The Senior Doberman Project(or SDP, as it is becoming known) is a joint effort of Special Needs Dobermans, the Doberman Pinscher Club of America’s COPE rescue committee, and The Doberman Digest – a bi-monthly magazine for Doberman enthusiasts. Armstrong continued, “The Doberman community is truly coming together to address the plight of seniors. There are far too many seniors who need loving homes. We all want to help seniors like Toby and all the others who were abandoned, neglected, or abused and found themselves in rescue.”
The SDP lists purebred Dobes ages 7 and older, and adheres to DPCA/COPE’s Code of Ethics. It acts only as a facilitator to promote the availability of senior Dobes and to help put potential adopters in contact with the appropriate rescue personnel. Interested parties contact the senior’s sponsoring rescue group(s) directly, and requirements of the rescue group(s) must be met. The Doberman Digest donates space in their magazine to feature senior Dobes listed with the Project, thereby giving these seniors national and international exposure. “Our focus is to help the Doberman rescue community by providing greater exposure for their seniors. Rescue volunteers work so hard and give all they have to save Dobermans; we are working to help them as much as possible,” Armstrong said.
The Senior Doberman Project averages four new listings per week, with three to four adoptions occurring per month. These Dobes find themselves in rescue for reasons ranging from owners getting divorced and neither party wants to keep the poor Dobe, to truly sad situations when the owner passes away. Still more are found as strays or worse: the innocent victims of neglect or abuse. Whatever the reason for coming into rescue, these seniors all deserve second chances. They are the hand-me-downs and discards from humans with busy schedules and little loyalty to the precious Dobes. They are the same Dobes who give the unconditional love that fills empty spaces in the hearts of people. Toby was living in a foster home in Vacaville, California, when a Doberman enthusiast named Valerie Crowell one night browsed the Senior Doberman Project’s website listing of Dobes needing homes. “I had tears in my eyes,” said Valerie, who also lives in California. “I was reading about the poor souls that had been discarded at a time in their lives when they should be sleeping by the fireplace, or in a sunny spot, keeping their old bones warm.” When Valerie read Toby’s story and noticed that Toby was only 20 miles from her home, she immediately contacted Jolene Ladyman of DogWorks Canine Rescue, Toby’s sponsor and caretaker. Toby’s Happy Tail had begun.
DogWorks Canine Rescue had a lump removed from Toby’s leg; then both Valerie and Jolene breathed sighs of relief that Toby did not have cancer. Valerie has two other dogs and Toby fit right in. “The little stinker had stolen my heart. All three [dogs] get along great and I’m so pleased that I saw the Senior Dobe page that led me to Toby,” said Valerie.
“We live for the day when all Dobes find their forever homes, just like Toby did,” Armstrong concluded. “Until then, we continue to dedicate our efforts of public education and publicity for Dobes needing another chance to fill human lives with the special warmth and love given by a precious senior Dobe.” If you are interested learning more about adopting a senior, the Senior Doberman Project website is located at www.doberman911.org/seniors.
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Remembering Pixie
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I’ve written this article a thousand times in my mind. Each time,
words fail to convey the beauty of Pixie, and the magic that she
brought to my life. But Pixie’s story is worth telling, her life
worth remembering, so I will attempt to introduce you to a very,
very special Doberman. One fateful day in December I read, on the Senior Doberman Project Site, about a Dobe, abandoned at a vet’s office and living on borrowed time in a Missouri shelter. I could not get her out of my mind, no matter how hard I tried to convince myself that it was impractical for me to drive from Georgia to Missouri. It was as if I could hear her calling out to me across the miles. Enroute to Missouri, I received a call on my cell phone. The animal control officer informed me that they had taken Pixie to the vet for her spay. The vet, concerned about her cough took an x-ray that revealed a mass in her right lung. The officer asked if I still wanted her. As I told her I did, I think I knew that this angel would one day break my heart. The next morning I arrived at the shelter and met Pixie. She was a lovely black and tan Dobe, with a gentle demeanor and the most beautiful brown eyes that I’d ever seen. She laid her head on my lap, and I was smitten. When we got home, I took her to the vet, searching for the cause of and hopefully a cure for her terrible cough. We were referred to a specialist, who finally diagnosed her problem as lung cancer. Surgery was scheduled, and SND was with us every step of the way. Pixie fought a valiant fight, and battled back from the invasive surgery. Eventually she lost the war with cancer, but it is the battles that we won together that I will fondly remember forever. When I first met Pixie, she was incredibly sweet, but her spirit was broken after experiencing the abandonment that she endured. She soon became my constant companion, accompanying me to every place that I could take her along. I began training her, and her confidence began to soar! She was a remarkable pupil, and within a few short weeks knew all her basic obedience commands, as well as a few tricks. She had the temperament of an angel, and I could take her anywhere with confidence that she would charm everyone she met. Pixie even helped with her own SND fundraising, greeting animals, adults, and children alike at a local pet store fundraiser! After Pixie’s surgery, her cough was eliminated and she started gaining weight and strength. She became watchful and protective of her home. She learned to play again! She danced for joy when I picked up her leash, or asked her if she wanted to go for a ride. She loved to bury her chewies in unusual places like the cat box! Pixie loved to cuddle on the couch, and we often slept there, snuggled together, along with my Pomeranian-mix, Champ, and cat, Prissy. It never seemed crowded, however, just wonderfully warm and cozy. Pixie was once again a proud Doberman! On March 7, Pixie’s breathing suddenly became labored. I took her to the vet, but there was nothing more that he could do. The cancer had suddenly spread, and I had to say goodbye to my beloved girl. I will never forget the trust that she showed to me, or her boundless and unconditional love. I learned so much from this precious Doberman. She taught me about love, about not giving up, and perhaps most importantly, that life should be measured in the quality of the journey, and not the quantity of days. I miss Pixie terribly, and long for the comfort of her company. But I know that I must honor her spirit by forging on, and not wallowing in self pity. Shortly after her passing, two special needs puppies came into my care. In seeing these youngsters, it seems the cycle of life is beginning again. I think Pixie would be pleased. |
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