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#1 Dave H

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Posted 14 September 2016 - 10:53 AM

We have adopted 2 Dobes from SCD since 2007. 1st we had Raven. We lost here in the spring of 2014 at the ripe old age of 13. We adopted Dollie in the fall of the same year and she became a pinup girl this year. You can see her on the June page of the 2016 calendar wearing her Tiger tee shirt. I have also been an on again off again sponsor. I logged on today to see what is happening at SCD and was surprised that it seemed that things appeared to be somewhat slow? The "adoptable dogs" page only had one listing and the sponsor page didn't show any activity past the middle of last year? Could some one comment on this? Is there a problem or is this just a slow period?



#2 Arda

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Posted 14 September 2016 - 11:45 AM

The dogs that we have been getting are a mess.  Either needing medical or much training to go into a home.  Craigslist and the other pet sites have taken most of the adoptable dogs away from rescue.  It feels like we just aren't needed like we used to be.  Everyone wants the cropped black males and they are gone before they come to rescue.  That and the fact that they haven't started bringing them inside for winter and have no time for them.  Yes we have only a few that aren't ready yet to be adopted.

 

Another BIG problem that we are seeing is the fact that when other rescues get our kids, they don't return them to us.  Our contracts and microchips don't count for anything in Michigan.  And the cost of an attorney to pursue these cases takes the resources out of the mouths of the dogs that are here.  We are literately in a catch 2 situation.  Feed the kids that are here or run after one that is lost in the system.

 

We have not raised our price to adopt in years yet the cost of shots, surgeries, food, heartworm preventative, and such has risen dramatically.  It is harder and harder to stay afloat. 


A chain is only as strong as it's weakest link.

#3 Arda

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Posted 17 September 2016 - 08:45 PM

I have thought about this thread for a couple of days and I need to say a little more.

 

About a year ago we had seven of our kids returned.  Reasons from "downsizing", ill health, divorces, and etc.  All but one of these dogs needed some sort of repair work done or shots brought up to date.  One had to be put down.  Molly is on Prosac to stop her from eating her leg.  She's the one that chewed the sensor and brake line on the minivan.  $321.00 to repair.  Shelby is 11 years old.  Was placed in 2008.  This is her home for the duration.  She's had enough swapping around.  The other 4 were placed again.  We adopted them out originally for $275.  That was $1,925.  Then it cost us over $2,000 when they all came home.  Problem when they came home was that their age was against them.  Very few people want to adopt a dog who is over 5 years of age.  They all were.

 

Then there is my age.  Nobody wants a cranky old rescuer.  I'm slower than I used to be.  My driving lacks something.  There isn't as many of us as there used to be.  And I am tired.  And I'm wearing the girls out.  I try to put a little humor into the nasty things the kids do to me.  But these things cost money to repair and we just can't afford it any more.  The breaks were $321.00.  I didn't ask about a new bumper.  Front gate is shot.  Well pit got ran over last year and has to be repaired.  It was $11,500 to roof and reside the kennel.  Now we have a ceiling to repair.  Does this give you a better idea of what is going on here? 

 

I love these darn Dobermanns but they are killing me.  But I really wouldn't do it any other way.  They are the best and they are worth all the time and money we can give them.  They are my LIFE!


A chain is only as strong as it's weakest link.

#4 oreo5129

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Posted 01 January 2017 - 07:37 PM

Since my sweet boy, Nemo died I am without a "Second Chance Dobe" dobe for the first time in over 12 years.  It saddens me to read this topic but I honestly don't know how you did it, Arda for so long.  The amount of work, pain and suffering you have gone through amazes me.  Thanks to you I fell in love with this wonderful breed.  I hate the thought of any dobe ending up in the hands of idiots who don't love and respect them as they were meant to be loved and respected.  I've tried to get the Humane Society of Michigan to notify me of any dobe that comes into their shelters any where in Michigan but they don't do that type of thing.  



Dogs don't know about beginnings, and they don't speculate on matters that occurred before their time.
Dogs also don't know-or at least don't accept-the concept of death.
With no concept of beginnings or endings, dogs probably don't know that for people, having a dog as a life companion provides a streak of light between two eternities of darkness
Stanley Coren

#5 Dave H

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Posted 25 July 2017 - 12:23 PM

Hi,

     It's me again. I'm sorry I didn't see the previous post from oreo5129 until now. I certainly agree with her comments about you, Arda.

     My last six month sponsorship just ended. I'm wondering if I should start another or if SCD would prefer a direct donation?

     I also though I would give an update on Dollie. She has had a couple of problems over the last few years. First she came up lame (right rear leg). Off to our vet who originally said he couldn't find anything and to give her a few weeks to see if it would resolve itself. Didn't happen. Back to our vet to see if he had any thoughts. He took a couple of x-rays but couldn't see anything with the leg itself. He referred us to the animal surgical clinic in Flint. They reviewed the x-rays and did a CTscan(?) and saw a root nerve that was pinched between a bone spur and her hip bone that was causing neuropathy in her leg and foot. they said they didn't do neurosurgery but suggested a couple of steroid injections. After the first injection had no effect they said that it was not working and that was discontinued. They referred me to the Wildwood animal neurosurgery clinic in Saline. They looked at the CTscan and confirmed the previous diagnosis. they were very hesitant to do surgery because of the location. So, she is now on gabapentin which is the same drug I take for my spinal stenosis related problem. She seems comfortable and gets around quite well but has pronounced limp and holds that foot up when she is standing still. She likes to run and is much better running than walking.

     Last year she came in from our backyard barely walking. So back to Wildwood on an emergency basis. They did an MRI and found a ruptured disk in her neck. They kept her and did surgery the next day. She was there for 3-4 days and when I picked her up she was great. Had to keep her penned up and quiet for a couple of weeks and then she was good to go.

     Back to keeping or little chocolate lab in line and re-landscaping our back yard hunting for moles. She's ever caught a couple. She's a lover. Can't get enough attention. Argues with the other dog about who gets to sleep where on the bed. She is very fond of our shoes and the TV controller so I am constantly patrolling the yard look for things in the mole excavations. 



#6 dobie sunshine

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Posted 29 July 2017 - 03:56 PM

Hi Dave,
Just wanted to say that I am sorry to hear about all the things that Dollie and you have had to go through. I am glad to here that she is doing better and I pray that she doesn't have any more problems.

About the sponsorship / donation Arda said it is totally up to you on how you would like to do it. Either way it does help the dober kids.

Thank you for all your help and donations.
Jackie




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