Dean

aka Nova/Dino/Dinosaur

The Gentle Giant of Besida

Our boy, Dean.

At 10 years old, Dean, our resident German Shepherd, is the definition of a "gentle soul." While he carries the regal look of his breed, there isn’t a mean bone in this goofy old fellow’s body.

Dean lives alongside a rotating cast of SABA foster Bassets of all ages, and he displays the patience of a true saint. Whether it’s a rowdy puppy or a grumpy senior Basset, Dean handles the chaos with textbook tolerance. He has even picked up a few habits from his shorter roommates—he can now "baroo" and howl with the best of them!

Eager to please and an absolute loyal companion, Dean’s biggest weakness is his "luuuurrrve" for food. We have to keep a strict eye on his waistline to manage his hip dysplasia, but he never says no to a good "scratchie" or a long cuddle instead of a snack.

While he is a protector at heart who looks out for his humans, Dean has a vulnerable side, too. When the famous South African summer storms roll in, this brave protector turns into a big baby, happily curling up in his mom’s arms until the thunder and lightning pass.

We love you, our big, beautiful boy!