"My husband and I decided to adopt a doberman about a year and a half ago.  We already had 2 small dogs - Mable a westie  and Niko an American Eskimo.  I grew up with labs and missed having a bigger dog to snuggle with and wrestle around with.  I wanted a dog who would protect me and then snuggle me on the couch.  Plus my husband and I both wanted a running partner.  I started researching rescues in our area and came across Illinois Doberman Rescue Plus.  I looked at all the pups they had for adoption for months before finally submitting an application.  I was impressed with their thorough application process.  They wanted to make sure I was serious about adopting this dog to become a forever home for him!  

We were drawn to Whiskey because of his color.  Being a fawn doberman he was similar in color to a weimaraner which was my husband’s second choice of dog.  I'd never seen a fawn doberman before.  We drove 3 hours to meet him and immediately fell in love with him.  He was SO sweet, was gentle with our kids and was very happy to just be with us!  We adopted him that day - February 16th, 2014.  

We found out Whiskey’s story was that he had been picked up in Georgia.  He was running down a highway dragging a heavy chain and had been struck by a car.  His only injury was to his ear but the shelter couldn’t get it to stop bleeding so he was marked for immediate euthanasia.  Lucky for him (and us!) the Doberman Assistance Network pulled him right away, fixed him up and transported him to IDR+.  I’m not sure what Whiskey’s life was before us but I do know he is the most affectionate dog I have ever had.  I joke he must not have gotten enough love in his previous life.  

In July of 2014 a litter of puppies was taken from an awful situation in Kentucky.  They were about 12 weeks old.  IDR+ stepped in to take them all.  As soon as I got wind that there were fawn pups I knew I wanted to foster one.  Whiskey’s mini me!!  I had never fostered before but I wanted to snuggle one of those babies!  I talked my husband into it thinking the puppy would be adopted FAST.  So I fostered Jax for about 2 weeks before I realized I was never going to be able to let him go. I cried at the thought of him leaving us and Whiskey and he had became the best of friends.  Needless to say Jax officially became ours July 31st, 2014.  My first foster failure.  (and my last because my husband has banned me from fostering!)

Jax was living with all of his litter mates when he came to the rescue  He was one of the less dominate ones and was pretty beat up with scars all over him.  He also has huge scars on his legs where his dew claws were brutally removed.  He was scared and shy when we got him.  After LOTS of socialization and training he has become an amazing and outgoing boy!  We love him very much.

IDR+ is special to me because they don’t turn a dog away just because it needs medical help.  They receive MANY dogs that are heart worm positive, in need of surgeries, amputations and many other medical issues.  All of these things are VERY costly yet they take those dogs in and do whatever is needed knowing they are saving a life that otherwise might not be saved.  They care about the dogs first and foremost and I love that about them.  They also don’t only take in dobermans.  That’s the “Plus” in Illinois Doberman Plus.  Last year they adopted 368 dogs!  That is a lot of lives saved!"