The Tale of (Big) Peter Rabbit

by Carolyn
(Clarksville, TN., USA)

Peter Rabbit is our male blue Dane. His name given to him by his breeder was Caedmon (he was from a "C" litter), and while it seemed to fit - kind of - it didn't stick. We went through names for days: Cade, Cador, Ike (our Dane-Mastiff is Truman), Zach, Zeke, Trevor. Nothing worked and when we used them they just didn't feel right. On his fifth day home, as I trailed behind him as he found every small thing I missed when I puppy-proofed, my husband commented that our pup couldn't seem to stay out of things. That's when it hit us - the perfect name! Peter Rabbit! As a boy, my husband was cared for by a woman who called him Peter Rabbit, and then Big Pete, because he could not stay out of trouble. Our grown children think we've finally lost it and we've had a number of raised eyebrows, but his name found him.

Peter Rabbit joined our 10+ year-old St. Bernard Sophie and our 3 year-old Dane-Mastiff Truman. We have loved many a giant breed dog, some of whom we adopted as pets with special needs. Our Truman has Wobblers - treated surgically with excellent results - and we have been through the heartache that comes with the unique medical challenges facing giant breed animals. We weren't sure we could emotionally go through that roller-coaster ride again but when I clicked on the link while surfing the Dogster website, there was Pete.

I know our friends and family think we've lost our minds but we absolutely love our giant babies. There is a quiet devotion, a sense of being aware of our feelings, a goofy playfulness and a sneaky character all wrapped up in one body. I never feel alone when Truman is with me and it seems that Peter Rabbit is stepping in his footprints and following along that path. The companionship is better than with many two-legged friends... Oh - and the cuddle factor? Unbelievable! If we could just have one big huge bed for everyone to hop up on, we would.

Big Pete thinks he is just that already. He's 11 weeks old and nearly 30 pounds but he is busy busy busy. Truman has never been around a pup but he has assumed the role of big brother quite naturally. Sophie, the elder, just turns her head and pretends she's asleep most of the time.

So, I guess my pics will be of Peter Rabbit but my story didn't begin with him. He's here with us because of our love for the breed.