Valentine is a sweet little girl who came to us from a kill shelter in the panhandle. She was so scared when I brought her home that she wouldn't walk - I had to carry her from my car to the house! Someone must have treated her badly as she is afraid of leashes. At first she wouldn't even walk on one, she would just lay down and cower, but she's come a long way and is starting to enjoy going outside.

Valentine is about 50 pounds, 2-3 years old, and has the prettiest black and white chest and cute yellow and white feet. For being mistreated, she is an especially sweet and gentle girl and doesn't seem to have a mean or aggressive bone in her body. She warms up to people quickly and likes to give little kisses. She has a hearty appetite, likes chewing on Nylabones, and is learning how to play with tennis balls from my other dogs.

 

Like many dogs in the South, Valentine is heartworm positive.  Don't let this scare you!  You can read about the condition on our webpage "Heartworms In Dogs."  We are treating her with monthly heartworm preventive, our preferred method.  It is less harsh and doesn't require the pet be kept quiet for months.

 

Foster Update 3/30/10:   One of the PRBJ employees who was at the shelter the night Valentine arrived saw her at an event a couple weekends ago and couldn't believe it was the same dog. Talk about coming out of her shell! Valentine is still a little cautious, but she is no longer afraid of the leash and she loves going on walks. She wags her tail for everyone and usually has a cute little "smile" on her face.

I took Valentine to two events last month and she was the belle of the ball at both. At the first event she met a lot of other dogs and got along with every one of them, big and small, young and old. She was approached and pet by lots of strangers and she loved every second of it. She was great with the kids she met, and even let a three-year-old take her for a little walk! At the other event, she drew the attention of a group of kids who just sat down all around her and lavished her with affection - she couldn't get enough!

While she loved being at the events and meeting new people and other dogs, Valentine is afraid of the car and doesn't like going for rides very much. We are working on that! The last time we went somewhere she got in the car all by herself instead of me having to pick her up. She is nervous in the car but seems to be learning to enjoy it. I don't put the windows down very far because once when I stopped at a gas station she jumped out.

The good news is, Valentine is NOT a runner. I can take her outside in the yard and she just stays close to me. One of my other dogs IS a runner, however, but even if he takes off, she doesn't follow him. She likes being near people and is content to stay within earshot.

Valentine gets along great with my two dogs. She doesn't bother my older dog at all, and she likes to play with my 3.5 year old. He plays fetch, and when he runs after the ball, she runs after him, barking and nipping at his heels! They are very playful together, so she would do well in a home with other dogs. 

 

Volunteer update 4/24: I had the pleasure of spending the day with Valentine and could not have been more impressed with this dog. She is gentle - wonderful wiith kids - and just a doll to everyone she meets. With tons of other animals and strange people around, she handled herself beautifully. She is as calm and well-mannered as any dog Ive seen. I think she would make an outstanding pet and I envy whoever ends up adopting her.
 

***How much do you know about Dobermans? According to www.dogbreedinfo.com, this is a breed of relatively recent origin. It was developed in Germany in the 1860's, presumably by crossing among German Pinschers with Rottweilers, Beauceron, Pinschers, Greyhounds and English Greyhound to create the sleek and highly intelligent Doberman Pinscher. The creator of this mixture was a German tax collector named Louis Dobermann. Dobermann had to travel frequently through bandit-infested areas, and decided to "construct" a watchdog and bodyguard capable of handling any situation that might arise. Bearing the name of its originator (shortened by one n), the Doberman was first presented at a dog show in 1876. It was immediately a big success. Although the Doberman has the reputation of being a very aggressive dog, this is just not the case. For example, Dobes make great therapy dogs. They are sweet and gentle with nursing-home patients - tippy-toeing over IV tubing and walking at the resident's speed (which can be very slow), while at the same time will fiercely defend his master if it becomes necessary. These dogs are like big, protective babies. Doberman Pinschers have many talents including tracking, watchdogging, guarding, police work, military work, search & rescue, therapy work, competitive obedience and schutzhund. The Doberman Pinscher is intense and energetic with tremendous strength and stamina. Versatile, highly intelligent and very easy to train. Determined, fearless and assertive, but not vicious. Noble, loyal and affectionate with the family, it likes to be physically close to the family members. Devoted and watchful, this is a very people oriented breed. The Doberman needs an owner who is willing and able to discipline the dog without being afraid of him. All family members should learn to handle the dog properly, as Dobermans can be pushy if allowed to have their own way too much. The Doberman has been bred to work with man, and he needs this interaction often. They must be with family, and not abandoned to the backyard. They have a life expectancy of around 13 years.