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Success Stories If you would like to submit a story, please email Tamara at tsfmcky@yahoo.com 
MELVINFrom orphan to IDR's well-known logo, Melvin is the true embodiment of a success story. He came to IDR+ the single pup born at an animal shelter. Unfortunately, his mother stepped on him at a very young age and caused a severe break in his small leg. He has endured multiple surgeries to get the leg working as best they could. He still has quite a deformity, but it does not hinder him. His beauty and poise made him the only choice for a logo when IDR+ incorporated. And his imperfection and will to overcome obstacles embodies our philosophy. Helping ALL Doberman orphans when we are able to, no matter their medical issue or age. For the 3+ years we've been rehoming orphans, Melvin has continued to represent the organization at events and in print. Success = Melvin in all our eyes here at IDR+, and we look forward to his love and dignity for many years to come. Look for Melvin all over the site. The Life and Times of Melvin
Melvin at only 5 weeks old, in his first splint. How adorable was he? 
Unfortunately, the break was very severe and the splinting did not work. He had to have surgery. Here he is after his surgery. What a trooper! 
Melvin at 17 weeks. All appeared to be healing well, but unfortunately it wasn't. He ended up back at the vet and they did another surgery and lots more splinting. 
Melvin at 19 weeks. IDR's little man wasn't so little anymore and he was turning out to be quite the looker. That would be the start of us thinking he would make IDR quite a mascot. 
Melvin was loving the spotlight. After his many photo shoots, we guess he thought the next one was for Playgirl. AN AMAZING VIDEO Click on the link below to see a wonderful video created by one of our volunteers about IDR and rescue. IDR+ Video THANKS Pilots N Paws Click on the link below to see some of the Success Stories posted on the Pilots N Paws website. They have helped bring several orphans to safety with IDR several times already!! We thank them very much for their willingness to help so many orphans get a fresh start in life!! You can also check out the pictures of Ruby who arrived in June of 2008. Pilots N Paws Success Stories Page Ruby's Arrival to DuPage Airport OUR RECENT SUCCESS STORIES 
MilesSubmitted: August 2010 I couldn't have asked for a better experience with adopting Miles, my pit/corgi mix. The adoption process was detailed, without being overbearing, and I really appreciated the insight and recommendations from Pam and Suzanne (Miles' foster mom). I told both exactly what I was looking for in terms of temperament and activity level, and they nailed it. I live in the city, and had some serious concerns over adopting a dog that would have to rapidly adjust to living in a high rise condo. From day one, Miles was a match. In tune with me and my schedule, easy going and generally happy to just be around. No major training or behavioral issues - and surprisingly intelligent and trainable from the start. I realize how lucky I am to have such a great dog, but it really speaks to the adoption process and their keen ability to match up the perfect dog to each potential adopter. Miles graduated from dog training this past weekend, and was even co-valedictorian! 
AutumnSubmitted: July 2010 It is now coming up on 2 years that I have had Autumn (formerly Lydia). I have been so lucky to have her! She continues to bring such joy into my life. She truly is a "velcro" dog, she can be sound asleep but if I get up she wakes up and follows me. Her and her adopted brother Ryder are the best of friends. Sometimes I wonder who rescued who!!!!! 
ShelbySubmitted: August 2010 I adopted Shelby nearly two years ago on September 3, 2008. Shelby and I immediately bonded and I truly don't know what I would do without her. She is such a sweet and affectionate dog and always wants to be in the same room with me. Of course, she sleeps in my bedroom and I love to see her funny face first thing in the morning! Our daily walk is one of the highlights of Shelby's day and mine also. I also have a cat named Taffy, and one of my concerns was how Shelby would react to him, but she couldn't be better (she had lived with a cat in her previous home). I love Shelby so much and feel very fortunate to have her. I will be forever grateful to the Illinois Dobe Rescue for her. 
Ruger And RemiSubmitted: July 2010 I just wanted to drop a note and let you know how Ruger (formerly Bosco) and Remi (formerly Raven) are doing. Ruger's been great this past year. Had plenty of love, treats and the bed all to himself. So we thought it was time for a friend. Here comes Remi.....sweet, loving, quiet.......for the first couple of days......she is a talker...........they are best friends and Ruger for the most part will share the bed. They clean each others ears. Ruger has lost 18 pounds and Remi gained 4. Now with the fenced yard they get plenty of exercise. Thanks IDR. Look forward to adopting another one. Sarah 
DillonSubmitted: July 2010 We absolutely LOVE Dillon. He is the perfect fit for our family. Dillon loves everyone and everything he meets, and loves having some of his doggie friends come over for playdates. He sleeps with us, plays with us, and keeps us company. Couldn't have asked for a better doggie : ) 
Kiwi and TigerSubmitted: July 2010 Kiwi has been a part of our family for almost 2 years now - and she has been SO much fun! Her adoption forms have the bite marks from her trying to steal it... very little has changed since that first day! Even at 2 years old, she is a rambunctious little girl. When we got her, my boyfriend said, "Get a cat that participates, not a boring cat!" - and Kiwi is anything BUT boring! Every night we chase each other down the hall. I run, she chases me down the hall, then she hides and I find her. After each catch, she gives me licks and a "mrow!". We also play lots of fetch with balls and hair ties. For a while, I was doing some traveling for work, and she always waited at the door for me on Thursday nights when I came home. Now that I'm a grad student and home in the afternoons, she sits on my lap all afternoon while I read. I absolutely love her so much and I'm so happy she's part of my family. My mother's cat died about a year ago, and my brother was starting college. My mom was lonely, and was ready for another cat in her life. She met Tiger and instantly fell in love with him. He LOVES to play and is her constant companion. He follows her around the house and sits on her lap every time she sits down. When she's not around, he spends his time on the screened-in-porch basking in the sun, watching the birds, or chasing bugs. He's absolutely wonderful and the perfect pet for their house. I cannot tell you how happy I am that we found IDR. Kiwi and Tiger have been wonderful additions to our families. I really wanted a rescue cat, but I hate the pressure of a shelter. Being able to visit and play with a cat to make sure it's the right fit in a comfortable environment made the process so much better. Thank you!!! 
DuncanSubmitted: July 2010 Hi IDR, I just wanted to take a minute to update you on one of your success stories. I adopted Duncan (formerly Mickey) the basset hound four years ago this June. Words can't explain what he has meant to me. Not a day goes by that he doesn't crack me up (I call him the laugh of my life!) We attend obedience classes regularly (he is the class clown and greeting committee), he passed his Canine Good Citizen test, and we are getting ready to compete in our first AKC Rally. Plus we are planning on visits to the local nursing home. When I first adopted Duncan, I had my thirteen year old black lab, Maverick. I worried about bringing a new dog into the house, but Duncan couldn't have been a better match. They became the best of buddies and Duncan knew to respect Maverick in his "senior" years. Maverick passed last spring at the age of 16, and having Duncan around helped me get through a difficult time. I just want to thank IDR+ for bringing Duncan into my life, I can't imagine life without him!And I also appreciate how IDR+ (and Elaine H.) answered any and all questions I had before I adopted. He has been a perfect fit!! Thank you! Gerry 
Ruby and PepperSubmitted: July 2010 We adopted Pepper in July of '09 and Ruby this past May. We would like to thank IDR+ for everything that they do for these orphans to give them another chance for the good life that they deserve in their forever homes. The foster families do such a wonderful job to match you with the best dog. Pepper and Ruby fit in very quickly and are the most sweetest, happy and loving dogs. Pepper earned his CGC in May and Ruby, she has earned a special place in our hearts already. 
Romeo And JulietSubmitted: May 2010 I wanted to take a few minutes to thank you for what you and Happy Paws Pet Resort are doing on behalf of abandoned cats and dogs and to encourage you to continue the good work. And to thank you for keeping Romeo and Juliet alive for so long; long enough for us to find them and make them a part of our family. This is my story of how what you're doing has made a wonderful impact in my life and that of my family. My mother lost her battle with Alzheimer's Disease. As you can imagine it was a very emotional and difficult time for me. I thought I could begin my healing process by making a positive impact on the life of another, I needed to do something that was life affirming. But what? I started at home. We have a one year old (rescued feral) cat who desperately needed a playmate. It's a small thing, but it was a start. One Sunday while shopping at PetSmart for cat food we met a wonderful woman who was trying to place three feral kittens with the shelter present for "adoption day". She told us about a nine month old male cat who desperately needed a home. He was very sweet and loving and had been living at a Doberman Rescue. She was sure we would love him. She met with us the next day, gave us a picture of Romeo along with your contact information, and off we went. When we arrived to meet Romeo, we were surprised to learn that he had a "sister". Not a litter mate but a little girl kitty who shared the window seat with him at your shelter. The two had clearly bonded in the six months they spent together at Happy Paws and were as close as any litter mates could be. We weren't prepared to take in 2 cats for a variety of reasons but the relationship those two shared was so tender and vulnerable anyone could tell one would be devastated without the other. After my husband and I poured over the our list of pros and cons, we realized that the cons out weighed the pros substantially and it looked like Juliet would have to stay at the shelter. That is until my husband picked her up and almost as if she were trained to do so she began licking his neck, ears and face and purring so loudly she squeaked! When he finally put her down she ran up to Romeo, threw her front leg over his shoulders and began licking his face, ears and neck! She couldn't have communicated more clearly if she spoke English. It was meant to be, we were taking home two cats. Fast forward eight months and we couldn't be more convinced that we made the right choice. It's wonderful the way those two animals have brought so much joy into our home. And personally, they've brought more healing to my broken heart than I could have ever imagined. You know, when they sleep, they form a heart! Juliet is without question the brains of the operation, I don't think Romeo could ever have figured domestic living without her. God bless him, he's the sweetest thing on four legs a real "mama's boy" but just as dumb as a box of rocks. I find this just adds to his charm and makes me want to protect him all the more. Juliet on the other hand had this domestic living thing wired in a matter of days and had decided to "claim" my husband as her own (again proving how smart she is). Let me conclude by saying again, with all my heart THANK YOU! For incurring all the expense and responsibility that goes with keeping these two wonderful creatures alive long enough for me to find them. God Bless you. Keep up the good work, it's a wonderful thing you're doing. 
Duke WilliamSubmitted: May 2010 Hey, just wanted to let you know that Duke William has found his forever home, I think that he would agree. His only complaint is that although I let him on the bed, he is not allowed to sleep with me. He is still learning about all the smells in the woods, he is a small game hunter. If he were allowed off the leash, he would love to hunt squirrels and chipmunks. He is not to sure what to make of the deer. I finally gave him a bath, something he was not too familiar with. He is a little shy with leash corrections during training, so I am using food. All is well and he is a great guy to have around. He is funny, he is sweet and very well behaved. 6 weeks later, he is sleeping in my bed, and he is so much more comfortable on our walks in the woods. He walks with his head high and his tail out ready to hunt. He is less fearful of our hands. I was just telling my husband that he used to shy away when I lightly grabbed his snout. He no longer evades my hand when I grab him because a kiss on top of his nose always follows. We still have more training to do, but he has definitely settled in and seems very happy at the end of the day. Thank you! 
GunnarSubmitted: May 2010 I wanted to update you on how Gunnar is doing after our first week......all good. You told us he is a "big mouth" and yes, he is! While he responds to "hey" or "no bark" we do use a bark collar on him in early mornings or late at night. You told us he has lots of energy...... .......OMG! We have a huge backyard (about 1/2 acre) and he has officially smelled every blade of grass running at full speed! It is so fun to watch! He has also chased every bunny out of the yard and (thanks to my son, Tim) has only gotten one baby! He hasn't seen a squirrel yet but boy do the birds get chased! He can scale my 2 ft garden fence with ease. Do you know he likes strawberries, cherries, and raspberries? He hasn't gone over the 4 ft fence around the yard yet....I sure hope he doesn't! As fast as he is, I don't think we would ever get him back. You told us he doesn't come very well and we have seen that too. In the house he is pretty good but outside, he is just toooooo free :) That is definitely something we have to work on. We have signed up for obedience class and are excited about going. We know it will be good for Gunnar (and us). Oh...............the best thing of all - you know we were worried about how he would be with our older dog, Maggie. You were right, he is wonderful! We kept them seperated the first few days and when we did let them run the house together they were both pretty uninterested. Yesterday, when Maggie was standing at the door and Gunnar wanted to come in, he waited for her to come out; what a gentleman. We are enjoying Gunnar soooo much! We know there are some challenges but we are willing to work on them. Thanks to you and others at IDR, we found a great dog and couldn't be happier! Update: Gunnar is the "star" of his obedience class and we are seeing the improvements at home already! 
RacerSubmitted: May 2010 It has been a while since we have been in touch. I wanted to update you on Racer. Here is a picture of Kevin, Racer, and Nessa (our Lab). As you can see, he has acclimated quite nicely. The joy he has brought us and especially Nessa is so wonderful. He has now met 5 of our nieces and nephews. My 8 year old nephew has now decided that Racer is his favorite dog ever. I think it is because they both fell asleep on my mom's couch over Mother's Day and snuggled for an hour. Too cute. Racer and Nessa now think it is fun to wake their dads up at 4am, so we are working on that a little, but otherwise all is well. He is healthy, doing well, and loves his home. Please pass this info on to the others at the Illinois Doberman Rescue for us. I will try not to take so long to update you next time. It is amazing how many of our friends have told us they were afraid of Dobes and then they met Racer and have fallen in love with him. Thanks again! 
PedroSubmitted: May 2010 Hello Pam and all the volunteers! Pedro (aka Petey) is the most wonderful dog! We just adore him and he seems very happy too. He is learning quickly to sit and stay....except when there is a cute little female doggie walking bye...then all bets are off! We live on the Prairie Path, so late at night all the dogs can be heard barking and howling in the distance.... ..Pedro mustered up all 14 pounds of himself and joined the gang in a good howl-a-thon! Really, it wasn't long, but it was so cute! It turns out he had kennel cough when we brought him home, and we found the best herbal remedy at the Wheaton Natural Pet Market called Kennel Koff. He slept through his second night without any coughing! Thank you so much for saving these dogs....you and your team do so much for them!! 
Penelope, Suki and LemurSubmitted: May 2010 I am absolutely honored to have adopted from IDR+ and we all love our girls very much! For my 20th birthday, my parents decided to let me adopt my first cat. That's when I came across Princess Penelope. She is quite the character, she loves to paw you on the head if you're not paying enough attention to her, or she waits until you take a nap before she climbs up and meows in your face because she needs some lovin'! Everyone in the family loves Penny so much, so when I found a house of my own, my mom decided she needed a kitty in the house for herself. Luckily, Illinois Doberman Rescue had some beautiful candidates. We found a pair of cats that have grown up together and we decided that they were a perfect match: Lemur and Suki. Lemur is truly a one-of-a-kind, running through the house at full throttle and jumping through the air, doing turns and spins while airborne. Suki is our "lap cat" and she'll fall asleep on anyone who lets her. She is also our kissy cat, licking and cleaning you every chance she gets! Not to mention, she loves be cradled like a baby in your arms. We wouldn't have these amazing pets if it weren't for the Illinois Doberman Rescue, and all of the amazing people that hold this rescue together. I would personally like to thank Alise for being so kind in guiding us to find our gorgeous babies. 
BlackjackSubmitted: May 2010 Hi! I just wanted to drop you a quick note to let you know how Blackjack is doing. We had our second night of obedience class yesterday. He is the best dog in the class! It's funny to see how people react to us. Seems as if everyone is intimidated by my sweet angel... At least we get a nice big area to ourselves during class!!! Things are great. Jack seems to be really happy. I know I am!! He is a such a loving guy. It melts my heart when I sit on the couch and he rests his head in my lap... I can't for the life of me figure out how or why anyone would give this guy up! I never imagined I could possibly love an animal this much. He has brought so much joy to my life. I am so grateful for everything you IDR gals and guys do! 
Diesel and MollySubmitted: April 2010 We adopted Diesel in October after losing our precious boy Dante. Diesel quickly took to our older female, Auslese, and became an integral part of the family. Unfortunately, in early January we lost Auslese. Not wanting Diesel to be alone, we immediately adopted Molly. The photo was taken the first week we had Molly. Since that time the two of them have become inseparable, so much so that we have their crates backed up to one another so they can see each other through their "windows." They cry if they don't know where the other one is. You would think by watching them, that they came from the same litter (yes, we know how lucky we are). Each one brings something unique and special to our family; Diesel is very emotional and is like static cling, always wanting to please us. And Molly is mischievous, energetic, and a cuddle/snuggle bug. Both of them love kisses and basically laying or sitting on you (or one another...and yes, they lick each others face...it's really rather precious). Both are taking to lessons well, and their mental and emotional growth is astounding. Once we finally got some weight on Molly she quit trying to steal food and eat yard clippings and other bad items. Now she only takes the periodic sock in hopes you'll give her your undivided attention. She also doesn't counter surf anymore. I think she was always looking for something to eat. We are having her tested for Cushings as she has to eat the equivalent of 6 cups of dog food in order to maintain the average weight for her size (by the way, she also got a few inches taller too). Diesel no longer flips out when he sees bicycles (not sure what that was about) and has learned that children are little people, not big squealing dog toys. I teach at a magnet school that has a veterinary department and both have had the distinct pleasure of entertaining the masses. Diesel was quite popular because of his unusual appearance and gentle loving little soul. I even took him to classes with me and he never interrupted. He would chew on his toys/bones and lay in his bed by my desk. The kids loved it. Molly was a hit because she's so full of energy and curiosity. Other teachers would call me and tell me to look outside and I would see her out running the track along with the gym classes, or perusing the park by aviation...she kept the vet kids on their toes; needless to say, everyone slept well that night. We have had a lot of Doberman "children" throughout the years, but the loss of one never seems to get easier as each has their own special place in your heart and life. These two have more than filled the emptiness in our hearts and brought excitement back into our home. Thank you IDR, for these wonderful Dobes. 
FarrahSubmitted: April 2010 We adopted Farrah (originally named Sarah) in early April and are totally in love. More people should consider adopting senior dogs, they're so wonderful and when they've had a tough life, as Farrah did, they're just so grateful for everything. Are you sure she's 9 years old? She sure doesn't act like a senior dog - she's extremely playful and bouncy. She's a real joy to have around. Farrah fit into our family as though she'd always lived here. Even our two "grumpy" dogs have had no problem with her, and she plays with the two smaller ones, especially Aleli. They're all still a little puzzled to see such a playful Doberman, as our last Dobe (also named Sara) did not want to play at all, even when she was younger. Farrah has been very sweet with several cats we've met, has leaned on everyone at our office for scritches, and even went to the barn with me this morning, where she was completely fine around horses as well. House training is going well and there hasn't been a single accident since we treated her bladder infection. She has gnawed tiny holes in a couple dog beds and the corner of the coffee table during moments of inattention, but we're working on persuading her that rawhides and Kongs are more fun. This adorable girl makes the funniest noises when she plays - a friend asked if she could submit them to a sound effects company, so our dog's voice could show up as a dragon or an alien in a George Lucas movie one day. Here she is making dragon noises for Aleli. Farrah's furniture and lap training is going well, and she will soon be every bit as spoiled as our other dogs. Barry cooks her an egg a couple of times a week ("for her coat" he says, which is already looking better). She seems to like men best of all and has bonded very strongly to Barry. This is good for him, as he just lost his favorite dog of all time to spinal issues last month. Sometimes if Farrah wakes up and Barry's not around, she'll bellow for him. Last night she slept in bed between us, waking us up occasionally with little contented sighs or a wet nose poke to the cheek, just to make sure we still love her. We do! Farrah walks very nicely on leash, and is learning her basic obedience commands extremely quickly - she's doing very well on sit, down, stay, come, shake and we're working on "leave it" (that one's hard for her.) Who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks - this sweet girl is just so eager to learn! Mostly Farrah just hangs around with a grin on her face, so happy to be in a loving home at last instead of out in a yard. She has a tiny grin when she's sleeping, a full open-mouth grin when she's playing, and a cute little front-tooth smile and dance whenever we get home. She's really an amazing dog, thank you for letting us adopt her. 
HarpoSubmitted: April 2010 We recently adopted Harpo and he's been fantastic! We were so happy we could give him a good home and thank you to the volunteers who helped with the process and brought him to Illinois from Iowa for us. He loves the new dog brothers he's got now and especially the treats and his new dog bed, although his new dog brothers quickly taught him the couch is the place to be. We look forward to many more years with him! Sandy and Chris 
DustySubmitted: April 2010 On April 3rd, 2010 we went to visit "Scrappy" in Illinois. "Scrappy" is a doberman-lab mix and will be 2 in June. We have had 4 dobermans in the last 20 years. We have a red and rust 4 year old named Bart. His best pal Bailey who was black and tan, was a rescued dog we got 5 years ago when he was 18 months old. He died of dialated cardiomyopathy March 22, 2010. We were told about your rescue by one of the wonderful people at UW-Madison Vet. Teaching Hospital where Bailey was being treated for his condition. Yes, Bailey had his own cardiologist. Who knew there even was such a thing? Not us! His doctor and her staff were amazing and so compassionate. We knew of Bailey's conditon for the last 5 months of his life. He took many medications and had a good last 4 months of health and then declined in March. I felt called to rescue another adult dog like Bailey after he passed away. He was the most wonderful dog. We miss him so much. We had no idea he was sick at all until he coughed last October. They told us he was in heart failure that day. A short 5 monts later he was gone. On April 3rd, we took "Scrappy" home. As we drove home, my husband thought of a new name, "Dusty". He has been so well behaved. Just as decribed in the rescue's info on "Scrappy" he is laid back and a very easy boy to get along with. He is much smaller than our dobermans have been over the years. That took a day or 2 to get used to. Our Bart now looks like a giant in comparison to Dusty. The 2 of them play well together and live peacefully in the house. Bart is glad to have the company of one of his own kind again. He missed Bailey as much as we did. Little Dusty's "dogenality" has come out now that he's been here a while. He is very cute and is very smart. He hit the doggie jackpot when we picked him up and he'll never want for anything again. Maybe we should have renamed him "Lucky". I replaced his rescue collar with a special deluxe collar of black double stitched leather with nickel studs on it. He is so handsome in his new collar. He will live out his days here on our farm, living a dog's fun life, safe and warm and will never wonder again where he belongs. Thank you so much for all you do for the many dogs listed on your website. I wish we had room for more than 2 dogs, or we'd take in another. Dusty's new family: Kristen, Pete and Bart. The pictures show long time pals Bart and Bailey sunbathing (on the left), and Dusty on his first night in his forever home. 
Diva and Lotto tooSubmitted: April 2010 I simply wanted you to know how we are doing since we moved in to our new home, with our new humans!!! Well, I moved here the end of September, 2009 and another one of ILDR+'s "graduates" lives here with me. His name is Lotto and he's been here since February, 2009. Lotto is a GREAT guy, very much wanting to please, however, he hasn't had time or desire to write you. Nobody loves us like Miss Linda and Mr. Marc. Ahhhh......life has never been so good as it is now in our forever home!!! I mean, Lotto was terrified of the wire crate and the broom Miss Linda uses when she sweeps and NOW Lotto views his airline carrier crate as his safe place to go to take his pig ear, or go when he doesn't feel safe. That's a big improvement. Mr. Marc takes us out for our constitutional every day and we are a big fan of the 'Forest Preserves' near their home. So much to see, so many mud puddles to run through, and water to jump into! I am one of the rare Dobie-water dogs. I simply ADORE those 'squeaky ball' things!! Miss Linda throws the ball and I run, run, run to get it. Mr. Marc hurt his shoulder and can't throw as much as I need him to do for me, so Miss Linda does the throwing. They really work as a team, those two!! As much as I love playing catch I have trouble giving the ball back and she sometimes, well, really, a LOT of the times, has to pry it out of my mouth.......so unladylike!! She has been offering me a treat so I 'drop' the ball to her, however, I'm so smart that I've figured out how to drop the ball long enough to make her think I've given it up, then I take the treat, and scoop the ball up again before she even realizes it!! Such a fun trick for me to enjoy!!! Miss Linda has this thing about 'left paw' and 'right paw' --in order to get our treats we have to present the correct paw. So tricky, but Lotto and I have THAT down pat! We got a coupon for FYC's pool and we will be going swimming soon. Lotto, on the other hand, does not like water and simply will not step out into the rain!!!!! Even with the raincoat that Miss Linda puts on us when it rains and we need to go outside to do our business. Go figure. On the weekends, when Miss Linda is not working and now that she's out of her cast-boot thing (she broke a bone in her paw, poor thing) all four of us run together. AND, we earned sofa privileges!!!! On Friday nights during the winter, when it's snowing, we all sit in front of the fireplace playing SCRABBLE and cuddling on the sofa. THE BEST!!! Neither Lotto nor I really like the snow and Lotto kicks off the boots they got for us but we LOVE the winter jackets they got for us to wear. This past year we also had scarves and ear covers because our cropped ears got SO cold! Anyway, I'm sure that YOU know, our humans are so lucky to have us! Between cuddling with them on the sofa and working them out, Lotto and I are thinking we are the best thing for them, to bring down their stress and run them to keep them healthy, you know. Miss Linda is big on education, so Lotto and I attend classes at FYC. What she doesn't know (and please don't tell her), is that the classes are NOT for us, they are to educate the humans in our lives. Miss Linda takes me and Mr. Marc takes Lotto. Sometimes they switch but that's how it is usually goes when we go to school. Lotto and I simply ramp each other up, so to speak, so we can be a handful to manage on leash or in class, together. We learn and our behavior is much better when we go to class separately. Lotto has been to two of them, and I to my first obedience class. I did so well that I have been allowed to go on to 'off-leash' training. (Don't mention it to Lotto, however, I know the dear had to repeat obedience as the first time didn't go so well for him. The first time he went to class he was SOOOOO reactive and spent most of his time behind a screen. By the second time Lotto went to obedience, he was the 'star' of the class, so the young Black and Tan Dobie-man who had to go behind the screen when Lotto went to class that time had his full sympathy and support.) We want you to know how much we appreciated that you took us in and cared for us until we found our "forever home" with Mr. Marc and Miss Linda. Thank you, everyone. From the ones who found us, transported us to our foster homes, and helped us find our place in the world, again, "THANK YOU". 
MaxSubmitted: February 2010 Max weighs in at 82 pounds. I believe he started around 55 pounds, and as you could see...a bag of bones. We got Max to keep our other dog, Blu, company. We adopted Blu six years ago when he was a puppy. The entire litter was abandoned at a greyhound bus station in Springfield. The litter was know as the "reindeer litter". Blu (weighing in at 120) is now a "special needs" dog. He was diagnosed with epilepsy 3 years ago, is on many medicines and has seizures on a regular basis. With Blu being six years old, I figured it would be nice to get him company...thus Max came into our lives. We went to the adoption event that was going on in Barrington January 2009. We had seen what Max looked like on the IDR website...his face was so loving. I told my 15 yr old daughter we will only LOOK. A couple hours later, she was skipping (literally) out of the place, Max on the end of the leash...saying "thank you mommy!". Max LOVES Blu. Blu could care less about Max. Max has to curl up next to Blu, lay on top of Blu...somehow...there has to be body contact. Max will be very upset when Blu's day comes. (but we laugh and say Blu probably could care less if Max goes away because Max hogs the blankets!). They are best friends. At least that is what Max thinks!! When I look at the "before" and "after" pictures of Max, I am amazed. He looks like a different dog. He is still very loving, and very thankful for his friend Blu, and the blankets he gets to share! Carrie 
AchillesSubmitted: February 2010 Just wanted to give you a quick update, Achilles is adjusting nicely at home. He has been the perfect addition to our family! Thank you so much for making our experience with IDR such a pleasure! Take care, Chris and family 
RavenSubmitted: February 2009 We adopted Raven (formerly known as Willow) from IDR at the beginning of November 2009. We had just lost our 9 year old Dobe, Bianca to cardiomyopathy. I knew that I never wanted to be without a Doberman, so I wasted no time. I fell in love with Raven at first glance on the web-site! She is a normal, energetic, healthy 9 month old now. We have only had her 3 and a half months...but she is a member of our family. She adjusted to us so quickly! Amanda (her foster-mom) took such good care of her, that she came to us with good manners in place! She has her "puppy moments", but she is a very good girl overall. I cannot imagine my life without her now. She also eased the pain of losing Bianca. She brought joy back into our home, the same kind that Bianca brought for 9 years! Thank you so much, for all the time and effort that IDR is famous for. I know that I will always have a Doberman by my side...and I will always come back to IDR! Stacey, Tim and Mike (Sommer, Lyness) 
DeweySubmitted: February 2010 We've had such an amazing 6-months with Dewey. I wanted to send you a few of our favorite pictures. Life has not been the same since he joined our family. It's hard to believe that this 90 lb big boy was only 16 pounds when he came to us. We love him SO MUCH! Enjoy ~ Tami, EJ, Kassidy, and Dewey 
MaximusSubmitted: February 2009 Maximus is doing great in our home. We have seen absolutely no aggression out of him towards people or dogs. He has almost let his lick sore on his paw heal all the way. We love comming home to his smiling face. He loves coming on walks and car rides with us. His little personality quirks crack us up all the time. We found he doesnt like the smell of lavender and orange peels, when he smells them his lip raises and he turns away. At this point we could not imagine our home without him. Thank You, Damien and Leea 
LaceySubmitted: February 2009 Just as you reported, she curled up in a corner upon arrival and gradually mixes in. She is perfectly cat safe, slept loose last night with not one incident, is now braving the scary stairs (was "doing a Gabby"), and when not mouth wrestling with Grenny, has her face in my lap as I type my morning emails. Beautiful, lovely dog exactly as described, thank you IDR! Additional update: It has taken Lacey almost a month to get the courage up to go up and down 4 stairs to the dog door to the potty yard, and in/out the door was also a challenge. Having adopted dogs before, I knew to be patient but it's important to let "newbies" know that a dog takes time to adjust! She also gradually moved from one of the dog beds in a quiet corner (right in front of the heat vent, clever girl!) to front and center on the "canine couch" in the dining room, the veritable center of our universe. Sweet and polite and playful; just great! 
JinxSubmitted: February 2009 Hi Pam. I just wanted to say thanks to you and anyone involved in the adoption process. I dont know how often you work with people as far away as I am but am glad you would. Jinx has adjusted to his new life and routine with no problems. He is a blast to have around and does great with training. I look forward to many many years together with him. Thanks again. Jim & Jinx 
AngelSubmitted: February 2009 I just wanted to thank-you again for allowing Angel to come into our lives. She has made a wonderful adjustment into our "pack". She gets along with all of the dogs and loves Don. If i'm not home she sits with Don all the time, but when mom's home I still have the best lap. We look forward to years of love with her. Rescue/foster people are true angels here on earth. I was told that Angel came from a puppy mill situation. I know most puppy mills just kill the adult dogs when they are no longer useful. Angel is such a special dog it makes me so sad to even think that may have been her fate. Thanks to everyone at IDR! Michelle 
KnoxSubmitted: February 2009 Knox is doing so great! His adjustment has surprised us so much. Knox and Saphira got along immediately, and their friendship has just grown so much since the first day we got him. When we let them outside, they run around side by side- they play constantly. They even share bones together. Usually Saphira has one end of the bone, and Knox has the other side. It’s really sweet to see them become such great friends. If Knox whines or barks at something, Saphira comes running to his rescue to make sure everything is ok-and vice versa. More times than not, we find them both snuggling on the couch or on the bed in the guest room. Knox is very spunky. He has the most amazing personality. Something we weren’t used to w/Saphira, was a vocal dog. And I don’t mean just barking. Knox talks ALL the time.. haha …When we talk to him, he grunts. It sounds crazy, but sometimes he sounds like a goose. It's absolutely hilarious! We never experienced anything like that with a dog.. If he’s got something to say or let us know.. he’ll make it very clear that he’s trying to get our attention. He truly is a great addition to our little family - he fits perfectly. He LOVES bath time. So much so, that he jumps into the bath tub and barks at us even when it’s not bath time. He loves to splash at the water, bite at the water, swim… etc. I normally put some water in the bottom of the tub to get any dirt out of their paws, and as soon as he sees the water, he leaps in-and goes crazy. I can go on and on about our lil’ babies. My husband and I want to thank your organization for all that you do. And we also want to thank Diane. She was so great throughout the whole process of adopting lil’ Knox. She really made things so easy and comfortable for us. I know it was hard for her to give him up, but to know that she felt we were the perfect home for Knox meant a lot to us. My husband was hesitant at first because he wasn’t sure if he was ready for two dogs. But after the first email we got from Diane about our lil’ boy, he started to fall in love w/him too ;) And the rest is history.. lol. I know it’s only been a few months that we’ve had him, but we already can’t imagine our life without him. He’s a handful at times, but that’s expected because he’s still a baby ;). The first day we had Knox it was clear he came from a very loving home and was very well taken care of. Diane was such a loving mommy for Knox that I really believe it helped create the loving lil’ boy we have now. It was such a great experience for us that we’ve already recommended your organization to some of our friends and family. And hopefully, they can have a similar experience as we did. Annie and Justin Hayes & Saphira and Knox 
TanyaSubmitted: February 2009 We want to thank Illinois Doberman Rescue so much for your adoption yesterday. We are just thrilled with our dobe. She is so incredible for just coming home with us. Her adjustment was very easy for her. She acts like she has always lived here. And she is so smart! My husband will be taking her to k9 training in about 2 weeks. She seems so alert and eager to learn. We have a fence and she just loves to run and it's funny as she watches through the window to see if you are watching her. She is a real character. My son is also so happy with her, in fact she seems very attached to him already. My son did not even go to the gym today before work like he usually does, but he just wanted to stay and play with Tanya. She is now named after our other dobe, and she seems to react to the name change already. We are so happy with her and just love her! People interested in an animal really should look into getting one of these animals from you. They are so cared for with so much attention and love. Also you are really checked before you are accepted which is so important. Pam told us when we were at the adoptathon that we would know what dog we really wanted. She said YOU WILL KNOW! THERE WILL BE A BOND, and she was so right as Diva (now Tanya) was the one. Thank you again!! 
MickeySubmitted: February 2009 Mickey is a blessing! We picked him up from his foster home before Christmas of 2009. He loves car rides, playing, sleeping on his Cosco bed and going to Petsmart for a day at the spa. He is so gentle with my daughter as well as the rest of the family. He will start obedience classes soon, I know he will be the star of his class because he is smart and just wants to please everyone. 
GretaSubmitted: February 2009 I never need to wonder where she is as she is like a magnet, eating well, sleeping well and I even went out today and bought a King Size bed for me and the critters so we can all have plenty of space but bet they all snuggle up to me anyway. What more can I say about Greta.................hmmm, seems as though we were a true match when my name is Gretchen. She is such a doll to live with as she just wants to be close to you and any animation she has is when she wants to be lifted up to the couch, bed, etc. although I have steps all around. She is eager for her breakfast and dinner then ready for a nice nap. She is curled up next to me now and just happy to be near me and I am equally happy to have her close! 
MooshieSubmitted: February 2009 I remember when I first met Moo Shoo at April's house she literally jumped up to my eye level as I bent over to say hello. Pretty impressive since she jumped about 4 feet in the air from a standing position. I could tell right away that she wanted my attention. She came home with me that night to meet my cats. She learned pretty quickly to use her quiet inside little voice and to move much, much more slower in the house. It took about two months for the family to settle down and establish the new pecking order. The cats got tired of jumping out of her way onto any high surface they could find and tired of running away. Eventually they just stopped running away and stood their ground. Mooshie has found her own space on the bed with us and sleeps soundly through the night. Several daily walks around the neighborhood has gotten me off the couch and a chance to meet my neighbors and their dogs. Walks are a little less fun in the winter but have found out that Mooshie Moo loves the snow! Thanks for rescuing Moo Shoo! I'm so lucky to have her as part of my family and I'm pretty sure she is enjoying being spoiled. 
ShilohSubmitted: December 2009 I adopted Shiloh on March 28th. Shiloh got his name because when he came into IDR, he was so shy that he would almost crawl and stay low. He has come SUCH a LONG way. He has blossomed and everyone in his obedience class says he has really come out of his shell. He is so gentle and so kind. I love to share his successes with others. He got his Canine Good Citizen certification on June 25th. He is so intelligent and we will continue going to classes to keep his mind active and to provide challenges for him as well as keep him socialized. He is so loyal - all of my Dobes have been! Shiloh was meant to be in his new home!! His new owner, Bobbi, shared that she had decided, before even knowing about Shiloh, she was going to name her next Doberman Shiloh. She was going to get a puppy initially but upon speaking with Pam, IDR's President, they got to talking about some of the Dobes with IDR at that time and Shiloh came up in the conversation. Bobbi couldn't believe it when she found out his name was Shiloh!! She knew Shiloh was going to be her next Doberman!! And he thanks her everyday with his loyalty and trust in her as he has blossomed into the wonderful Doberman he was meant to be. 
SparrowSubmitted: December 2009 Sparrow seems to be doing great with August and as you see the cats as well!!! We sure were lucky to get a great dog!!! Thank you!!! We hope you have a wonderful holiday!!! The Gosdeck's 
ArchieSubmitted: December 2009 Dear IDR Plus, We adopted Archie about a 2 and half months ago and he has brought so much joy to our lives. He had a fabulous foster family and his foster mommy, Lara, cared for him very much, so we came on the scene he was in great shape. He is a bundle of energy, but loves to sit on our laps. He will actually get up from one of our laps and move to the other person’s lap, so as to avoid offending anyone. He makes us laugh every day, has already passed obedience class, and made friends with one of the neighbor dogs. He is a big hit with everyone that meets him. We recently had a small party at our house, and he acted like he was the host of the party. It was great. I have attached a picture of him, in nap mode. This picture will star in our Christmas card this year. So from our family to yours, thank you for taking these dogs in and helping us humans find them. Warmest Regards, Ann 
ZeusSubmitted: December 2009 Dear IDR, The holidays are here and it's the perfect time to send you an update on one of your dogs that you allowed us to adopt. His name is Red Zeus and we adopted this handsome fellow ten months ago.. We kept his name Zeus because we just loved the name and it fit him so well.. Zeus has been the perfect addition to our family from the moment he arrived. He is very well behaved, smart like all dobes, extremely loveable towards myself, husband and three young children. We also have a 10 year old rat terrier Sarah who he gets along great with.. Zeus has his own bed, but prefers to sleep on our California King (under the covers) or on our leather couch. What can I say?? He's spoiled rotten :) We have since relocated to Arizona and have been taking advantage of the beautiful weather by walking 4 miles a day. Zeus loves his exercise and has the routine down so he's ready and waiting for us by the door. We're looking forward to many years with Zeus and if it weren't for you taking him in and allowing us to adopt him, he wouldn't be here with us today. Thank you so much IDR for all that you have done and all that you do. Happy Holidays to all of you!! The Masons 
MallorySubmitted: December 2009 I just wanted to write an let you know how wonderful Mallory has adapted to her knew home. She is wonderful with the girls and our Min Pin, though she does sometimes forget she is so much bigger while they are playing.:o) She is just a lover and wants nothing more than to be loved and petted. She started her basic obiedence classes on Monday and is a super fast learner. She already is protecting her house from noises and pesky squirels!!! 
SunnySubmitted: December 2009 Sunny is doing great and has blended into our family quite nicely. She is so easy going and as you can tell from the photo has become very attached to my other great dane Stevie Ray, He is visually impaired and relies on her for vision and she relies on him for hearing. They will run around and chase each other in the yard playing. It doesn't last more than 30 minutes and then they are both ready for a nap. They love to go for walks and she walks right by your side never pulling on the leash. They also love to go for rides in the car. Stevie Ray sits in the middle seat while Sunny enjoys the back seat. She has brought so much to our home. My son, Stevie Ray and I are very glad we adopted her. Thanks for all the hard work you do. Happy Holidays, Ron 
SotsaSubmitted: October 2009 We have never adopted a dog before. Our puppy search started with online searches of breeders, but they were all so expensive and far away, and after months of “shopping” we weren’t any closer to having a dog. Something just seemed wrong with the process, almost like we were waiting for the perfect dog to be born. And then came the day my web surfing landed Sotsa on my screen! Love at first sight! After putting in my application I made an appointment to see Sotsa, but found out that someone else was going to be looking at her first, so just in case we also asked to see another puppy also! To my surprise Sotsa was still available after her other showing! So without further delay my whole family went to go meet her. The next day we thoroughly deliberated our decision between the fun loving brindle puppy and sweet gentle 6 yr Sotsa. It was evening by the time we admitted all along that Sotsa was the one who really won our hearts. She is amazing! How wonderful to bring home a dog that is an instant family member. We thought she needed the care and love that we were all ready to give, but moreover it was all of us who really needed her in our lives. She is so calm and her demeanor is soothing. She is pure love and relieves our stress by welcoming long petting sessions and lap sitting. She doesn’t like toys, but craves physical attention. She doesn’t talk much, but is always ready to come in for a hug and to rest her heavy lovely head on your shoulder or just right in your hands. We are all crazy about her… my husband, my 15 yr old boy/girl twins and myself. What a blessing she is! Thank goodness the great people of IL Doberman Rescue could see her adoptability and rescued her! She came to us all fixed up! She had benign tumors removed, stitches almost healed, all the doctor and health stuff taken care of. How lucky we are! We kept her name Sotsa because she responded so well to it and it seemed the right thing to do after all she had been through. Through our investigating, we have found that Sotsaker means “sweet stuff” in Swedish! How appropriate for our girl! Thank you again for saving her, taking care of her and allowing us to have this furry bundle of joy in our lives! All we speak now is of Sotsa, IDR and adoption of puppies and wonderful adult dogs! Best Regards, Christine, Jorge, Alexa and Joe Abaroa 
Pixie As A Taco - HAPPY HALLOWEENSubmitted: October 2009 
ChowderSubmitted: September 2009 Everything is going well. Chowder (and Sonoma) are in the office with me right now sound asleep. So far, Sonoma plays with Chowder at times and also completely ignores him at times. But as you know he is such a gentleman. I am crazy mad in love with him. What a good-natured little fellow! Thanks for taking such good care of him. He graduated from his beginner education class at PetSmart. He's a wonderful little guy -- he makes me laugh! Jennifer Brown was a wonderful foster mom to my new little guy, Chowder. I think the work she does helps the dog to be more adaptable, more social, and have more manners. And I think all that time and attention and love for the dog helps the dog be more well adjusted. Not to mention, more adoptable and helps the dog stay adopted. I was just so impressed by Jennifer. She is truly an asset to IDR and I think she deserves a medal! 
LutherSubmitted: August 2009 Hello Pam and IDR +, Has been 4 months since I was adopted. Actually, I was fostered first but very quickly became a "foster failure". I was not surprised because the moment I was picked up by my "parents", I knew that I found my forever home. From a very skinny boy I turned into a beautiful, healthy and handsome gentleman. My ears healed from frost bites. New hair grew back and they are so soft now. My life is wonderful. I live with another dobe boy and pit girl. We have so much fun together going for long walks to the forest, running like crazy in the dog park and boating on lake Michigan. My mom and dad take a good care of me. They are not happy with me sometimes especially when I sneak on the sofa when they are not home. How do they know? I can not figure... I could not ask for better home and life. But most of all.... I am loved. Thank you for saving me. Best regards and thanks, Luther and family 
CashaSubmitted: August 2009 I adopted Casha back in 2006 and just happened to wander back to the IDR website. She is doing fantastic and I'm so glad I have her. We really appreciate everything you do for the dogs and in case you haven't been thanked lately... thank you! I attached some pictures, I always wanted to send some but never had a digital camera. The ones of her running are from my phone. Hope all is well for the IDR family! Sincerely, Dana Danforth & Casha |
