It wasn't a very good disguise. After only a few moments with him, you came to realize there was an absolutely gorgeous
dog inside that disguise. Just like Yoda, he was wise beyond his years, he was a gentleman, he was affectionate, and
like any good Doberman - he was a clown. He would tilt his hairless head in that classic Doberman look that just made
you want to laugh and give him a hug and a treat.
Unfortunately for Austin, his disguise got the better of him. Even though his spirit was MORE than willing, his body was
not. Austin lost his battle and passed to the Bridge on May 22, 2004.
Austin, our Yoda Doberman: Gone but certainly not to be forgotten.
Here's Austin's Story
Austin is a nice blue boy who came to Doberman Assistance, Rescue & Education (DAR&E) from a Fairfax, VA shelter. He
suffered a severe laceration to his rear leg. The shelter had taken him to the ER and been treating the wound, and held
him for a month. They actually described him as hairless on his card. DAR&E got him in, neutered him and removed a growth
from his eye.
Saturday, April 24th, Austin bloated and emergency surgery was performed and his stomach was tacked down. He spent the
weekend at the ER. Austin went back to the vets after the weekend (where he's being boarded as well), and they called
that Monday evening saying they thought he was bloating again though it was inconclusive. After a night of observation
at the ER, he was still in discomfort but it wasn't clear what it was. The vet thought he had a twisted spleen from the
bloat so they went back in and apparently found that the poor guy was just incredibly reactive and had an abdomen full
of fluid. This was drained and he was cleaned up again. Austin made it through three surgeries and was moved to a foster
home to recover, but he just had too many complications and crossed the bridge soon after.
Austin came to us in disguise. His disguise consisted of a very skinny body that had warts here and there and an almost
complete lack of hair: Almost like the Yoda character of Star Wars fame.