Sadly, I must report that our beloved Raisin has lost her courageous fight against cancer – newly discovered intestinal tumors revealed a life threatening condition that was insurmountable. Once all reasonable options were exhausted, she was humanely euthanized on September 27th.
Raisin will now rest in peace under a tree at Elijah’s House, a tree whose leaves are falling in silent mourning, in a field where she ran with her characteristic exuberance. The spring green growth will signal a new beginning ,and yet another
neglected, abandoned Dobe, not unlike Raisin, will start his/her journey at DRT. While Raisin may not have survived this final challenge, her spirit will forever live in our hearts and we will continue to offer the tender virtues of love and compassion to all those who enter through our doors – for these are not simply "rescue dogs," they represent a commitment for which we have a life-long charge.
Thank you so much for your positive thoughts, prayers and financial support.
9-27-11
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Sam Mayhew (d. Apr 11th '13)
Dear Mama Carol,
I need you’re your prayers during my final journey here on earth. I need your prayers for my mommy & daddy because they are very sad. My doctor said that I have a very aggressive bone cancer. My mommy is giving me pain medicine & my daddy lifts me up to his bed. It hurts to put weight on my left leg. I will be going to rainbow bridge soon. I have done my duties - managed Cindy the best I could, been a faithful servant to my family & a great guard dog.
Thank you, Mama Carol, for finding me the perfect family. It has been a great 7 years. I even had a girlfriend next door for the last 3 yrs. I know that my mommy can manage Cindy. Please keep placing Dobes. I went from being a stray to eating great food & sleeping in the people beds! Good bye for now.
Love, Sam 
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JADA d. 4-7-13
To say that Jada was taken from me entirely too soon is a gross understatement. As I sat with my wonderful and supportive mom in the emergency vet’s office cradling “my Bug” as they put her down, I was in total shock. I may never have a clear answer as to why she left me so soon, but I guess it was her time. Jada took with her an important piece of my heart that I will never get back.
When I say that she could look in to my eyes and know exactly how I was feeling, it is the honest to God truth. Our emotions were so in sync that it was scary, and as strange as it sounds, I feel like she is one of the few beings in this world that has ever understood me. I used to think about how wonderful she would be with my children, and what a fantastic family dog she would be. I will never get that. As devastating as that is for me to realize, I do have two years of wonderful memories with a dog that has touched my life in the best way possible.
Jada was a stunning dog with a beautiful spirit and demeanor. Her kindness and heart will never be matched, and I am confident in saying that. I don’t think it has fully set in yet that she is gone, but I have faith that I will see her again. Even though Jada is not a DRT Dobe, through my volunteer work at Elijah’s House, I know all who knew her felt she was a precious part of my world and a true testament to the extraordinary nature of Dobermans.
Carly H.
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TAKODA at DRT 2006
TAKODA STANDING TALL AT HIS FOREVER HOME
TAKODA RUNNING AND PLAYING
TAKODA...ALWAYS THE FRIEND
Hi Carol,
Finally got my internet back so trying to catch up with things. It's hard sitting here, Takoda was always laying alongside, but knowing he is running and playing again and most importantly, seeing the beauty that surrounds him and maybe his Mommy and Daddy, does make things easier. We will meet again. We would appreciate it if you could post the following in the Memorial section of your site and also Thank You, and all, for allowing him to come into our lives. Because of the Caring and dedication you have for saving all the Dobermans you can, our lives were made a lot richer. I'll also attach a few pictures of him.
We had to send Takoda on his journey to the Rainbow Bridge Monday, 3/11/13 and the past few days had to be some of the hardest days of my life. Being retired, Takoda was with me 24 / 7, no matter where I went or what I did, he was with me, and I kept looking and waiting for him all day long. Losing a special dog is always hard but when you lose one who is with you like that, who looked at you as his eyes, it is something else.
Looking back at how he came into our lives, a blind Doberman who also had Diabetes Insipidus, makes me wonder about those folks who question Carols policy of giving every Dobe a chance at a new home, no matter the circumstances or their medical condition. A lot of places would have turned Takoda away, afterall, his overall condition was poor and being blind would make it hard to find someone to adopt him. If that was DRT's policy, a very special dog would not have come into our lives.
I wondered, when we adopted him - a Rescue from a Puppy Mill who had almost no human interaction, just how hard was it going to be to train him. Being blind surely would make that a lot harder. Was I ever wrong and we learned a lot more from him than I could ever teach him. Unconditional love, understanding, ways to overcome adversity and so much more. I learned real fast that he knew a lot more than me and to let him show me how to do things. It quickly became obvious that he might be blind but he didn't know it and that was what we would tell everyone.
His blindness never held him back, he learned obedience faster than any other dog I have ever had, and had his CGC in less then a year. A blind Puppy Mill dog that many would just toss away. He knew right away that he had found a special home and was determined to show just how much he wanted to be a part of it. From a shy, skittish, blind Doberman, came a Proud and loving Doberman that loved everyone and everything. The littler the child or pup, the more he would show his love and caring ways.
I could keep writing this forever and not tell all that he shared with us. We wanted him with us forever, even when we knew that couldn't happen, and losing him was quite a shock. He never showed any signs of discomfort, until that slight limp came about, and there was never any clues that bone cancer was devastating the bones in his rear legs. I told him, when we adopted him, that we would never let him suffer, like he did in that Puppy Mill, so making the decision was a lot easier but still so hard.
Knowing that he is now running and playing at the Rainbow Bridge, seeing the beauty that surrounds him and maybe, just maybe, getting his first look at those who loved him, makes things somewhat easier. We know he is so grateful to Carol and DRT for rescuing him and not turning him away like so many others would and we truly want to thank them for that. To those folks who just have to complain about the money and time spent on that Special Needs, Rescued dog, if you had the pleasure of having one, you would learn very quickly that a Special Needs dog is Very, Very Special.
We sent you on a journey to a land free from pain. Not because we didn't love you, we loved you too much to force you to stay.
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I am sad to say that I had to put Dylan to sleep today. He had an awesome 10 years with me with the last five with 33 acres to run on (my neighbors land included, because he was their buddy too). He got to the point where he could not get up and was loosing bladder control. I did not want him to be in pain or humiliated anymore. I'm not sure how I am going to explain it to my 2 year old, my parents took her before I got home so she would not have to see me leave and not come back with him. I know the hard part will be when I get up tomorrow and he is not in his dog bed beside our bed. I want you to know that he had a wonderful life and will be missed. It pains me greatly to have to write this. I barely made it through the day at school knowing what I had to do. Needless to say I will not be there tomorrow, the pain is too great. Even the kids knew something was wrong. If you have any puppies available please let me know. My daughter and our other dog will need another companion.
Thanks for letting Dylan be a part of our lives. Please feel free to post my letter!
These are two of my favorite pictures...always the guard dog to Andrea!
Kathy 2-7-13
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Dear Carol,
I regret having to write this email.
It is with grave sorrow that I need to let you know we sent
our beloved Zoe to the Rainbow Bridge yesterday. She was
almost 11. She had a good size tumor on her side that
didn't seem to bother her much. Ultimately, it was an extensive
case of Wobbler's disease that was the reason we needed
to put her at peace.
Carol, she was such an amazing addition to our family. A
spirit and soul like no other. She was NEVER ugly to any-
one and especially and most concerning, to our two young
growing children. She was always docile and gentle, and
believe me - she had many opportunities and reasons to
be ugly!
She blessed us beyond measure and will be greatly missed.
We sent our other dog to the Rainbow Bridge just before
Christmas. Since then, Zoe was never the same.
I thank you for offering us such an amazing blessing. Zoe
changed our lives and will continue to do so.
When and if we would like to be blessed with another Dobe,
rest assured, we will be in touch.
Please keep sending us correspondence for DRT - we really
want to keep in touch. We have since moved, however,if at anytime, you need anything - a
driveby, etc. please just let me know.
Many blessings,
Lynn, Darren, Zack & Brock Novak
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|
 Gabe 2/6/04 - 12/13/2012
Hi, Carol:
As you already know, Gabe went to sleep Thursday evening at our local animal emergency vet. It was a complete surprise, and in hindsight, there had been very subtle changes in the past few weeks that we would have never connected to a serious condition, let alone cancer. We have had Dobermans for close to 40 years, and none of them ever had cancer. We now know that was truly exceptional luck and an incredible blessing.
The grief is almost too much to bear. I lost my next younger sister the end of October, and Dennis actually spent the last five days of her life being her primary care giver as I had to return to work. Gabe was of course with him, and while he never liked to be anywhere other than home (Mass or Maine), he never once asked to leave (which he normally did many times each trip). He was an incredibly perceptive dog although very low key, and I'm sure he sensed what was going on.
Dennis and I sat together last night looking at the many pictures we have of Gabe, and what a blessing it was. We have few pictures of previous dogs, and are so grateful for the many we have of Gabe. We only regret that we have no video of him waiting for us at the top of the stairs, looking for all the world like he was totally bored (we called it the "dead dog" look-hard to write that now), but the higher we got on the stairs, the more we could see his tail wagging at 90 miles an hour.
He liked it best when we were all together on the love seat, with him between us. I generally was the last one to arrive, and he would adjust his position to allow me to fit in, and then place a paw on my leg and groan with happiness. He never liked it when Dennis and I weren't in the same room, and would often place himself equidistant between us.
He went everywhere with us, only being left home for short periods when it was impossible or not safe to take him (too hot or cold). In seven years, there were only two times that he was not with at least one of us. In the car, he would recline on the back seat with his chin resting on the window sill, watching out the window. We called this low-riding, and he always knew where we were, or if it was someplace new, he'd be soaking up the details. It must have been this that allowed him to make his way home to his first home after being dumped by the family's new husband/father. Thank heavens someone found him before he made it home the second time he was dumped, and brought him to DRT. He then waited more than three months for us to come. I believe it was meant to be.
There was also "the paw". Mostly in the car, but really anywhere, he would gently place a paw on either Dennis or me when he wanted something, and then we had to figure out what is was. He was given two treats after every meal, and another after he had gone potty. He got to be quite a liar as he would go out, turn around and ask to come in, and then sit in front of the treats expecting one. While we tried to hold the line, I know I fudged occasionally, and I think Dennis did too.
We discovered a few years ago that he loved stuffed animals, and started scouring Craig's list for free bags of them. We'd give them out one at a time (removing the little plastic parts and anything that made noise), and they usually lasted only a day or two. How he loved to either just hold it in his mouth for awhile, or immediately tear it limb from limb. I cleaned up many "body" parts on almost a daily basis.
You gave us a large stuffed dog in September 2011, and we set it aside for Christmas. I had to move it out of the guest room for some visitors, and could not find it again. Months later, I was making our bed and he was sitting behind me, facing the closet (which fortunately was open) and looking up. There on a high shelf was the missing toy!
It has been a joy to write this, but doesn't take away the anguish of no longer having him here lying at my feet. I don't know what we are going to do without him.
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for being the one responsible for the best dog and seven years of our lives. I'm sure Gabe felt the same way.
Barbara and Dennis
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Carol , on October 2 , a beautiful and loving Lady crossed the Rainbow Bridge . Our hearts are broken and our lives are empty without her , but even at this time , we know that we have been blessed because of the unconditional love Billie Holliday gave us .
Billie came into our lives on February 27 , 2009 when we saw her running alongside the DRT fence as we drove in ..... barking as if to say " you`re here , you`re here "! She knew long before we did that she would be ours . After the long ride to South Carolina , a tired Billie checked out the house and claimed the couch and our hearts forever .
Unfortunately , about three months ago she was diagnosed with congestive heart failure and atrial fibrillation . We knew her time was short and we promised her she would never suffer or lose her dignity . We could see that she knew her time was short as she began staying even closer to us than before and watched us constantly.
The morning after we made the difficult decision to keep our promise , we took her to McDonalds for her favorite .... a sausage biscuit with butter and orange marmalade . At the Vet`s we held her and loved her as she crossed the Bridge with dignity , a Lady to the end . Her Vet , along with us , shed tears as she left us .
Warren Zevron recorded a song that conveys what Billie was telling us in her final days .
Bob and Carole
" Keep Me In Your Heart "
Shadows are falling and I`m running out of breath
Keep me in your heart for awhile
If I leave you , it doesn`t mean I love you any less
Keep me in your heart for awhile
Hold me in your thoughts , take me to your dreams
Touch me as I fall into view
When Winter comes , keep the fires lit
and I`ll be right next to you
Keep me in your heart for awhile
Keep me in your heart for awhile
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01/21/04-06/18/12
On June 18, 2012 our beloved companion, Bailey, made the journey across the Rainbow Bridge to run the fields of Heaven disease free.
Bailey found and adopted us in 02/05. He was just over a year old and weighed only 58 lbs even though he was a large young boy with feet the size of my hands. Over the course of the next year, Bailey blossomed into the beautiful boy he was meant to be. His weight steadily went up to 97 lbs and his fur became softer with proper nutrition and the knowledge that he had a hypothyroid and needed daily medication. We also later discovered that he had multiple allergies and required shots for those. These he took like a pro.
Bailey enjoyed the little things in life. Chewing a comforter, rolls of toilet paper, socks, magazines and multiple other items were never far from his thoughts and mouth. He lived for the moment he could sneak a towel past us and prance with his prize in his mouth. He was never one to chase a ball, but played with his "brother" Apollo and loved to pounce on his crab shaped squeaker toy. He would also bark at the cats just to make them run and had even been known to pull their tails a time or two.
Bailey's heart was made of gold and goodness, however his body was not. He was diagnosed with Wobblers disease a few years ago and maintained well with pain medication until last summer. His legs began to fail him and steroids helped for a while. Eventually, the choice had to be made.
We miss our "son" so very much. His footprint is forever on our hearts. Until we meet again, Bailey we loved and still love you. Jeff & Kathy
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MISSIVE FROM A DOG – Thursday, July 19, 2012
I LOVE GOOD BREAD, THE EXPENSIVE KIND. I'LL WOLF DOWN THE ENTIRE LOAF IF GIVEN THE TIME. THROW IN A STICK OF BUTTER AND I AM, INDEED, ONE HAPPY POOCH.
I FOLLOW MY MASTERS INCESSANTLY. THEY NEED MY PROTECTION, OF COURSE. THIS IS NOT ALWAYS APPRECIATED BY THE FEMALE ONE, WHO SOMETIMES LOSES HER BALANCE TRYING NOT TO STEP ON ME. THIS ONLY SERVES TO PROVE MY POINT.
I CAN SING A WILD TUNE; QUITE AN INTERESTING DUET WITH MY COMPANION DOBE, ANNIE. WE LOVE TO SING LOUDLY LIKE THIS WHEN THE PHONE RINGS AND ESPECIALLY IF SOMEONE IS LEAVING A MESSAGE.
I AM THE MOST OBEDIENT AND LOYAL DOG EVER BORN.
I AM IMPOSING AND REGAL; THREATENING TO THOSE WHO HAVE NOT YET LEARNED I AM REALLY JUST A BIG PUFF A LUMP.
I LOVE MY FOREVER FAMILY AND WILL BLESS CAROL AND DRT ALWAYS.
I THANK MAX, WHO WALKED AND FED ME SO MANY TIMES; PETTING ME ENDLESSLY WHILE WATCHING TV.
I THANK ANA, WHO TAUGHT ME FUN GAMES IN THE BACKYARD. JUMPING TO NEW HEIGHTS ON THE OBSTACLE COURSES SHE WOULD DEVISE FOR ANNIE AND ME. I WAS THE STAR PUPIL, I MUST SAY, WHICH WAS VERY HELPFUL IN OBTAINING THOSE LOAVES OF BREAD AND SUCH LEFT OUT ON THE KITCHEN COUNTER MENTIONED EARLIER.
I LOVE MY MASTER, DUTCH, WHO KNEW RIGHT AWAY THAT SUMMER DAY AT DRT THAT I WOULD BE THE LUCKY DOBE TO LEAVE WITH HIM THAT DAY. HE LOVES AND TREASURES ME MORE THAN EITHER OF US CAN SAY.
GOODBYE, ANNIE, I'LL MISS YOU. PLEASE TAKE OVER WHERE I LEFT OFF. I KNOW THE HUMANS THINK YOU WANT TO CALL THE SHOTS AS YOU DO NOT LISTEN AS WELL AS I. YOU WERE REALLY JUST WATCHING OUT FOR ME, PREPARING FOR THE DAY THAT I WOULD BE THE ONE TO DEPART FIRST.
I WOULD LIKE TO THANK MY DEVOTED VET AND STAFF AT PIPER GLEN. DR M IS A LOVER OF ALL FURRY THINGS BUT ESPECIALLY MY BREED. WE HAD A CONNECTION, SHE AND I, AND SHE UNDERSTOOD WHEN I WAS READY TO GO. I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS THE NORM BUT SHE EVEN SHED A TEAR OR TWO AS I BEGAN MY WALK TOWARD THE BRIDGE TODAY. YOU ARE A GRAND VET.
MY NAME IS BISMARCK – BISY FOR SHORT -
AND TODAY I WALKED OVER THE BRIDGE~~
NO REGRETS, ONLY GRACE.
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7-2-12
FAITHFULL
We got Bo from Doberman Rescue of the Triad (4/29/00) at approx 1 year old. He had been severely abused and abandoned before wandering onto a church parking lot on Easter morning. Bo was leery of most humans, especially men. (the nuns called him "Boo") and while he never completely recovered from the trauma, he was incredibly resilient. In the 12+ years he's been in the family, he revealed a delightful sense of humor like nothing I've never seen in an animal.
He liked to make people laugh. He even knew how to "smile" back at us. Even though heart disease (and numerous other ailments) had ravaged his body, he still initiated playtime nearly every day.
Amazingly he bonded most with my husband and could hardly bear to be apart from him. Each time Dave left the house - whether for an hour or a week - Bo waited and watched at the entry door until his return. "Dog and his man"... Bo's story says a lot about forgiveness, doesn't it? Rest in Peace Buddy; wait for me and Daddy at the Rainbow Bridge.
Connie Campanaro-Kraus
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Re: DAMIEN (f/n/a "Gilbert") ....here are just a few of the pics.... i have thousands.... this is the memorial we would like ....
(pepper made a good pillow ...)
Oh damien.. when i first laid eyes on you... you were known as gilbert... i didnt like that name .. although in the years to come it really seemed to fit...you big doof.... you were absolutely perfect from day one... Damien passed away thursday march 1st around 6 pm suddenly after a heroic battle with cardiomyopathy... we tried everything.. untold dollars in med bills and cardiac care . . . it worked for a little while . . we let him out to go outside to the bathroom and to look for crows..... when only pepper was at the door i knew..... im so sorry i wasnt with you damien... i know pepper was and i hope she gave you comfort. . . . . whomever dropped damien at DRT i want to thank you.... you gave me 7 or so years of knowing the kindest.... most loving dog anyone could ever want. he oozed love for people from every pore in his body... he loved to go to the park with my daughter and just sitting in the grass letting kids pet him and just
watching everyone play... the hole in our hearts for you damien is huge . . . . i can only pray that when you crossed the rainbow bridge there was a kind, loving hand to guide you.... and i can only pray when i cross the bridge we will be together again... until that day i hope you get to chase crows and squirrels and maybe get to ride down the road with your head out of the sunroof as half of southern va has seen you do. we love you damien.. now and always. .
Love john , stori and ana
thank you carol for the wonderful things you do... hopefully ill see you sometime in the near future... till then take care ... and keep loving the wonderful Dobes.... John
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On Aug 8th 2011, our beloved Tori, passed away leaving our hearts empty. She was a very special girl. Although sick most of her life she brought us much joy. We rescued Tori (Formally known as CoCo) in Dec of 2002 at the age of three. She was a bag of bones, but they were cute bones, had beautiful eyes and a fantastic temperament. Over the years she loved riding in the car, grew in personality, gained weight, was our protector, loved to eat and push open the bathroom doors to be near us. She made people feel special. We loved her dearly. At the time of her demise she was 96 pounds and just shy of her 12 Birthday, and will always be our beautiful princess. Frances & Phil
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Our precious Simba went over the rainbow bridge today...his heart gave out and he went into heart failure early this morning. Out of all of our rescues from you, sweet Carol...our hearts are heavier than they ever have been. Simba was one of a kind and the most loving giant there ever was. He touched every life that he came in contact with and gave the Doberman name a wonderful one at that.
As tears stream down my face as I write, I know his Emily and Jess, our other beloved DRT rescues, are awaiting for him in heaven.
Here are some pics over the years.... He was loved by so many...it is so hard coming home and not seeing him waiting by the door :(
Mom, dad and Diana...see the wonderful poem below from Carol...
I will lend to you for a while, a Doberman pup, God said
For you to love him while he lives and mourn him when he's dead.
Maybe for twelve or fourteen years, or maybe two or three.
But will you, 'till I call him back, take care of him for me?
He'll bring his charms to gladden you, and should his stay be brief,
You'll always have his memories as solace for your grief.
I cannot promise he will stay, since all from earth return,
But there are lessons taught below I want this pup to learn.
I've looked the whole world over in search of teachers true,
And from the folk that crowds life's land, I have chosen you.
Now will you give him all your love, nor think the labor vain,
Nor hate me when I come to take my Dobie back again.
I fancied that I heard them say "Dear Lord Thy Will Be Done",
For all the joys this Dobe will bring, the risk of grief we'll run.
We'll shelter him with tenderness, we'll love him while we may,
And for the happiness we have known, forever grateful stay.
But should you call him back much sooner than we've planned
We'll brave the bitter grief that comes, and try to understand.
If, by our love, we've managed, your wishes to achieve,
The memory of him and his love, will help us while we grieve.
When our faithful bundle departs this world of strife
We'll have yet another Doberman and love him all his life.
11-18-11
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