My name is Seymour and I love Dobermans. Growing up, my family had little dogs, Pekinese, Chihuahuas and Pomeranians. They never let me have a cat. When I went to college and got my own apartment, the first thing I did was get a cat, and that led me to breed and show Persians and Scottish folds for over 20 years. My mentor in the world of felines was Charles Milwain, who also was an AKC judge, raised cockers and Italian greyhounds, and had the most beautiful cats in the country. Charlie lived on ten acres just outside of Atlanta and had a beautiful doberman female, Anka, when I first met him.

Anka was the first doberman I ever knew up close and personal. She was a wonderful dog, very loving and devoted, and made me want to have a dobie of my own. In the meantime, I acquired an italian greyhound and english setter, both of whom were rescued from less than perfect homes. Each was four years old when I got them, and each lived to be fourteen.

When they were gone, the time had come for my dobie. I wrote to the AKC and got a list of local clubs. That is how I met Zelda Stout, one of the first in this area to start a doberman rescue program. That was in the early 1980s. With Zelda’s help, I found Blue, a one-year-old blue female, who was small, petite, and obedience trained. She weighed only about 42 pounds when she came to Zelda, and had lived only in the back seat of a car and in an occasional motel room. She was so pretty, with wonderful cropped ears, a plush coat, great eye color and lots of energy. It was love at first sight, at least for me.

During the first month we lived together, Blue chewed holes in my mattress and sofa, ate the drapes for dessert, tried to dig her way out under a kiddy gate, and ruined my wall-to-wall carpeting. But I was determined that she would be my good girl! And with some additional training, and gaining her trust, she never again bothered anything! She was with me for seven wonderful years before losing her to cancer.

My next doberman was adopted from Margaret Zanville, another "mover" from the early rescue group. When I called to see who was for adoption, in those days we didn’t have computers, she told me about a three-day-old litter of puppies. And that is how Eliza came to me, my black and tan girl who shared my life for nine years. Eliza was very different from Blue. Blue seemed to have the philosophy that she owed me something, for having rescued her. Eliza, on the other hand, seemed to think I owed her something for living with me. I am convinced that is the basic difference between getting a puppy and an older rescue dog! And for me, the gratitude of the rescue dogs is what makes me feel good! I don’t think I’ll ever get another puppy! By the way, I didn’t have Eliza’s ears cropped; I liked the way she looked naturally.

The day I lost Eliza, also to cancer, will never be forgotten. When I got home from work that night, it was the first time in almost 30 years that I was completely alone-- no person, cat, dog, bird or any living thing was home with me, and I’ll never forget how lonely it felt. I wasted no time, went to my computer, and found DAR&E.

I have to thank Athy and Colleen for being so responsive and kind to me. They sensed how much I needed another dobie. I lost Eliza on a Monday, and on Wednesday, which was Veteran’s Day, I went to Steve and Rhonda’s and found my Haley, a nine month old blue female who had been found wandering the streets in Maryland with a broken hip. She was small, petite, and had the most soulful eyes. She touched my heart and there was no way I could leave without taking her with me. I’ll always remember how difficult it was for Rhonda to part with her. Those of you who are foster parents are to be commended. I would find it too difficult to part with my wards.

During the last year, Haley has blossomed. She no longer is afraid of strangers, doesn’t run away when someone comes to the door, demands lots of loving and attention, and has developed a fondness for playing with other dogs. About eight months ago a friend of mine needed a place to stay, and I volunteered my home to him and his neopolitan mastiff, Bella. Haley and Bella became great friends, spending all their spare time together, going for romps in the back yard, chasing each other in the doggie play area down the street, and curling up on anyone’s bed together to take their afternoon nap. When Bella wasn’t here, Haley would get depressed.

Since Bella and her owner have been looking a place of their own, I decided that another dog was in order. After watching the adoption list for several months, I found a beautiful blue male, about 1 ½ years old. He was fostered by Steve, originally was named Spook but had been renamed Sailor, and came up to me and licked my face within the first minute of my seeing him. Of course, that kiss made limp linguine of me, and I took him home with me. I changed his name again. Now, I had Haley and her Comet!

Comet adjusted very quickly, and he, Haley and Bella were sleeping on the same bed within two days. Bella, of course, let him know who was boss, and he has respected her from the beginning. Comet fell in love with Haley the second he saw her, and it wasn’t long before his affections were reciprocated. At first, Bella was upset with Haley, for spending too much time with Comet, but Haley knew how to work the situation, and make everyone happy. Now, the three of them are great friends and spend all their time together. I know Haley and Comet will miss Bella when she leaves, but at least they will have each other.

One thing I would like to say to those of you who are looking for a doberman to adopt, don’t decide to take a dog home with you unless you feel some kind of connection. It isn’t easy, but it pays to wait for the right dog to come along, as you will be spending a long time together. Each of us want something different in our dobies. I want a dog that is laid back and not so hyper. Being away at work all day, I don’t have the energy for a high energy dog when I get home. Although both Haley and Comet love to go for walks and play and run, there is a time and place for all of that. And they are very relaxed most of the time when in the house.

I can’t thank the volunteers at DAR&E enough helping to save so many wonderful dobies. I have now rescued a total of four. And I wouldn’t have it any other way!!!

Haley in her foster home	Haley and her Comet today	Haley after adoption