Spring 2016

What began as a heartbreaking story has now turned into a lucky new beginning for Addi! We were able to quickly get her into our rescue
and place her in a quiet foster home to begin her recovery and rehabilitation. This is going to be a long and difficult journey for this sweet,
affectionate girl as she learns to trust and adjust to life as a companion and member of the family. Her foster mom reports that she is very
frightened inside the house, and wants to hide in the back bedroom. When in the backyard, Addi
wants to stay there, and the foster mom has to work hard to bring her back in if the weather
turns or when evening temps begin to fall. Even on warm, sunny days, instead of stretching out
to enjoy “sunbathing” like most of our Dobes, she curls up in a tight ball to sleep out in the
middle of the yard. It is obvious Addi has never been cuddled, loved, or given a gentle touch,
but simply used as a breeding machine.
Addi, now safe but watchful and afraid
HMDD could not rescue dogs like Addi without ongoing financial support from people
like you. Your belief in our mission to save these dogs enables us to provide lengthy
rehabilitation and care in a safe and loving foster home. Addi deserves so much more
in life and with your help we can accomplish this goal for her and so many more. We
are grateful for your support. Thank you!
Honor, Sponsor & Memorial Gifts
HMDD has been rescuing sick, injured, abused, and neglected Dobes from local communities in Ohio since
1994. These dogs need veterinary treatment, medication, high quality food, and time to physically and emotionally
heal in a safe, caring foster home. Dobes like Addi deserve a second chance to love and be loved but this
would not be possible without the efforts of our volunteers and generosity of our donors. To all we would like
to express our deepest gratitude.
Honor Gifts
Shirley Franks - in honor of Darius’s 12th Birthday
Jim & Barbara Harris - in honor of Candy’s adoption
Flo Haas - in honor of Luke’s 7th Birthday
Sylvia Bergstedt - in honor of Pirate
John & Lauren Mastracco - in honor of Sophia Louise
Jim & Mary Jane Reed - in honor of Gavin’s adoption
Mark Matavich - in honor of Ben
Scott & Ali Hountz - in honor of Maximus
Richard & Ann Smits - in honor of Fiona
Patrick & Carter Foy - in honor of Athena’s adoption
Christina Cameron - in honor of Nelly & Schotzie
Jeff & Sue Hill - in honor of our many Dobe friends
Ruth Jones - in honor of Mira’s adoption
Chris Sunderland - in honor of Mira’s adoption
Anne Riley - in honor of Jeremy Brofford’s Birthday
MGM Consultants - in honor of Bambi
Dawna Lee - in honor of all HMDD volunteers
Shannon Shumaker - in honor of Sarge & Slider
John & Barb Prater - in honor of Harley, Tracie & Maggie
Sponsor Gifts
Derrek Lyons - helping Scarlett
Sharon Aronson - helping Star
Amy Caslow - helping Star
Bob Maynard - helping Star
In Loving Memory
Charles & Briget Wolf - in memory of Susan Hamo
Janet Moore - in memory of Molly & Angel
Michael Jenkins - in memory of Roxy
Shirley Franks - in memory of Tyson
Chad & Tracy Gabriel - in memory of Abbie
Diana Snyder - in memory of Brak
Jack & Joan Edwards - in memory of Garland
John & Mary Ann Carleton- in memory of Caesar, Max, Baron & Abi
Mary Jo Breiner - in memory Noelle
Chris Theodore - in memory of Dixon & Deacon
John & Kathy Fantin - in memory of Emmy
Chapin McWhorter - in memory of Banks
Karen Clary - in memory of Manny & Smoke
Nancy Long & Linda Matt - in memory of Millie Faye
Drew & Sharon Lloyd - in memory of Sabaca
Pamela Harper - in memory of Sherlock
Marcus Wolfe - in memory of Brice
Glenn & Tina Richards - in memory of Eli & Lucy
June Jackson - in memory of Ilsa
Paul & Dayle Komlosi - in memory of Honey
Russell & Laura Szpot - in memory of Jake & Mick
Tom & Lynn Werden - in memory of Chelsea, Misty & Sable
John & Melissa Conrath - in memory of Dory, Buzz & Copper
Richard & Jolyn Light - in memory of Sheena
Glenn & Debra Riley - in memory of Lucy, Ruby & Queenie
Amy Gresham - in memory of Shyanne
Mary Ann Kramer & Beth Grasser - in memory of Remy
Susan Becker & Susan Ziegler - in memory of Remy
Silly? Serious? Stylish? Send us your photos for our 2017 Rescue calendar!
We are beginning to gather photos of our adopted doberkids to represent the many faces of rescue, and hope to see your cutie included.
The more photos we have, the better the calendar, so please help us make this edition the best ever! We especially need holiday and
seasonal photos, but any clear, crisp photo will be considered. It’s easy - simply submit your photo along with your name and your dog’s
name to: [email protected]. Thank you!
QUESTION: Where can your dog chase a “bunny” and be rewarded????
ANSWER: At a Coursing Ability Test (CAT for short).
by Beth Teffner
The AKC website says: The Coursing Ability Test (CAT) is an introductory event fashioned after the sport of lure coursing. It tests a dog’s basic
coursing instinct or hunting-by-sight ability. The dog chases an artificial lure, and the test is a non-competitive pass/fail event. Tp pass the test,
a dog running alone must pursue a lure, completing the corse with enthusiasm and without interruption within a given time. Most dogs will
happily go after the lure! The CAT provides a lively and healthy activity attractive to many dog owners.
If you are unfamiliar with this activity, here’s some basic information. The lure (or “bunny”) is actually three white trash bags tied to a line
which follows the course that the dog will run (they do not use a “real bunny!!”). The line runs on pulleys powered by a motor and the lure
operator adjusts the speed of the lure, based on the dog’s size, speed and enthusiasm for the chase. The course is not just running in a
straight line but has turns and changes direction---just as if the dog was chasing a real bunny. The length of the course is determined by
the breed/age of the dog. For example, our Dobes all run a 600 yard course. Small dogs run a 300 yard course as do “smoosh-faced dogs”,
such as boxers. A dog over 7 years old can run a veteran’s course which is 2/3 the length of a regular course.
There is an AKC Judge who watches each run and the test is strictly Pass/Fail--if a dog completes the course in the allotted time while following the lure in an
enthusiastic manner, the dog passes and earns a leg towards a Coursing Ability
title. Three passes and your dog has earned a CA---Coursing Ability Title. There
are more advanced titles that can be earned: Coursing Ability Advanced (CAA)
and Coursing Ability Excellent (CAX) both of which are based on the number
of successful runs the dog does.
On a personal level, we have seen over 800 dogs participate in these events both in
Ohio and Michigan---from one of the smallest breeds (mini-Dachshund) to one of the
largest breeds (Leonberger) and for the most part, they ALL loved it. Some took a bit
longer to get the idea of what they were supposed to do, but---when they did, well,
let’s just say, those dogs were having a WONDERFUL time---they were getting to do
what dogs do---chase things.
Derek
These events are open to ALL breeds (including mixed breeds). Your dog must be at
least one-year-old. If you do not have an AKC registration number, you can obtain either a PAL number (purebred alternate listing) or a CaninePartner number (mixed breeds, aka All-American dogs), by contacting AKC and applying. You do not need any special equipment or training to
participate---just a dog that likes to have fun!
You can find a list of CAT’s in your area by searching the AKC website. Many dog shows
are now having CAT’s in conjunction with their conformation/obedience/rally trials.
Here in Ohio, the Dan Emmett Kennel Club is
finalizing plans with the AKC to hold a three-day
event July 29th, 30th and 31st in Marion, Ohio,
in conjunction with their regular dog show. The
Golden Retriever Club of Central Ohio is planning
to hold an event in September in the Johnstown,
Ohio area and is working with the AKC on those
details.
c Laurelcrest images
Even though our dogs like to chase squirrels and
Xander
bunnies in our yard, I was skeptical about them
chasing a lure. Needless to say, we were amazed at how much our Dobes love it. When they hear the
generator and see the “bunny”, they can’t wait to get to the line and GO!! We have created monsters
and we couldn’t be happier!
If you are interested and have a question, you can contact me: [email protected] for more information.
Mia
Xander and Derek photographs courtesy of LaurelCrest Images. Mia courtesy of Joe Shoemaker.
Upcoming Events
Please check out our Facebook page for current info, including events not listed below.
MAY
1,7 - Meet & Greets
8 - HMDD Adoption Event
JUNE
4,5 - Meet & Greets
4 - Akron Pet Expo
8 - Hill’s Market Charity
Happy Hour
12 - HMDD Adoption event
JULY
AUGUST
2,3 - Meet & Greets
10 - HMDD Adoption Event
30- Ohio State Fair
6- iRide4Dobes Poker Run
7 - North Royalton Pet
Carnival
14 - HMDD Adoption Event