Filo, with Doberman Rescue Unlimited

This is Filo. He was imported from Budapest, used as a stud dog, and then left at a shelter.  He's safe now, with Doberman Rescue Unlimited.

(picture from DRU web site)

Some adoptable Dobers at Doberman Rescue Unlimited! Skye and Cedar

This is Skye. She's a natural eared, docked tailed, three year old fawn and rust girl at Doberman Rescue Unlimited.  Skye's original owner seemed to want her for breeding, but surrendered her to DRU after she had a litter of puppies and developed mastitis. Sky has had a lot of confidence building at DRU, but will need a supportive home which knows how to set her up to succeed!

Cedar is a 5 year old red and rust cropped and docked boy. He has played well with some female dogs, but according to DRU, he's particular about the dogs he will accept. He had a TPLO procedure done for a torn cruciate ligament in one of his legs, and receives medication for hypothyroidism. He also has the same "head bobbing" that Elka sometimes does. He's unsure about things like fireworks and thunderstorms, but a Thundershirt helps him out. 

If you're interested in one of these Doberman Rescue Unlimited dogs, you can read about their adoption procedure here. You can also see what other Dobermans they have for adoption here.

Tuesday's Tails: Freda has found a home, others still looking!

Good news!  Freda, who I posted about back in September, and mentioned again in November? Well, Freda has gone home for the holidays! A member on Doberman Talk posted in the rescue section that they brought home two (!) seniors from Doberman Rescue Unlimited, and Freda was one of the names mentioned. I thought "Hmmm, that sounds familiar" and "Hmm, she looks familiar" and I was right! Congratulations to Freda and her new family!

Some Tuesday Tails Doberman rescue followups

Remember Jasmine? Well, after the bad news with Remmy and Sweetheart, I thought I'd go back through my Tuesday Tails posts and see what the news was on everybody. Jasmine is listed as Adopted on the Illinois Doberman Rescue site now! Congrats to Jasmine! I hope she and her new family spend many happy years together.

Available Dobermans at Doberman Rescue Unlimited

This is Cooper:

(picture from DRU.org available dogs site)

He's a red and rust boy with natural ears AND tail! He's two years old, very food motivated, and has been good with cats and dogs when he met them at Doberman Rescue Unlimited. He likes car rides, and chewing on his bed (so he's got a Kuranda).

Isn't he handsome? He looks kind of like a joker, I think.

Here's a link to the DRU adoption procedure. You can find the application there as well (they want you to print it out and mail it), in addition to some information about the Doberman breed to make sure you've got a little introduction and know what you're getting into!

This lovely matriarch is Freda

She is 7 years old, black and rust, with cropped ears and tail. Freda lived with three other dogs for many years, though I guess she didn't get along with one of the females, so that's something to consider if you have a multi dog household. She loves stuffed toys, and will carry them like a baby and gather them up to nest with (which sounds like a nice change from a certain somebody I know.) Freda finds herself at DRU because her owner had a terminal illness, and I do hope this senior lady goes home with somebody soon.

Ways to Have a Heart!

One of my goals when I took the Pet Blogger Challenge was to talk more about rescue and dogs in need; I think so far I've been doing pretty well with that!

Valentine's Day is kind of one of "those" holidays. If people are single, they may or may not feel rotten about it. If people aren't single, they might feel that they don't need Hallmark to tell them when to express their love. The commercialization of every last Day that we capitalize the D on is getting a little out of hand, and other than a certain nostalgia for conversation hearts, I can't really claim to love any one specific thing about Valentine's Day. (Now Easter...I freaking love Cadbury eggs...)

So, on Valentine's Day, why not love dogs? Maybe especially dogs who are currently "single".

(Blaise, formerly known as Manny, from the DAN Facebook group page)

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!