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Spring 2006
Non-Profit Org. Permit #194 Inside this issue: Where Are They Now: Maui 2 7th Annual Reunion Sneak Peek 2 Where Are They Now: Keystone/Sophie 4 The Gift of a Special Young Lady 5 The Chicagoland Family Pet Expo 5 IDR+ Katrina Update 7 IDR+ Stats 7 Toxic Corner: Death by Chocolate? It Can Happen 8 Name: ____________________________________________ Platinum Club 9 Address: __________________________________________ Whistlin’ Dixie’s Treat Ideas 9 Shop to Help IDR+ Dates 9 While no subscription fee is required, the newsletter. Donations may be made in memory City: __________________ State: ______ Zip: ___________ Phone: ( ) __________ - ________________________ of or in tribute to a special person or pet. Email: ____________________________________________ Please send your donations to: Donation Amount $ _________________________________ Illinois Doberman Rescue Plus P.O. Box 435 Barrington, IL 60011-0435 Memory/Tribute: ___________________________________ __________________________________________________ Volume 2, Issue 1 The Newsletter of Illinois Doberman Rescue Plus A Note from the IDR+ Board of Directors Subscription & Memorial/Tribute Donations to help offset the cost of publishing The Dober Dispatch Barrington, IL www.ildoberescue.com IDR+ appreciates any donation made Spring 2006 U.S. Postage Paid ILLINOIS DOBERMAN RESCUE PLUS P.O. Box 435 Barrington, IL 60011 Phone: 847-277-1082 Fax: 847-745-0471 E-mail: [email protected] Where Are They Now: Boo 10 Dear Melvin B 10 Training: A Disease Called Trust 12 Where Are They Now: Wrigley 13 Dober Desires 14 Upcoming Events 14 Memorials and Tributes 15 In Loving Memory of Gary Hunt “Savior of All” 11/27/46 – 3/11/06 Oh, how IDR+ has grown since the last newsletter! The end of 2005 saw a very successful holiday party and meeting. It was also a time to congratulate the newly elected BOD members. And, in the few months of 2006 that have already gone by, IDR+ has been a busy organization trying out some new ideas and running well with other established routines. The BOD and General Membership meetings will be held all over northern Illinois this year to allow our volunteers in all regions the opportunity to attend. We also will see new and exciting locations for our adoptathons thanks to the efforts of volunteers and their contacts or their own new businesses. We now have over 200 member volunteers, so it’s an exciting time for our organization. We couldn’t do this without each and every one of our volunteers and amazing adopters. We encourage all volunteers to keep pitching in with whatever they can do—be it helping on a committee, fostering or transporting dogs. Each small effort contributes to our success. “What keeps you going?” is a question we often hear. What inspires us most to keep going are the stories of success that come from our adopters—sometimes months or even years later. Just hearing that both adopter and adoptee are now enjoying their lives together brings a smile of joy and a surge of energy to keep going on with this endeavor. We hope these stories will keep coming in, and we look forward to this year’s Reunion in June when the stories come to life. Pam Abare-Newton, President, Paul Santschi, Vice President Diane Walsh, Secretary Lara Trapp, Treasurer Amy Wukotich, Director-at-Large, Laura Knoll, Director-at-Large, Mary Gawienowski, Director-at-Large It has often been said that “angels walk among us,” but we at Illinois Doberman Rescue Plus (IDR+) have had the pleasure of knowing just such a person–our long time volunteer, Gary Hunt. Tragically, Gary was diagnosed with a serious illness in late January 2006 and passed away shortly thereafter. We at IDR+ are terribly saddened by his loss. As a memorial, we want to dedicate this issue to him to celebrate his life and to thank him for his long-term commitment to IDR+. Many of you may recognize the name of Gary and his wife, Linda, since they joined IDR+ when it was still part of a larger all-breed rescue. This began back in 1999 when Gary and Linda were feeling that all too familiar longing…they wanted to adopt a Doberman! To begin their search, they headed to Winnebago County Animal Control. There, they found a beautiful Doberman who was marked to be transferred to Doberman Rescue. Upon return from vacation, Gary and Linda learned that the Doberman in question had already been adopted. Still, they had become very curious about that group called “Doberman Rescue” and wanted to learn more. (continued on page 3) The Dober Dispatch The Newsletter of Illinois Doberman Rescue Plus Volume 2, Issue 1 Page 2 Where Are They Now: Maui We like to think of our adopters as part of our extended Illinois Doberman Rescue Plus "family." Once you adopt one of our Dobermans or “Plus” dogs, you are forever connected to us. One such couple, who have been extremely generous in their support of IDR+, is Mary Franz and Dennis Thackery. Mary and Dennis focus on adopting only senior dogs. They are drawn to the seniors "because they are the ones that no one wants;" they feel that "these seniors have given some of the best years of their lives to someone, so we owe it to them." Mary and Dennis originally adopted Cookie, an IDR+ alumna who passed away last year. It was Cookie’s loving spirit that drew them back to IDR+ and to another senior Dobe in our care by the name of Maui. After adopting her, Maui became part of their family, and she now loves to play with her three rescued German Shepherd siblings. Maui has a funny way of letting Mary and Dennis know when she wants something. She does what they have dubbed "clacking." Some of you may have seen pictures of Dobes on our website smiling; their teeth and gums are showing and their eyes are squinted. It can appear like they are growling or bearing their teeth aggressively (they are not); this is what Maui does when she gets excited or wants to communicate something to her family. She actually "clacks" her teeth together like she is trying to say something--usually to be fed, pet, or just to let them know she's happy or excited about something. (continued on page 3) 7th Annual Reunion Sneak Peek! We are very busy planning the biggest dog party this part of the Midwest has ever seen! We are looking forward to seeing old friends and making new ones at the Illinois Doberman Rescue Plus 7th Annual Reunion! Mark your calendars and save the date! This is the most fun you’ll have during the summer of 2006! A family style gathering is planned and your dogs are the guests of honor! Food, games, gifts, shopping opportunities and entertainment – these are just a few of the surprises waiting for you and your pooch! Bring the whole family and remember that while we love to “welcome home” our former orphans, all of your “fur” kids are invited to attend. Keep your eye on www.ildoberescue.com for all the details. We guarantee you a Dober-delightful time! Mark your calendars! ILLLINOIS DOBERMAN RESCUE PLUS 7TH Annual Reunion Sunday, June 25, 2006 Blackwell Forest Preserve @ Hawthorne Grove Winfield, Illinois 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM Save the Date! You GO girl... Congrats to the little speed demon, Carly, on her NAJ and NA! Watch out, MACH, here we come!!!!!!!!!!!! The Dober Dispatch The Newsletter of Illinois Doberman Rescue Plus Volume 2, Issue 1 Page 15 In Memory of “Casino” This sweet boy succumbed to cancer while still in the care of IDR+. From all his fans with love, car rides and burgers forever Dearest Merlin, You were a sweet and special boy from the moment you came home, hardly able to stand on your own four paws. You always had a smile for everyone and everything you met, even through some very tough times, and made so many people smile along with you. You made us happier than we even knew was possible, and for that we thank you. We were very blessed to be your family, albeit only 5 years. Forever in our hearts and on our minds, Mom, Dad, & Cali Amaris Mystical Merlin 3-24-2000 to 10-6-2005 In memory of “Annie,” beloved Pet of Joyce Krenner. Annie was our very first Gold bead implant Dobe treated for Wobblers. It’s always heartbreaking when we cannot save a dog, and it's even more so when it’s a puppy. Many of our faithful web-watchers have followed the story of the special needs puppy we named “Forrest Gump.” Despite Forrest’s spirit, his vestibular disease made it increasingly difficult for him to feel safe in the world, and his broken leg refused to heal. Thank you to all the IDR+ supporters for their well wishes for Forrest during his short time with us. Our little Forrest has gone to The Rainbow Bridge where we hope he’s safe and happy, running through sunny fields on four strong,painfree legs with the other DoberAngels. Memorials & Tributes In memory of my very special ‘Mickey.’ I love and miss my special boy very much. Now my mom is watching over you in Heaven until we are together again. Love, Your Mom, Dixie Howard In Honor of ‘Apollo’, my new special boy. You stole my heart the first time I saw you. Love Dixie Howard To Honor ‘Nina’ and ‘Sarge’ Pam Szmanesky In honor of our dogs ‘Banner’ and ‘Lincoln’ who bring lots of love and laughter into our lives. Nick and Carolyn Stanger In memory of ‘Tristan’, ‘Sony’ and ‘Mandy’ Mary and Jerry Carris In memory of ‘Raven’ Tamara Foss Thank you for our ‘Sidney’ Lisa Laidlaw and Russell Bry In memory of ‘Allie’ From Rosie In loving memory of ‘Simon’ (AAD,OA,OAJ) and ‘Jemma’ (CGC, CD, TD, RDE, Rescue Dobe Extordinaire) Julie Rice In memory of ‘Lula’ April Mink In Memory of ‘Winston’ Carol And Chuck Zdenek In memory of Gary Hunt Tamara Foss In memory of ‘Magic’ who passed in July of 2005. She was 11 yrs old and truly our angel. Patty and Frank Alaimi In memory of Kelly Coughlin, one of our founding members of IDR+. IDR+ Volunteers To honor Holly and Chris Kelson for their love and devotion to animals. Happy Paws Pet Resort In honor of Gregg Wolfmeyer and his dog ‘Rinchen’ who is a very awesome dog and very much loved In memory of ‘Bentley O’Sullivan’ From Happy Paws Pet Resort In Memory of ‘Casandra’ The Loftus Family In memory of: Frejya Louie Ohio Roxie Raven Sexy Mercedes Juliette Dixie the Katrina Pups And all the dogs that went to the Rainbow bridge From all of the IDR+ Volunteers In honor of ‘Blitz’ ...Truly one of the best Dobes I have had the pleasure to love. Sandy Boruk In memory of ‘Bubba Gafforn’ : Dober Angel Leslie Every In memory of my Dobe ‘Noodle’ who left me in July, you are deeply missed. Your mom, Tammy Tucker In memory of ‘Tuffy’ and my Dobes Irene Forst In memory of Ember Beloved Guardian Angel dog of Ed and Barb Kasper IDR+ The Dober Dispatch The Newsletter of Illinois Doberman Rescue Plus Volume 2, Issue 1 The Dober Dispatch The Newsletter of Illinois Doberman Rescue Plus Page 14 Dober Desires 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. Dober Donations always accepted for our orphans: 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, Pro-Plan, 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.ht m 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 5. Dober-Dozing: large or x-large dog beds or comforters 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). 10. Dober-Dollars: used for the vet bills, phone bills, boarding, microchips. Volume 2, Issue 1 Page 3 Upcoming Events South Elgin Petco 364 Randall Road, Elgin 3rd Saturday of every month IDR+ General Membership Meetings June 11 Location TBA September 24 Marengo Park District December 3 Radisson, Northbrook Check www.ildoberescue.com often for more updates on IDR+ activities! SPECIAL EVENTS Doggie Expo June 17 Brighton Gardens 16051 S. LaGrange Road Orland Park IDR+ Dog Wash July 23 9am-3pm Tracy’s Doggone Farm 39636 N. Kilbourne Road Wadsworth Canine Classic September 17 10am-4pm Lockwood Park, Rockford In Loving Memory of Gary Hunt “Savior of All” 11/27/46 – 3/11/06 (continued) Well, the rest, as they say, is history! Gary and Linda took home their first foster dog shortly thereafter. The puppy’s name was Ginger and she was a gorgeous red female who was adopted within only three week’s time. But, they were so thrilled with their first foster experience that they were totally hooked. Over the years, Gary and Linda have fostered countless Dobermans and helped transition those homeless dogs into permanent and loving homes. Further, they adopted four of those Dobermans for their very own. Additionally, Gary’s love for helping those in need extended beyond just Dobermans. Many years back, Gary and Linda encountered a beautiful little boy named Dustin who was scheduled to go into foster care. After that meeting, they knew they could help make a difference, so they opened both their hearts and their home to children in need. Since that time, Gary and Linda have cared for over 200 foster children. Moreover, they adopted five of these foster children, and they also have six children of their own between them plus 21 grandchildren and one great grandchild. Imagine the love at those Christmas parties! Where Are They Now: Maui (continued) One evening not long after Mary and Dennis brought Maui home, they noticed that she was not feeling well. She was gagging, pacing, and hiding. Since Cookie had fought with gastrointestinal problems in the past, Mary and Dennis recognized these signs all too well. It turned out that Maui had bloat and had to be rushed to the vet for emergency surgery or she wouldn't make it. Maui came out of surgery with her stomach sewed to her abdominal wall; this was done to reduce the chance of bloating again to 5%. She was then allowed to go home to heal. Throughout this ordeal, Maui not only had Mary and Dennis worrying about her, but she also had her whole IDR+ extended family pulling for her recovery. Finally, this celebration of Gary’s life wouldn’t be complete without mentioning the love and respect that he and his wife held for one another. Linda recently shared a wonderful piece of their history with us–that she and Gary had met in kindergarten and that he was her first boyfriend! And, while they inevitably parted ways over the years, when they finally did reunite he said to her, “I lost you once… I am not going to lose you again!” They were happily married for 11 years and were completely inseparable during that time. In closing, we asked Linda how we could best pay tribute to Gary. She said, “Gary’s life was wrapped around children and dogs. He really loved IDR+, he really loved the dogs. In fact, Gary’s last movement was to pat his Doberman, Hunter, on the head. Please just honor Gary by taking care of the dogs in need. He worried about them until the end.” And, Linda finished by lovingly quoting, “Gary was a savior of all.” Gary, rest in peace, dear friend, and thank you for all that you did for those less fortunate. You will never be far from our thoughts… farewell. Fully recovered, Maui now has daily walks with her canine brother and sisters, and occasionally they all go to frolic at the dog beach near their home. Maui really seems to "be in her element where she runs the beach and shoreline chasing the waves and sea birds while meeting numerous new doggie friends and guardians." In the evenings, Maui snuggles and snoozes on the couch while her humans eat dinner, catch up on reading, or watch a favorite TV program. She doesn't play much with toys; she prefers to be snuggled up in her Hawaiian blanket that she brought with her from IDR+ (hmmmm, wonder why Maui likes her Hawaiian blanket so much?). Maui is a playful and affectionate senior Dober-Lady who Mary and Dennis reached out to and made a part of their family. They are committed to continuing to give senior dogs a happy and loving home where they can live out their lives, regardless of how long, or short, that time may be. We are grateful to have Mary and Dennis as a part of our IDR+ family. Their support for our organization and the dogs in our care, particularly the harder to place seniors, is a gift as well as a lesson to us all. The Dober Dispatch The Newsletter of Illinois Doberman Rescue Plus Volume 2, Issue 1 Page 4 The Dober Dispatch The Newsletter of Illinois Doberman Rescue Plus Volume 2, Issue 1 Page 13 Where Are They Now: Keystone/Sophie The IDR+ volunteers really enjoy hearing from our adoptive families, hearing about how well a former orphan is doing, how they are loved and part of a family since their time with us. We know that many of you follow our website for updates on bios, dogs being adopted and of course new dogs that are added to our website all the time - we follow along too! Some of the dogs in our care stay with us longer than many, until they find their forever homes. Keystone was one such dog, a Dober-girl who we referred to in her bio as a "wallflower". Well, Keystone (or KiKi as we knew her) was adopted in Jan. 2005 and boy, have things turned around for her! Sophie spends her day lounging on the couch and getting a midday walk with the dog walker. She is fed homemade food and treats and has a ritual of sit, dance, sit, dance, sit dance while waiting to be fed - and she always seems to know when it's time to eat breakfast and dinner. Sophie loves to lay on her back and do what her family refers to as the "Happy Dance"; she rubs her back on the wool rug in the family room while getting her belly scratched. Sophie's second favorite thing (after food) is bedtime. She will try to lure Laura to the bedroom when she's ready to go to sleep and she has her own "beddy" which is right next to the bed in Laura and her husband's room where she sleeps. A wonderful woman, Laura, who happens to be the sister of one of our own volunteers, adopted Keystone. After loosing their bloodhound to kidney failure in Jan. 2005, Laura was speaking to her brother about the loss of her dog, and he recommended that she go out to Pam's house to "check out the cast of characters she had there". For those of you who have been to Pam's, you know there is never a shortage of characters there - but I digress. Laura had already been interested in Keystone from her bio and a bit saddened that she'd been in foster care so long - overlooked, like the wallflower at the prom - as her bio stated. Upon meeting her at Pam's, she was Laura's instant first choice for a new companion. Sadly, Sophie bears the physical scars from her previous life, which include scars that appear to be from pellets shot through a pellet gun, an old head injury and one of her eyes does not open all the way. Sophie does not let her past get in the way of her present, though. She gets along with her family – human and animal, does great at the Dog Park, out on walks and even went to "Dog Day" at the Grayslake pool last year where she had a great time chasing her “brother”, Hunter around in the water. She loves to get and give attention and love, and like a true Doberman, she demands to be petted and rubbed. Laura says, "There are many lessons to be learned from her; forgiveness one of the biggest". Keystone became Sophie and moved in with her new family, which consists of human parents, two boys, two other dogs, a cat, a pet rat and a rabbit. At first, Sophie rarely left the kitchen, but Laura found out pretty quickly that the way to coax Sophie into anything was with food! Sophie finally made it out of the kitchen and into the living room and after about a month, she made it down the hallway into the bedrooms. Fast-forward a year.... IDR+ Does IKC For the first time, IDR+ had a booth at the International Kennel Club Dog Show at McCormick Place in Chicago on February 24, 25, and 26. The IKC show is one of the largest dog shows in the nation: three days of doggie nirvana featuring conformation, obedience, rally, and agility competition, as well as vendors selling everything you could want for dogs and those who love dogs. The IDR+ booth was a huge success. Many people left the show knowing more about our breed, and some even left with snazzy new wardrobe items from our Dober-Mart. Be sure to look for IDR+ to be there again in February 2007. Where Are They Now: Wrigley Last summer, an eight-year-old Great Dane came to IDR+. Wrigley weighed over 200 pounds and walked in pain from arthritis. After staying in two different foster homes, Wrigley lost 20 pounds and was adopted in August 2005. Wrigley and his new mom went on walks every day, and he is now at a healthy 160 pounds and moves around like a puppy. “He stops traffic,” said Darla, Wrigley’s new mom. Wrigley, now nine-and-a-half, is considered a very senior Dane, but Darla has had a lot of experience with older dogs. IDR+ thinks she just might have a magic touch with Wrigley. “I had a black 40-pound mutt named Poochie who lived to be 24 years old,” said Darla. Darla takes special care of Wrigley, which contributes to his longevity. When Wrigley first arrived at Darla’s, he had a hard time getting around due to his weight and age. Now, however, he can walk up stairs, run, get in and out of the car, and enjoy hour-long walks. “He can lick his butt now,” laughed Darla. “He couldn’t do that before.” She also said Wrigley is a very spoiled boy. He sleeps on futon mattresses throughout the house and wears sweatshirts to stay warm in winter. “He’s a ladies 2XL,” said Darla. “He also wears fitted horse blankets because we can’t find any dog sweaters that fit him.” Additionally, Wrigley's collar is as wide as a seatbelt, but twice as thick. He loves playing with his all of his friends – Salukis, German Shepherds, Bassets, Yorkies, and a Chihuahua. Wrigley also spends his days sunbathing, examining what’s in grocery bags, and throwing his many toys around the house. “He shakes his toys and tosses them into the air,” said Darla. “He forgets where they land, and he looks all over the house to find them.” Not many people are willing to adopt a senior Dane, but Wrigley hit a homerun with his forever home. Way to go, girls! Vicky’s on a roll . . . Congrats on your OA, OAJ, RE & JH! Kay is still the queen . . . Congrats on your NJP, WV-N, RE! Page 12 The Dober Dispatch The Newsletter of Illinois Doberman Rescue Plus Volume 2, Issue 1 Training: A Disease Called Trust This issue, we have a unique sort of training article. As most of you know, we encourage all of our adopters to train their dogs for many reasons; one is to control the dog with commands, not muscle power and a leash. At the same time, we continually warn you NEVER to allow your dog off lead outside of a fenced-in area. This initially may seem to be a contradiction; however, we believe it makes perfect sense. When we happened upon this article on one of the dog chat groups, it explained our position perfectly. There is a deadly disease stalking your dog, a hideous, stealthy thing just waiting for its chance to steal your beloved friend. It is not a new disease, or one for which there is an inoculation. The disease is called "Trust." You knew when you took your new rescue dog home that he could not be trusted. The foster home who provided you with this precious animal warned you, drummed it into your head. New rescue dogs can steal off counters, destroy anything expensive, chase cats, take time to house train, and must never be allowed off lead!!! When the big day finally arrived, heeding the sage advice of the foster, you escorted your new dog to his new home, properly collared and tagged, the lead held tightly in your hand. At home, the house was "dog proofed." A large wire crate became your new bedside table. Everything of value was stored in the spare bedroom, garbage stored on top of the refrigerator. Cats were separated, and a gate was placed across the living room. All the windows and doors had been properly secured, and signs placed in all strategic points reminding all to "Close the door!" Soon it becomes second nature to make sure the door closes nine tenths of a second after it was opened and that it is really latched. "Don't let the dog out" is your second most verbalized expression. (The first is "NO!") You worry and fuss constantly, terrified that your darling will get out and disaster will surely follow. Your friends comment about who you love most, your family or the dog. You know that to relax your vigil for a moment might lose him to you forever. And so the weeks and months pass, with your rescue dog becoming more civilized every day, and the seeds of trust are planted. It seems that each new day brings less destruction, less breakage. Almost before you know it, your wild, untrained dog has turned into an elegant, dignified friend. Now that he is a more reliable, sedate companion, you take him more places. No longer does he chew the steering wheel when left in the car. And darn it if that cake wasn't still on the counter this morning. And, oh yes, wasn't that the cat he was sleeping with so cozily on your pillow last night? At this point you are beginning to become infected; the disease is spreading its roots deep into your mind. You dutifully take him to obedience classes and, after a time, you even let him run loose from the car into the house when you get home. Why not? He always runs straight to the door, dancing a frenzy of joy, and waits to be let in. And, remember, he comes every time he is called. You know he is the exception that disproves the rule. (And, sometimes, late at night, you even let him slip out the front door to go potty and then right back in). Years pass. It's hard to remember why you ever worried so much when you first got him. He would never think of running out of the door left open while you bring in the packages from the car. It would be beneath his dignity to jump out the window of the car while you run into the convenience store. And when you take him for those wonderful, long walks at dawn, it only takes one whistle to bring him racing back to you in a burst of speed when the walk becomes too close to the highway. (He still gets in the garbage, but nobody is perfect.) This is the time the disease has waited for so patiently. Sometimes it only has to wait a year or two, but often it takes much longer. He spies the neighborhood dog across the street and suddenly forgets everything he ever knew about not slipping out doors, jumping out windows or coming when called due to traffic. Perhaps it was only a paper fluttering in the breeze, or even just the sheer joy of running . . . Stopped in an instant. Stilled forever. Your heart is broken at the sight of his still body. The disease is trust. The final outcome--hit by a car. Every morning for seven years my dog bounced around off lead exploring. Every morning for seven years he came back when he was called. He was perfectly obedient, perfectly trustworthy. He died fourteen hours after being hit by a car. Please do not risk your friend and your heart. Save the trust for things that don't matter. Please read this every year on your dog’s “gotcha day,” lest we forget. The Dober Dispatch The Newsletter of Illinois Doberman Rescue Plus Volume 2, Issue 1 Page 5 The Gift of A Special Young Lady Giving is never easy at any age, but it is especially hard to think of others when you’re young. However, a wonderful young woman recently honored us with a unique donation. Becca Horwitz, the daughter of IDR+ volunteers Elaine and Tony, deserves a big round of applause from all of us for her selflessness. She was given the option of having a party for her eighth birthday or giving the money set aside for her party to a charity of her choice. This is a family tradition that she was familiar with because her older siblings, given the same choice, had donated their birthday money towards various organizations. When Elaine started listing the possible organizations for Becca to contribute to, she started with IDR+ and got no further. We were the only group Becca thought worthy of her birthday money. Becca knows more about our work than most eight year old girls because her family has fostered numerous dogs for us. She was particularly concerned about Samantha, who came to us with a broken hip. She needed an expensive surgery to help her walk pain-free again. Samantha, like Becca, is full of life and love. Becca’s donation helped cover the cost of the surgery, and Samantha is now in her forever home. Becca is a great example of how anyone can help IDR+. Donations are sincerely appreciated, and we are always in need of help with activities, transportation, fundraising and fostering. If you would like to donate your time or resources to IDR+, please contact us at: [email protected]. The Chicagoland Family Pet Expo Where were you the weekend of March 17-19? If you were at the Chicagoland Family Pet Expo, you experienced an amazing time. Once again, IDR+ set up a fantastic booth. As Janay Padron, the event organizer said, “It was a wonderful weekend to educate the public on the Doberman breed!” We were able to talk to people about what type of person makes a good Doberman owner, and what requirements this great breed needs to become a long-term and loving member of the family. Visitors really seemed to catch on to the idea that we are not just about finding “any” home for our rescue animals. We are interested in matching dogs with the most appropriate owners, and sometimes this comes down to educating people as to why they might not want to have a Doberman as a family member. To assist us IDR+ President, Pam with educating the public, we disAbare-Newton with played several new publications inIDR+ Alumnus “Degas” cluding “Don’t Get a Doberman” and “The Truth About Albinos.” These materials, along with our business cards and our regular brochures, were snapped up as fast as we could put them out in the displays. It was heartening to see how many people wanted to know more about this wonderful breed. Perhaps one of the reasons we had so many people stopping by was the new open and inviting layout of our booth. This year there were no tables in front to stop people from coming in and petting our representative Dobermans, and they came in droves. Not everyone was interested in adopting a Doberman. Some just wanted to stop and pet our special PR dogs. It was especially heartwarming when our former adopters stopped by, and they all seemed to glow when they talked about their own IDR+ rescue dogs. Some even stood and watched the 1300 dogs photos in the video hall of fame just to see their own dog on TV. The “Where’s Melvin?” eggs kept kids dropping their dollars into the donation jar, and it was a great success because there were no losers. Finally, many volunteers helped man the booth with 10 alumni dogs providing great representation of the breed. It was a fantastic weekend of education and dog-o-licious fun for all! The Dober Dispatch The Newsletter of Illinois Doberman Rescue Plus Page 6 Volume 2, Issue 1 The Dober Dispatch The Newsletter of Illinois Doberman Rescue Plus Volume 2, Issue 1 Page 11 The Dober Dispatch The Newsletter of Illinois Doberman Rescue Plus Volume 2, Issue 1 The Dober Dispatch The Newsletter of Illinois Doberman Rescue Plus Volume 2, Issue 1 Page 7 Page 10 Where Are They Now: Boo! Boo! Are you scared? Well, our little Boo Bear isn’t scared anymore. I’m sure our faithful followers will remember him. He had a BIG booboo. IDR+’s Boo came to us around Halloween 2004. Animal Control had not planned to even call us because they didn’t think we would want a dog with a nonfunctioning leg. Thank goodness they did contact us because Boo’s temperament and resilience made him a gem of a dog. He went through many procedures and rehab to try and help him use his leg again. However, it was to no avail as there was too much nerve damage. Unfortunately, he had to have his leg amputated. Don’t cry boo-hoo for Boo, though, because he jumped back from surgery and didn’t seem to notice that his leg was gone. After a lengthy recovery and stay at Pam’s medical ward, Boo finally went to his permanent loving home. The Petschinsky family opened their hearts yet again to an IDR+ orphan. They currently have two IDR+ alumni. It did not even phase them that Boo was a special needs dog. The words of his new mom and dad best describe how he has fit into their lives: “Boo pretty much fit into our home immediately as he is such an easy-going type of guy. Although he has never tried to go up or down stairs in the house, he has just a back stoop to maneuver when he goes out. When he and his brother and sister, Toby and Lily, are let out, they all tear out of the door like maniacs with Boo being able to keep up easily. Boo loves to eat his meals in about two seconds flat and adores rawhide chews. Boo usually avoids playing rough with Lily because she is a “meany,” but he has fun with Toby. Toby seems to sense that Boo has a small handicap and he plays nicely with him; even when Boo bites Toby's head, which he enjoys doing every chance he gets. Boo is very affectionate and loves to be pet but he is not needy. For all he has been through, he is a very happy man and we are lucky to have him.” We can only hope that all of our special needs Dobermans end up in such wonderful, loving homes. And, we hope that Boo helped them enjoy the Three Legged Dog bottle of wine that was given to the family to celebrate his adoption. IDR+ Katrina Update Dear Melvin B Dear Melvin B., My dog Rusty* eats poop. Should I be worried? Yes and no. Coprophagia (the technical term for consuming feces) is necessary for a new mother to clean up after her puppies, but other dogs might eat their feces for several reasons. Some do it out of anxiety or boredom, so be sure to keep your dog exercised and occupied. For others, it's a scavenging instinct, so pick up the yard on a regular basis. If you dog eats his own feces, it's usually not a health concern— just a gross habit. However, if your dog is consuming other dogs' or animals' poop, he might be picking up unwanted parasites, worms, or other diseases. Try adding a deterrent (like For-Bid) to your dog's food. Sprinkle the recommended amount of powder on his food. It's hard to imagine making something taste worse than poop, but the additive makes the feces sour and very unpleasant to most dogs. It should only take a few days for your dog to break his nasty habit. If your dog still eats his or other feces, a muzzle will physically make it hard for him to eat it. Dear Melvin B., My dog Suzie* frequently scoots her butt across the carpet. Why does she do this? She might have worms. To rule out this possibility, a fecal sample can be dropped off at your vet. If your vet determines your dog has worms, this can be easily treated with a prescription from your vet. The second possibility is she might have an issue with her anal glands, the “business card” other dogs sniff when they meet each other. Usually, dogs naturally release a small amount of anal gland fluid when they have a bowel movement, or they use the putrid smell for marking or self-defense. If a dog’s glands are infected, over-productive or impacted, she might try to squeeze them herself by scooting. You might need to express her glands for her to relieve her discomfort. Go to your vet to learn how to properly accomplish this task. If the problem persists, you can add fiber to her diet, which might bulk up her feces and encourage more fluid to be released during a bowel movement. A vet might also prescribe antibiotics to treat infected glands. *names have been changed A month after Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans, IDR+ filled the Dobervan with volunteers and supplies to help with rescue efforts. They drove straight through to New Orleans and arrived at a small independent group called Muttshack, which operated an emergency animal hospital and kennel in a damaged school in East New Orleans. They got the kennel up and running, put crates together, established a system for intake of volunteers and animals, set up an eating area, and attempted to control the garbage that was quickly piling up with no sign of a pick up. There was destruction everywhere with an eerie quiet and the smell of decomposition blanketing everything. There were no bathrooms, sleeping quarters, running water, or amenities of any kind. The volunteers slept in the vans and on sleeping bags in the parking lot. Eventually they were able to go out on search and rescue missions because they had places to put the animals, a hospital to treat them, people to feed and walk them, and a procedure for reuniting people with their animals. On one mission, the IDR volunteers rescued an entire block full of dogs trapped in houses. Until the sun went down they went house to house getting the dogs they could and leaving food for the ones who would not come to out. They recovered five dogs that night and spray painted the houses and driveways with information on where the owners could find their pets if they happened to return home, but these dogs had been over four weeks alone locked in their houses and yards because their owners did not expect the hurricane to be so devastating. During that week, Muttshack was able to rescue not only hundreds of cats and dogs, but swans, ducks, chickens, rabbits, fish, turtles, cockatiels, and an iguana, which one of the IDR volunteers adopted. On their last night, the IDR volunteers managed to round up a scared and hungry pack of five dogs. One night, a rescue team rushed into the treatment area with 13 cats—all were near death, starved, and had severe chemical burns; some were even covered in maggots. As the vets attempted to save those 13, the rescue team went back for six more live cats living among 50 dead cats and dogs. When the IDR volunteers returned to the “cat house” the next day for a final check, they met a mother and daughter who were attempting to clean out their home across the street. Although they literally had nothing left in their house, they offered their last $10 to the IDR and Muttshack volunteers to help the animals. Two dogs rode back to IL in the Dobervan. Remi, a young female Rottweiler mix, has been successfully treated for heartworm and loves playing with her foster mom and foster brothers and sisters and is looking for her new forever home. Zora, a female Akita/ Shepherd mix, was treated for heartworm and a tumor; she was adopted by her foster parents and loves her two new sisters. IDR+ has other dogs displaced by Hurricane Katrina up for adoption. Shelby, a 6-year-old Dobergirl, came to IDR heartworm positive and pregnant with a large litter of puppies. She gave birth just before Christmas and is now heartworm free. She is ready to put her breeding days behind her in her new forever home. Katrina Zena, another sweet Dobergirl, arrived with a serious case of mange that left her bald. She is responding well to treatments and should be available for adoption soon. Missy, a 5-yearold Bulldog, has also retired from breeding and was treated for heartworm. She will need a loving home with some extra attention to help her with some skin issues. IDR+ Stats Stats as of March 31, 2006: Total intake from May 2003 to March 2006: 1370 Total intake from Sept. 2005 to March 2006: 367 Total treated for heartworm: 52 (Most shelters and rescues do not treat this!) Total medical dogs taken in since May 2003: 92 (This includes anything from pregnant to Wobblers to cancer) Sometimes we have dogs that come in needing rather intensive medical care. Here are two examples of what it costs us to take care of these dogs. Most rescue groups cannot take on animals needing extensive medical care due to the high cost. Shelby: Total spent: $1,000 This was for heartworm treatment, x-ray of her leg, puppies, and basic medical care. Ameris: Total spent: $1,700 This was for repair of a badly broken leg. Your donations allow us to help these dogs. Thanks! The Dober Dispatch The Newsletter of Illinois Doberman Rescue Plus Volume 2, Issue 1 The Dober Dispatch The Newsletter of Illinois Doberman Rescue Plus Volume 2, Issue 1 Page 9 Page 8 Toxic Corner: Death By Chocolate? It Can Happen! Pets are definitely at risk of chocolate intoxication if they ingest sufficient amounts of chocolate or cocoa products. Both dogs and cats will experience similar signs of intoxication, but the more discriminate eating habits of cats is likely responsible for fewer occurrences of chocolate intoxication in cats1. Chocolate exposures in pets seem to most commonly occur around holidays such as Valentine’s Day, Easter, Halloween and Christmas1. There is a vast array of chocolate and cocoa products that pose potential risk to pets upon ingestion. Baked goods, including cakes, cookies, brownies, and baking supplies such as cocoa powder and various types of chocolate chips are often available in the home. Various chocolate candy products may be found in the home as well. Even a pet’s yard may pose a potential risk as cocoa bean mulches are sometimes utilized in landscaping. What Is It About Chocolate That Makes It Potentially Dangerous To Pets? Chocolate contains methylxanthines or, more specifically, the methylxanthines theobromine and caffeine1. The more theobromine and caffeine available in a chocolate product, the greater the risk posed to the pet in the case of ingestion. Generally, the darker the chocolate is, the greater the theobromine and caffeine content. The following illustrates the order of most potentially toxic to least potentially toxic chocolate products: dry cocoa powder, cocoa beans, coffee beans, bakers chocolate (unsweetened chocolate), cocoa bean hulls, semi-sweet chocolate, instant cocoa powder, dark chocolate (sweet chocolate), milk chocolate, white chocolate1. Decontamination, when appropriate, is extremely beneficial to prevent serious signs of toxicosis. Decontamination may be helpful several hours after ingestion of chocolate. Decontamination should be performed under the direction of veterinary staff and should never be attempted in a symptomatic pet. The health and age of the pet, as well as recent surgery status, are important things to keep in mind when assessing the benefit versus the risk of inducing vomiting at home. Although individual sensitivities may occur, based on APCC experience, generally, a dose of 20 mg/kg of chocolate may result in mild signs1. A dose of 40-50 mg/kg may result in heart effects1. A dose of 60 mg/kg or greater may result in seizures and possibly death1. Exploring a couple exposure scenarios and the impact of the type of chocolate ingested, consider an 86 pound, healthy (not on any medications and no known underlying health conditions or recent surgeries), male Doberman ingesting 12 ounces of white chocolate versus 12 ounces of semi-sweet chocolate chips (please see Table 1). An 86 pound dog is equivalent to 39 kilograms. The cumulative methylxanthine amount ingested in the white chocolate exposure is 13.2 milligrams. The cumulative methylxanthine amount ingested in the semi-sweet chocolate exposure is 1920 milligrams. The white chocolate exposure is not a cause for concern since the overall dosage is 0.34 mg/kg. The semi-sweet chocolate exposure is definitely a big concern since the dose is approximately 49 mg/kg and is at the potential PPLLA ATTIIN NU UM MC CLLU UB B heart effect level. It is also important to note that methylxanthines do cross the placenta and are passed into the milk so nursing or unborn offspring of a pregnant female could be at risk1. Management of chocolate exposure may involve a trip to the veterinarian or emergency clinic, depending on the severity of signs and the amount of chocolate ingested. Clinical signs are often noted within six to 12 hours of ingestion1. Signs may initially present as increased thirst, vomiting, diarrhea, bloating and restlessness1. They may progress to hyperactivity, increased urination, ataxia, tremors and seizures1. Other potential signs include increased heart-rate, irregular heart rhythm, abnormally fast breathing, cyanosis, increased blood pressure, increased body temperature and coma1. Death may occur and is often the result of cardiac arrhythmias or respiratory failure1. It is also important to note that pancreatitis may occur secondarily due to the high fat content associated with various chocolate products1. Typically, pancreatitis would occur within 24 to 72 hours following exposure1. Because of the potential for development of serious clinical signs, it is important to prevent exposure of pets to chocolate and chocolate-containing products. Keeping chocolate and chocolatecontaining products out of reach of pets is a precaution worth implementing in the home. Baked goods and other chocolate products should not be stored on the counter because even the best behaved dog may be prone to counter surfing for chocolate. It only takes once for a potentially hazardous situation to develop. Thankfully, most chocolate toxicosis cases, when treated appropriately, resolve with no lasting negative impact to the pet. Illinois Doberman Rescue Plus would like to extend a very gracious thank you UBB NU UM M CCLLU to all of our PPLLA ATTIIN members. Since the inception of IDR+ in May 2003, these generous individuals have donated $500 or more. We would like to thank all of our supporters who help us achieve our financial goals. Without the continued support of our regular donators, we would never be able to meet the needs of all of our wonderful orphans! http://www.aspca.org/site/DocServer/toxbrief_0201.pdf?docID=111; accessed March 2006. Relative Amounts of Methylxanthines in Various Forms of Chocolate1 Compound Theobromine Caffeine (mg/oz) (mg/oz) White Chocolate 0.25 0.85 Milk Chocolate 58 6 Semi-sweet Chocolate Chips Sweetened Cocoa Mix Unsweetened Chocolate Unsweetened Cocoa Powder Cocoa Bean Mulch 138 22 138 22 393 47 737 70 255 NA These little bites are my Dobe’s favorites. He loves to cook with me, so make them with your own little helper! Cheesy Bacon Bites 3/4 cup whole wheat flour 1/2 tsp. baking soda 12 tsp. salt 1 stick margarine, softened 2/3 C. brown sugar Nesher Asner Kristen Carey Steve & Lauren Kelliher Ellenita Kieper Mark & Kathy Loftus – Happy Paws Pet Resort Craig McGuinness Kelly Mullen Denise Rea References 1. Gwaltney-Brant S: Chocolate intoxication. Vet Med 96(2), 2001. also available at: Whistlin’ Dixie’s Extraordinary Treat Ideas John & Kathy Albee Erik & Gerd Brueggmann Lisa Delcase Bill & Lynda DuVall Mary Franz & Dennis Thackery Leighton Hansel Dixie Howard Guests of John Kaprales’ 40th Birthday Party Laura Knoll Mary Locher The Mikes – Mike Cavanaugh & Mike Zeno Roya Newman Sharon Peck David & Suzanne Sears Maureen Sherlock Llashly Van Raden Windschant Kennel – Brent & Patty Harris Jennifer Wise 1 egg, slightly beaten 1 1/2tsp. vanilla 1 1/2 cups uncooked oats 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese 2/3 cup wheat germ 1/2 lb. bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine flour, soda and salt; mix well and set aside. Cream margarine and sugar; beat in egg and vanilla. Add flour mixture, mixing well. Stir in remaining ingredients. Drop by rounded teaspoons onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake for 15 – 16 minutes. Cool on baking sheets for a minute or so before moving to a cooling rack. From the kitchen of IDR+'s own Whistlin’ Dixie Shop to Help IDR+ Jewel Shop and Share June 26 to 28th November 13th to 15th December 11th to 13th Dominicks Benefit Days June 19-21 November 13-15, December 18-20 Watch www.ildoberescue.com for details!
