After over 15 years of living with the girls, I had a litter with two exceptional males and a lovely bitch. I decided to let the bitch go on a co-ownership and had a big decision between the males. I had a call from some lovely people looking for a "show" dane. The boys were 5 months at this point and I decided one had to go….but who?? I agonized for weeks. "Dylan" was so classic and very austere, an "aristocrat", "Guy "was a little more boned and more square. He had a nice head, just not as classic as "Dylan". "Guy" had been very small. We didn't know if he would make it. I spent a lot of time with him through those first couple of weeks. As a matter of fact, that's how he got the name "Guy". He was always referred to as "the little Guy" and it stuck! When the day came to visit with the new owners, I still had not decided.

A sort of miracle happened that morning. A friend and long time Boxer breeder was working in the next town. I had not seen her in ages, she didn't even know that I had moved. She drove by and saw me in the front yard, drove up the road a bit , turned around and came back. She was just the person I wanted to see.

I threw both boys out in the yard and we sat and watched them over coffee. She said all the things that I already knew!! But her final words to me were "when they are both nice, pick with your heart." And so I did. I have a saying about these two boys. Dylan was "Champagne and Caviar" and Guy was "Beer and Pretzels". I guess I'm a "Beer and Pretzel girl!!

"Dylan", Ch Sandale's I Kid You Not went to live with Julian and Gail Reiter and the " little Guy" stayed with me. A decision I will never regret. He was my once in a lifetime; a good show dog, a great producer and an outstanding companion. He was indeed my "heart" and will stay there forever.

"Guy"s" show career started at 6 months where he was 3rd in the 6-9 class at the National. His brother,"Dylan" was 1st and Reserve that day. An injury kept "Guy" from the ring for almost 4 months. He was BOW at his first show after the tendon healed under Jane Forsyth. He then continued to win, garnering all his minors and a breed over specials from the puppy classes. We went to the Cherry Blossom circuit in April, hunting for majors. He was BOW the first day for a 5 point major at the GDC of Maryland Specialty from the Bred By class under Chuck Whitney.

Because his brother was also being shown, "Guy" sat out a few of the shows while brother "Dylan "picked up 2 more major wins. Then at the Old Dominion KC, again from Bred By, again a 5 point major, "Guy" was BOW under Lowell Davis to finish. He was shown a little for the rest of the year (by me), taking many BOS awards to the beautiful BISS Ch Sheenwater Jump For Joy. Terry Silver was handling "Joy". In November, Terry took Guy as a "Special" and while being shown on a limited basis, in our own New England area, he became the # 8 Dane in the country. He won 8 Specialties including the Great Dane Club of Central Pennsylvania the day after the National. He beat 70 Specials and a total entry of 327 Danes that day.

His ability as a producer was evident in his first two litters. The Hanns of Von Shrado bred to him and in that litter was the "Fridge" and 3 champion litter sisters. A bitch out of Murlo breeding, sired by Ch Darrdanes Opening Bid had already been bred to him and these two litters of lovely pups represented him at the 1987 National. Several won their classes and "Fridge" was Winners that day. "Guy" was best stud dog and the rest is history. "Guy" was Best Stud dog at 1 Regional and 2 National Specialties and at many other Specialties during his career. He sired 3 Best In Show winners:

• BIS, BISS Ch VonShrado's I'm A Knockout
• BIS, BISS Ch Sheenwater Quixotic Quest
• BIS, BISS SUCh, NUCh, Int Champion Airway's Little Guy

• "Fridge" (I'm A Knockout)
• "Justin" (Quixotic Quest)
• BISS Ch Von Shrado's I'm A Macho Man
• BISS Ch Maitau's Here's Hannah

I am proud that his name and his qualities can still be found today in the pedigrees of Danes in the US, Canada, Scandinavia, South America, Australia, New Zealand, Japan England and France. He continues to make me proud as he did every day of his life.

The best part of the story of "What A Guy" was the pleasure of living with such a wonderful companion. He went everywhere with me. He was a gentleman and a people pleaser. He loved baby puppies and helped raise many a litter. He carried the cat around in his mouth and cleaned him thoroughly each day! If anyone has a question as to his temperment, they can ask anyone who knew him , bred to him or owned his equally wonderful get. He was a stable and gentle giant.