I adopted my dog through a wonderful Great Dane program. You had to have experience with Great Danes and you had to be very patient as most dogs didn't come from a happy environment. I had a great track record, as during my Sophomore thru Senior years in college, I stumbled upon a program that allowed you to take abused dogs into your care, "nurse" them back to where they could be adopted by normal care families. It was a great gig, as the program covered all the pup's expenses, from food to vet visits to mileage reimbursements for driving the dogs to adoptions affairs, and as the hugest bonus they paid all of my roommate's and I's school books.

My beautiful Grace came from the backwoods of Ohio, and her previous owner used to find it entertaining to shoot rounds around her, terrifying her. Apparently, someone witnessed it and took her away. Afraid of being caught, they gave her to the nearest Great Dane adoption center vs. the pound.

I was told loud noises would cause her to shake uncontrollably, and therefore I try to make sure every storm there's someone there for her. This morning around 4 in the morning a lightning bolt's sound hit just above the house waking me up into immediate action of wrapping the blanket and my arms around my terrified shaking pup.

The good news is she's all better now, but I can't fall back asleep worried another might come in this 4-hour storm ahead. Anyone else awake?