Someone 2 Know: Saints of the West

We all remember the movie Beethoven about a big, lovable - albeit slobbery – dog who bettered the lives of everyone he met. And now hearts are also being captured about 25-miles north of Reno - but not with just one Saint Bernard... instead, try more than a dozen!

The gentle giants may be loud and sure, they drool a lot...

"...Yes, she's a good girl! Yes she is..."

But Lori Juenke has a long list of things she loves about Saint Bernards.

"The temperament. The loving nature. Their willingness to please."

Lori's spent 30 years with the ponderous pooches breeding, training even showing the breed.

But then realized how many Saints needed rescuing.

In 1997, she and her husband opened Saints of the West Rescue - on a 40-acre site - a half-hour north of Reno, where the dogs are rehabilitated and vaccinated before being adopted out.

Lori typically cares for between 20 and 30 dogs at a time. But the greatest influx came after a popular movie in the 90's.     

Remember Beethoven? The adorable puppy made famous the breed. But as soon as these dogs grew to full size - say 150 pounds - many couldn't handle them.

"They don't realize how much of a handful they are."

Thanks to Lori, many Saints - like Kiwi - got a second change. Kiwi was a non-stop barker. But Lori knew she just needed attention, so she paired her with Paige Wickum - who works from home.  

"She's not barking at all! She was just happy to have a family and be in the house."

The professional photographer loves this breed so much, too, she volunteers her time snapping pictures for their website.

And one of these camera-friendly dogs even earned a starring role as a result.     

Marley once lived here too and will be in "Beethoven's Treasure Tail" on DVD released later this month.

Yet another success story coming straight from this rescue all because of one woman's passion for these pups.

You will need to fill out an application and Lori says she will interview you - not because she's nosy, but because the matchmaker strives to find the perfect Saint for your family.