EMMIT

I adopted Emmit just over a year ago. When I first brought him home he was a nervous wreck, growling and barking at every sound and refusing to even walk up and down my stairs. Having never had a Doberman before, I was quite skeptical about the chances he would work out for us. However, the time spent working with him during those first several weeks eventually paid off. He's now a quiet, calm, affectionate and cheerful presence in our home, and clearly a beloved member of the family. Even our crabby old cat likes him. (although she'd never admit it) I was warned that Dobes are "velcro" dogs, and Emmit is certainly no exception. He NEVER leaves my side except when I'm actually at work (hmm...I wonder what it's like to leave a room without an escort?), and he always curls up at my feet when I practice my horn (As a professional musician, I do this for hours a day). In addition to family members, Emmit also clearly likes everyone else that he meets, and appears to especially enjoy greeting my wife's music students as they parade in and out of our house most afternoons. They especially like it when he emits occasional contented groans while snoozing near the piano! Emmit gets a lot of outdoor activity in his new home. We typically have ball throwing sessions two or more times per day (he's great at retrieving!), and on weekends I take him for long hikes off leash on the family farm (340 acres totally fenced). From these excursions it's clear that, if one were so inclined, he could be made into a great hunting or herding dog. He's also a great fitness training partner. He and I have logged many miles together on our daily runs, with him enthusiastically and obediently heeling by my side.

One final bit of warning to those like myself that have not before had a Dobe...Be prepared for a lot of unsolicited compliments as you walk or run through your neighborhood. Hardly a day passes that I don't have at least one passerby tell me what a beautiful dog Emmit is. Although I picked him for his temperament, not his looks, I can't say I mind fielding these compliments on his behalf.

Emmit is clearly doing well, and I thank your organization for helping me find him. I've attached a few photos so you can actually "see" how well he's doing. One shows him hiking on the farm, another shows him offering several balls to our cat on the sofa (she was unimpressed), and a final one is of he and I on the floor discussing the physical properties of red rubber balls.

Thanks,
Neal