Male, black with rust markings.

Cropped ears. Tail docked.

Good with older children.

Great  with other dogs.

Not interested in cats.

Up to date on vaccinations and presently on Sentinel monthly heartworm preventative.

Whitman and his godmother....
“Whitman…Whitman”!
 
“Eh? Who’s calling?  What’s that voice?”
 
“It’s your fairy Doberman godmother, silly and I want to talk to you!”
 
“Where are you?  I don’t see any fairy thing near me but your voice sounds very close.  Is this a dream?”
 
“(Chuckle) No Whitman, I’m a fairy and fairies are invisible except at special times.  This isn’t one of those special times so you can’t see me but believe me child, I am here.”
 
“This is interesting, I don’t feel that fear.  I don’t feel the fear that I always feel when I have to deal with something new.  Why am I not afraid?”
 
“Fairy godmothers are not supposed to be frightening, Whitman.  Besides, I’m a Doberman fairy godmother and you know you trust other Dobermans.  By the way, wherever did you get that beautiful name…Whitman?”
 
“I came to Doberman Rescue on Valentines Day and she named me after the chocolate ssamplers…Whitman.  I kind of like it and would like to hear it more.  So you believe I can talk to you and trust you and you’ll understand me and I don’t have to feel torn between need and distrust all the time we’re together?”
 
“I hope so Whitman, I truly hope so.  You see that fear is not serving you very well and you may want to consider trying to set it aside,“
 
“Oh godmother, I’d give anything if I could get free of this shyness!  I want so much to have humans as friends but this fear, this terrible fear, it’s so bad that very few humans can spend enough time with me to relax a bit and begin to believe they won’t hurt me.”
 
“Do you remember what happened that made you so afraid?”
 
“It’s not clear, not at all clear in my mind what it was but I remember being terrified and there was a human involved.  It’s not clear, only the feeling is clear.  Every time something reminds me of it I feel helpless terror.  Strange humans are potential abusers until I can get to know them.  Even with my closest human here at Elijah's House, I cannot come to her unless she is alone.”
 
“Does that disappoint her, that you don’t trust her?”
 
“I do trust her, I do!  Please understand that I love to be with her and I enjoy our time together but there is that giant fear that is always there and I am beginning to despair that I’ll ever be normal!”
 
“Oh Whitman!  I wish I could tell you that you’ll be normal but you will probably be tentative around new humans as long as you live.  That is not a bad thing but it might limit you to being accepted by a very special Doberman lover that wants to go the second mile and take in a fearful Doberman.
 
“Whitman, don’t let your courage fail.  It is almost inevitable that you will develop trust in some people that you get to know and that know you.  Most times when you are denied something like the openness that Dobermans are known for you will develop some compensating desirable character.  I know you are a truly gentle dog once people can approach you   I know that warm soul of yours cries out for human companionship.  Besides all that you are one good-looking fella!  If you don’t mind your fairy godmother telling you.”
 
“What will it take?  What has to happen for me to have a family?  I want one more than anything but that darned fear!”
 
“I suspect, Whitman, that some things will have to come together if you hope to find a family.  First, can you possibly relax a bit and show less fear?”
 
“I don’t know, I honestly don’t know.  If I can change at all it’ll be slow.  I’m dealing with great fear here and I cannot simply forget that.  I suspect I’ll have to have some training, some gentle training where I can LEARN to trust.  I have no idea if I have that much courage!  I am blocked from my most fervent wish by fear.  How can I learn to overcome it?”
 
“Whitman, it’ll come to you if only your new master is careful, patient and shows incredible love.  That thins out the possibilities a good bit but it doesn’t make it impossible.  If you can learn to accept love and to give it back, you’ll have the problem down to a nubbin’!  That may take months, perhaps longer.  You may grow to love and depend on your family of humans but still fear strangers.  Whatever the outcome you can do much, much better once you get more contact with loving humans.”
 
“I’m ready!  What is the next step godmother?”
 
“First we have to wait for the right family.  They are out there but it will take time.  You have been here quite a while already and I am sure you would love a family.”
 
“I hope to love them.  I want to love them but please godmother, help them love me first.  I need that.  Then I will gather my courage and set off on a new path and, perhaps, leave this fear behind.
 
“Courage indeed!  That will set you off in the right direction.  Just remember, practice, practice, practice.  Your life is too valuable to spend it terrified of those who love you.  Try to trust, try very hard.”