enters with
his large purple teddy bear in his mouth and a twinkle in his eyes!
Registered as "Gabriel's Total Eclipse", Gabi's call
name is a Hebrew derivative of Gabriel, meaning "God is my
strength", and he is a living demonstration of the truth that, the
greatest strength is true gentleness.
Some thoughts about Gabi from students:
My feelings about Gabi are peaceful and happy. When I’m
sad or mad, Gabi supports us. He has the same feelings the same way
people do. He’s funny and happy with us in here and in P.E. He likes
to sit with us in math lab and in the classroom. He likes running in
P.E. and he likes us reading to him. He is so funny. He sleeps all
day and he’s special to all of us and me. I’m special to him. –
Jessica age 10
That Brownish Blur of Fur – The door opens and this
horse of brown fur comes galloping into the room. This is the way we
are greeted by Gabi every morning. Gabi reminds me of my dog even
though my dog is a lot smaller. Gabi is always there for you when
you’re sad inside and don’t know what to do with those feelings.
Gabi gives me a lot of energy whenever I play with him. He’s very
gentle and kind. He has a big heart and accepts you no matter what
you look like. He’s my biggest fan even when I mess up. He makes me
stand tall even when I’m not strong enough to hold myself up. He’s
my best friend while I’m here at Grandfather Academy. – Carlee age
13
Imagine being so attached to a dog that when you just
see him walk in, your gloomy day gets better. That’s Gabi. He makes
being in school a whole lot more . . . interesting. *laugh* His
whole personality is amazing. When he looks at you, in his eyes you
can see a little human in a dog’s body. That human reaches out to
you when you’re down. Yes, he’s a dog, but his understanding is
human, his personality is human.
Do you know that Gabi joins in our exercising? Yes, he
runs with us. I’d start running, and, when I look behind me, see
this great loping figure catching up with us. Then I’d start running
faster and so does he. It becomes a game of chase and then he
cheats. Yes, Gabi cheats. He only runs to the half mark, crosses the
gym and (of course) beats me to the finish line. *laugh*, no hard
feelings, Gabi.
Gabi likes being scratched around his neck, ears and
shoulders. I like petting him. I enjoy doing so. So far, Gabi has
not slobbered on my lap and though I am glad, I wouldn’t mind if he
did because I’d like him just as much. – Diana age 15
I feel Gabi’s heart’s in my heart. I walk him outside
when I’m happy.
- Camy age 6
Gabi loves to leap in the air and do a half twist. He
loves balls. Just today he was playing with a string that he found
on the guy floor. He is so funny. The weird thing about him is that
he will go wild when we take him outside but when he is in the
classroom he is calm and goes to sleep. He is so happy when he comes
to our classroom. I love him. I treat him like he is my own dog. He
loves, he’s caring, he’s well trained, and he is everything a person
would look for in a dog and a friend. – Regina age 9
Gabi cares. Gabi cares about me. I care about him. He’s
cute. He’s smart. He’s good. He’s great. I love Gabi. He’s brown.
He’s big. He’s fast. He’s playful. He’s sleepy. He lays down. He
stands up. He’s strong. He’s healthy. He’s curious. He likes bones.
I love Gabi. Gabi loves me. Gabi wears a shirt. I do too. All the
time. I love Gabi. Gabi and me.
- Barbara age 8
Gabi makes me feel happy and good about myself. Happy,
because he cares about me and my peers. We love Gabi and Gabi loves
us too. He treats me like I am something. Gabi supports me. I love
Gabi. Gabi loves me too. Gabi is funny too. I like being around
Gabi. Gabi is the best because he is caring and he is amazing. When
I am down, he picks me up meaning, when I am having feeling, he
stands beside me.
- Brittney age 11
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