March 21, 2008
Duke, a three year old male Merle Great Dane, was an owner surrender to Gentle Giants, Inc.  Duke found a new home 3 weeks after he arrived with Jim, a young man who works with our vet.  Duke's new name became Scooby.  After five months, Jim noticed that Scooby wasn't feeling well.  Several tests were run and everything came back fine.  Finally he was x-rayed yesterday and a mass was discovered by his abdomen.  He had surgery this morning to remove the mass that made up almost his entire spleen.  Unfortuantely, Scooby drew his last breath on the operating table.     Candi

July 3, 2008
Olof an almost seven year old English Mastiff passed away today due to complications of bloat.  Olof was surrendered to Gentle Giants, Inc. in the beginning of April because he could no longer climb the stairs to his second story apartment. He was living out his golden years as one of our forever furbabies.  Olof was an amazingly sweet dog!  The children I babysit for loved him and he would pick one each day to lay down by during naptime.  His owners would come to visit him and take him for walks in a local park.  Under our care, he visited the chiropractor and lost 15 pounds which was much better for his back and he was feeling a lot better!  Olof will be missed greatly.  Please light a candle to help him find his way to the Rainbow Bridge.  Candi

Echo (pictured left) was an owner surrender to Gentle Giants, Inc. in June 2008.  The gentleman who surrendered him found Echo a year before at a sandpit near his home.  He was emaciated, covered in ticks, had a chemical burn on his back and a blown out back right knee.  After a lot of vet care and good food Echo had surgery to close up the wound on his back and an artificial knee put in.  Finally he was gaining weight and looked much better!  The problem was that one of the other dogs that the man owned did not get along with Echo and would pick on him all the time.  The gentleman, feeling that was not fair to either animal, began looking for another home for Echo.  Nobody wanted a senior Saint Bernard with arthritis and bi lateral hip dysplasia, until he found us!  He went lame in August, but we would not give up!  With supplements, conventional vet care and a canine chiropractor, Echo started walking again.  We were not sure of Echo's exact age but we think about 10 years old...he was a good boy that didnt have a mean bone in his body..since Jan 2009 he was going downhill no matter what we tried to do for him.  Sadly on Sat. April 25, 2009  he could no longer walk and he stopped eating and drinking  I took him to our vet for a final check up  but it was time for Echo to close his eyes and sleep..I held him as he drifted off, I cried my heart out and said my goodbyes.. He will truely be missed.       Candi

Atlas (male) pictured left, is a 3 year old St. Bernard that came to Gentle Giants Inc. from Georgia.  His right front leg is not fully formed (it is a club foot) and his owners decided they didn't want him anymore.  Atlas has a lot of trouble walking around, but he manages.  To see a video of Atlas walking with no prosthetic, click here.  After being in a Gentle Giants, Inc. foster home for a few months, Atlas was diagnosed with Epilepsy!  He was immediately put on medication which helped with this condition.  Atlas lost a battle with bone cancer on 11/15/09.  He quietly passed away in Candi’s arms.  He was with us for a little over 1.5 years and during that time he was loved and lived a happy, peaceful live.  RIP Atlas!

Emma (pictured left) is a female, 12 year old, Saint Bernard.  She was rescued in March 2009 from a high kill shelter in Georgia.  She was pulled out of the shelter 2 hours before being put down!  When she was rescued she had pneumonia, a UTI, infected ears and eyes all of which were treated before Emma arrived at Gentle Giants, Inc.  Through routine vet visits, we found out that Emma had a mass in her abdomen, her spine was beginning to fuse and she was in the beginning of liver failure.  I am so thankful that she got to spend one Christmas being spoiled.  Emma passed away quietly in my arms Jan. 4, 2010.  She was 13 years old.  RIP Emma.
Candi

"EMMA"
I received an email that you were quite sick
If I was going to help, I'd have to be quick
I sent out an email to get you out of there
And within the hour, I heard from ones who care
They put a hold on you so you would be fine
And Connie got you out in the nick of time
She took you to a vet to get proper care
And soon as you were well, you were a cuddly bear
I had you transported by a husband and wife
I thanked them so much for helping to save your life
You were 12 years old and had been very ill,
The only thing was, you had heartworm still
So off to the vet to get you treatment
I visited you daily to keep you content
Then 4 days later precious EMMA came home with me
She is a forever friend of Gentle Giants you see.
We had Emma and spoiled and loved her so
She had a wonderful 10 months don’t you know
She'd hear me come home and start to whine
She knew then it was dinnertime
She loved her food and she loved her treats
One thing about Emma:  she really could eat.
As spring turned to summer and then to fall
Emma loved the cool air and she had a ball
Christmas was very special for Emma and the rest
She'd take her new toys and lay her head on my chest
Then after the New Year my Emma was not feeling well,
We went to the vet and its sad what I will tell
My poor ole Emma was dying slowly
From cancer and  internal bleeding you see
I made the choice that is the hardest to make
To let her sleep and never , ever wake
I held her and told her that I loved her so
And that I was so sorry she had to go
She looked at me with her big droopy eyes
And licked my nose to my surprise
And then in a moment, it was the end.
EMMA was gone and my heart has to mend.....
 Candace Bright