My Rescue Danes

I have three dogs, two of which are great Danes. The pair have a troubled back story, but are one of the best friends a person could ask for.
I was out on a run and I had gone about seven miles when I heard this whimpering coming from a back yard from a long since abandoned house. I peered between the aging planks of wood and saw a scene from a nightmare. Two great Danes,bone thin, were locked and left to die in the back yard. I quickly sprinted to the nearest store and used my lunch money for the week to buy two leashes, two huge collars, and the biggest bag of dog treats I could afford and ran back to the house not thinking about any thing else but helping the dogs.
I carefully cracked open the gate and was greeted with weak growls. I took a breath as eliminated all fear and took a bold step into the yard, a hand full of moist dog treats. I knew I was probably going to get bit if things went well, but didn't care. These dogs were the biggest things I had ever seen and were on their feet in no time, the fur on their backs raised. I remember looking into their eyes and seeing the fear and neglect. I promptly got on my knees and began throwing treats by them, which were quickly gobbled up. I smiled slightly and used my shameless animal voice, trying to keep them calm. I slowly regained my feet and walked over, allowing them to see the leashes and not hiding a thing from them and continued offering treats, which were never refused. I slowly reached up a hand and shit hit the fan.
A loud bark and one of them had lunged at my face, I stumbled back and fell in a dirt pile, getting dust every where and the dog had fallen down with me. I couldn't help but laugh after I had acknowledged I was okay, but laying next to me, completely covered in dust was a black and white giant. He had calmed down a lot and I reached out a scrapped hand to touch it. My frayed palm touched down on the crown of its head and I happily exclaimed to my self. Success.
I spent a good part of an hour back there with these giants that could kill me if they wanted. I had found that playing with any type of ball was the best thing in the world to them and they were major cuddlers. I looked up and saw that the sun was falling out and gold was pouring into the streets. I carefully took off their old, ripped, and over grown collars off and slipped the new ones on. I remember seeing my reflection in a price of broken mirror in the back yard and I held the goofiest grin on my face.
The leashes were quickly put on with ease. Now to get them all the way home. I swung open the gate and peered into the alley way. Empty. Good. I brought them close, one on each side and stepped into the ally way with them following closely.
We walked down the ally way and I drew in a deep breath before walking boldly out onto the street. The black and white one who I called "Dex" pulled closer to my side, while the fawn colored one who had adopted the name "Marmaduke" was being adventurous and happily sniffing every thing in range. I got several funky looks from people on the side walk and in cars. We passed several other people with dogs and to my surprise, the Danes paid no attention to them, not the slightest. Oh happy day. Well mannered, gentle giants.
I had gotten home and like when I had left no one was their besides my reptiles and my other dog, a purebred doxie who got along great with any thing. I turned the key and my house door swung open and I dropped the leashes, the dogs looked like they were in heaven. They were quickly all over every thing, sniffing and testing out every thing they could. I headed for the kitchen and pulled two large bowls from my kitchen and I had remembered from a book I read that Danes had to have their food bowls elevated do their stomachs didn't flip over. The bowls were quickly filled with kibble and placed on a bench. The food quickly disappeared and I also remembered that they should rest for about an hour after eating to avoid the same problem. I headed for my room with them at my heels and flopped on my bed, them doing the same and at that point I figured out how desperately they wanted to be lap dogs and me being the push over I am, ended up with about three hundred pounds of dog on my lap. From that point on I knew these dogs were family and they were staying like that.
My family fell in love with them, but the dogs have never loved any one like they love me since that day I took a chance and saved the giant dogs. Marmaduke is a four year old pure bred fawn great dane and Dex is his four year old black and white pure bred best friend. They greatly enjoy trips to the beach and park and playing in water, mainly jumping in the deep end of the pool. They are now both extremely healthy and happy and accompany me on hikes and walks. They are extreme goof balls and act just like boys.