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A gray-blue Great Dane and a brown and white calf rest their heads on a patchwork quilt in a messy bedroom. 4 / 30

The Great Dane Was Ready to Get Up. The Calf Had Other Plans.

AI imagegreat danecalfcozy morning

Morning has arrived, but nobody under the patchwork quilt is in a hurry. A blue Great Dane rests her long gray head on the covers with sleepy, half-open eyes, and right beside her a brown and white calf lifts her face just enough to check whether it is really time to get up. The bedroom around them is wonderfully lived in, with clothes heaped on a chair and a woven basket in the corner. We'll call the Dane Luna and the calf Maple.

Great Danes are often called gentle giants, and many are patient, affectionate dogs who love being close to their people. They can weigh well over a hundred pounds, so good manners matter, and early training pays off. They are also known for being a bit prone to leaning and flopping onto anything soft, which makes a quilt the perfect landing spot. Calves, for their part, sleep in short stretches and wake often, so a warm companion can make resting easier.

With very large breeds, it helps to give them a bed that supports their joints, since they spend lots of time lying down. Talk to your vet about feeding and exercise for a growing giant breed, because puppies of these breeds have special needs.

Luna is in no rush, and Maple is clearly taking her cue from the biggest, calmest friend in the room. The alarm clock can wait a few more minutes.

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