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Vice President Grace Joffe, FL
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Grace Joffe’s mother was an animal lover and never missed an
opportunity to shower a stuffed animal on Grace when they were unable
to get her the real thing. Thus her home is filled with elephants,
chimps, bears, etc. She was, however, eventually owned by Minnie, a
beautiful Pekinese; Pam a mixed breed; Tiger ( what else could she be)
a cat; and Mikey, a hamster. In college, Grace was president of a national sorority. When she left her initial teaching position in Physical Education to move to Florida, her students gave her a good bye gift, Mohammed, a beautiful black cat, who grew to be 18 pounds. Teaching was her profession and animals, her avocation. Language Arts was the subject of her Masters Degree which led her to be a Department Chair. She wed Jeff Joffe and they have been married for 42 years. Each dog she owned with Jeff had an obedience title and/or a championship title. She never completed her Doctorate because DOBERMANS became her passion. They were trained in tracking and some in Schutzhund. The most famous of her dogs was BIS winner AM/CAN/DOM/MEX/ INT.(FCI) CH. Liquorish the Ron Rico AM/CAN/MEX. CD, ROM, whose trophies have brought much money on E-Bay for SND dogs. Grace has served as President of the Miami Obedience Club and DPCF, and won an award from the COPE committee in 1976. Retirement came after 35 years of teaching and law school was waiting in the wings, but a triple by-pass messed up those plans. Breeding one more litter was put on hold, never to happen. Her current dogs are Woody and Willow. Both have their CGC and TDI. Woody is now Grace’s service dog. The Joffes felt that they were so blessed with the dogs they bred and owned, that it was pay back time. They adopted a rescue girl with great medical problems. Tia was the inspiration for the beginning of SND. Talk about running the gamut of various phases of dogdom! |
 Grace with Tia and Willow |
| Mariah O'Donnell, Anaheim, CA |
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Mariah is a Forensic Specialist working in Anaheim,
California. As a child she was scared to death of dogs
because of a bite at age 10. After Mariah reached
adulthood, things changes after she learned that 3 of her
friends have Dobes, and she got to know them. She says,
"They broke my fear. Plus, I am not allergic to them."
After adopting 9 + year old Cinderellie, she says that she
will continue adopting older Dobes, "I love my 4 year old
Gus-Gus, but he is SO hyper! Cinderellie has plenty of
energy and stamina. I just don’t have to worry about an
arthritic dog jumping a fence. Pulling me down the street,
yes. I am getting to be a pro at old dog ailments.
Cinderellie has them all. Hope she sticks around for a
while." Mariah plans to get a travel trailer so that
she, Gus-Gus, and Cinderellie can go on family vacations
together. She had 2 sunroofs put in her Jeep Cherokee.
Mariah said, "The guys at the body shop said ‘why 2 ?’,
and of course she replied, "for the fur kids!!!!
Ventilation. 2 door SUV - Can’t very well leave the
driver’s window open." Mariah takes them everywhere.
She rigged up a 2 crate deal in the back of the truck.
They get along normally, but in a confined space, Gus
sits on Ellie’s head & then they fight. Both Dobes have
wardrobes, and sofa beds next to hers. She says they
are not spoiled, just very happy & warm. Nothing like
seeing someone’s cast off dog blossom into your most
faithful pals. Mariah now wonders how she survived 29
years without dogs. Her career is very stressful, and
she very much enjoys coming home to her love muffins.
Mariah also does volunteer transports and fostering for
Doberman Rescue in Fillmore, CA.
Jean Stewart, Scotland |
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Originally hailing from the Yorkshire Dales, Jean has had
a lifelong association with dogs, as her family bred
Boxers. The first ten years of working life centred on
nursing of the human variety and with voluntary work also
being undertaken for RSPCA (Royal Society for The
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals). The lure of the
commercial world led to relocating to Scotland and a
career change into Medical specialities visiting hospitals
and general practitioners in Glasgow and Western Scotland.
A concern for animal welfare was always a priority and
after visiting a drug testing laboratory this concern
became a mini crusade on behalf of our four legged friends.
She joined the Political Animal Lobby as an advocate for
animals at a time when public education and awareness of
animal cruelty was to the forefront. During this time
she met and married Andrew and was fortunate to move from
the city into the countryside. It goes without saying that
Andrew was also an animal lover and whose childhood
canine friends were all Pyrenean Mountain dogs. The
first rescue (continued next column) |
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came along in 1976, Zarak, a cream Alsatian
who had been beaten and shot. Once rehabilitated he was
found a new home with a family of his own. Until 1987 a
steady procession of cats and kittens came and went until
the day finally arrived when permanent pets were possible.
Dobermanns had long been the breed of choice and so along
came Juno, as wild as heather and full of fun. Max
arrived 4 months later and together they bounced through
ten wonderful years. Presently the household consists of two aging cats and 'Kilo' a handsome five year old Dobie boy - grandson of the Int Ch Alpha Adelente del Citone and son of Belgian Ch Victor van Roveline. Activities currently centre on SPCA, Dobermann Rescue UK and SND, a very special organization for very special Dobermanns. |
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