Couple finds each other through love of dogs
They came to Doberman Assistance, Rescue & Education to help homeless Doberman pinschers, or Dobies, find homes. Neither expected to find a spouse in the process.
They came to Doberman Assistance, Rescue & Education to help homeless Doberman pinschers, or Dobies, find homes. Neither expected to find a spouse in the process.
Steve Bradley and his Dobie joined DAR&E in May 1998. He was excited to help. He planned to take in homeless dogs and help place them in good homes. He went to play groups in Fairfax County and mingled with other Dobie owners.
Then he traveled to North Carolina with some DARE&E volunteers, including Nancy Tang. Bradley had met Tang -- who joined DAR&E in May 1999 -- and her three Dobies at play groups. They hit it off during the trip to Nags Head and started dating. In May 2002, the pair married.
The wedding reflected their love not only for each other but also for Doberman pinschers. The wedding favors were Dobie-shaped cookies, the cake was topped with miniature statues of their Dobies. And most important, instead of wedding gifts, the couple asked that their guests make a donation to DAR&E.
DetailsIf you would like to adopt a Doberman pinscher, or become a foster home for homeless Dobermans, visit DAR&E on its Web site at http://www.dobe.net.There you will find Dobies that are available for adoption, adoption applications and volunteer applications, along with upcoming events and organization information
Fostering
Since then, Bradley and Tang have devoted many volunteer hours and their home near Purcellville to the organization. Together, they have fostered about 40 Dobies; they have adopted two and currently own four - Aspen, Breigh, Dane and Pinkie.
"We live for the response from people who have adopted a Dobie," said the couple. "It makes it all worth it."
The fostering process is more than providing a transitional home to Dobies. The volunteers also assess the dog's behavior and teach basic manners.
"All dogs are in foster care for a period of time [averaging one month] to make sure that they will be a good member of society," said Bradley. "Fostering is key. It is our goal to get the dogs up to par with shots and training."
"As long as a dog is a good dog, we will go all the way to get the dog adopted," said Tang.
The dilemma for people who offer foster homes is that they often fall in love with the dogs, and then it is difficult to continue to provide a foster home.
Bradley and Tang don't find this to be a problem though. Yes, they fall in love with the dogs that come through their door, but they know that their job is much more than that.
"When we place a foster dog in a good home it is such a reward, and then we have another dog come in and we can do it over again," said Bradley.
Need for the organization
DAR&E, a nonprofit organization with more than 100 volunteers, began in January 1998 with a small group of Dobie lovers who wanted to find homes for homeless Doberman pinschers. The organization serves Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia.
DAR&E pays for all medical expenses while the dogs are in foster homes. Currently DAR&E has about 20 foster homes, according to Bradley and Tang.
"The greatest need is finding more foster homes," said Steve.
The Dobermans rescued by DAR&E are mainly turned in by owners, and only a small portion have been abused.
"People are unable to meet the dogs' needs for training and exercise," said Bradley.
Bradley and Tang agreed that the stereotype that Doberman pinschers carry - mean, vicious dogs - is completely undeserved.
"We call them Velcro dogs, "said Tang. "They are always up against you because they want to be with you all the time."
Doberman pinschers were bred in 1880 to be personal protection dogs for Louis Doberman, a tax collector in Germany. They are high-energy dogs, but they are not hyperactive. The typical Doberman pinscher, male or female, is 24 to 28 inches high, weighs 65 to 90 pounds and has a life expectancy of 10 to 12 years. They are excellent watch/guard dogs and are highly intelligent.
Pinkie
In July 2004, Bradley and Tang brought Pinkie into their home from the Loudoun County Animal Shelter. She was a young pup that was suffering from a severe case of demodectic mange, a common condition among puppies where tiny mites eat the skin and cause hair loss, itching, bacterial infection and redness. Pinkie went through numerous treatments -- dippings, antibiotics, nutritional supplements -- and a lot of tender loving care from Bradley and Tang.
Pinkie began to heal and regrow fur, never losing her affectionate nature. In the last six months, she has had two major relapses, but the couple has hopes that she will be cured in the near future.
