What our parents say about their Littlehorse puppies.

Dear Melody,
I am writing today to let you know how my life has been enriched by one of your beautifully bred puppies. Avery is almost 8 months old and he has been so happy and healthy! His coat is beautiful and his personality is top notch. He has been the missing piece in our puzzle! We love him with all our hearts and would recommend only your puppies! You have been there to answer my questions no matter how trivial. We are so happy, and thankful! Keep up the great work!

LINDSEY LABEE
Avery (born to Po and Afton Feb 2011 as Bull Blaster)
 

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

I have had 4 of Melody's Danes, and still have 3 (having lost my harl male at 16 months due to multiple toxic spider bites). I can not say enough good things about Melody and her Danes.

 "What are your puppies/dogs like in temperament and health?  Have you ever had an aggression issues?"

 My dogs are wonderful and outgoing except for my oldest and this was definitely NOT a result of Melody's breeding. I am not Zhann's original owner, Zhann was a puppy that Melody took back from the original owner when Melody found out how this woman was treating Zhann - she left her out on the back concrete porch with no dog house or anything. Zhann developed hygromas on her knees (same as fluid on your elbow) and the woman's vet put drains in them. Well...Melody took her away from this woman, brought her home, and proceeded to get her back to being a well-loved puppy. Zhann was 6 months old then. When Zhann was 8 months old Melody decided to try to find a permanent loving home for Zhann - I saw her photo on the internet and fell head-over-heels in love. I have to tell you that when I contacted Melody she did not do the 40 questions - it was more like 400!<g> She kept me on the phone for hours a couple of times. When she let me know she approved of me I drove over the very next weekend and picked her up. Unfortunately we had only had her in the new neighborhood for less than a week when some people down the street with an aggressive dog let their dog get out and it attacked Zhann twice in a few days. After that she has understandably decided that strange dogs are evil. I might also mention that Zhann is an alpha female and all of our other danes from Melody have been purchased with that in mind. Meaning that Melody would not let us have another dominant puppy (esp. female) as that would just be asking for a world of heartache and chaos.

Now that I have gone on & on about my oldest baby let me say again that ALL my other Danes are wonderful and outgoing (as Zhann was before getting attacked). I should also mention that Zhann is ONLY dog aggressive - she LOVES children and if she sees a toddler during our walks she will lay down and crawl to that child as not to scare the baby. <g> She is also wonderful with all the other dogs in my household all of whom started off as puppies in my home. (I also do animal rescue here in LA and occasionally foster puppies in my home.)

As for health - they are all healthy. If only I could say the same about my basset who costs me a fortune in vet bills every month!

 "How old are your Danes?" 

 Zhann is 5.5 yrs old, Zoe is 4.5 yrs. old and George is 2.5 yrs old.

 "How did you feel about shipping the puppies?"

 I didn't have mine shipped. Even though it is a 12 hour drive for me I so enjoyed my first visit with Melody when we got Zhann that I have chosen to drive to see her.

 "What were you looking for in a puppy, and do you think that Melody matched each puppy with your family/needs?  Again, this is assuming that you did not meet the puppies beforehand. 

No, we did not meet any of our puppies beforehand as Melody has a closed kennel. Parvo is rampant in Texas and she does all she can to prevent anyone from accidentally bringing it into her kennel.

When we got Zoe we were looking primarily for a playmate for Zhann, but also a puppy that my daughter could claim as her own (she was 11 then). We called Melody, who was planning on a breeding soon, and discussed what our wants were. She advised us that while she did want us to make some picks from the pictures she sent us that ultimately she would make the decision as to which puppy would fit the bill for our needs. Zoe was perfect! And, no Zoe was not our only choice - I had actually chosen another female out of that litter and my daughter had picked out Zoe. After a couple of weeks Melody said she felt like my pick was too dominant and Zoe was submissive enough for our needs. She was right.

When we got Zarr - I just plainly fell in love! Contacted Melody again and she approved Zarr for our home. He slept in the bed with me every night and was my big ole boy who danced with me on occasion. It almost killed me when we lost him.

Side note about Melody - even though his passing had nothing whatsoever to do with her or her lines she knew how much I loved my babies and told me that whenever I was ready she would let have another puppy. She didn't charge me another penny for George.

When we got George he turned out to be a HUGE love bug - his favorite activity is to clean your face repeatedly while you rub his ears. LOL

"Are you pleased overall with your puppies?"

A resounding YES!

Are pleased with any support you may have required or received from Melody?"

Melody has always been there to answer any questions I have had - and let me tell you that I had some real stupid questions at first. She was always patient, didn't make fun of me, and walked me through any problems I thought I had.

"If you had an American bred Dane before, what differences can you tell me about your Littlehorse Danes?"

I have never owned any other Danes than mine, but I have rescued American Danes and they are much smaller and from what I have heard from other rescues and from breeders American Danes usually have shorter life spans and have more health issues.

BTW, I should tell you that after all these years I feel as if Melody and I are friends and I have called on her for many reasons. We live in Slidell, a heavily hit Katrina area, and when we evacuated and were told that our city was closed Melody offered us a place to stay. When we found we could come back, but my daughter's school would not be opening yet she offered a place for my daughter so she wouldn't lose a year of school. Someone who was just a "dog breeder" would not be concerned with their puppies' families' welfare, in my opinion.

I know I have written a lot, but I can not say enough good things about Melody. LOL

What can I say - I Love Melody and her Danes!
Debra Santalucito

"If I wanted to hear the pitter-patter of little feet, I'd put shoes on my dogs."

Hi Melody,

We took her to the vet on Friday for her 10 week shots and I wanted to pass along her comments.  First of all, everyone thinks Midnight is absolutely beautiful.  They have no problems following your vaccination schedule, separate rabies shot, etc.  I took in the portfolio that you sent to us so that we had all of her paperwork and the vet praised it to high heavens saying that she had never had any other patient bring in a packet like that from the breeder.  She said you must really know your dogs and really care about them.

We are enjoying Midnight so much.  Now that she has settled into the house and knows the routine, kind of, there is hardly any whining, she settles nicely in the crate at night, lays at my feet in the morning when I'm getting ready for work, pesters Amos at every possible turn because she adores him and wants to cuddle him.  Sometimes he allows it, sometimes not.  Andy is pulling his weight  on his pledge to help so its all settled down pretty quickly.  I think it was harder with Amos because we didn't know what to do and now, he's the trainer.  She just follows him around and mimics him.   She sits at the back door to be let out to potty, she knows where its ok to potty...I think that's pretty good for just 2/12 weeks here!  I do have to watch her because if she finishes her food fast, she's after Amos' food so we feed them in separate rooms now and when she's done, she gets scooted outside so he can eat in peace.

Thank you again so much!

Susan Patten, California

Comments below about Denzel who is a certified therapy dog.  He is out of Darken to Deejay born 8/14/2006.  Carol did a great job training this boy for such a worthwhile cause.  Thanks for all your hard work and dedication.

Carol and Denzel, as I'd imagined, were quite the fuss with a rather large group of our friends in skilled nursing. Carol was very personable and Denzel, as our therapy dogs do, seem to know that they are needed for this type of volunteering. It's so much fun for me to sit back and quietly interact, watching closely for any tips I can give to a newly certified team. This team is a credit to our organization, and wherever they go, stately Denzel will bring a gentle spirit, the comment, "Oh my goodness; he's so beautiful!" and happier, healthier residents and their families for the visit they've enjoyed from a new friend. Thank you, Carol and Denzel!...