Red Bliss, with Hand Me Down Dobes, inc.

Red Bliss is a seven year old cropped and docked girl.

(picture from Hand me Down Dobermans)

She's got good household manners, good leash manners, and loves cuddling (I'm sure some Dobermans don't like cuddling, but they seem to be the exception, not the norm! She has good leash manners, and enjoys playing with her foster brothers.

A 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization, Hand Me Down Dobes is an Ohio based Doberman rescue which relies on a network of foster homes to care for the dogs. This keeps the dogs out of long exposure to kennel situations, which can be better for them psychologically and also makes sure the rescue has a better handle on the dog's actual behavior and personality.

If you are interested in adopting Red Bliss or any of their available Dobermans, here is the page which lays out their adoption process.If you are not in the market for a Doberman but still want to help a Doberman rescue in Ohio, they have some information here about how to support Hand Me Down Dobes, inc. and how to donate.

Dog Lover Holiday Ideas

It's Cyber Monday or as I like to call it, ALMOST CHRISTMAS SO BUY STUFF, so I might as well get on the bandwagon. I figured I'd "showcase" some items that benefit dog rescue.

First up is Christy Cole Rescue jewelry on Etsy. She donates 100% of the profits to dog rescue. She has Doberman themed stuff! Other breeds too. And the prices are reasonable, not something you see every time.

(picture from Christy Cole Rescue Etsy store)

More Doberman rescue followups: Sandy and Mordecai

In keeping with trying not to just "drive by" the adoptable dogs I've posted about, I'm going back through my older posts and seeing if they're still available for adoption, or if they've found homes. Last week, I had the great news that Jasmine had found a home.

Virginia is no longer listed at the Main Line Animal Rescue in Chester Springs, PA. I'm going to assume she's been adopted, so congratulations to Virginia! Blitz, who was with DDR, inc. is also no longer listed. Of course, they still have plenty of adoptable Dobermans. Tommy is no longer at the Lycoming County SPCA and Bankston was "transferred to a breed specific Doberman rescue", and though it doesn't list which one, that's a golden ticket!

This week, I'm sorry to say that little Mordecai is still waiting to be adopted. He's with Doberman Rescue Minnesota and is nine months old now. How quickly they grow up! He still has his adorable "zipper" nose, is crate trained, potty trained, has great manners...what's not to like? It really surprises me that this puppyboy is growing up in rescue, rather than having been adopted already.

Oh yeah, and he loves to swim!

Remember Sandy, the lovely senior girl with Illinois Doberman Rescue? She's still there, and still needs a home. You can visit her IDR page if you're interested in adopting her, or if you'd like to help out by sponsoring her in some way.

So, a lot of question marks, but I'm just going to be optimistic about those dogs. My hat is off to people who work on the front lines of dog rescue, pulling dogs from shelters, doing transport, fostering. I'm just here reporting, and it still hurts my heart sometimes.

Athena and Boss, in Southwest Ohio Doberman Rescue

Southwest Ohio Doberman Rescue has many Dobermans looking for homes. They are a 501(c)(3) non profit organization, and run on volunteers. They rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome Dobermans in need, and adopt all over the United States and Canada, if they can arrange to have a home visit done. If you adopt outside their immediate radius, you are responsible for arranging the ground transport of your new family member. They are always in need of fosters and volunteers, so if you're in southwest Ohio, and interested, they would appreciate it!

It's hard, when confronted with a list of adoptable dogs, to pick the ones to showcase. This week, though, I picked two dogs who are opposites: Athena, who is a young, all natural female Doberman and Boss, who is a mature cropped and docked male.

Athena is an exuberant little girl who needs some refreshment on her obedience training.

(picture from SWODR site)

She had a home, but she didn't get along with one of the older dogs in the household, so back she came. She needs a family that understands and can accommodate the exuberant, energetic nature that comes with young Dobermans.

(picture from SWODR site)

Exercise and patience! (an exercise in patience? Though that's all puppies!)


Boss was part of a two dog household, but when a divorce happened, only one dog could fit in the car so he was surrendered to a shelter (it's in his bio, I kid you not). They think he's around 5, and though he is cropped and docked, as you can see, his left ear is cropped and flopped. Makes him look kind of rakish!

(picture from SWODR site)

Southwest Ohio Doberman Rescue does not know whether the dog Boss lived with was male or female, but it was a lab. He's been kissyface with dogs he's met over a fence, and kind of mouthy when tested on cats. 

(picture from SWODR site)

Boss has been neutered, and they're still sussing out his personality. He looks like a happy guy in the pictures, though!

If you're interested in adopting Boss or Athena, or any of Southwest Ohio Doberman Rescue's dogs, they list their requirements on this page (including adoption fees) and their adoption application is here. They also have a very nice section with information on the Doberman breed, and an FAQ page that has both info about Doberman rescue and also ten myths about rescuing a Doberman.

Remmy in PA is still available for adoption

Remember Remmy? He's back with his foster family through Dreaming of Better Endings Rescue, inc. (DOBER, inc)

From the DOBER, Inc web site (his info says "adoption pending", but I think that's the family that brought him back)

Note from Remmy's foster:
Remmy is a super sweet boy who is so eager to please. He knows basic commands (sit, down, stay, shake) and will happily comply with anything you ask of him, though it's always accomplished with a wiggly butt. Remmy is crate trained but will need some additional help with housebreaking if being left uncrated. Remmy does have a burning desire to eat socks and blankets, so the appropriate home will be one that will make sure these things are not within his reach. He has been respectful of cushioned bedding and does not chew or destroy anything else but socks are his weakness!
Remmy is a boy who is very bonded to his people. We will consider a home with a very laid back resident dog but would prefer Remmy to go to a home where he will be an only dog. We are unsure of how he will do with cats. Remmy does seem to enjoy children but because of his size and energy level, a home with very small children may not be appropriate.

Here is the link to their Adoption Process, and one to their adoption application. If you have any questions about Remmy, or would like more information, you can email Adoptions AT doberinc DOT com

I'd love to read a happy ending for this guy!

Doberman breed infographic from Adopt-a-pet!

Looking for a Doberman Dog or Puppy? Why Not Adopt!

Dog Bloggers Unite for Rescue

Even though I got Elka from a breeder, I do what I can to support dog rescue, and Doberman rescue, as well. 

Rescue is more than just driving cute puppies around, or finding a box of them on the doorstep. Rescue is heartbreaking, intense, and grueling work. I have nothing but admiration and thanks for people who are on the front lines in the rescue of any breed, and any animal. It takes guts, and stubbornness and patience. It takes faith that there will be money, that there will be a spot, that a vet can be found and a home.

Dog rescue relies heavily upon donations, of time, money, and supplies. Dog rescue survives because of peoples' generosity, and their unwillingness to let the cruelty or inattention of others to go unanswered.

Real dog rescue, where lives are saved, struggles and triumphs every day.

Real dog rescue is what took thirteen emaciated Dobermans, now twelve, from the home of a woman in Conklin, New York. The Broome County Humane Society is to thank for that, and the concerned citizen who reported his or her suspicions. Two of those dogs have found homes, and the other ten are evidently being made available for adoption next week, so they're accepting applications.

Real rescue is Doberman Rescue Unlimited, who takes in those Dobermans whose families had another baby. The Dobermans whose people are moving, and didn't find an apartment that takes dogs, or found an apartment that bans Dobermans specifically. DRU takes those dogs that ended up with same sex aggression when they reached maturity, the Dobermans who have thyroid disorders or Dilated Cardiomyopathy. The Dobermans who were "too energetic" and strong for their owners. 

There's the Doberman Assistance Network, that pulls Dobermans out of kill shelters and gets them into foster or rescue groups all over the country. People who transport dogs for them aren't paid to do so, or at least not in money. They volunteer their time, and are paid in thanks. A pregnant Doberman, dumped into DAN's hands, just had puppies not long ago. Who abandons their pregnant dog?

There's a Doberman who came to Distinguished Doberman Rescue because she got fleas....so her family decided to keep her outside instead. Without treating her. 

Then there are smaller ways to help. Freekibble.com donates kibble daily to dogs (and cats) in animal shelters. You just need to answer a question; you don't even need to get it right.

Every purchase on HelpingUdders.com will donate a percentage to the rescue of your choice.

A lot of people don't think about rescue, or don't think that rescue has pure breeds. A lot of pure breed rescues are in fact pretty full, and a lot of those dogs are surrendered for the same reason dogs end up in shelters: they're too big, too energetic, too destructive, etc. etc. Many people who get rid of their dogs do so rather than putting the time in to make their rather normal dog a good canine companion. They don't come out of a box like that, people! 

So, for your next dog, consider adoption or rescue. Look into what organizations exist around you. Taking one of these dogs in can be more rewarding than you realize!

13 Emaciated Dobermans Removed from Home

I have "Doberman" on Google Alert, as one might expect.

Well, this afternoon, I got this article: Conklin Woman Faces 16 Cruelty Charges

To give the horrible rundown, 13 emaciated Dobermans were removed from this woman's home. All but 4 were in crates that were inches deep with excrement. There was no food or water for them. And she claimed to be a Doberman rescue.


There were more crates to be found elsewhere in the house, but those dogs weren't alive. Some of them weren't even identifiable by species.

The dogs were signed over to the Broome County Humane Society, in Binghamton, NY (which is my backyard, by the by). From the above article:

Those interested in donating items or money can stop by the Humane Society at 2 Jackson St. in Binghamton, or call 724-3709. A list of needed items are available at http://bchumanesoc.com/.

 This makes me feel literally ill. If you have the ability to help, it would definitely be appreciated. I hope that this woman may never own animals again (they removed three hamsters and a rabbit as well). I hope that all thirteen dogs pull through.

Flower Power Fundraiser update

Six days left to make a purchase for the Doberman Assistance Network Flower Power Fundraiser.

As of yesterday (April 20), the total was at $612, our of a goal of $1000. That's pretty close! April 27 is the cutoff for purchases, and really, I think that making the goal is possible!

The Doberman Assistance Network's mission statement is as follows:

The Doberman Assistance Network (DAN) mission is to help provide a second chance to Dobermans in urgent need of rescue.  DANs services include, but are not limited to, pulling, vetting, transporting, fostering and placing rescued Dobermans into an approved, reputable rescue group. 

Quoted from http://www.dobermanassistance.org/

Doberman Assistance Network Flower Power Fundraiser (2012)

It's March, and that means spring is around the corner, right? 

(Though you wouldn't know it from the snow we've gotten in the past two days!)

Springtime means flowers, and if you plant flowers, you can help Dobermans!

(not my picture. From DAN web site)

The Doberman Assistance Network is again having a Flower Power Fundraiser. Fully half the cost of each purchase goes to helping Dobermans in need, across the country. This fundraiser is until April 27, with a goal amount of $1000. A small price to pay, for all the Dobermans this organization helps!

So, why help DAN instead of a local shelter, or a specific rescue? Well, by all means, donate to your local shelters and rescues. But, from their site, this is how DAN works:

"When we find a Doberman in need, we assign a "caseworker" to gather all the information about the Doberman(s) and make arrangements to mave the dog to safety as soon as possible. Then a trusted rescue or foster for the dog is located and transportation is arranged if necessary. A team 'of "transporters" is sometimes assembled for long moves.

We work with rescues in several states to include: FL, GA, SC, NC, PA, OH, IL, MI, MO, TX, LA, CO, and CA. We are constantly in awe of the amazing work the rescues do and work closely with them to ensure that the previous Dobermans who come to our attention get the help they need."

Looking at the Doberman Assistance Network Flower Power Fundraising catalog, I also notice that you can get strawberries! Even if you don't plant flowers (I don't), you can get strawberries and even start them in the house, to be heralds of spring for you (and have tast berries. And maybe make freezer jam. Or baked goods. I know a lot of you bake!)

So, check it out. Tell your friends. Crosspost and retweet and corner your coworkers. The Dobermans thank you!

Vote for the Doberman Assistance Network!

Chase Community Giving, right now on Facebook, has voting for a charity to share in a $3 million grant. The top 100 voted for charities and causes are the ones who get money. There are only a few days left (I wish I'd known sooner)

The link to go vote is here: Chase Community Giving on Facebook

Please vote, and tell others to vote. The Doberman Assistance Network has a lot of dogs relying on it, and has frequent new cases. You can only vote for a charity once, but there are other Doberman charities on the list, if you're willing to go gung-ho!

Please post, and crosspost. I've crossposted this from Doberman Talk, onto Facebook, Twitter, and Livejournal. Want to help? Elka appreciates it.

Doberman Assistance Network

The Doberman Assistance Network http://www.dobermanassistance.org/ is an organization that works nationwide to help Dobermans in need.  There are members who keep an eye on and actively search shelters and animal control facilities for Dobermans.  If I'm correct, they don't have a central location in which they keep dogs, but rather rely upon a network of volunteers and members for fosters and transport, to get Dobermans out of "gen pop" and into Doberman specific rescues, or into breed appropriate homes.

Doberman Rescue Unlimited: a place to check out

So, say you were wooed by my post Why a Doberman?  You think that the breed sounds like a good match for you, and you're ready for the next step: actually getting a dog.  Lots of people want a puppy, and you know, that's all right.  Do your research, find a good breeder (I'll discourse on this another day, I think), meet the parents, meet the breeder, pick the puppy. Done.

Not everybody wants a puppy, though.  Not everybody wants to go through the puppy experience, which is a unique and exquisite form of torture, compounded the fact that they're so darn cute.  Puppies, like babies, survive their early stages by being cute.  It's a get out of jail free card.  But an adult dog is 1. still cute and 2. typically past all those pesky things like ear posting (if the dog was cropped) and house training.  Or, sometimes Doberman rescue is a venue to find an entirely natural dog, with ears still floppy and tail intact.

The place (or a place) to find such a Doberman in New England and Eastern New York is Doberman Rescue Unlimited.