DDD Workshop Series
Events are open to the general public. No need to be a DDD client. We have limited spots available so sign up soon! To register for an event, please click the link below. Events are for humans only.
Bringing Meridian Home is a fundraiser to help cover a year’s worth of medical and food expenses for Meridian—a resilient Great Dane who deserves a forever home filled with stability, love, and care. That home is with me (Samantha), Monkey, and Rudy (UMGDR alum).
As many of you know, I’ve been fostering with the Upper Midwest Great Dane Rescue for over two years. Meridian is my sixth foster, and from the beginning, she was different. I originally reached out to the rescue about fostering a different Dane, but that dog had just been placed elsewhere. Instead, they asked if I would consider taking in a sweet girl with epilepsy who had been waiting several months for the right foster home. I’d already helped nurse critically ill Danes back to health, so I said yes to this new medical challenge.
Meridian came to me in October 2024 and has remained in rescue ever since.. During her time with me, she’s been brought up to date on vaccines, spayed, and worked hard on behavioral training. She’s now great with other dogs and there has been significant progress managing her seizures.
Several months ago, while I was dealing with my own mental health challenges, a kind and generous foster in Minnesota stepped up to care for Meridian temporarily. But now they’re preparing to move by the end of the year, and with zero interest from adopters or new foster homes, I simply cannot let her fall through the cracks or be passed around anymore.
Meridian is one of the gentlest souls I’ve ever met even though her brain wants to destroy her. She adores Monkey, enjoys her daily daycare routine, and thrives in the stable, loving environment we’ve built. She’s not just a foster anymore—she’s family. She’s also been my teacher; helping me grow and better understand some things about myself.
Do I need a third Dane? Of course…..ok, probably not. But sometimes we don’t choose the dog—the dog chooses us. And sometimes the right thing isn’t the easiest thing. And as the UMGDR rescue's motto goes, “Nothing great gets done alone.” That’s why I’m asking for your help.
The Bringing Meridian Home campaign is a jumpstart to get her immediate future secured before OCTOBER (1 year mark of being in rescue) to cover the costs necessary to give her the quality of life she deserves. Here’s a breakdown of her yearly expenses:
Adoption Fee $270
Food (Kirkland chicken & vegetable): $45/month
Treats: $0 (She can’t have any due to strict seizure diet sensitivity)
Vet Care
Exam visit, vaccines, fecal test, heartworm test: $470/year
Seizure Medications:
KBr Liquid: $80/month
Phenobarbital: $15/month
Blood tests (1x/year):
Bromine level: $235
Phenobarbital level: $190
Heartworm prevention (12 chews): $262/year
Flea/tick collar: $60
Grooming, daycare, kennel, bowls, collar/leash: $0(Covered by me)
ANNUAL GRAND TOTAL (GOAL BY OCTOBER): $3,167
To donate, go to GoFundMe link: https://gofund.me/f604d8cf
To see Meridian’s UMGDR profile, click here: https://www.wagtopia.com/search/pet?id=2213882&name=Meridian+
To see other adoptable Great Danes or learn more about UMGDR or become a foster, click here: https://www.thegreatdanerescue.com/available-great-danes
Past events
“Dog Body Language”: May 13, 2-4 pm (completed)
Learn what your dog is communicating to you through their facial expressions, body parts & postures. Dogs are very complex animals with many different cues that mean different things. Once you’ve gained this knowledge, you can use what you’ve learned to keep your dog happy & safe in all environments and be able to understand what other dogs are communicating.
Do you go to a dog park or does your dog go to daycare? Do you want to foster a new dog or adopt? Does your dog play with your friends or family’s dogs? Do you go to public events with dogs? Do you want to work in the dog industry? These are all environments where dogs are constantly sending us cues & signals about how they are feeling or what is about to happen.
During the workshop, you will learn the following:
-how dogs communicate with their bodies
-3 categories of behaviors
-warning signals leading to a bite
-proper dog-to-dog greetings & human to dog greetings
-what influences your dog’s temperament
-appropriate vs. inappropriate play behaviors
-prevention of incidents
-what to do if an unfriendly dog approaches you on a walk or at the dog park.Instructor: Samantha Fiscus is the owner of Duncan’s Dog Daycare which is a structured dog daycare with a holistic approach. She has years of experience in assessing dog body language through her education within numerous dog industry learning programs and years of hands-on experience & application in daycare and training experiences. Her passion for caring for dogs extends into the education field by hosting workshops like this so that we can all become the best pet parents possible.
Cost: $35 (non refundable) Contact duncansdogdaycare@gmail.com to sign up.
“Happy Holistic Hound”: Oct 9, 1-4 pm (completed)
Join Duncan's Dog Daycare owner, Samantha, at the beautiful Flavor's Wine Bar in the historic City Hall building of downtown Sun Prairie for a fun afternoon of holistic tastes and scents for your dog. You will be preparing take n bake dog treats made from healthy/holistic ingredients* and will get to keep two of the bone-shaped cookie cutters too! You'll also learn about other holistic dog treat ideas and recipes.
Then you'll get to smell a wide variety of different therapeutic grade essential oil scents and learn about their various benefits so you can create your own custom blend of aromatherapy to take home to your dog or use on yourself!
This event is $28/person and there is a 2 drink minimum purchase. There will be FREE raffles!Registration LINK: https://www.flavorswinebar.com/book-online
*allergen alert: ingredients contain peanut butter
Pet Communication (humans only): April 9, 2-6 pm (completed)
Group Session, 2-4 pm $55
Private Sessions, 4-6 pm $20 for 10 mins
Andrea is a psychic medium and has the ability to connect spiritually with your pets that are living by providing insight into their thoughts, behaviors, or health. She can also give healing messages from your pets that have passed on. Samantha and Andrea will start off the event with a short informational session about the energetic connection we share with our pets and then Andrea will give a group reading. Everyone in the group will receive a reading but will also benefit from hearing the readings of others. Still craving more? Andrea will be providing private sessions from 4-6 pm in 10 minute increments for $20.
Enrichment Activities (humans only): March 19, 1:30-4 pm (completed)
For only $55, you will get to learn about over 25 different toys/activities that will keep your dog's mind active yet relaxed, connect with other dog owners, enjoy some refreshments & snacks and you get to make your very own SNUFFLE MAT for your dog!
Pet CPR/first aid: TBD
Ask the Trainer Seminar: TBD
