“Don’t you think she’s had enough trauma in her life?” My mom isn’t talking about the latest Dobe I was planning to take on; she is talking about my daughter Madison, who had managed to remain fairly sane through the divorce, the move, the start of kindergarten and all the craziness that went with all of it. A good mom never misses with her guilt tipped arrows, and this hit is as direct as any. In many moments of doubt I have asked myself the same thing.

A master of timing, Madison waltzes in chattering. “When are we going to get Lilly, mom?” And, “Hey, Grandma, guess what? Mom and I are getting another Doberman and she has cancer and she might go to heaven right away or she may live for years and we get to keep her until God is sure He’s ready for her.” I make a wry face at Mom. “We talked about it. I think she’ll be okay.” I hope I am right.

“Why do it? Why get attached when you know she might not live?” Mom and I are still talking about my adding yet another Doberman to the pair I already keep at the house I rent from her. The carpet, luckily, is not something she was planning to keep.

Flashback to a sickly-looking, skinny Dobe girl that was supposed to go to Arda’s , who looked at me with sad, hopeless eyes and then backed up to sit in my lap. She never made it past my place, and Madison named her Strawberry. Flashback to Brownie, a happy red Dobe some shortsighted fool dropped of at the Genesee Animal Control, licking tears off Madison’s cheeks one night when she missed her dad. Flashback to a night on the couch and two large dogs crashing through the house, making me laugh out loud, my heart so full of their joy that there is no room for my pain. Flashback to a pair of beautiful Dobes, alive and healthy, running full tilt through a red and gold fall afternoon, while a laughing Madison chases after them.

“I don’t know Mom. I guess because they give me so much more than they ever take. They’re just worth it.”

Fast-forward to Lilly, asleep on the floor her as I type. It is her second night here, this beautiful girl with the sharp good looks of the Dobe I always imagined I’d have, when a Dobe of my own was just a daydream. Happily snoozing, her head resting on “her” piece of rope, maybe she dreams. Then when my chair creaks, she and her new friends will jump up, ready for anything I want to do, and more than willing to join in. But is it late, and the day has beaten me down to exhaustion. While my dogs would be willing to go for a late night run or a midnight snack (or to just stay up and let me pet them all night) I am spent. Although it won’t ever show, I think sometimes I am a great disappointment to them. Nevertheless, they will do what I want: Brownie will go to his spot on the couch (he doesn’t do stairs) Lilly to her crate (she heads there as soon as I start turning off lights) and Berry and I will go up to check on Madison. Then we will all go to bed, to sleep and get ready for another day. A day that, as Brownie, Lilly and Strawberry help to remind me, is a very precious gift indeed.

OMG, this is beautiful!! **sniff, sniff** The gifts our Dobes bring certainly are irreplaceable indeed.... Dr. Karen sent me a sentiment that I think would suit this thread well, but I need to get it from home and will post it later.

perfect! exactly!
They are so worth it~
Those amazing creatures aren't your whole life, but they help make your life whole!

How true you are in saying: They give so much more than they ever take!

What about when:

You are having a bad day and they just know. " I have to do something, anything to make mom/dad get out of this mood? "

You are sitting at your computer, crying for yet another animal that could not be saved........ Your dobe knows and comes to try to stop the tears.

You are having a good day and they just relish in the fact that you are happy!

That is right, From their point of view: It is all about you.

These great canines will give you their all and expect nothing in return except your love.

If we, as humans, know how to respect that and not abuse it. It is one of the greatest gifts in life.

Cathy

I don't think you could of said it any better. I don't know how many times I came home from a hard day of class and tests and Scrappy knew just what I needed whether it be a big kiss, a laugh or a good cuddle. Now when I come home from a long day of seeing patients and have studying to look forward to...I have the best distraction of all. Two smiling faces looking up at me and it is more than I could ever ask for. I wouldn't be the same person without my best friends, my dogs, Scrappy and Harley.

Isn't something that we all say the same thing about our dogs. I was introduced to the breed through my Aunt. She's more of a second mom than an Aunt. She gifted me with my first dobe girl Vikki. Vikki and I were inseperable, I had her before dating my husband belive me he would have been history if they didn't get along. He enlisted in to the Air Force and after all his training was sent to Germany. For two years Vikki was there for me when I was down, depressed or happy. After we got married and he was sent on a training she was there to protect me from an intruder. She gave me so much love, joy, companionship and only wanting the same in return.If only we could have more.

Dr. Karen sent me this and I think it's very fitting...I don't know who wrote it, but it definitely made me cry!

The Creation of "Man's Best Friend"

God summoned a beast from the field,
and He said,

"Behold man is created in My image.
Therefore adore him. You shall
protect him in the wilderness,
shepherd his flocks, watch over his
children, accompany him wherever
he may go — even into civilization.
You shall be his companion, his ally
and his slave."

"To do these things," God said, "I endow
you with the instincts uncommon to
other beasts: Faithfulness, Devotion
and Understanding surpassing those
of man himself. Lest it impair your
courage, you shall never foresee your
death. Lest it impair your loyalty, you
shall be blind to the faults of man."

"Lest it impair your understanding, you
are denied the power of words. Speak
to your master only with your mind
and through your honest eyes."

"Walk by his side; sleep in his doorway,
forage for him; ward off his
enemies; carry his burden; share his
afflictions; love and comfort him. And
in return for this, man will fulfill your
needs and wants—which shall be
only food, shelter and affection."

"So be silent and be a friend of man.
Guide him through the perils along
the way to this land I have promised
him. This shall be your destiny and
your immortality."

The dog heard and was content.

That question I've heard so often,"Why adopt a doberman?"
Our first dobe Ivy we adopted with wobblers disease,she lived for two years and people would say "why did you set yourself up for that?" Why?, because she needed someone and I knew I could give her the best two years of her life! I also learned so much from her, she had such determination for life.
I can go on about Dukes deformaties; Shiloh the poor soul who was full of colon cancer; and when we rescued Harley all of his litter mates had already died of cancer. ( Harley lived to be thirteen!)
People say to me so many times,"You never know what your going to get when you adopt." And you know what,they are right, you do never know what your going to get. But the one thing I know I can tell them all are the things I have gotten: love;devotion;respect, companion;defender;friend;wonderful memories! Oh the wonderful memories I could tell about all of them!! I would not miss out on the wonderful opportunity of adopting a doberman for anything!!
After we adopted this past Jan. a family member asked me,"so whats wrong with this one?" My response as always was "nothing he's perfect." Their response back to me was, "well maybe in your eyes" And you know what, they were right because they are all perfect in my eyes!!!
Just thought I would share,
Laurie

Oh what a coincidental morning to read these tear wrenching stories. Was walking Gracie early in the dark and fog this a.m. I let her walk on a 30 ft. lead so she can run around and get rid of some energy. Well this morning I tripped and fell flat on my face and hard; momentarily knocked the wind out of me. She was 30ft in front of me turned around and darn near sat on me; it was hard to get up and I was crying; she's licking my tears and stood completely still so I could lean on her and get up. Let me lean on her while I limped home. Gracie was like velcro. As I was accessing the injuries she's trying to lick my skinned knees and was just so worried. She never ceases to amaze me.