Tails of the City: A Title of “Titan”-ic Proportions
por Peggy Scott
Standing 42.25 inches at the the shoulder and tipping — perhaps toppling — the scale at 190 pounds of pooch, Titan the Great Dane is quite possibly the world’s tallest living dog. His “mom,” Diana Taylor of North Park, should hear from the Guinness Book of Records in the next couple of weeks whether or not Titan is, literally, “top dog.” But the gentle giant is already a massive inspiration.

“People are surprised to learn that Titan is both deaf and blind,” said Taylor, who adopted 4 1/2-year-old Titan from a rescue organization when he was three months old and a mere 55 pounds. “Before he lost his sight he knew sign language.”

These days, Titan relies on other senses to communicate with Taylor. Stretched out at her feet, he turns his head to question any shift in her posture. And the link works both ways: Taylor can tell when he needs a potty break, a drink of water or just a reassuring pat — just by the way he holds his head or positions his paws. The fact that Titan is among the calmest and most charming of canines, despite his challenges, can be attributed to Taylor’s keen eye.

“You have to stay a step ahead of possible issues,” Taylor explained. “People, kids surprising him. Other dogs running up to him. You can’t just go to Dog Beach, stand there with your Starbucks, chatting, not paying attention to what’s happening. His comfort and safety are my main concerns.”

Taylor has her work cut out for her, because Titan is also the biggest social butterfly most people will ever come across. He enjoys meeting new people and will patiently stand as adults and children alike stop to pet him and ask questions, Taylor noted.

“I’ve heard them all,” Taylor admitted with a laugh. “Yes, he’s huge — almost four feet tall. No, he doesn’t have a saddle. No, he doesn’t eat tons of food. He weighs 190 pounds. Yes, that’s bigger than you.”

Familiar jokes aside, Taylor enjoys the public interaction with Titan’s fans, recognizing the benefits to be gained at both ends.

“Titan loves people. And when people see Titan out and living his life, it helps show people the joys of sharing one’s life with a special-needs dog,” she explained, adding that a person really hasn’t lived until they’ve experienced one of of Titan’s famous “lap dances,” which he will give to anyone who sits still long enough. “He’s a lap dog,” she said with a grin.

And Taylor is the first to admit that this is a lifestyle. It’s particularly true in her case, as she also shares her life and home with Ari, a 5-year-old female Great Dane who is also deaf, and Diego, a “regular” German Shepherd.

“You have to be willing to make adjustments,” Taylor said of life with special-needs pets. “Titan can’t do stairs, and because of neck issues, he gets acupuncture treatments and chiropractic adjustments from Dr. McAndrew.” (Dr. Jacque McAndrew, of South San Diego Veterinary Clinic, also performed the strictly regulated Guinness Book measurements for Titan.)
Though she wouldn’t trade her life with her dogs for anything, Taylor noted that those allowances can be farther-ranging that one might think. Especially at bedtime.

“They sleep in the bed with me,” Taylor admitted with a big smile. “That’s why I’m single.”

But hardly alone.

Peggy Scott is a freelance pet writer. She can be contacted at [email protected]