This edition of Short Tails is all about Brewster, the famous Great Dane of Phoenix. Well, he’s not really famous; he hasn’t appeared in any TV shows or movies that we are aware of. It’s just he’s so huge that the attention he gets whilst out walking is akin to him being a local celebrity.
Meet Brewster
We are currently pet sitting Brewster for the second time here in Phoenix, Arizona. We previously sat for him earlier on during the same trip, his owner’s two vacations tying in perfectly with our plans to travel around the State. The home is lovely, and Brewster is a gentle and lovable giant.
He’s 6 years old, weighs 155lbs (11 stone), loves snoozing, playing catch, and a good butt scratch! Despite his epic Great Dane size, he is one of the best dogs on a leash we have ever cared for. However, the comments we get while walking him are becoming fairly routine. ‘Is that a big dog or a small horse?’.
He doesn’t leave Hannah’s side, wherever she goes, he goes. Thankfully, he seems fully aware of his size and capabilities. He plays nice and doesn’t ever get too rowdy or try and sit on you as some big dogs do. He’s been a great dog to care for, and we’ll be sad to say goodbye when we move on in a few days.
The Joys of Big Dogs
We love all dogs and are happy to care for any pets, but we have a special affinity for larger dogs. Having had a large Rottweiler of our own for many years, we came to love the goofball nature associated with many large canines such as the Great Dane.
Previously, we cared for Abraham in Phu Quoc, Vietnam. Now he was a true celebrity in his hometown. We couldn’t walk for 2 minutes without someone stopping us for a chat and a photo. Read all about it in my previous Short Tails – Abraham, The Big Famous Dog of Phu Quoc.
Of course, some people tend to shy away when they see a very large dog coming their way, but many also know that as long as they have been brought up correctly, big dogs have more love to give! Brewster, like Abraham, has a lot of local friends, fans, and admirers.
Brewster’s Tricks
Brewster is a very chilled Great Dane, happy to snooze all day, so long as he is in the same room as you. He does have a couple of cool tricks up his sleeve. He’s a great catcher, particularly because he knows successful catches earn him a good scratch. He will bring you one of his many stuffed toys and want you to throw it to him at increasing distances, angles, and heights.
Being so large, a regular dog door just wouldn’t suffice, so Brewster has a human door with a tag on his collar that opens it whenever he stands close enough to the sensor. It comes in very handy when you have your hands full. He is always happy to oblige by being a gentleman and getting the door for you.
Brewster’s Ailments
Poor Brewster had a brain condition as a pup and has an internal stent running from the top of his head into his body. You can’t see it, but you can just about feel the small stent sometimes. It doesn’t bother him these days, but he is required to take medication every day to avoid future seizures.
Happily, the medication seems to be working and keeping any further concerns at bay. Much like me, the poor boy suffers from seasonal allergies, and we are both regularly popping allergy medication at the moment – seeing as it’s Spring.
His owners originally fostered Brewster temporarily, but fell so in love with him and the Great Dane breed that they quickly adopted him and made him a part of the family. He’d had a difficult start to life, being bullied and rejected by his parents, before being given up for adoption.
I’m glad to say he’s found a great life here in Phoenix!
House Sitting Opportunities
Getting to meet awesome dogs like Brewster is only possible through the house and pet sitting we do around the world. Not only do we make great bonds with lovable furry friends, but like us now in Phoenix, repeat visits are a common benefit to the process.
We have stayed in amazing places all over the world that we couldn’t have dreamed of ever renting or paying for. Throw great pets into the mix and you’ve got yourself one hell of an experience. Trusted Housesitters currently lists around 10,000 listings at any one time.
Browse for free by signing up with just your email address; click here. To apply for house sits, you’ll need to be a paying member, but prices start at just $99/year. Plus, our readers get 25% off any membership when they use the discount code BEACHES25 at checkout. Click here to get started today.
To learn more about Trusted Housesitters, check out my comprehensive guide – Everything You Need to Know About Trusted Housesitters
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