Great Dane service dog puppies--live cam. I have been visiting repeatedly for days, but the puppehs

[tblue37]

have always been snoozing. But they are awake right now!

http://explore.org/live-cams/player/service-dog-project-nursery-cam

[tblue37]

1. Uh-oh. They're cuddling up in the bed.I bet they all conk out soon. nt

[shenmue]

2. Squeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

[tblue37]

3. This organization raises and trains Great Danes as service dogs for people

who are mobility impaired or who have severe balance problems. The dogs' size allows them to provide support so the person can walk independently.

I do get sad, though, when I think of how short the GD lifespan is. Anyway, most of my charity donations go to organizations that either rescue animals or those that train service animals like this. I found this group by reading an article about a little girl who can now get around without her wheelchair because she has a service GD named George from this group. I got all choked up reading about her and George and watching the video with the article.

[s-cubed]

4. A few years ago, I met a man whose wife uses a miniature horse for balance.

You are quite right about the lifespan of a Great Dane. At 10, they are very old.

The man I talked to said the horse gave his wife much more freedom than using a walker. It compensates if she starts to lose her balance. Miniature horses are also trained as guide animals for blind people. The best part is that the horses typically live about 30 years, so the training cost per year of assistance is much less and the assisted person does not suffer the loss of a beloved helper so often. The other thing he said that was interesting was that dogs and horses can be "willfully disobedient", which is necessary to do this kind of work.

So, I applaud the people who are trying to help, but I think they are using the wrong animal.

[TexasBushwhacker]

6. Yeah, they have big bodies but regular size hearts

They just wear out their tickers.

[LoveMyCali]

5. Darn, I missed it

They all seem settled in now. They do make one adorable dog pile.