Holy cow, I love this dog...
Ever since I was a little boy, I have always loved Great Danes. I always wanted one of my own and in 2016, we got Winston. He is, by far, the kindest and most gentle soul ever placed on this earth.
He snores like a freight train, he sneaks in to bed with me the second I fall asleep, and he's always there to give or receive love.
Oh, and he nearly always smells like pee because be pees on his own feet all the time.
But at the end of the day, to me he's the greatest dog alive and I wouldn't trade him for the world.
Your story and photos remind me of my childhood love - my Great Dane, Shawn. My dog was fawn colored, and his brother (who my mom's twin sister adopted) was salt-and-pepper colored like yours. Great Danes make amazing family members!