My name is Rudi and I am now nearly four years old. I used to be called Scoobie before I came to live with Mum.  But she said that I was not like other Great Danes - I was special and I needed a man’s name. I don’t really mind what she calls me because it sounds the same. When she says my name I go all ‘big softie’ because I can tell she loves me and it makes me go all gooey and waggy!

When Sam and Bob first brought me to Mums I didn’t know what was going to happen. I had been picked up from a house where no-one wanted me and went to stay with Sam and Bob and two gorgeous girls called Ruby and Harley. Then just as I was enjoying being loved I had to go a long way in that car thing to somewhere called The Lake District.  Bob took me into the little house and he and Sam had a cup of coffee and a chat with the lady who lived there. I was not too sure about being there but had a good nose around anyway. Well, a chap’s got to know what’s upstairs and outside and on the kitchen units!

Anyway, after a little while the lady took me for a walk to look at the fields and trees and stuff. Just imagine my surprise when we got back to the little house to find that Bob and Sam had gone! I looked all over but couldn’t find them so I stood at the window and cried.  The lady gave me a big cuddle and stroked me then she gave me a big thing called a bone. I had no idea what it was but it smelled like food so I tried to bury it in a corner - well I didn’t know if this lady was going to feed me.

Later I settled down on a quilt that was on the floor. It was very cosy so I had a little sleep. When I woke up I could smell something very interesting and went to have a look. The lady shared a lovely sirloin steak with me (so I wasn’t going to need that bone thing after all). Then she told me that she was my New Mum and we were going to be best friends. Now I go everywhere in the car with Mum and she laughs at me because I love to travel with my head out of the window with the wind blowing my ears and lips!  She says I need some ‘shades’ so I’ll be really cool!