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Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage Paid ILLINOIS DOBERMAN RESCUE PLUS PO Box 435 Barrington, IL 60011 Phone: 847-277-1082 Fax: 847-745-0471 Email: [email protected] The Dober Dispatch Barrington, IL Permit #194 Volume 1, Issue 2 The Newsletter of Illinois Doberman Rescue Plus A Note from the IDR+ Board of Directors Inside this issue: www.ildoberescue.com A Tribute to Eve 2 Ready to Rally 4 Success Story: Blair 5 Many Happy Returns! 6th Annual Rescue Reunion 7 Toxic Corner: 8 How Sweet It Is— Subscription Donations & Memorial-Tribute Donations Or Is It?? Dangers of Xylitol While no subscription fee is required, IDR+ would greatly appreciate a subscription donation to help offset the cost of publishing our newsletter. Your donation would be greatly appreciated! Donations may also be made to memorialize or pay tribute to a special person or pet of any kind. Send your donation and information (your name, address, and phone number & memorial information) to Illinois Doberman Rescue Plus. Name: IDR+ Stats 8 IDR+ Upcoming Events 9 Platinum Club 9 Seniors And Special Needs: Queen & Murdock’s Love Story 10 Welcome Home . . . Temporarily—Fostering for IDR+ 12 Dober Desires 13 Dog Wash 2005 14 Myths About Spaying and Neutering 14 Memorials and Tributes 15 Address: ILLINOIS DOBERMAN RESCUE PLUS Fall 2005 City Phone: PO BOX 435 E-Mail: Barrington, IL 60011-0435 Donation: St: ( $ ) Zip: - It is amazing that so much time has passed since our spring newsletter! Many things have happened in our organization and in the country in the interim. We’ve seen celebratory events, the intake of our 1,000th dog, and a major natural disaster in the Gulf Coast area. We, the members of the IDR+ Board of Directors, appreciate the opportunity to reflect on these events. Read on for some highlights of this edition of the newsletter. We cannot begin with this newsletter without first acknowledging the terrible tragedy of Katrina for humans and animals alike. We are in contact with organizations assisting the animal rescues in the Gulf Coast area and have extended our willingness to foster Dobermans who need a place. We extend our sympathies to all the victims of Katrina. Eve, our 1,000th dog, entered our program in the beginning of July 2005. She was a significant dog for us in a couple ways. She not only was the 1,000th dog to enter the IDR+ program, but she was also a very bittersweet intake. We knew after her first vet visit that her time with us would be brief. She touched many lives in her short time and we are thankful to have had the opportunity to provide her with a loving home for her short time left with us. We miss her and all the other IDR+ orphans who have moved on to the Rainbow Bridge. It also never ceases to amaze us how generous people can be. A great example of this is the family that adopted two of our dogs. OK, we realize that adopting two dogs may not seem like that big of a deal. However, these two dogs were Queen & Murdock. Murdock is a blind albino who was treated for heartworm and has no sense of direction, and Queen is a senior diabetic – quite the duo these two! Read more about their amazing story and the wonderful people who adopted them inside this newsletter. We can’t think of a success story better than Blair’s! After a long journey from Missouri, she now resides in a loving home with two chil- dren who adore her. These stories are an example of why we continue our rescue efforts. Read more about Blair inside. Additionally, check out the IDR+ statistics box. There is no way we could treat as many heartworm positive dogs as we do without the support of our kind donators. Many rescue groups have to turn away dogs with heartworm due to the cost of treatment. However, IDR+ is able to keep our door open to all Dobermans regardless of their health. Look at the statistics to see how many special needs dogs we have taken in since the last newsletter. It will break your heart. Another huge reason for IDR+’s success is that the majority of our dogs are kept in foster homes until adoption. This allows us to get to know the best placement for each dog. Please read more about our fostering program inside and consider opening your home temporarily to one of our orphan animals. Finally, this year’s Illinois Doberman Rescue Plus Reunion was the biggest and best ever. We started this tradition as a small picnic so we could see how happy our rescued dogs were in their new homes. It has grown to be a small festival, and although the heat was brutal this year, it was an amazing day for all of us, adopters and volunteers alike. Check out the article inside for pictures and details. In closing, an organization as large and successful as IDR+ could not run without all the support people working behind the scenes. We want to thank ALL of our volunteers who donate their time, money, homes, skills, kindness and whatever else they are able to contribute. It takes an unbelievable amount of time and effort to get an animal from the point of intake to the point of adoption into their forever loving home. We deeply appreciate everyone’s efforts and know that without our collective coordination, we could not succeed. So, take a minute and pat yourselves on the back. Everybody involved with IDR+, including all volunteers, adopters, and donators, fulfills a key role. The IDR+ Board of Directors The Dober Dispatch The Newsletter of Illinois Doberman Rescue Plus Page 2 Volume 1, Issue 2 The Dober Dispatch The Newsletter of Illinois Doberman Rescue Plus Page 15 IDR+ Milestone — Our 1,000th Dog . . . A Tribute to Eve Toward the end of May, shortly before Memorial Day weekend, IDR+ was contacted by some good Samaritans who had recently opened their home to a dog that had been abandoned without food, water, open windows for air, or the ability to go outside to relieve herself. The sun was out in full force and the temperature inside the apartment was estimated to be over 100 degrees. Without the ability to relieve herself outside, the mess and the odor in this apartment was appalling. The living conditions had been this way for at least a week because the people who had previously lived there moved out – furniture and all - approximately a week prior to the dog being removed from this terrible situation, according to neighbors. The good Samaritans had taken this dog into their home and to their vet. The dog was very dehydrated and hadn’t eaten in days. She was put on fluids and sent home with instructions to be given a lot of fluids and slowly have food re-introduced. She also had a very low energy level and took lots of long naps. The kind woman taking care of this abandoned girl – a Doberman – named her Eve to represent the new beginning that this beautiful fawn Dober-lady was going to have. After a second trip to the vet to have Eve re-examined, the couple that took her in realized that the vet bills and routine care were going to cost more than they could absorb, so they called on IDR+ for help. Kathy and Bill Williams, dedicated volunteers with IDR+, drove from Batavia to Des Plaines and met with the couple trying to do their best for Eve. As they were getting ready to take Eve on her journey, all dressed up in her Dober-Duds, the whole apartment building had come out to say goodbye to Eve. It was then that Eve became IDR+ Dog #1,000. Kathy and Bill took Eve on a two hour road trip to meet another dedicated volunteer, Lillian Santschi, in DeKalb at a Culver’s restaurant. There, Eve dined outside on a cheeseburger and custard cup, and it was then that they noticed a lump in Eve’s neck. This one lump turned out to be many lumps, and her gums were white. This didn’t look particularly promising. Two days later, Eve made her first visit to Dr. Maxwell where upon examination, he had a suspicion that Eve had a problem with her lymph nodes and all indications pointed towards the worst possible scenario. Eve started treatment immediately while we waited the long holiday weekend for test results to come back. As Dr. Maxwell estimated her to be a younger lady – a “Dober-teen,” we had hoped that age would be on our girl’s side. It wasn’t to be. Eve was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s disease and while aggressive medication therapy could send her into remission, it could only happen one time. Dr. Maxwell assured us that Eve was not in any pain and he provided her with medication to allow her to breathe more easily. The treatment Eve had started upon her first visit to Dr. Maxwell was the right call. Now we had a mission to give this sweet girl time to enjoy – and simply be a Doberman. Volume 1, Issue 2 Memorials & Tributes In Memory of “Mystic Fletcher,” In Memory of “J.P.” In Memory of “Lulu,” My Best Friend. Our big special guy From Gail Levine From Tamara Foss You have no Idea how you changed my mother’s life, you are deeply missed. In Memory of “Mystic Fletcher” In Memory of “Amy” From Paul and Betty Hurder From Christine Millman From Mark Pinnow and Sehba Khan In Memory of “Cleopatra” Eve spent the summer enjoying herself. She played by the river, went on errands and ate plenty of seared liver and scrambled eggs. One of her favorite spots in the house was on the couch under a birdcage that housed her new feathered best friend. Eve got along with all the other dogs and cats she was living with and eventually found her place sandwiched between newlyweds at bedtime. Outside, Eve had a favorite old oak tree that provided her with cooling shade on these hot summer days to sleep under. And Eve got to be a Doberman; she demanded attention with a nudge of her nose, played with her siblings, swam in the river, and greeted everyone with kisses. Mostly, Eve never lost the sparkle in her eyes or her true, noble Doberman spirit. The Canine Classic in Rockford was coming up on September 18th and plans were underway to have Eve represent not only IDR+, but also be an ambassador of the Doberman breed. Lillian and Kathy were planning a theme raffle basket to raise awareness and money for cancer. All items in the raffle basket were pink and included a charm of the pink ribbon that we have become so familiar with. Some of us have that charm on the collars of our female dogs, worn in support of our Eve. While Eve had a great summer playing, resting, loving and being loved, the medication that put her into remission was no longer keeping her there. Almost immediately a change came over Eve and we knew the end was near. Although she had the love and support from her family and a host of IDR+ volunteers hoping against the odds for another remission, our prayers went unanswered. Eve made her journey to the Rainbow Bridge being cradled by her family in the beginning of September and she is back at home in her favorite shady spot under the old oak tree in the yard she loved so much. Eve would not be at the Canine Classic, but her spirit found its way. How could this happen to our milestone dog – our 1,000th dog? We have no answers to this question as we so often don’t in rescue. It wasn’t so much that Eve represented a milestone to IDR+ - but that she was rescued from being abandoned without food or water and given the chance to be a proud Doberman for the time she had. While the volunteers for IDR+ can certainly be proud of the accomplishment of taking in over 1,000 dogs in 28 months, we can be prouder that we are giving these animals an opportunity to have a better life from which they came – because they were rescued. In Memory of “Melstar Causing In Honor of “Aslan and Eve” My Doberman of 9½ years a Commotion” For being such troopers in their From Matthew Kremke From Geri Richman own unique ways. From Tamara Foss In Memory of Cleo Kremke From Erica Klaw In Memory of “Azul (Ozzie)” The world’s best backseat driver, In Memory of “Jack,” Rita Deany’s You are deeply missed, Lovable Doberman, who sadly In Memory of Douglas Hoffman, La Verne Stahl. passed away. Who had a special place in his From Pat Kampmeier heart for Dobermans. From Rhonda Hoffman In Memory of “The Bulldogs: Nytro and Jiggs” In Honor of the most wonderful From Dorothy Bartos Doberman, “Hans,” Who was a brother to his owner In Memory of “The Dobes: —Kevin Corsello Sheba, Rebel, and Roxxie” From Marlene Ascher. From Dorothy Bartos In Memory “Sadie my Lady.” In Memory of “Xena” From Gregory Gettler From David Riccio Dobermans and strongly advocated for their rescue. From Laurie and Joseph Minor In Memory of Pat McCune. She In Honor of Dober-Dad, Bill Williams. dearly loved her Dobermans - Rinny, Kelly, Kerry, Kandy, and Zoe - and only wished she could Hope you continue to feel better as each day progresses. From her son, Michael McCune. From David Riccio In Honor of “Ares” In Memory of Pat McCune, A woman who loved her have helped IDR more. From Tamara Foss In Memory of Dororthy McCune From Gerald Frank In Memory of “Brutus” Mark Ryden. In Memory of “Trouble” Congratulations and Best Wishes on your new life together! From John Cummings From Joseph Bonarigo. In Memory of “B.J. Grzesiuk ” From Gail Levine In Honor of Mary Jane and From Maggie McVay In Memory of Tuffy And my Dobes From Irene Forst In Memory of Bubba Gafforn, Dober Angel In Memory of my Dobe, Noodle, From Leslie Evey Who left me in July. You are deeply missed. In Memory of “Double” From Everyone at IDR+ In Memory of “Merlin” From your fellow IDR+ Volunteers Your mom, Tammy Tucker The Dober Dispatch The Newsletter of Illinois Doberman Rescue Plus Volume 1, Issue 2 Page 14 The Dober Dispatch The Newsletter of Illinois Doberman Rescue Plus Volume 1, Issue 2 Page 3 Dogwash 2005 August in Chicagoland really is the “dog days” of summer and Sunday, August 7th was no exception. However, a little hot weather didn’t deter our faithful volunteers and supporters from showing up for a day of fun in the sun at the IDR+ dog wash at Tracy’s Doggone Farm in Wadsworth, IL. Once again it was a great success, with over 30 dogs enjoying their “spa treatment.” The day also featured shopping at DoberMart, dining at Weiners for Wobblers, photography by Wet Noze/Marge Hudson, and agility fun with Peggy Timm. Thanks to all who came out to share the day, and we look forward to another great time next August. Newsletter Committee Update Our original intention at IDR+ was to charge a nominal fee for our newsletter and create a subscription base to help offset the substantial costs of printing the issues. After additional consideration, however, we decided that we would like everyone involved with our group - all volunteers, previous adopters, new applicants, vets, shelters, etc. - to receive the newsletter as a gift from us and thus keep everybody in touch with all the exciting events at IDR+. We have now removed the subscription requirement and we are instead encouraging all recipients to consider making a donation toward the newsletter publishing expense. (If you have already paid for a subscription to the newsletter, please contact us at [email protected] and we will happily refund your subscription fee. Or, in lieu of a refund, we will send you a donation receipt and use your subscription donation toward the costs of our publishing. Thank you!) Happy Birthday Bishop! Love, Your Parents, Joanna & Anthony Colletti Myths About Spay/Neuter MYTH: My pet will get fat and lazy. FACT: The truth is that most pets get fat and lazy because their owners feed them too much and don’t give them enough exercise. It’s not due to spaying or neutering. MYTH: It’s better to have one litter first. FACT: Medical evidence indicates just the opposite. In fact, the evidence shows that females spayed before their first heat are typically healthier. Many veterinarians now sterilize dogs and cats as young as eight weeks of age. Check with your veterinarian about the appropriate age for these procedures. MYTH: My children should experience the miracle of birth. FACT: Even if children are able to see a pet give birth – which is unlikely since it usually occurs at night and in seclusion – the lesson they will really learn is that animals can be created and discarded as it suits adults. Instead, it should be explained to children that the real miracle is life and that preventing the birth of some pets can save the lives of others. MYTH: But my pet is a purebred. FACT: So is at least one out of every four pets brought to animal shelters around the country. There are just too many dogs and cats – mixed and purebred. MYTH: I don’t want my male dog or cat to feel like less of a male. FACT: Pets don’t have any concept of sexual identity or ego. Neutering will not change a pet’s basic personality. He doesn’t suffer any kind of emotional reaction or identity crisis when neutered. MYTH: But my dog (or cat) is so special. I want a puppy (or kitten) just like her. FACT: A dog or cat may be a great pet, but that doesn’t mean her offspring will be a carbon copy. Professional animal breeders who follow generations of bloodlines can’t guarantee they will get just what they want out of a particular litter. A pet owner’s chances are even slimmer. In fact, an entire litter of puppies or kittens might receive all of a pet’s (and her mate’s) worst characteristics. MYTH: I want my dog to be protective. FACT: Spaying or neutering does not affect a dog’s natural instinct to protect home and family. A dog’s personality is formed more by genetics and environment than by sex hormones. MYTH: I’ll find good homes for all the puppies and kittens. FACT: You may find homes for all of your pet’s litter. However, each home you find means one home less for the dogs and cats in shelters that need good homes, too. Also, in one year’s time, each of your pet’s offspring may have his or her own litter, adding even more animals to the population. The problem of pet overpopulation is created and perpetuated one litter at a time. IDR+ ASKS YOU TO BE A RESPONSIBLE PET OWNER AND HAVE YOUR PET SPAYED OR NEUTERED! The Dober Dispatch The Newsletter of Illinois Doberman Rescue Plus Volume 1, Issue 2 Page 4 Ready to Rally Have you been thinking about doing something a little more with your dog than just walks in the neighborhood and basic obedience at home or in a training class? Maybe you have been thinking about doing a competition event but are not sure where to start, or possibly you are a little intimidated by the thought of competing? Or, maybe your dog just needs something more to do to stimulate her mind? Well, if any of this sounds like you, then Rally O may be just the event for you to consider. deducted for failure to perform correctly or breaking from heel position. In general, scoring is less strict than in traditional obedience events and most dogs that remain in heel position during most of the course and mostly complete each obstacle will earn a qualifying score. It takes three qualifying scores for a dog to earn a novice title. After achieving a Rally Novice, or RN title, dogs and handlers can advance to the next level, Rally Advanced, and then to the top level, Rally Excellent. Dogs and handlers will also gain valuable ring experience and practice for traditional obedience competition. Rally Obedience, also known as Rally O, is new to the AKC in 2005. Rally O is an obedience event that incorporates basic obedience skills in a course that is different for each show. We like to think of it as a combination of obedience and agility. Rally O is designed to be relaxed, fun, and exciting and is therefore a very good event for the beginning competitor. Exhibitors and judges are usually friendly, encouraging and welcoming. Most understand that many people competing in Rally O are new to the world of competitive dog sports. Now is an exciting time to join as this new event develops. Rally O has so far proven to be very popular at obedience trials throughout the country, and this popularity is expected to continue as more people see it as a fun and relaxed way to enter the world of competitive dog sports. For more information on Rally O and a listing of the signals that can be used at each level, check out the AKC website at www.akc.org, Events, Rally. The AKC website also has a list of upcoming events that you can search to find an Obedience and Rally trial in your area. Additionally, check out your local training club for obedience or rally offerings in your area. In a Rally O course, the handler heels his dog through the course, completing each obstacle. During the course, the handler can encourage the dog by talking to her and praising, moving hands and patting a leg. At the beginning level, called novice, the dog remains on leash for the entire course and the obstacles consist of forward (fast, slow, normal), turns (right, left, 180, 270, 360), spirals (figure 8’s, weaves), halts (sit, down) and recall (come, finish right, finish left). Dogs that have basic heeling skills can easily learn these obstacles and complete the course. The course is scored by the judge, with points being If you’ve been considering doing a bit more with your dog, give Rally O a whirl. You and your dog will enjoy the time together, and you will no doubt make new friends in the wonderful world of competitive dog sports. Who knows where you may end up, or what other events you might find interesting? The possibilities are virtually endless. The Iowa DoberPack is proud to announce the following achievements: • Breffny One Red Rosie, “Roxy,” from Novice A to AX and AXJ; Rally Novice title; and 2 legs toward her CD – all in a mere 6 months! • Smack-Dab’s Amazing Grace, “Grace,” NAJ (and working on sticking those contacts!) • Smack-Dab’s Courage Under Fire, “Raider,” Best in Specialty Show 9/9/05 and Best of Breed 9/11/05 (working on agility titles and soon to debut in Rally) • The Iowa DoberPack is particularly proud of our IDR girl, IDR’s Cupid’s Fortune, “Coopers,” and the achievement of her NA and NAJ titles this year! Let ‘er rip Coopers!!! —Laura and David Knoll (trying to keep up with the DoberKids) © 2005 Great Dane Photos The Dober Dispatch Volume 1, Issue 2 Page 13 Fostering — Continued “aunt” or an “uncle” or a friend watching their neighbor’s dog while they are away on vacation. This is a dog that ultimately belongs to someone else. When you “give them up,” it will be to a forever home that your foster dog has been waiting a lifetime for you to find! Dober Desires Hopefully we have piqued your interest. If you think you would like to learn more about this important work, please visit our web site or call the Dober-line at 847-277-1082. Dober Donations always accepted for our orphans: Boarding, Grooming, Supplies www.happypawspetresort.com HAPPY PAWS PET RESORT 1.Dober-Dwellings: A forever home for everyone or even a foster home! 2.Dober-Dens: large or x-large metal or plastic crates (gently used or new) 3.Dober-Dinners: preferred brands are Canidae, ProPlan, Nutro-Max, Natural Balance, IAMS, Eagle, Science Diet, Royal Canin, etc. 4.Dober-Duds: these cool collars & leashes can be donated on our site at www.ildoberescue.com/doberduds.htm and some training collars (medium weight prong collars) and coats for our seniors (Velcro up the back-easier to put on), etc. would be great too 24W118 St. Charles Rd. Carol Stream, IL 60188 Phone: (630) 668-5272 Fax: (630) 690-5721 5.Dober-Dozing: large or x-large dog beds or comforters A Walk in the Park Pet Care, Inc. Dedicated to providing the best care possible for your pet ...in your pet’s own home! dog walking • daily visits • vacation care (630) 325-WALK (9255) We try to keep our adoption fee as low as possible to encourage adoptions. Your donations will ensure we can continue to help save lives. bonded and insured www.awalkintheparkpetcare.com 6.Dober-Doodoo Defenses: laundry detergent, paper towels, cleaning fluids, etc. 7.Dober-Diversions: rawhides, nylabones, Kong toys, stuffed toys, tennis balls, etc. 8.Dober-Desk: postage stamps, manila file folders, copy paper, envelopes, etc. 9.Dober-Driving: supplies for our rescue mobiles such as gas cards, phone cards, Starbucks cards (hey, bodies need fuel too) fffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffff 10.Dober-Dollars: used for the vet bills, phone bills, Our adopted Dobe, Bandit, is the quirkiest fellow I’ve ever met. He keeps us entertained on a daily – no – hourly basis with his antics and Dober-speak. I sure wish I could understand what he’s saying sometimes, but then again maybe it’s better that I don’t know! He is such a loving, faithful animal that life would be boring without him. Unconditional love like he gives is so precious. He and our other Dobe, Lucky, love to romp and play hide-and-go seek around anything that gets between them. We are lucky to have both our Dobes. —Mike & Carol Morello, Sheridan, IL Page 12 The Dober Dispatch The Newsletter of Illinois Doberman Rescue Plus Volume 1, Issue 2 Welcome Home . . . Temporarily The Dober Dispatch The Newsletter of Illinois Doberman Rescue Plus Page 5 IDR+ Success Story: Blair ingly refer to their Blair as “Blair Bear.” According to Blair’s new mom, Caryn, Blair “can be quite sassy” and demand attention either with a nudge of her nose or a bark or two. Caryn claims that Blair loves everyone and is exceptionally great with all of their friends, cousins, neighbors, and especially all of the kids she gets to meet. Fostering A Dog For Illinois Doberman Rescue Plus “Don’t you get attached to the dog?” “How can you let them go?” Fostering – providing temporary shelter – is the foundation of our rescue effort at Illinois Doberman Rescue Plus. Without the hard work and assistance of our growing number of foster homes, we could not save, rehabilitate, and find forever homes for the many dogs that call IDR+ their temporary residence. The goal at IDR+ is not just to find homes for our orphaned dogs, but to meet their physical, mental, and social needs before placing them into their forever homes. As you may suspect, this calls for a network of foster homes that can assess the dogs in an effort to find a suitable match between the dog and the approved adopter. Rescued dogs can demand various levels of attention. Many of our orphans are family pets that have been surrendered to IDR+ due to a lifestyle change. Others come to us because the dog is “too big,” “too noisy,” or in many cases “too time consuming.” Many dogs also enter our program directly from a shelter or humane society, so we do not have any information about the dog’s previous life. Foster homes provide much more than just food and shelter; they provide an environment where the dog can have its medical needs met while his/her temperament is evaluated. Allowing the dog to live as a family pet in a home and making every effort to get to know the dog in as many situations as possible accomplishes this. Being a foster parent means sharing your home with a rescued dog. We count on our foster homes to evaluate temperament and observe the dog’s behaviors in many different situations. We welcome all the foster home updates and our foster folks are encouraged to provide updated descriptions of their “kid” on our web site. You are encouraged to include the dog in family activities and allow the dog to live as a pet with as much human companionship as possible. IDR+ provides all medical care for your foster dog. Our foster homes donate their time and love, but all other necessary ingredients for a foster home are furnished. We make every effort to loan you a crate if you do not have one. We also supply food for your foster and each dog comes with a collar (with identification tags) and leash. If you foster a Doberman, tagged Dober-duds are provided. Most importantly, you will have access to the network of IDR+ foster homes that are always available to answer questions and provide moral support. Whether you adopt or foster an IDR+ dog, you become part of the family. How Do I Become A Foster Home? Fostering is the first step in giving an IDR+ dog a second chance at life. We make every effort to match the foster and orphaned dogs in our program based on the skills and preferences of each foster home. For example, if you have cats (hey you can cat test!), we will most likely find a dog that we know can reliably live with cats. If you have experience in obedience training, you might get a dog that needs to learn manners. If your strength is nurturing, we have many dogs that need a lot of hugs or special medical care. You don’t need a big yard with a fence. We have many dogs that love to take walks and some foster folks report an improvement in their blood pressure and cholesterol levels after their foster experience! If you are considering adopting a Doberman yourself, fostering can be a great way to discover what temperament of dog is best suited for your lifestyle and household. While many of our foster homes adopt their foster dog, the vast majority continues to foster even after they have adopted – and boy do we love that! Here are the simple steps that will get you started: Applicants are asked to complete the IDR+ Foster Application which can be found by visiting www.ildoberescue.com. The application process is the first step and helps us begin to evaluate your lifestyle so a suitable foster match can be made. It may seem like we are screening you as if you are actually adopting the dog – and we are. If you have pets, we require they be neutered or spayed and up-to-date on all vaccinations and on monthly heartworm preventative. We will check with your vet to make sure you are a responsible pet owner. Upon submission and review, you will be contacted for a phone interview. An IDR+ representative will schedule a home visit. If you are a renter, written consent for fostering must by given by your landlord. We will want to meet everyone you live with – spouse and kids – to make sure everyone is enthusiastic about offering a temporary home to an orphaned dog. Foster A Dog And Save A Life We always need more foster homes. The more foster homes we have, the more dogs we can save. We strive to make your foster experience rewarding and will not place a hard to handle dog or a seriously ill dog in a foster home until the family has gained experience. If a dog in your care becomes ill or you have an emergency, we have foster counselors always available should you need to take an injured or sick dog to your closest IDR+ Vet. The most frequent question we get asked is, “Don’t you get attached to the dog?” Yep, you bet you do, and that is what we want for both you and the dog. It’s fun to get to know a new dog and in almost every case you will witness amazing developments in the progress of your foster dog. You will fall in love with your foster dog, which is necessary for his/her rehabilitation, and it also is a key factor in helping to select the very best forever home. “How can you let them go?” The hard truth is that it hurts. However, without enough foster homes we can’t rescue and save these dogs. They will die in shelters. That is also the hard truth. We encourage our foster homes to think of themselves as an Volume 1, Issue 2 Carleigh and her “Blair Bear” Blair’s story starts with a less than stellar beginning back on Halloween Day 2004. Blair, her littermate, and four other Doberman puppies were taken in by Illinois Doberman Rescue Plus (IDR+) from a backyard breeder in Missouri. This so-called breeder had decided that he no longer wanted to be a “breeder” and had chosen to release ownership of his “stock” to IDR+. After a long car ride into IDR+’s protective folds, Blair and the rest of the gang proved to be very shy and under-socialized dogs. IDR+’s volunteers could barely get these terrified dogs to stand let alone pose for their initial pictures. These poor animals were so shellshocked from all of this newfound attention that all they wanted to do was cower and hide. Clearly, they were going to require a lot of love and attention before they could become adoption candidates. As an example of Blair’s sweet temperament, Blair went to preschool with Carleigh for “Pet Day” last spring. Pet Day allows the children in class to bring in their favorite pet, learn about other pets, and also learn about the responsibility of caring for them. As you can imagine, Blair was a big hit with the children as many of them had never met a Doberman before. They took a group picture with Blair and Blair got the choice spot in the middle – surrounded by a group of pre-schoolers! When Carleigh (age 6) heard that Blair was going to be featured in a story, she was so excited that she asked if she could write something about her Blair Bear too. Carleigh’s poem is below: Blair is a nice dog. Oh, how I love her very much. She is my favorite in the world, world, world. I love her since she likes us so much. And she is a good dog. Sometimes I think she is so nice, she gives me lots of kisses. Oh I love her, love her, love her. Thank you for letting us adopt her. Love, Carleigh Sigel Who could argue with that? IDR+ immediately arranged to place all of these dogs in foster homes so they could start receiving the love and care they so desperately needed and deserved. The chosen foster families worked hard to socialize these animals and build their confidence. Happily, the dogs responded well to this attention and each started to blossom in foster care. As their coats started to shine, so did their personalities! IDR+ volunteer Lynn Miller and her family had been placed in charge of fostering Blair. Lynn remembers that she and her family almost immediately fell for this wonderful little girl. They were able to see beyond the initial scared and shy animal to the beautiful princess she could become. During this foster period, Lynn had been in contact with the Sigel family – Karl, Caryn, Carleigh and Jenna – who had recently lost their 16-year-old Doberman female, Nacht, to kidney failure and also their 12-yearold Lab mix. To top that off, the Sigel family’s Shepherd mix, Princess, was battling a nervous system disorder. Blair became an incredibly lucky dog when she was adopted by the Sigels during the 2004 holiday season. After speaking with Lynn about Blair and her personality, the Sigels decided to adopt her. As a now cherished member of the Sigel family, Blair has two human sisters to call her own – a six-year-old named Carleigh and a three-year-old named Jenna. These girls both lov- The Sigel family wants to offer a BIG thank you to everyone at IDR+ who volunteers so much of their personal time to give orphaned dogs a chance to show their potential and true canine spirit when they find a loving home. They especially want to thank Lynn Miller and her husband for opening their hearts and home to Blair and helping her with the initial stages of socialization. The Dober Dispatch The Newsletter of Illinois Doberman Rescue Plus Volume 1, Issue 2 The Dober Dispatch The Newsletter of Illinois Doberman Rescue Plus Volume 1, Issue 2 Page 11 Page 6 Seniors and Special Needs . . . Queen and Murdock’s Love Story-Continued And, boy, has he settled in. While Murdock doesn’t really need Queen as his Seeing Eye dog anymore, he does need and want his best friend and constant playmate all the time. As you’ve probably guessed by now, Kim has given up her sleepless nights worrying about Murdy as he is now home with the two ladies he loves the most—Kim and Queen. Murdy is like the proverbial annoying little brother. He likes to take the squeaky toys from Queen while she’s playing, and he doesn’t allow toys upstairs at bedtime. Murdy determines when it’s time for bed; it’s time for bed—no exceptions and no toys! Kim also reports that Murdy snores like a freight train—maybe she is still experiencing sleepless nights after all ….. Queen and Murdock have recently discovered tug of war and love to lie on the couch butted up to one another, or with Kim, Grandma or Grandpa between them. They both also like to roll around outside and get dirty. Thankfully, they both like to get baths too—probably more than their mom likes to give them. One thing that Murdock also loves to do is to lie in the sun. Be- cause he is an albino, he must have sun block administered consistently before he goes outside to sun himself. Now that Murdock knows he’s home and is completely acclimated to his surroundings, he has become quite independent. He loves to race up and down the stairs with Queen, really enjoys going for walks, and chases and plays with dogs in the dog park—Kim actually has to tell people that he is blind! We at IDR+ are all so happy than Queen and Murdock got to stay together, and we are so grateful to Kim for opening her heart and her home to not just one, but two Dobes that may have been a little harder to place even as individuals. Queen has dropped about 30 lbs and hardly resembles the dog she was just a few short months ago; her diabetes symptoms have even decreased. Murdock has gained some much-needed weight and has filled out quite nicely, Kim reports that he’s taller—we are thinking that’s because he can stand up straight and proud and hold his head high. My forever mom gave me a good home, and she can help your family put a “woof” over your head too! —Tasha Binder Coldwell Banker/Gladstone Realtors Mary Beth Binder (630) 655-0055 Business (630) 655-2980 Fax (708) 426-9040 Cell (708)236-9656 Home Fax [email protected] Hinsdale Lake Commons 6300 Kingery Hwy., Ste. 212 Willowbrook, IL 60527 The Dober Dispatch The Newsletter of Illinois Doberman Rescue Plus Volume 1, Issue 2 The Dober Dispatch The Newsletter of Illinois Doberman Rescue Plus Volume 1, Issue 2 Page 7 Page 10 Seniors and Special Needs . . . Queen and Murdock’s Love Story There is a special kind of adopter that can look past what a dog may no longer have to offer and can still see what the dog has remaining to give. This is what happens when someone falls in love with a Senior and/or Special Needs dog. Almost two years ago, Kim Brady applied to IDR+ for what would be her first dog as an adult that would truly be her own dog. Like many approved adopters, Kim went looking for a dog that she could exercise with, take on errands, and play with. When Kim went looking for a suitable Doberman companion—a younger Dobe—she arrived to meet several of the available dogs at Pam AbareNewton’s home. It was there that Kim found BJ, an eleven-yearold senior Dober-Lady. Kim hadn’t even considered a senior dog until she saw BJ and her big ears. It was at that moment that she “knew that BJ was The One.” Kim recruited her parents, who live nearby, to help care for BJ while Kim was at work. BJ went everywhere with Kim and the town of Geneva got to know BJ. She even accompanied her mom to tennis matches; BJ was like a local celebrity. BJ knew and appreciated the good and loving home she had: “She was a special dog.” But, since BJ was a senior, unfortunately the time she and Kim had together wasn’t as long as they would have liked. The time came for Kim to look for a new companion and this time her parents wanted to be involved. Kim’s mom had said to her, “Your dad is so sad that maybe you should start thinking about a dog again.” Once again, Kim looked to IDR+ and once more to Pam’s selection of dogs, this time with her parents in tow. There were several dogs there. As anyone who has ever been to Pam’s already knows, this is always the case. Living in Pam’s kitchen at this time was Queen, a seven-year-old, overweight senior Doberman with diabetes who was making her 2nd appearance with IDR+, and Murdock, an approximately threeyear-old, blind Special Needs Albino Doberman who was being treated for Heartworm disease. Queen had pretty much become Murdock’s “Seeing Eye Dog” and he was very dependent on her. Many Happy Returns 6th Annual Rescue Reunion What an adorable pair these two made! After spending some time with a few of the other dogs at Pam’s, and specifically with Queen who had barked for attention and was showing off by rolling around in the grass, Kim couldn’t resist. Kim rode home with Queen’s head in her lap the whole time, and Queen immediately made herself at home and proved to be very easy, just as BJ had before her. As it turns out, Queen is great with the neighborhood kids, has found a favorite spot on the couch, and being the mature lady she is, she has the patient personality that Kim had grown used to and loved in BJ. Ghost, Class of ‘05 Meanwhile, Murdock was still at Pam’s. However, now he no longer had his trusty companion, Queen, by his side. A few weeks went by and things with Queen were going well, but Kim had been having “sleepless nights worrying about Murdy” as he had been left behind without his best friend. They say timing is everything… Pam was getting prepared to go away for about two weeks on vacation and Kim had agreed to bring Murdy home even if only to temporarily foster him. A community of IDR+ volunteers held their breath and crossed their fingers while Pam was away, hoping that Murdy and Queen would be reunited for good. Admittedly, when Kim first brought him home, Murdy acted a little skittish and behaved like a “street dog.” This made sense since he had been found as a stray and he was somewhat aloof. Murdy was in “perpetual motion, constantly walking the house. He did this for days to get acclimated to his new surroundings as a blind dog.” Murdy marked all over Kim’s house (of course, her home is covered in off-white carpeting) yet Kim and her Dad agreed that they had to “give Murdy a shot” and compared notes. Kim’s dad decided to take on the challenge of convincing Kim’s mom to agree. Murdy really was nervous and it took about a month before he really settled in. Kim made the decision to formally adopt Murdock. Would you wear a fur coat and play in the sun on a day the temperature reached 105 degrees? Well, that is exactly what 200 dogs did at the 6th Annual Reunion hosted by Illinois Doberman Rescue Plus. On June 26, 2005, 200 former IDR+ orphans and their families gathered for an afternoon of fun and fellowship at Blackwell Forest Preserve in Winfield, Illinois. Hey, summer is way too short in Chicago not to spend as much time as you can outdoors! For the past six summers, IDR+ has hosted a reunion to demonstrate our appreciation to all the families who have opened their hearts and homes to an IDR+ dog. All the proceeds earned at the Reunion go directly towards funding the medical costs for the orphans currently enrolled in our program. Many of the dogs attending the 6th Annual Reunion benefited from the funds raised at last year’s reunion. Reelin’ & Rockin’. The Dober-diner was dishing up a menu that had everyone in line for seconds. We even kept the ice cream frozen until it was time to serve dessert! Lots of dogs got iced down to keep their temperatures normal because no one was in a hurry to leave! The Dober-games were cancelled due to the extreme heat, but the swimming pools were full and in constant use and our diligent volunteers kept dozens of water bowls full of ice water for our dogs. Under the Big Top was Basket Bonanza – a dazzling display of 35 raffle baskets, all donated by friends and supporters of Illinois Doberman Rescue Plus. Basket Bonanza along with our silent auction raised over $1600 in donations! Our real guests of honor – 200 magnificently happy former canine orphans – each received a gift bag with lots of surprises. They also received lots of hugs and butt-rubs from many of the foster parents who were on hand to reunite with their former orphans. Each family had a wonderful story to share about their dog(s) and all afternoon throughout the park we could see photos being shared, hugs being exchanged, and the sound of lots of laughter as stories were told. As we listened to a wonderful version of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” we concluded the 6th Annual IDR+ Reunion in silent tribute to all the orphans we had lost since the last Reunion. The 7th Annual Reunion is now on the Dober-drawingboard! Stay tuned and watch our website as the date and details are announced. And thanks to everyone who made the 6th Annual Reunion the biggest and best Dober-party to date! You won’t want to miss the best time you’ll have next summer! Planning a reunion for 400 humans and 200 dogs can be a bit daunting. The 6th Annual Reunion had been on the Doberdrawing board for about eight months, and many dedicated volunteers spent the entire month of June praying we would have a rain-free afternoon to host our party. What we didn’t anticipate was the record-breaking heat index! When we saw the seven-day forecast on the Weather Channel, we scrambled to find additional tents and canopies that could provide shade and shelter on what we guessed would be the hottest day of the year to date. But that didn’t stop our wonderful adopters and volunteers from packing up their pooches and heading to Blackwell to show off their former orphans. It was quite a breathtaking experience for those of us who welcomed our former orphans “home” for an afternoon of great food, awesome entertainment, and lots of fun shopping experiences. Our junior rescuers had their own tent where they could play games and have their faces painted. Everyone had the opportunity to rock, roll and Dober-stroll to the music provided by Cinder Wukotich, Class of ‘00 Cinder Gross, Class of ‘03 The Dober Dispatch The Newsletter of Illinois Doberman Rescue Plus Volume 1, Issue 2 The Dober Dispatch The Newsletter of Illinois Doberman Rescue Plus Page 9 Page 8 Toxic Corner: How Sweet It Is – Or Is It?? Xylitol Sweetener Can Be Hazardous To Dogs What Is Xylitol? Xylitol is a 5-carbon sugar alcohol that has recently become popular as a sugar-free alternative sweetener in the United States. Xylitol has been a popular sweetener in European countries since research in the 1960s and 1970s supported that xylitol does not cause significant increases in blood glucose and insulin levels in humans – therefore making it a safe sugar-free alternative sweetener for human diabetics. In addition, xylitol has anticavity properties and a sweetness level that is very similar to sucrose. An additional benefit of xylitol is that it is lower in calories than sucrose; this property is likely partially responsible for xylitol’s rising popularity in the United States as various diet products continue to make their debut in the market. For What Purpose Is Xylitol Used? Xylitol may be found in consumer products such as candy, chewing gum, breath fresheners (those designed for both people and pets), smoking cessation aids (e.g. nicotine gum), toothpaste, sunblock and various vitamin and supplement products. Xylitol is also sold as a sweetener for cooking purposes. Xylitol is naturally available, at low levels, in various fruits and vegetables and is naturally produced in the human body via metabolism of various food sources. References: The American Veterinary Medical Association JAVMA News: Sweetener xylitol can be toxic to dogs. Available at http:// www.avma.org/onlnews/javma/sep04/040901c.asp; accessed September 2005. P PLLA CLLU ATTIIN NU UB UM B MC Thank you… we couldn’t have done it without you! Animal Help: Products Sweetened With Xylitol Toxic To Dogs. Available at http://www.animalhelp.com/hometown/ articledetail.cfm?artid=230; accessed September 2005. Dunayer EK: Hypoglycemia following canine ingestion of xylitol-containing gum. Vet Hum Toxicol 46(2): 87-88, 2004. Foss TS: Xylitol: Sweet temptation for dogs. Vet Tech 25(11): 773-775, 2004. Also available at http://www.aspca.org/site/ DocServer/Foss-Tox_Brief-Nov_VT_04.pdf?docID=3781; accessed September 2005. What Effect Can Xylitol Have On Dogs? The products that pose the greatest hazard to dogs are generally those with xylitol noted as one of the first ingredients and that can be ingested in large amounts – such as gums, candy, and baked goods. The potential for these products to be readily available in the home provides for increased opportunity for exposure as well. Often times, an exposure of a dog to gum and/or candy may not register as a serious health concern for most owners until their dog becomes symptomatic. Dogs ingesting large amounts of xylitol or xylitolcontaining products may experience a sudden drop in blood sugar, which may then be expressed with signs of depression, incoordination and seizures. Additionally, although data providing a direct linkage is insufficient at this time to verify the connection, there is concern that there may be a link between xylitol ingestion and liver failure in dogs. What Should I Do If My Dog Ingests Xylitol or XylitolContaining Products? Signs may develop very rapidly after ingestion of xylitol; in some cases, in less than 30 minutes after ingestion. It is very important to contact your veterinarian immediately after suspected or observed exposure of a dog to xylitol or xylitol-containing products. Symptomatic dogs should be immediately taken to your veterinarian or veterinary emergency clinic if after hours. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center is an additional resource open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year for consult* directly with owners or veterinarians. If you would like to learn more about xylitol and its effect on dogs, please feel free to review the references noted below. IDR+ Stats *A $50 consultation fee may be applied to your credit card when you call the APCC and agree to accept the services provided. A consultation fee is required to provide services 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Your donations will insure we can continue to help save lives. Stats as of September, 1, 2005: May 2003 – Sept. 1, 2005 Total animals = 1,003 Jan. 1, 2005 – Sept. 1, 2005 (9 months) – total animals = 278 Total treated for heartworm disease= 41 (most shelters and rescues do not treat) Total dogs taken in with Heartworm this year = 17 Total treated for Wobblers = 4 Guardian Angel Dogs that we have had in our program since it began through Sept. 1, 2005 = 5 (Cora, Kaiser, Queen, Ollie and Ginger, of these 4 were adopted. Hawk and Sam are still looking for angels) Volume 1, Issue 2 Illinois Doberman Rescue Plus would like to graciously PLLA thank our ‘P ATTIIN NU UM M CCLLU UBB” donators. These considerate individuals have donated $500 or more to IDR+ since our inception in May 2003 and helped provide us with a firm financial foothold. Without their generous hearts, IDR+ would not be where we are today. Thanks to all of our supporters who regularly help us achieve our goal of becoming the Premier Rescue Group of the Midwest! N WM NEEW MEEM MBBEERRSS: Bill & Lynda Duvall Sharon Peck Lashly Van Raden Jennifer Wise EEXXIISSTTIIN NG GM MEEM MBBEERRSS: John and Kathy Albee Erik and Gerd Brueggmann Lisa Delcase Mary Franz Leighton Hansel Dixie Howard th Guests of John Kaprales’ 40 Birthday Party Laura Knoll Mary Locher The Mikes – Mike Cavanuagh and Mike Zeno Roya Newman David and Suzanne Sears Maureen Sherlock Windschant Kennel – Brent and Patty Harris IDR+ Upcoming Events November 6th, Roundlake Pet Fair, Roundlake, IL. November 7, 8, 9, Dominick’s Benefit Days for IDR+. Watch your mail for the certificates from IDR+. All you need to do is go shopping during those days and hand the cashier the slip as you check out. It doesn’t cost you anything extra and IDR+ gets 5% of your total purchase. Great time to stock up for that holiday baking! See coupon below. November 12th, Lake Shore Harley Davidson, 14000 W. Rockland Road, Libertyville IL, “Meet & Greet” November 13th, 6-9pm Westfield Hawthorn (122 Hawthorn Center, off of Route 60/Town Line Road in Vernon Hills, IL). On this very special evening the mall will open its doors for a private shopping extravaganza of exclusive discounts, complimentary gift-wrapping & refreshments, entertainment, prizes & more! Have a great time & get your holiday shopping done early without the crowds--the ONLY people who will be admitted to the mall that evening will be those who have special admission tickets! Tickets can be bought from IDR+ each ticket is $10 with $7 of that money going straight to IDR+ to help our orphans. You can mail a check payable to Illinois Doberman Rescue Plus to: Amy Wukotich, 3410 N. Lawndale, Chicago, IL 60618. Please include your name, mailing address & number of tickets. See ad on page 3. November 14, 15, 16., Jewel Shop & Share Benefit Days for IDR+. See coupon below. November 19th, IDR+ Tree Trimming @ Brookfield Zoo. Please see ad on page 3 for info on how to donate an ornament.
