MOUNT AIRY - Barbara
and Michel Johnson wanted to take a family picture.
They were sitting on haystacks next to pumpkins and a scarecrow
ready for the photographer to snap a picture.
All they needed was for Dusty and Hollie to sit still.
The Johnsons, of Herndon, Va., were patient. After a handful
of "Sit!" commands, Dusty and Hollie, their adopted Doberman pinschers,
were able to pose for the family portrait.
"We consider them our family," Barbara said. "Before, we've taken
Christmas card pictures with other dogs we've owned."
The Johnsons joined 90 people for a Doberman Assistance, Rescue
and Education fund-raiser Sunday at Belquest Kennels in Mount
Airy. The national nonprofit group, known as DARE, helps find
abandoned Dobermans new homes either by placing them in temporary
housing, known as foster care, or with permanent owners they call
adoptive parents.
To adopt a Doberman through DARE, each applicant must go through
an extensive application process that include submitting veterinarian
and personal references as well as a having a DARE volunteer visit
the home to see if a household has the space and time to care
for a Doberman.
This year, the DARE chapter that serves Maryland, Washington,
D.C., and Virginia has placed 79 dogs in new homes, said Pat Getter,
the group's publicity and relations coordinator. Since the group's
inception in 1998, DARE has placed more than 800 dogs.
After the Johnson's dogs died two years ago, they knew they would
own dogs again and that they would adopt, Barbara said.
"There are so many dogs that are perfectly good," Barbara said.
"They're just in need of homes.
"Dusty and Hollie, with their playfulness and barking have reenergized
the house, Barbara said.
"Now, the house is fun again," she said. "It's nice to have little
wet noses come into our room and say hello in the morning."
For a $35 fee, adoptive owners and DARE volunteers ate picnic-style
food such as potato salad and chips while browsing at craft vendors'
tables. Some, like the Johnsons, posed for pictures with their
dogs.
Meanwhile the Dobermans played with each other in a fenced area.
DARE President Athy Conigliaro said every breed has a rescue
group. Some, such as pit bulls and Rottweilers, and Dobermans
to a lesser degree, are more often abandoned, Conigliaro said.
"Sometimes people buy Dobermans for the wrong reasons," Conigliaro
said. "They see them on TV shows like 'Magnum, P.I.' and they
like them, but they're high energy dogs and they love to chase
after little things like cats."
Barry Weber of Forest Hill agreed.
"Dobermans have to go through obedience training," said Weber
who adopted a Doberman from DARE. "Once they're trained they're
very loyal. They'll give you their heart and respect."
Reach staff writer Marisa Navarro at 410-857-7876 or mnavarro@lcniofmd.com.
