Everyone Wins

Marley a lucky dog with delighted new owners

Marley the Poser

Marley came to the attention of the DWA in July 2008. He is an 8 year old black and tan entire, dobe with a wonderful nature. He started off life in Liverpool and was given away by his first owner who became ill. Unfortunately after a week in his next home he was no longer wanted and was moved on again. This time Marley found himself living in an isolated Highland croft where his owner not having thought his situation through found work commitments didn't actually give him time to devote to Marley who was spending long and stressful days alone whilst this owner was at work. Over the years it appears Marley has exhibited destructive behaviour destroying beds and toys. Rehoming older dogs is not always so easy and it obviously helps if they are well socialised and easy to walk and travel. When the DWA was asked to find a suitable new home for Marley it transpired that none of his vaccinations were up-to-date and without these we could not place him in a kennel for assessment and rehoming. Web browsers and DWA members kindly sponsored Marley's move to a kennel along with the required veterinary treatment. It is not surprising that Marley exhibited separation anxiety as he was alone from 7.00 a.m. to nearly 6.00 p.m. every day during the week and some of his behaviour like destroying his bedding was reported prior to this ownership so he must have been in some sort of stressful situation in his early years. Whatever he is a delightful and fun character as we discovered for ourselves once he came into kennels the first night he was quite distraught with his new circumstances but soon became attached to the kennel owner although it was lucky he didn't have to spend long in kennels because he was quite unsuited to kennel life as many dobes are being real people dogs who like their home comforts. Fortunately an enthusiastic and dedicated young couple from south of the Midlands had seen Marley on the website and having previously rehomed 2 mature rescue dobes volunteered to give Marley his forever home.

End of another ball

On the 16 August M&V flew up to Aberdeen and after hiring a car drove to the kennels and spent a day getting to know Marley before returning to their home in Worcestershire. Getting to know him was spent playing football in the writer's garden, walking in the sand dunes looking for bunnies with our dogs, well our dogs were looking for them, Marley pursued our 2 in rather a predatory way as though he was looking for his new best friend, this was followed by the 3 dogs having a dunk in the estuary and then home for a much need bath for Marley and a few photo calls with his new family.

Marley's new family

Throughout the day you never saw a happier more relaxed dog, he looked as though he knew things had come right for him. The next day Marley travelled home with new bed, new toys, new collar and new family and behaved extremely well, in fact I believe he slept most of the way.

Marley has now been in his new home for a week and both dog and people are delighted with one another. His first walk was rather eventful as he managed to fall into the local canal but was quickly whisked out by M and taken home for yet another bath! He has met the neighbours, local dogs and generally made himself at home and so far only destroyed one cushion. His new owners cannot believe what a good natured and easy going dog he is. His likes are balls, most of the time he is carrying one around, in fact when V and I spoke recently I could hear one being squeaked to death in the background and carrying his dish around. Marley dislikes hoovers and lawnmowers and needs to improve his recall! Everyone who has been introduced to Marley is taken by his outstandingly good temperament.

Thank you to this couple for giving a mature dog another chance.

Dobermann Welfare Association
dogs@dobermannwelfare.org.uk
Registered Office: 28 Abingdon Close, Hillingdon, Middlesex UB10 0BU
Registered in England No: 04043120