The Rainbow Bridge is where the souls of our cherished pets dance in everlasting peace
Jane Goodall
Molly
Molly - A One of A Kind Soul that shined bright Taken to Soon - Bloat with Torsion 05/15/2023 - 01/27/2026
Why We Loved Molly
Molly was resilience wrapped in a giant-breed body. She carried her past with grace and met each new day with enthusiasm and heart. She enjoyed most other dogs, save for the few she very clearly decided were not her people—a reminder that boundaries are okay. With those she trusted, she was incredibly sweet and affectionate.
Molly was high-energy with joyful, playful bursts, balanced by moments of surprising calm. Every single day, she reminded us of strength, love, and the power of second chances.
Molly’s Story
Molly’s story is one of heartbreak, survival, and redemption. Once known as Santi, this brave young Great Dane was abandoned on June 11, 2025, in a Home Depot parking lot in Lewiston, Maine—deaf, with impaired vision, and completely vulnerable.
We believed she had found safety through a private adoption, but instead, she was discarded. When we learned the truth, we immediately brought her into our care and promised her something she had never truly known: stability, compassion, and love that would not disappear.
What Molly Taught Us
Molly was not just a dog we rescued—she was a teacher. She reminded us to laugh, to stay alert, and to always trust, but verify. Because of Molly, we changed how we do things. Every dog that enters our care now receives a fecal sample, regardless of prior treatment.
Molly came to us fighting hookworms—something we had not previously encountered in our rescue. Long-term exposure can quietly cause devastating effects, including weight loss and poor nutrient absorption. In Molly’s case, encysted larvae (larval hypobiosis) were present—worms that hide within the intestinal lining, emerging and retreating, making them incredibly difficult to detect and treat.
Because of Molly, we learned more. We became better.
Her life improved how we protect future dogs.
Her Legacy
Molly’s life mattered. Her journey changed us, strengthened our rescue, and will continue to save others because of what she taught us. Though her time with us was not long enough, her impact is permanent.
You were loved, Molly. You were safe. And you will never be forgotten 🌈.
Sensei
Sensei, Forever Loved and Missed Taken To Soon - Undisclosed Tracheal Trauma 02/20/2024 - 12/08/2025
Sensei was a striking, intelligent young Great Dane whose life was shaped by confusion long before it ever found stability. At around a year and a half old, he was still learning how to feel safe in a world that had not always made sense to him.
What Sensei showed us was not aggression, but communication. When overwhelmed or unsure, he relied on the only tools he had learned early on. With structure, consistency, and calm leadership, Sensei made meaningful progress. He gave clear signals, responded to predictable routines, and showed a genuine desire to connect with the people he trusted.
In training and in care, we saw who Sensei truly was. A sensitive, thoughtful dog with strong social potential. A young Dane who thrived when expectations were clear. A boy who, once secure, began to show a softer, puppy-like side that reminded us how much life he still had ahead of him.
We were committed to giving Sensei a forever home at the rescue. A safe and experienced environment where his needs would be understood and supported.
Despite every possible effort, we lost Sensei.
During a medical emergency, an internal injury to his trachea was discovered, consistent with trauma that occurred before he came back to us to live forever. He was transferred for specialized care and surrounded by veterinary professionals, advocates, and a community that fought hard for him. Every option was explored. Every chance was taken.
Sensei did not deserve this ending. What brings us comfort is knowing he was deeply loved, fiercely advocated for, and never alone. In his final moments, he mattered.
Thank you to everyone who loved Sensei, supported him, and stood with us.
Run free, sweet boy 🌈 .
You were seen. You were fought for. You were loved.
Otis
Otis - Loved Deeply Forever and Always Taken to Soon - Bloat 03/16/2022 - 11/11/2025
Otis was pure joy wrapped in a giant body. Goofy, affectionate, and endlessly people-focused, he was a true Velcro Dane who wanted nothing more than to be close to his humans. If you sat down, Otis was there. If you stood up, he was right behind you. Always present. Always loving.
He was polite in the home and thrived on simple routines. Sit, stay, place—Otis knew his basics and took pride in them. Outside, he was playful and silly, splashing happily in the kiddie pool or trotting around with his most prized possession: his blankie, carried proudly from room to room like a treasure.
Otis loved car rides (on an empty tummy), cozy couch time, and calm, consistent days with people he trusted. After experiencing too much change early in life, he was finally learning what it meant to feel safe, settled, and cared for.
Otis passed away unexpectedly, but he leaves behind nothing but love 🌈. He was cherished, protected, and deeply adored.
Otis was a very good boy.
And he will always be remembered that way. 💙
Learning From Otis
Bloat is a serious and often sudden condition that can affect large and deep-chested dogs. In honor of Otis, we encourage all dog guardians to learn the signs and risk factors.
Nash
Nash, a boy who found comfort in the end Taken to Soon - Osteosarcoma 07/01/2021 - 01/21/2025
I, Melissa, started the Northern Chapter Great Dane Rescue of New England in May 2023 because I saw a need for these majestic dogs. What I didn’t fully grasp at the time was just how difficult and heartbreaking some moments in rescue work can be.
On the night of January 21st, 2025 we had to say goodbye to Nash. 💔 He was a boy we lost to soon.
Nash came to us because his family was moving and could no longer keep him. While he received the basics in his previous home, his long nails, skin issues, and lack of training showed he needed extra care. We worked quickly to arrange a plan, including placing him in a six-week board-and-train program at Harmony Dog Training in Rhode Island, with a sponsor lined up to adopt him after.
Nash immediately stole hearts. His sponsor gifted him a beautiful orthopedic bed, and according to Luis at the facility, Nash loved it. He’d settle on it as if to say, “This is my heaven.”
But soon after his arrival, things changed. Nash started favoring a back leg, lost his appetite, and showed signs something was seriously wrong. Luis, with his medical background, brought Nash to an emergency vet. The diagnosis was devastating: aggressive osteosarcoma in his rear tibia and a dangerously high resting heartbeat. After consulting with multiple veterinarians, the kindest decision was to let Nash go humanely and peacefully.
Nash’s last moments were filled with love and comfort. The team treated him to a chocolate shake and chicken sandwich from Chick-fil-A before he crossed the rainbow bridge. Though I couldn’t be there to hold him myself, Luis stayed by his side until the very end, ensuring Nash wasn’t alone.
Rescue work is unpredictable and often incredibly hard. This experience came much earlier in our journey than I ever imagined, but Nash reminded us why we do what we do. For the first time in his life, he truly let his guard down. He enjoyed his bed, his meals, and the comfort he deserved.
Nash will always be a part of our rescue family. Our commitment to these dogs is lifelong—through the good, the bad, and the hardest moments. They are more than dogs; they are family.
Run free, sweet Nash. 🌈 You are loved beyond measure, and you’ll always have a home with us.