A Great Dane Claimed the Shady Spot Under the Apple Tree. It Wasn't Alone.
Dappled shade from an apple tree falls across the patio, and two very differently sized friends have claimed the coolest spot. The fawn Great Dane is stretched flat on the concrete, droopy jowls resting on the ground and heavy eyelids half closed, while a small cream and white baby goat curls up against the big dog's front leg, fast asleep with its nose tucked down. Red apples hang overhead, a canvas tote and a pair of sneakers sit by the door, and a basket of garden odds and ends waits nearby.
Great Danes are often called gentle giants for good reason. Despite their size, they tend to be calm, friendly and affectionate, and many are surprisingly mellow around smaller creatures. Their size does call for awareness, though, since a playful paw or a sudden turn can easily knock over a tiny animal like a newborn goat. Supervision is key, as is giving the smaller animal a place to retreat. Great Danes also tend to have shorter life spans than smaller breeds and can be prone to bloat, so feeding schedules and exercise around meals are worth discussing with your vet.
Whatever the difference in size, the friendship looks perfectly balanced in the shade. One brings the bulk, the other brings the cuddles, and the apple tree provides the perfect nap spot for both.
