Murphy's (formerly Jeffrey) story

We continue our appeal for your donations to help recover the extensive costs that were essential to bring Jeffrey back to health and ready for a new and happier life. This is truly what rescue is all about.  We need your help for Jeffrey and the next one that comes along, because sadly, there will always be a next one. To donate, please make your check payable to "DPR of PA" and mail it to: Doberman Pinscher Rescue of PA, Inc. Sherrie Robinson 15 Bills Way Landenberg, PA  19350 Or simply click on the button below to donate through PayPal. I want to help Jeffrey and other Doberman rescues!

 Note:  Click on image for larger view

Jeffrey is a male doberman who was found as a stray. He was brought to us in late March severely emaciated, with open, bleeding, infected wounds. This was the worst case of neglect we have ever seen; his entire spine protruded so you could see where his ribs connected and you could visually count every vertebrae.  He did not have an ounce of muscle or any stored fat.  He was disoriented and walking into things, could not see or hear correctly, and was oblivious to his surroundings.  He barely acknowledged people and his back legs were trembling and failing.  He would fall to the ground whenever he tried to squat to urinate.

He had four open wounds on his hip area (two which looked like bite marks) that were filled with blood and pus and  an inch deep.  All over his legs and feet (just about every toe, ankle, elbow joints are the worst) there were large, calcified, old cysts from living on cement or hard ground probably his whole life.  He had a hairless ring around his neck from a collar that was too tight.  As bad as he was, he took food and treats gently and for a week he was hand fed.  He never once growled or grabbed; he always knew to be gentle. 

Before he arrived, we were told he was about 5-10 years old.  After seeing him, he did not have a spot of gray and had a young face.  And as he started to get better, he appeared to be younger, maybe less than a year old according to the vet. 

As he became nourished, he showed more of his true personality.  Every day he improved and we began to see a sweet dog who knew how to sit, come and give his paw.  He went for walks in the woods and explored things with his foster family who taught him how to play.  He found one special toy (a Cuz is the greatest doberman toy ever) and he tried to play with it but he was too awkward and didn't know what to do.  But he played with it every time he went out and eventually gained strength to squeak it.  Of course, he kept squeaking it over and over again, but a squeak never sounded so good.  After time he learned to play fetch with it and added muscle and strength from exercising.

Health wise he was fine.  After various xrays and bloodwork, we found that he did not have a health issue that would have caused his poor condition; he was simply not being fed and left to die!  His hear t is fine although his kidneys were starting to show signs of stress (but nothing like you would imagine).  He was started on quality food and vitamins, two different antibiotics, and dewormed just in case (he was even negative for internal parasites).  He never complained as we cleaned and treated his wounds, put balm on his calluses, bathed him, trimmed his nails, cleaned his ears; he's a real trooper and gave kisses.  Can you imagine? 

By June, 2010, Jeffrey (now answering to Murphy) was ready to be adopted and went to his new home in July.  Below is the description of Murphy when he was up for adoption.  We hope his new owners will share updates with us so we can follow his story.  Be sure to come back and visit.

ADOPTION AD:

 Murphy come a very long way since being picked up in mid-March wandering around Philly, emaciated and on his last legs. Since that time he gained almost 20 pounds, the wounds have healed, he is neutered, and he has become the youthful, energetic, bouncy Doberman that he was underneath. Probably only a year or so old, Murphy is an amazingly good tempered dog who loves all people and LOVES other dogs. He is actually on the submissive side with other dogs and will avoid any dog who shows bad temper. He has been great with the  Dachshund mix and Aussie in his foster home, and he even is good with the cat although he does think it is fun to chase him to his perch sometimes.

Murphy is a lover not a fighter, although he is not always needing to be glued to your side. He'll tend to follow you around the house and has to investigate everything that you are doing or handling. A very inquisitive dog, he sticks his head in every bag that enters the house and loves to chomp on empty plastic bottles. He is a food hound, understandably, and will eat just about anything; he loves lettuce, carrots, beet greens, frozen bananas, pea pods, apples, and all the ordinary things you would expect too. He wants whatever is edible and in sight; however he is pretty good about not taking things off the counter. He still has a way to go learning manners around the dinner table but it is hard when things are so tasty and only a nose length away!

Manner-wise he is on his way. He knows his basic commands, sit, down, and listens pretty well. He learns quickly too; however he does get excited when on a leash and he sees people or other dogs. That still needs work but. with good obedience training and some time, he will be a very pleasant dog to take around. He doesn't jump up much on people but he will bounce up and down when excited. He continues to gain in energy and stamina as he recovers from near starvation. But even for such a young dog, he does settle down nicely.

Murphy's other fixation is water. He is on a restricted water intake program because he will drink inordinate amounts if left with limitless water, then he will pee uncontrollably large quantities. This program will have to continue in his new home and maybe all his life. He may overcome his psychogenic fixation on water with time, but there is no way to predict. He is housebroken; however we recommend a housebreaking reminder course when going into a new home. His signals for needing to pee are not very noticeable. He also is very good with a crate and recommend using that for nights and when you are gone during the day until he is securely settled in his new home and routine. He generally does not bother things in the house but loves having many squeaky and chew toys around. He is trained to an invisible fence now and does very well with it in the yard.

Murphy has his silly traits and is very easy going, unrattled by much of anything. In fact he'll happily walk off with others at the park like he has found his long lost brothers. And he enjoys romps in the creek. Not much of a retriever though. He is average size for a male and will probably fill out to an 80-85 lb. adult. With his one tilted ear and his long stub of a tail, he is easily lovable and would love to have an active family to hang out with and other dogs. He is good with kids and is difficult to really wear out. Of course he needs good direction from the human leaders in his family, as any Doberman does, but generally Jeffrey is a pretty easy guy to live with.

Below are photos of Jeffrey after 3 months in DPRPA foster care.