Ivory came into my life after receiving a call from a shelter in Eastern Ohio telling me that they had just taken in an Albino female around 6 years old; she was surrendered to them the day before. The dumpers told her that they had bred her numerous times during the course of her life and now she was not producing. They had used her up and dumped her at this shelter.

I made arrangements to meet someone from the shelter in Columbus the following day to get Ivory. The pick up went as scheduled. I had fostered numerous Dobie’s while volunteering with HMDD but never an Albino. I was quite excited even with the added precautions necessary while caring for her. She was larger than most females, had numerous warts on her underside, several on her eye lids, and nose but was still absolutely beautiful. Magnificent came to my mind. I approached her and she started wagging her tail, which was a good sign. She immediately came to me. I took all the necessary paperwork on her; I had another adoption function to attend so off we went. She kept nudging me, while in the car, on the trip to the adoption event as only a Dobie can do. We arrived at the event. She jumped out of my vehicle and followed me into the park. We were there all day, and Ivory pretty much stayed close to me the entire time.

That evening we went home, she ate, got along well with the other fosters that I had, played some more, outside, with the other dogs. That night after eating and it was time to go to bed she managed to snuck up to the bedroom and slipped into my bed. She thought she was really sneaky as she went under the covers. The funny thing was that it was only her head that was covered and the rest of her was not. She was truly a dream to have around. She quickly sprawled, out taking over half of the bed and sleep quietly through the night (under the covers), moaning every once in a while. I took that to mean that she felt safe and was quite comfortable in her current surroundings.

The next day I took her to HMDD Veterinarian for any examination. At that meeting it was determined that she had been bread quite often as and she was quite saggy, from all the puppy feedings through the years, There were other signs of her hard life, but she was still such a sweet girl. I can only imagine how painful it must have been for her nursing puppies with all those warts covering her stomach and nipples. It was also determined that the same warts were cancerous and she probably would have a shortened life. I decided then and there that I would make her remaining time as comfortable at possible with me...

During her time with me she was a sweet and very personal girl, loved to lie on the couch, had a heck of a time getting her whole body covered, most often just covering her head. I would come into the room and see her white body sticking out from under and covers, I would stop and make sure that she would be totally covered; she would let out a sigh letting me know that she was now content. She was such a social girl was always close to me when I would be outside whether laying in her favorite shaded area or standing within my reach. When my grandchildren would come over, to visit, she would leave me to hang around with them. They truly loved her. She helped my 2 year old granddaughter overcome her fear of large dogs.

I truly think that she knew she was very special, from the look she would give me with those beautiful blue eyes. There was so much acceptance and trust in them. She knew that she was a true Diva, and the other Dobie’s, that she shared her life with let her rule the roost. She was the Alfa Female. The males even knew not to fool with her. She was such an outgoing girl. She everyone especially kids. I would continue to bring her to the adoption events, as everyone was eager to see her. She seemed to remember everyone as she would go up to every human at the event and stand in front of them until they would acknowledge her and give her a friendly pat. She was quite the social butterfly.

Several of the warts on her eyelid and muzzle became enlarged so I had them removed about 6 months after she came to stay with me. After this was done successfully it was determined that she would be best not adopted out due to her health issues mainly not knowing how long she would be with me.. There were many inquiries, about her, but when told about the cancer, warts, and other physical problems it never went beyond that. After numerous inquiries that went nowhere I decided that she could and would remain with me until her end times. She was quite happy and content with me so this was the best and most comfortable place for her to stay.

I was very fortunate to have her for about 8 months; she was one of the most wonderful girls that I had the pleasure of caring for. She never met a stranger having a wonderful way about her. I miss her daily and can still see her hiding under the covers with her head covered and that white back side sticking out, or laying in the shade in the back yard watching me.

She is now resting in one of those shaded places that she loved so much. It makes it easier knowing that she is no longer in pain and in a happy place.

Ivory we miss you, Terry, William, Sarah, Reese Cup, and Adobe, and Diva

Terry Kellenberger
HandMeDownDobes
Rescue A Doberman