We placed these two now-senior Dobers, Tiana and Aames, in the same home years ago - one in 2018, and the other in 2020. They’ve been in their loving home through the years and have grown up and old together. Now their humans have moved from their home, with acres of land on which to range, into a retirement apartment five floors up. You can imagine what it’s like trying to care for them properly now.
The daughter has taken them temporarily, but she has three other dogs already, so that’s not a permanent solution. As a result, they’re coming back to us until they can be adopted again. This is obviously complicated by the fact that, while they are still healthy and active, they are most definitely seniors.
Here’s a statement from their former owners that explains everything very well:
“We got Tiana from Doberman Rescue of the Triad in Greensboro in 2018. She had apparently been a breeder for puppies until that function had been used up and she was sent to a shelter. We brought her home to a rural acreage where she could romp with our yellow lab on several acres until he died of Osteosarcoma. In 2020 we added Aames, a young male who was found to be too rambunctious for someone who tried him and for their other dogs. He was fine for us on our rural estate and got along well with Tiana, who tolerated most of his play and stood up to him when she had enough. It was our intention for that to be their forever home. However, our health has declined faster than that of our four-legged family members. We needed more help than we could get in that location, so we were forced to sell that property and move to a retirement community where we could not keep these large dogs that were so used to running and chasing squirrels, rabbits, and deer until restrained by an invisible fence which they did not challenge. It would not work for us in our current state to manage them in a 5th-floor, 1-bedroom apartment and walk them often enough, nor would it be good for them. They do walk on lead, but usually we just let them out and back in as needed. We are very sad to have to surrender them, and we dearly hope they can stay together in a new setting that affords them room to roam and offers them the love and attention they deserve and are used to getting. We have a small-animal veterinarian in the family, so they have always had excellent veterinary care. Aames has the gene for flank-sucking behavior, so his sides are sometimes a little damp. He has another amusing trait, in that he often lies on his back and ‘lets it all hang out’, including his tongue. Please keep these two pals together, love them well, and let them run.”
So we’re in a very difficult situation, as you can see. In a worst-case scenario they could be adopted separately, but no one wants to see that happen, least of all the dogs. We’re most earnestly hoping their story touches the heart of someone who can see their need and meet it by taking them both home. Again, they’re healthy, happy, and active; they just need a family to take them home and love them. And to be clear, you do not need to have 16 acres for them to run. They are quite content romping and interacting in the Elijah‘s House fields which are basically normal sized back yards.
Observations from our volunteers, past and present:
“When I drove up to the rescue to drop some things off recently, I was immediately struck by these two dogs in the yard next to my car. I approached the fence and was greeted with happy tail wags. I just had to go in and meet them, and it was my lucky day because I was granted a visit with them. I double checked their age when I was told that they were eight and 10. I have had older Dobermans before, and these two look like teenagers - mature dogs still with spring in their step but without the headaches of puppyhood - sign me up! They playfully walked around the yard together and would check in for snuggles with me. Aames has perfected the Doberman lean - if you know, you know! Tiana’s gentle, soulful eyes truly made me want to scoop her up and take her home with me. If I didn’t already have four dogs, I would have left with the two of them together. What people don’t realize is that bonded pairs are the easiest dogs to have; I have a pair myself. They keep each other company and entertain each other. They are not double the work, but truly half the work! Whoever gets this precious duo is winning the lottery!”
“Aames has the Doberman lean down pat and also tries to give you kisses when you are photographing him.”
"Aames and Tiana are one of my favorite bonded pairs to come through DRT. They are just very relaxed around each other and don‘t fight for attention as much as some others. You can easily see the love they have for one another as they don‘t like to be left out in the field alone when you take one back to the building. They are both beautiful dobes and certainly don‘t look or act like their respective ages. These two will thrive with most loving families and provide a lifetime of companionship."
"Yesterday I visited DRT after having surgery and I had the chance to meet two really special Dobes. They had come back to DRT after their owners decided it was best for them to move into an assisted living facility. This had to be a heart-breaking decision after having these dogs for such a long time. I’m sure it hasn’t been easy for the dogs either, but after spending time with them, I can tell you these are two of the nicest, sweetest Dobes you will ever meet! The boy is especially affectionate and they both have the Dobe lean down pat. You’ll feel a connection to them as soon as you meet them!"
"Aames and Tiana are a beautiful pair of loving and playful, slightly older dobermans. Despite their age, they don’t show it at all and are well-behaved. They walk great on a leash and have been growing up together, so they should be kept together. Both are incredibly sweet and will shower you with love and affection as soon as you pay attention to them and pet them. They came from an older couple’s home who couldn’t keep them anymore, but they have been well-adjusted and cared for, as evidenced by their good demeanor and shiny coat. If we hadn’t already adopted two dobies, we would have gotten them the moment they arrived at DRT. They will bring immense joy and make wonderful companions without any issues."
"I learned something special about Aames & Tiana yesterday at DRT. While Lutz and I were sitting in the Courtyard with these two pups they would go from one of us to the other sharing wiggles and kisses, this went on for at least 15 minutes. Finally, they decide to wonder into the Playground and Driveway Field while Lutz and I talked. They were about 100 yards from us just exploring and I whistled for them. Their heads popped up in my direction and I called to them. Here’s the special part. They both took off running towards me and didn’t stop until they were right in front of me! My own Dobe isn’t that responsive. What a great pair!"
Carol adds that “They truly are bonded and can‘t wait to go outside and play together. They are calm, intelligent Dobes with a lot of love to give.”
If you are moved to step up on behalf of these lovely dogs, follow the sequence - apply, acceptance, appointment, arrive, acquaint, away - and make them a part of your family. Only good can come from it, if you do.
