Meet Moose and Cookers, two rescue Great Danes with big personalities and even bigger hearts. Their journey to the Keeble family began through Animal Rescue Corps, where they were given a second chance after difficult starts in life. Today, they are right where they belong. Moose and Cookers spend their days exploring, lounging, snacking, and following their people from room to room. They are always nearby, content in the comfort of home and the people they trust most.

Breed: Great Danes

Ages: 7 and 6

They found me!

I have had the privilege of volunteering with Animal Rescue Corps (ARC), and their work is incredible. ARC rescues animals from backyard breeders, hoarding situations, and other poor living conditions. Law enforcement often brings our team in to safely remove the animals while documenting everything for the courts. Once the animals arrive at ARC's facility in Gallatin, they receive veterinary care, rehabilitation, and plenty of love to help them recover. Every animal is treated with dignity, given the chance to heal, and then placed with rescue partners to find a loving home.

Moose and Cookers were among 27 Great Danes rescued from a situation in Macon County. I was blessed when Michael and Tim entrusted me with adopting these two beautiful souls and welcoming them into our family.

Every single thing!

Moose and Cookers love long walks through the park, exploring trails and wandering along the roads. They never turn down an extra-large pup cup from Starbucks, and they're always happy to help with gardening… or at least supervise it! Whether we're working in the yard or simply sitting on the porch, they want to be right by our side. We joke that they aren't just glued to us - they've used super glue!

My daughter, Abby, recently moved back to Nashville and brought her cat, Mr. Pickles, with her. It didn't take long for everyone to come to an understanding: the 11-pound cat would rule the house over the 145-pound male Great Dane. To be fair, Mr. Pickles was rescued from the streets of Baltimore and can definitely hold his own. Thankfully, there have been no fights or ugly scenes. The cat simply rules in silence, and everyone seems to accept it.

I love their incredible resilience and the way they approach each day with such joy and enthusiasm. They follow us everywhere in the house and are always snuggled up together. They are gentle, sweet, and endlessly curious about things we might take for granted. 

Cookers had never been inside a house before, and watching her discover things like the television was both hilarious and heartwarming. I am in awe of her capacity to love and forgive. She began her life living in a shed, confined to a cage too small for her to stand up in, yet she greets every day with trust, affection, and a joyful spirit.

You name it, they will eat it! Cookers' nickname is "Tin Tummy" because she is willing to try just about anything. Moose, on the other hand, loves good old red meat like any Southern gentleman. Steaks, fried chicken, and ground turkey are all favorites. He has also been known to sneak a few cat treats off the counter whenever he can reach them!

No special talents! 

Moose likes to think he can catch a piece of ham tossed his way, but he usually ends up wearing it on his face instead, so we have stopped trying.

Cookers is not interested in learning new tricks, in fact, it tends to stress her out. She is happiest simply being part of the pack and staying close to her people!

As a volunteer, I try not to get too attached to the dogs. I love them all, but with Cookers, that plan did not work out.

When Cookers was transported to Chicago to go to a foster home, I realized I had completely fallen in love with her. Patrick looked at me and said, "Seriously?!" Then he flew to Chicago and, thanks to Michael and Tim at ARC, Cookers was able to skip the foster system altogether. Patrick rented a Suburban and drove her home. It was a happy ending for both of us.

With Moose, I decided not to make the same mistake twice. As the last of the rescued Great Danes was being transported to a foster or rescue, Moose came home with me, too.

We have a very special person who has been caring for our dogs for more than 20 years. As a fellow rescue dog lover, Megan is incredibly patient and has two rescue pups of her own. 

When she comes to stay, she never quite knows how many dogs will be waiting for her. Over the years, we have had as many as five rescue dogs at one time, although Moose and Cookers are currently her only charges!

Cookers earned the nickname "Cow Cookers" because, as Patrick likes to say, she looks like a chocolate chip cookie dunked in milk. She also has one blue eye and one brown eye, which only adds to her unique charm.

As for Moose, all he needs is a rack of antlers and he would look the part. With his size and stature, he often turns heads wherever he goes.