At this very moment in time, you have the opportunity to see Great Dane puppies enter this world through Service Dog Project at Explore.Org. I found this site about five years ago when I was teaching middle school. If you’ve never heard about this site and you love nature, I would highly suggest you visit. After reaching Explore.Org, choose the square that says “Dog Bless You”. Click on the picture showing the black and white Great Dane. Service Dog Project also has a Social Media Links, as well as a site on You Tube.
On Explore.org, you’ll find all kinds of fantastic views of nature around the world. From the waves at Waikiki Beach to up-close coverage of fruit bats, there is something for everyone. The fruit bats, Bison, and of course, Service Dog Project are my favorite. The cameras are run by volunteers. At the time of this writing, “Bianca” is heavy with puppies and busy delivering them. Her care taker did have her x-rayed finding here are at least eleven hidden in there.
Service Dog Project produces puppies for people having issues with mobility and balance. Great Danes are the perfect height to lend support to people with balance issues. The preferred recipients are veterans who may also benefit from the calming personalities of these great dogs.
Many children have received these dogs, as well. The most famous pair are Bella and George. Bella lives with some rare medical challenges. She was losing her mobility when her mom found out about Service Dog Project. Bella went to Crazy Acres as a volunteer. She would receive a dog, but there was one problem. The dogs choose their person, and visit after visit, none of the dogs chose Bella. Not one.
Things were not looking good, when one day, out of the blue, George chose Bella. Just like that, they were a match. Bella and George have gained rock star status as a team. They were selected and won the 2015 AKC Humane Fund Award for Canine Excellence and have been featured on many television shows. Although George towers next to her, through his gentle strength and calm help Bella continues to walk on. If you Google “Bella and George”, have some Kleenex ready. Theirs is a great love story.
Another great pair are Scott Aubin and Grey, his second dog. Scott is an inspirational speaker who lives with PTSD. His story is another way a dog has done fantastic work to help a human. You can watch him speak on You Tube or read about him at his website ScottAubin.com.
Getting back to the puppies. The cameras roll 24/7. You may see squirming little puppies that are seconds old. You may see drama. You may see some puppies that cross over to the Rainbow Bridge. You see it all. There are also current comments from regular views and newbies. Everyone is learning while watching. It is not uncommon for a litter to take 24 hours to enter the world, so you have time. Please remember, the cameras are in a personal house 24/7. You see real life in real time.
Mail call is at 3 PM, M-F, at which time the sound is turned on and Carlene White, the head of the operation, opens mail and answers questions online. She runs Crazy Acres in Ipswich, Massachusetts where the daily drama unfolds. All this filming is in Carlene’s house. Crazy Acre’s is her farm. There is a lot to unpack with this story. Even more amazing is the fact that Carlene is in her mid 80’s. Almost everyone seen working there volunteers their time.
Crazy Acres is run on Chicken Poop. Truly. Each month, she sells Chick Bricks. This is actually a number on a board which cost $10 each. One Sunday a month everyone heads outside, where chickens are placed on a large board with 2,000 numbers. The first number on which a chicken poops wins the bragging rights for the month. By doing this, she funds Service Dog Project for one month. She has done this for years and never had a month she didn’t meet expenses. Crazy Acre runs literally runs on Chicken Poop.
Dog food is delivered by the truckload. Everything is large scale. Carlene usually has 60 danes at a variety of ages and training levels. Right now, she has a litter of 8 puppies born on Christmas Day and the newbies. The adorableness of the entire site is just too much.
If you have ever raised puppies, you know how much work they are. These puppies are treated as well as human babies, having care and nursing around the clock. The fluffy blankets are always pristine. The food and water on-time and fresh. The training unique to the jobs these dogs will perform in their lifetimes.
So, if you are totally bored today, go see some new life come into this world. Don’t judge. Just watch. You are bound to learn some pretty amazing things.
More tomorrow.