Tate

Tatems lounging in the grass.

Dolly (L) and Tate (R) sharing the bed they slept together on almost every night.

Tate during a play date with his little friend - baby Clark

For over 2 years now we have been a proud foster home for the Mid Atlantic Great Dane Rescue League. We have had 11 fosters in that time frame. Some have stayed for as little as a week (some shorter, but I considered that babysitting, not fostering) and then we've had the long timers that have been with us for 9+ months. Our girls love the company and I love knowing that I'm helping these dogs know the love and comfort of a home.

Enter Tate. Tate has been with us since September '08 but he is not truly considered a foster dog. Tate came through MAGDRL over a year ago when he was just a little 4 month old puppy. We were not his foster home then, but we met him and he came down to our house for a few play dates. He was quickly adopted (as most puppies are) by a loving family who did a great job raising him with the manners necessary for a big dog.

Unfortunately, Tate's dad got orders to transfer from Virginia to Hawaii in the middle of the summer. It was too hot for Tate to fly at that time, so his dad found him a place to stay until it was cool enough to fly in the cargo area of the plane. That situation did not work out and Tate came to stay with us. After several failed transport dates, Tate's dad finally made it back to VA to pick Tate up this weekend.

The flight was scheduled for tomorrow. Tate's dad came and picked him up today to get him all ready for his big day tomorrow. BUT, the airport had other ideas. They now say that Tate's crate is too big to fly on the plane tomorrow. Hello?! He's a Great Dane. He's a big dog. He needs a big crate! We have to wait for a flight on a bigger plane to take Tate to Hawaii. This is just the latest crazy obstacle in this whole crazy ordeal. Tate's dad is upset that he won't be able to take his big baby with him. I'm sad for him too, but secretly a little glad that I get a little more time to love on the big goof!

Tate has become a part of our family in the last 6 months and our girls love him. We will be sad to see him go. It will be made easier though by knowing that his dad has fought for him for the last 6 months because he just loves him so much.