Trains for Danes sponsors Mike and Kim with Shadow (left) and Goliath (right)

"Trains for Danes" was sponsored by Mike and Kim to celebrate their love of Great Danes and to help MAGDRL help Danes. During the planning stages of our event, Goliath passed over the Rainbow Bridge. Our event became a tribute to Goliath.

A Tribute to Goliath

A very dear friend told us, "The Dogs Find You" and that was never more true than with Goliath. From the first time I saw his picture on the MAGDRL list of available dogs, I knew he was the dog for me. I have no skills in animal communication, but this boy spoke directly to my heart where he has been firmly entrenched ever since.

Michael wasn't ready for another dog, still grieving over the loss of both Friday and Blackjack, but I wore him down and so we made the trek with Shadow down to Richmond, VA to meet Goliath. We were warned by several people that Shadow wouldn't take too well to a new adult, but we knew our Shadow better than anyone and had faith it would work. And work it did. It took them only a few minutes of introductory sniffing and they both bounded upstairs into bed.

It took Goliath no time at all to claim us as his own and he was a delight from the first minute we brought him home. We watched him blossom here and saw puppy-like behavior at the age of eight. It was so heartwarming to see. He was with us only six months, but as I have said many, many times, we received a lifetime of love and happiness from him. His ashes sit here in our family room and it's hard to imagine how our whole universe could fit in such a small rosewood box.

Not a day goes by that I don't smile at some sweet memory of him. I know that Heaven is better for his presence there. We love you Goliath and we know you would be so happy to see how many people came out to celebrate your life and how many Danes you have helped.

Here is a PhotoShow I put together from his first days here.

Kim V.
Goliath's "Mom"
and Host for "Trains for Danes"

A Message from MaryFran, MAGDRL's NJ State Coordinator

What a wonderful tribute to the memory of Goliath, the Venezia's MAGDRL rescue who crossed the bridge a few short months ago.

It was a day that held something for everyone, wonderful merchandise, crafts, prizes, exhibits, fresh charcoal grilled foods, rock climbing wall, k-9 and agility demos, Nester the Jester and the train. The train, the whole day was surrounded by the whistle of the train and the steam of the steam engine as the trains chugged around the property and other ongoing events, carrying passengers large and small with big smiles and grins on their faces, having a wonderful time. It was a special day. Goliath, you were truly honored and we all enjoyed sharing celebrating your life along with Mike and Kim.

Most of the costs of holding the event were covered by the generosity of Mike and Kim.

This event was possible due the generosity and hard work of so many others as well. So many MAGDRL members and volunteers generously donated beautiful baskets and prizes and I thank them all for that. The event was coordinated with our hosts by Rebecca Watson who did an outstanding job publicizing the event and getting the word out far and wide, Rebecca was there for two days helping us with set up and take down and really took charge to make sure we got everything right. Rebecca also printed the prize program for the raffle.

I want to thank the Team Leads who took responsibility for different aspects of the event:

• Sarah and Linda Hazel: she was responsible for the craft vendors, we ended up with a total of 16 vendors.
• Jeanette Hanson: our info and merchandise tables looked beautiful as you will all see when all the pictures are posted, also thank you to Sheila Marshall who made it possible for us to have a show merchandise kit for the event and to Sarah for getting it there for us
• Jennifer Hughes: Jennifer made sure we had lanyards and name tags for all our volunteers and worked along with her sons Christopher and Stephen at the grill for most of the day
• Edmund Cini: my husband who I can always count on to support our MAGDRL events and who took personal charge of the grill area and food purchases. He did an outstanding job at the grill all day and he also worked with us all day on Friday getting tents and tables up and preparing the grounds for the event as well as take down at the end of the event.
• Peter Quinto: another hard worker for this event, Peter was there for two days helping with tent set up and take down, our "maintenance engineer" and security patrol. Peter also donated all of the cans for the tickets for each prize and decorated each one with the 3 head logo.
• Roxann Dolce and her husband Dennis: Dennis was invaluable to Mike prior to the event helping Mike get the tracks set right and with engine work. He spent many hours helping Mike have the trains running smoothly and "on time". Roxann was at the event with Huey, our main Dane Ambassador who did a wonderful job with the crowds, allowing everyone to pet and grope him with tail wags and good humor.
• Sue Broderick: Sue did a terrific job with Trains for Danes Publicity on the website. Sue spent endless hours getting each and every prize listed on the website, preparing the prize program and setting up on line ticket sales. She also spent the entire day yesterday at the raffle selling tickets and keeping records for us. Sue will have pictures from the event on the website soon for all to enjoy.
• Michelle Carney: our volunteer coordinator who spent hours on the phone and emailing volunteers trying to make a complete volunteer schedule to cover all the areas of the event. Tom Carney also made it possible for us to have necessary items for traffic control.
• Michelle Lovatt: our T-shirt coordinator and "banker", Michelle took care of ordering and distributing the tee shirts for the day. Michelle also kept track of funds at each ticket selling area and counted all the monies for the day.
• Karen and Bob Sasway: Karen helped with event planning and took responsibility for getting soda and doing some transport of various items for the day, Also, she and her entire family came and worked the entire day at the event.
• Eleasha Gall and Joyce, Kim and Mike's neighbor and their agility demos. They provided entertainment throughout the day and gave something for the train riders to see while riding by that part of the property.
• Shawn Emmons: Shawn brought his police dog and did K-9 demonstrations for us.
• Other volunteers who came out on Saturday to help:
• Laurie Zoock who worked the merchandise table all day and helped with take down at the end
• Bruce and Susan Meigs
• Cindy Corcoran
• Kristen Thompson who drove up from VA! for the event, thanks KT for all your help
• Beth and Doug Hillebrecht
• Sam McAdams
• Fran Drake
• Kathleen Leary
• Donna Fierce
• Jennifer Chaput
• Nikki Tong
• Sue Bavineau
• Lisette (Michelle Lovatt's granddaughter)
• Shawn Wilson and Mike Bubba with Bailey: another of our Dane Ambassadors who came to allow the public to see and pet a real live Great Dane. Bailey was a perfect sweetheart with everyone she met.
• Amy DeAngelus - who couldn't attend the event
• Joanne George - who also couldn't attend the event

I hope I am not leaving anyone out, if I am, please speak up and correct me. This was truly a team effort and it took alot of work on the part of many people to make it a success. I thank you all for your help and for sharing our love of the danes.

I came home last night to my dog's tail wags and was grateful to MAGDRL for my Remington. This is why we do what we do. Kim and Mike, God Bless you for all you do for the danes and for making June 5th a special day for all of us. Here's to Goliath and all the other Goliath's we have known and loved.

MaryFran Cini
NJ MAGDRL
State Coordinator