Hometown: El Paso, Texas

How we met: I had just lost my previous rescue Topaz,Topaz, a beautiful harlequin girl, to breast cancer in February '07. I was planning a long vacation in the fall and decided I would wait till then to get another dog. But every morning I woke up thinking about the dogs at the Humane Society, thinking I could go over there and be home with a new dog within the hour. I finally relented and filled out the application for the local great dane rescue on March 3. They called me that same day to ask if I was ready for my new dog! They knew me from previous contacts, they'd referred me to the neighboring rescue where I'd gotten Topaz, so I didn't need a lengthy approval process. That evening the club president showed up with Simba (whose name was Xenon at the time), a gorgeous 5 month old fawn puppy. He'd been dropped off at Animal Control to be euthanized because his owners couldn't control him. It was love at first sight. In a couple of weeks it will be our one year anniversary together.


What makes my dog special: They are all special, aren't they? Simba turned out to be a largish, bullheaded pup that hadn't had any discipline. With puppy obedience, a firm hand and lots of love he has grown into a very fine young man. When I take him places he attracts lots of attention, which he receives with great dignity as his due-- unless there are other dogs around in which case he just wants to PLAY!.

My dog's likes/dislikes: Simba loves toys like no dog I have ever owned. His toy box is full of more treasures than those of most human children. He came to me with a tender tummy but a change in food has transformed him into a huge chowhound. He loves going anywhere in the car, especially fun places like pet stores and parks where he gets to meet other people and dogs. He is afraid of the dark, he won't go outside at night unless I turn the light on for him. Hopefully he will outgrow this as it is pretty silly for such a big dog to be afraid of the dark!


Simba is 15 months old in the picture on the left. He is 36" tall at the shoulder and weighs 155lbs.
Bob is about 6'1", so Simba is maybe 6'5" in this picture. And still a puppy!