The Story of Willow, The Greatest Dane

This is Willow and her story

Derby X Shelly Dec 22, 2009

We have always loved Willow, but now even more so. Yesterday, Robbie, our 1 year old Scottie fell in our pond, which is covered by a thin layer of ice. All 3 of the dogs routinely swim in the pond and drink from it daily, but when Robbie ventured out on the ice, it must have given way and he fell in. He’s so small that he was apparently having a lot of trouble getting out. Our nanny heard Willow barking and barking so she went outside to see what was wrong and saw Willow running around the pond, jumping in the air and barking frantically – not her normal one or two big woofs. She couldn’t see Robbie, but walked down to see what Willow was going nuts about, she immediately saw Robbie trying desperately to get out of the water. She tried to get him out but couldn’t reach him and she was worried about falling in herself, so she turned to go back up to the house to get a towel she could throw him, because he loves to grip on to towels and get pulled around. But Willow got nervous, thinking she wasn’t going to help and ran up the hill after her barking at her like a maniac – Glenda kept trying to assure Willow that she was getting something to help get Robbie, but Willow was adamant until she finally nipped at Glenda’s pants ripping them in the process trying to stop her! Glenda was shocked but touched simultaneously by how fiercely Willow was trying to get her attention. She managed to get into the house and grab a large towel. Willow had run back to the pond and was still barking like crazy when Glenda got back down to the pond. She threw the towel out to Robbie, who grabbed hold of it and she pulled him out to safety.

Willow then like a little mother hen followed Glenda back into the house, and stood right next to her as she feverishly worked to dry him off completely and warm him up. As you can imagine, he was shaking like a leaf and Glenda was very worried that he might just have suffered too long. Once she got him as dry as she could with towels and the hair dryer, she wrapped him in a thick blanket and put him in front of our fireplace, where all 3 dogs love to lie in the warmth. As soon as she put him down, Will laid down with him and moved him with her paws and nose until she was completely cradling him. They stayed there according to Glenda, just like that for more than an hour before Robbie got up and went to get some water. Robbie seems not to have suffered any lasting ill effects from the experience, and I’m crossing my fingers that he’ll stay away from the pond at least till it thaws out a few months from now.

Once again, I am amazed by our animals and so, so grateful to God that they are in our lives – all of them, but today, I am especially grateful for my precious Willow. I had often thought when our last big girl was put to sleep that I would never find a dog that was as amazingly wonderful as her – I was wrong.

Just thought you of all people would appreciate the incredible nature of this story and the wonder of the dog you bred. Thanks Brittany.

Best regards,

Kendra