RESCUE DOBES are unlike any other dogs you will ever know or be owned by. They are unique.
They come in all shapes and sizes; all ages, colors and temperaments. Some are very dominant;
some are overly submissive. Some are silly, some are sad. Some are puppies delivered to us
in the trunk of a car; some are oldsters with little time left to them. Some are healthy; some
are not. Some are abused physically. Some have been well cared for physically, but are mentally
and spiritually starved and dying. Some are the victims of death, divorce, relocation and anti-dog
legislation (yes, the "Pit Bull Ordinance" affects us, too!). They are turned over to us because
they were the right dog for the wrong person, the wrong dog for the right person or the wrong breed
for all the wrong reasons. They are the victims of a "Me" society that demands immediate gratification
without giving a thought to the concept of commitment--if it doesn't work out, or requires more effort
than expected, they get tossed out with yesterday's newspaper. They are the victims of a lack of
commitment, a lack of effort, a lack of understanding, a lack of caring. All are neglected--each in it's
own "special" way, and when they finally reach our doors, we have to care enough to give the "extra"
effort required to recognize and understand their need and then start to meet those needs.
Yet, despite being abandoned, abused or neglected, most come to us with a sense of trust that
causes us to marvel both at their resilience and their ability to trust again no matter how
severely that trust might just have been betrayed by a former owner. They allow us to treat
their wounds and injuries--even when that treatment is painful to them. They somehow seem
to understand that we are trying to help. They sense that their pain is ours also. They see our
tears and lick them away. We see their bravery. They let us poke, prod, medicate and care for
them--the whole time looking at us with those beautiful deep brown eyes overflowing with trust.
The broken bodies often mend quickly; the broken spirits take longer--and sometimes never truly
do mend.
Some come into our homes and lives and act like they've been with us forever. They never seem
to look back--only forward. Others come into our homes and deeply grieve the loss of their
former family. Some retreat deeply into themselves as a response to their emotional pain.
They only respond when we require or demand it. Their wounds are so deep, their scars so great
that they are never able to fully recover. Only slowly do they trust again, but with a
trust that is always ready to be pulled back at the slightest hint of betrayal.
When you look into the eyes of a Rescue Dobe, you see an intangible "something" that is
different--you see something "special". So often, they have seen the very worst that life has
to offer, yet they sense the love we feel for them. We watch as they face all of life's
adversities with a dignity that we can never quite manage to emulate. They help us make
lemonade from the lemons life has dealt them. While we are the ones who try to comfort them,
it is always they who seem to console us instead. They show us a joy and zest for life that
puts us to shame. We work, care for our children and spouses, go to meetings, and give them
whatever is left over. They shame us by always giving us their very best in return.
They give us other things, too. Because of their uniqueness, each Rescue Dobe has so much to
offer. It is
they who teach us.
