After Years of Neglect, These Two Great Danes Finally Know What Love Feels Like
Phoebe and Tabitha had never known kindness. For years, the two Great Danes endured life in an overcrowded, under-resourced shelter tucked away in rural Georgia. There was no proper shelter from the elements, no gentle hand to pet them, no warm bed to rest in—just a daily struggle to survive.
They had only each other. And they clung to that bond.
But things got even worse one day when the pair wandered beyond the shelter grounds, likely in search of food or comfort. A nearby farmer spotted them on his property and made a chilling threat: if they weren’t removed immediately, he would shoot them.
That was nearly the end of Phoebe and Tabitha’s story. But instead, it became the beginning of a new one.
Local animal advocates rushed to the scene as soon as they heard what was happening. Among them was a veterinary technician and an animal control officer—people who didn’t hesitate to act. When the two dogs saw them approach, they didn’t run or growl. They ran to them.
“They clung to the first human who showed them compassion after a life spent just trying to survive,” wrote Hounds in Pounds, the rescue group that stepped in to help.
That moment—when Phoebe and Tabitha leaned into human arms, their huge bodies trembling with a mixture of fear and relief—was unforgettable. It was the first time in their lives they experienced safety, touch, and love.
The dogs were transported to one of Hounds in Pounds’ veterinary partners, where they finally received the medical care they so badly needed. For the first time in a long time, someone was tending to them—not ignoring them, not shooing them away.
Though still thin and healing from their past, Phoebe and Tabitha are already showing signs of transformation. They’re walking calmly on a leash, soaking up affection, and responding with gentle nudges and grateful kisses.
“They aren’t just stunning,” the rescue shared. “They’re affectionate, gentle, and deeply grateful—full of the soul and softness Great Danes are known for.”
Now, these resilient girls are ready for the next step in their journey: a foster home where they can truly begin to decompress and learn what it means to be part of a family. They can be placed together or separately, and despite their size, they are low-key, sweet-natured companions.
“We urgently need foster homes to provide a safe and loving place where they can find peace and calm while waiting for their forever families,” the rescue said.
Thanks to the compassion of strangers and the unbreakable bond they share, Phoebe and Tabitha are no longer fighting to survive. They’re healing, they’re safe—and they’re finally getting the love they deserve.
Their past may be painful, but their future is wide open.