A few years ago I was ready to adopt a dog and after many hours of research I knew the Doberman was the dog for me. I was in an apartment at the time but was in the process of looking for a house. In the process of looking for a Doberman I approached the Minnesota Doberman Rescue. Even though my present situation did not meet their criteria for adoption of the dogs they had in their rescue, they were able to put me in touch with another dog in dire need of a home in Waconia, MN. I ended up meeting that dog and after several trips to see her ended up taking her.
I spent about the next year or two getting my Zena girl more tolerant to other dogs so I could adopt a second dog, of course a Doberman. I contacted the DRM to be vetted as an adopter. They came out to my house and we did a walk around of my culda sac property in which I had used a snow fence to define yard space that I now called “fenced in”. I insisted my Zena was well trained and that my first girl was so well trained that I could do the same with the second. The DRM said flat out absolutely not and that my set up was a nice try but definitely not worth any cigar worth smoking. And they were right! But what’s really important for me to convey is they know their dogs. They really do have the best interest of their dogs in mind. They did turn me down but did so with a great deal of respect and compassion and it was abundantly clear that they are not just a clearing house for their favorite breed of dog but actually do have the best interest of the dog in mind. I knew it wasn’t personal that they denied me but actually it was very personal, for the dogs sake.
I did end up adopting a second dog, a Doberman, from the Morrison County Animal Humane Society. I brought him home still a bit groggy from his being neutered, and in the process of introducing the new dog to my Zena, my Zena bolted right through that “fence” like it wasn’t barely there, just like the DRM folks said she would. These guys really know what they are doing so if you are reading this because you have been turned down for adopting from them, don’t take it personally and if you can make the adjustments they point out, and try again. They really do care about placing their dogs not necessarily in the perfect home but certainly in a home in which the dog they give you will have the best chance to thrive in. In terms of Dobermans and getting them in good homes, we are all on the team. So don’t give up if you are turned down just fix what you need to and keep in mind you are already on the right track looking in the rescue direction for your next dog.
Chad
Owner of two rescue Dobermans.
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