Doberman Rescue of the Triad -- In Memoriam

It is with the greatest personal sadness and loss that I must relay that Friday, October 10th, Lennox-Tahoe lost his battle with cancer. Those of you who knew Lennox realize that the bright spirit that lay at the end of those introspective eyes has not died and will live in each of us as fond memories. In a life beset by many health issues, Lennox bravely met each new challenge and moved beyond the the Demodex mange, heartworm treatment, lousy first adopter, loss of one leg to Osteosarcoma and chemotherapy to infuse us with his warmth and affection.

To his "parents" Dee and Jeff, we extend our deepest sorrow. We all loved "our Lennox, - Lennie, Tahoe, LT" and know that he is on a less troubled journey now. For those of us who were captured by his presence, we know his mission is not over...one journey is ended and another begun!

Lennox-Tahoe represents all those beloved Dobes that have passed through our lives. Our intention is to maintain his presence on this page as a lasting tribute out of respect for his brave fight and as a symbol of all those we all have loved and lost.

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Carol, it's been 10 years since we met, and I headed home with "that red puppy". He seemed shy but got in the car and up the road we went. He was elated when he found we had a cat and promptly tried to flatten him! But they soon became fast friends and slept, ate, and drank together.

Santana was just over 11 years, 3 months when the cancer made his life too uncomfortable to go on. It happened on July 13th...truly an unlucky day for him and me.

Santana always found me no matter where I was. It was only a few short moments and then he would appear asking where I was and could he stay. The answer was always yes. Even if I would move from the sofa to the bed, he'd soon come padding in and cuddle.

If there is a Heaven and I'm lucky enough to get in, I know Santana will find me right away and help me along. He always did.

Goodbye Santana...my very best friend.

Today my beloved angel,Savannah, joined her brother and other family members in heaven. Savanah was the light of my life for almost 12 years....she grew up from a "lopsided" pup to a beautiful,erect red dobie girl. Savannah did not have one mean bone in her body, only love. Savannah tolerated her kitty family, who would bug her with their kisses and purring (but sneaking the cat toys made up for it :-) ). Savannah preferred being the only dobie as she was selfish regarding her own toys too. Savannah never met a toy she didn't like !! I will miss and love her forever. Live cancer and pain free forever my baby girl...love, Mom=

Carol,

From the day that you told me about Markus and I came down to NC to meet you and him, this is the email that I dreaded but knew I’d have to write one day. As you can imagine, it’s extremely hard and the Marine in me insists on trying to work and function through the pain. I’m not sure how much longer my co-workers will believe that I’m suffering from severe allergies when I’ve never had them before. I would have called but I honestly do not think I would have lasted long. Writing is difficult enough but to actually speak the words… Markus is gone…. would be much more difficult than it already is. Even though I had tried to prepare myself over the last year as he aged rapidly and he gracefully put up with the acupuncture and pokes and prods from chiropractors to try to alleviate his lower back discomfort and to strengthen his legs… with some really great days as the weather warmed and on the colder ones, not so great.

Having had a Doberman since I was 8 yrs old, I can honestly say that I don’t think any in the past have become such a part of me, as totally and completely as Markus has and did. You gave me such a priceless gift, one that I can never repay you for. I don’t think I could have gotten through the last few years without Markus by my side, girlfriends coming and going, a new home, a new job, my Grandmother passing away in early 2007 and my Mom later that year, then my Uncle and Father both passing away in 2009 and my Aunt just last weekend.

Right now, I just feel numb as the sadness comes in constant waves… each one smacking me in the face with reality.

So many people write about their dobies and how great they were/are. The need to express gratitude is universal with this breed. Doberman’s add so much to people’s lives… Markus was my life. Every minute of the day without him here hurts. I know it won’t always feel this way.. but right now the pain is excruciating. If I didn’t know the breed so well, I would find it odd that a creature that was so uninterested and indifferent towards me upon our first meeting could become completely inseparable from me. Markus was so patient with the fosters that came through the house in our early yrs together… then welcomed Hera when she joined the family and he adored his sister, even though at times she didn’t appreciate his laid back outlook and felt he should be more like her and pushy. When Markus’s time for rest finally came yesterday, she was there and wedged herself between him and the vets making sure that they understood she was watching and she lay down beside him as he slowly drifted away. This was not the picture I had imagined for that time & event... my family of 3 gathered together for one last moment before Markus had to leave us. I realize how blessed I have been to have shared my life with such amazing creatures. I cannot imagine sharing my life with any other breed.. though it hurts so very much when they have to leave I can barely stand it. I’m not sure how others deal with their loss, but for me I feel it so much more given my own background being adopted, abused and then rescued. I can relate to the pain they carry and never quite get rid of even though their happiness in their new forever homes is obvious.

People talk about how they save these dogs… Markus saved me... and right now I don't know how I will survive the next few days without him.

Beyond the mere words...Thank you.

-Mike Evanshaw

In a sudden turn of events, we lost Baloo today. Our hearts are broken because he filled a place in our hearts that no one, human or non-human could ever fill. Baloo had more courage than most humans will ever see. I am so proud to be his mother, and him my best friend. His time with us was cut way short, but is it the quantity of time or the quality of time we measure a life? Most of you are aware of Baloo’s challenges and I’m sure many of you question the decisions I made, but let me make it very clear I wouldn’t give up the time we spent together. Baloo made me feel loved and the most peaceful times of my life for the past year have been the times I spent with him.

Thank you for the prayers, encouragement, and support showed to my family, most importantly to my Baloo. He crossed over the Rainbow Bridge today, but we were there to hold his paw and walk gently by his side. Someone made the statement to us tonight about how lucky Baloo has been to have had us…..no, Baloo was the one with all the courage and we were the lucky ones to have been able to share in his life and be the recipients of his love. He has forever changed our lives.

On January 13, 2010 Jazzi beloved doberman of my late husband, Tom went to join him in heaven. She suffered bloating and her stomach turned over. She was rushed to Carolinas Veterinary Specialists and emergency surgery was performed. She came through the surgery only to suffer heart failure. They administrated CPR and got her heart beating again. She was not breathing on her own and had no blood pressure. They got her breathing on her own and her blood pressure was at 40 which is extremely low. Later in the evening the doctors called and said she was not getting enough oxygen and suggested blood transfusions. Once more time her heart quit and they restarted it only to discover she was bleeding internally. At this point nothing could be done and the decision was made to let her join Tom. Jazzi was an extremely well behaved dog and did not have a mean bone in her body. She gave her love unconditionally and had patience with the new dogs in the family. Do you remember the first time we met? Tom only wanted to look at a dog and was not sure if he wanted one or not. Jazzi went over to the cat carrier stuck her nose down and Nipper hissed at her and she jumped back into Tom's lap. Right then and there he said "we will take her". You let us take her right then and when we got home she sat on the couch right next to him and stayed by him until the day he died. I will miss coming home and seeing what she has taken and put in her "stash" sometimes the TV remote, or the cordless phone, and sometimes a jar of peanut butter she got out of a kitchen cabinet. Or when I get up in the morning and my clothes are still on the shelves or on the hangers. She loved to take them and make a bed for herself on top on the bed she had in the closet. She used to take Tom's shoes or something of his. Then she changed to taking mine. It was strange sitting on the couch and having to look up to her as she was taller than I am. Sometimes I felt she was looking her down her nose at me. My sister used to say don't be surprised if you come home and find your clothes in a suitcase on the back porch. She was a great dog and she will be missed terribly. Take care of Tom for me Jazzi until we can all be together once again. Love your mother, Jeane

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