This story begins with a Naive pet Dane search in 1992. Up until then, I had owned and trained German Shepherds for obedience. I was knowledgeable of the problems, breed lines and temperament of Shepherds, but knew nothing of the health problems, lines and needs of Danes. I was green and knew it.
I searched for a puppy with simple things in mind....was it cute? Did the breeder have knowledge of the Stud dogs lineage? Was it affordable?
Knowing what I now know, it would (and will be) a different search. (see my Puppy Selection page)
We found a litter of 14 (FOURTEEN!?!) adorable pups. Apollo chose us, and after several visits, we took him home. What an adorable little guy....he wanted to please, was eager to learn and showed great promise in obedience.
He began his training at 8 weeks old, enrolled in puppy kindergarten. A happy pup, he was attentive and enthusiastic, actively seeking new challenges. I entered him in his first Novice competition at 9 months, and he scored a 185. Knowing that he was capable of much more, I went back to training and fine tuned him before further competition.
At the same time, I was training him to be a Therapy dog. Being such an intuitive dog, he was an easy study. He loved people, applause and attention, so the rest was easy.
As many of you may know, my Great Danes, Apollo and Belle are Therapy dogs (Therapy Dogs International). While Belle is certified for TDI, and is a happy and friendly dog, she's too self absorbed to be really GOOD at it. Apollo on the other hand, seemed to have a sixth sense about who needed him, and also sensed those who truly are afraid, vs. those who only THINK they are afraid of him. Many is the time I have seen a nursing home resident reply to my question, "Do you like dogs?" with a resounding "NO!", and minutes later be laying their heads and hands all over Apollo.
One day while visiting a nursing home with Apollo (Who, for your interest would not share his visits with Belle, he just isn't the same and is possessive of the patients when she's there, but he was GREAT when he could steal the show!), visiting the same patients we visit regularly, this remarkable incident took place.
At this particular home (Maple Leaf), there
were 2 floors, and we had specific rooms where we would visit. Apollo had
run of the place, and knew "his" rooms. When visiting, he traveled
from room to room with me in tow. This particular day, he bounced into
a room on the 2nd floor, where his best friend Eva lived. Eva was 103 years
old, and at 4'5" and she and Apollo were nose to nose when they visited,
which was HYSTERICAL to see, and yes we have photos! On this day when he
walked into her room, she was nowhere to be found.
.
Apollo sniffed the bed, the floor, the
night stand and the closet. He looked EVERYWHERE, but Eva just wasn't home.
All of a sudden he sat down real hard and started this God-awful howling,
not loud, but eerie and long...I tried to stop him, but he continued to
whimper. About a minute into this, the floor nurse came running into the
room. She sat on the bed and tears just ran down her cheeks. She said to
Apollo, "It's OK boy, she knew you loved her, she's happier now". At which
point, Apollo rested his head in her lap, and tears were really running
from his eyes.
As saddened as I was by the loss of sweet Eva, I was even more overwhelmed by Apollo's reaction. Imagine, he knew she had died before I knew! Every time we visited that home, he still turned his head to enter her room, and then checked himself and went on. The new resident was a gentleman who didn't like dogs.
Apollo went on to complete his American Kennel Club "CD" (Companion Dog) Obedience title in 1994. Billyn's Buddy "Apollo", TDI, CGC, AM/CAN CD earned his AKC-CD with 195 and 191 scores consecutively. He earned the latter 2 scores at Scituate / South Shore Kennel Club 9-17-94, with a First Place win (over a German Shepherd) in an All Breed Obedience Show and 9-24-94 at Saccarappa Obedience Trial at Portland, ME for a Second Place finish. In November 1994 at The Canadian Kennel Club's 3 Day all Breed Obedience Trial in Montreal Apollo earned his Canadian Kennel Club "CD" Title in 3 consecutive days . During the second day of the trial (this trial was part of The Great Dane Club of Quebec's' annual Dane Specialty), Apollo also captured the High Scoring Dane in Trial trophy.
Just in 1995 Apollo completed approximately 25 nursing home and hospital visits, other years before and after were similar. He was awarded the Muscular Dystrophy Association "Cutest Pet" award for NE in 1995, by being the dog to campaign for the most contributions that year, he raised over $1200 himself, and presented the total check for the region at the Jerry Lewis Telethon that fall.
In 1996 Apollo was "arrested" by the Manchester
police department for the United Ways annual "Jail and Bail", he had to
raise $600 for his bail, and I had to raise $400 for mine...Guess who was
bailed before me <G>? Throughout 1995, ‘96 and ‘97, Apollo was a "Demo
Dog" during Manchester's annual "Thursday Night Live" street fair. In this
street fair, the training school at which I work presents an obedience
demonstration each year. Apollo was the star for the last 3 years, sharing
the spotlight with a 5 pound Yorkshire Terrier. This Yorkie used Apollo
as a "Jump" and performed tricks with Apollo. Apollo as well as other dogs
in the demo, were given to youngsters to practice heeling work with...total
strangers.
Apollo was welcomed in most places of business
in Manchester, including restaurants and stores. Everyone who knew him
loved him, if I went to the post office, bank or hairdressers and he wasn't
with me, I heard, "Hey, where's Apollo?". More people knew his name, than
knew mine.
I am trying to paint a picture here, one of a dog who is very social, and well adjusted.
Hi, I'm Lyn Richards. I am a great believer
in the grace, strength and loyalty of mans' best friend.
Let me tell you a little about my dog
family and myself.
A Graduate of University of NH, Durham, I have a Degree in Animal Science, with a Major in Light Horse (as opposed to Draft Horse). I trained and taught Hunt Seat for three years at Townsends Training Farm in Pembroke, NH and competed on the 3 Day Event Hunt Show Circuit with an emphasis on Dressage for 8 years. My love for, and training with horses has been a motivation for my current work with dogs.
I raised and trained German Shepherds for 6 years, and trained one German Shepherd to CD readiness who unfortunately died before completing his title. I trained at Gail Tamases Fisher's obedience school (Manchester) for the duration of several years.
I've 6 years experience training and teaching at The Center for Dog Management, Manchester, NH under the expert tutelage of Carole Baikow and lately under Ken Murphy. I have attended Bernie Brown and Bobbie Crissey Obedience Training Seminars, and have Trained for TDI (Therapy Dogs International) at Dog Talk under Maureen Ross. Being a TDI Certified Evaluator, I do temperament testing as part of my evaluations. Presently I teach CGC qualification classes at Pet Agree, in Candia, NH, and The Center for Dog Management in Manchester and teach associated Therapy Dog training classes at both facilities.
My recently deceased, 5-year old male Great Dane, Billyn's Buddy "Apollo" Am/Can CD, TDI, finished his AKC CD With a first and Second placement, and his Canadien CD with a High in Trial. Apollo would have had his CDX soon after his CD (at 2.5 yrs), but his training was interrupted due to a shoulder injury.
Billyn's Blue Belle v Linhavn, my 2-year old Bitch is being prepared for competition for the summer of '98. She will be looking for her CD, and CH simultaneously. "Belle" is a beautiful, sweet dog, and I have great hopes for her.
Another dog is Billyn's Molly Mischief. She's a 9 year old Pointer with an AKC ILP, and not one leg to show for all those CD trials ! She and I are like water and oil, so I decided after 6 CD leg attempts that she REALLY wanted couch potato status and gave in to her wishes! She DOES retrieve and is a GREAT frisbee dog, so she IS lots of fun, just stubborn!
My newest Baby is G'Dieters Wild Thunder v Billyn, "Bugs". He is a 6 month old Neutered Male Great Dane. He is my newest Obedience prospect. I co-own him!
A member of DWAA(Dog Writers Association of America), and APDT (American Pet Dog Trainers Association)I write for the Great Dane Reporter, and Dane World Magazines, as well as other small publications. A new Journal, called the Whole Dog Journal is considering 2 of my articles for publication at present. I am the editor and keeper of APDTs, FAQs Web Site.
I am in the process of Manuscript revision
for a book I'm writing on Training Large and Giant Breed Dogs. The publisher
is OTR, and hopefully a book will be forthcoming in 1998!
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