Our Weimaraner and Doberman Mascots - Introductions

When we designed our current website, and for fun, we added a page about our then Doberman mascots, Ida & Stetson. I supposed mascots can be living or passed on. After each traveled across the rainbow bridge, I didn't have the heart to update our website. I feel as if by keeping them on our website, a little piece of my sweet dober-dogs stay with me. I miss them so much.

Since then, I've adopted two other dogs. As team players, they carry on the duties that Ida and Stetson had. They often model our jewelry when I want to create a fun social post. Probably the most important thing they do is announcing when they hear the postal truck drive up for deliveries and pickups. Yeh yeh! The UPS driver receives the same greeting. He just doesn't come around as often.

Let me tell you about our current mascots. They've been around for a bit. I've just never officially introduced them.

 

Bella' Shelter Pic

During COVID lock-down, I adopted Bella from the LA Shelter in San Pedro, CA.  I confess, I had been looking for another doberman and it just wasn't happening as I had imagined it would. One day I was randomly looking at available dogs at the LA Shelters and spotted Bella's photo. It was as if she was posing. My first thought was wow, she's a beauty. Since my first dog (and first mascot) was a mix of Vizsla and Weimaraner, I wasn't afraid of the breed and the energy that comes with it. I called the shelter and they said come get her. The next morning I drove down to Harbor Shelter and do you know what? I completed paperwork and adopted her without even meeting her. Talk about a leap of faith. Out came a VERY strong girl, pulling me like you couldn't believe. My first reaction was "she's so short, she's so tiny, what's wrong with her?" She's just a bit of a runt for a Weim. I'm actually named for my great-aunt Bella. Adopting Bella the dog seemed like kismet. Bella was an owner surrender and came with the name. Since she was already 5 years old, how could I change her name?

 

Two Toys are better than 1

As it turns out, I describe Bella as comatose in comparison to my first dog, Byron. He was over the charts active and his exercise needs were enormous. I'm blessed that Bella is not remotely as demanding. Her favorite activity is lounging around and chewing on toys. Actually I'm not sure if eating things she shouldn't eat in the garden is more fulfilling than chewing toys. This pic was snapped a few days ago when she had decided 2 toys was better than 1.  That definitely is the case, when... our current mascot #2 is anywhere near us.

Bella had the job of mascot for more than 3 years when I decided she needed an assistant. 

I religiously follow Southern California's Doberman rescues on social. Dobies & Little Paws, Bella & Sunshine Rescue and Doberman Rescue Network. It was only a matter of time before a post piqued my interest enough to get me on board. I was quite close to adopting a young-ish boy that had been dumped and rescued with injuries from the side of the road. He'd had surgery and had healed and through the Doberman Rescue Network, a meet and greet was scheduled. Two days before that meeting, I was informed that this dog had healed so well, he was jumping 6 feet concrete block walls. Oy. Our meeting was canceled since I knew my home would not be safe for him. (And as it turned out, his foster had fallen in love with him, and adopted him.)

Timing is everything. Dobie & Little Paws posted info about a female dobie-mix in need of a home. The post appealed to me. I've always been told that it's easier to marry a girl dog with a boy dog than a girl with a girl, or a boy with a boy. Bella and I made an appointment and headed out to Fillmore, CA to meet this girl. It didn't click. And there I was, at the rescue where they have over a 100 dogs in their care needing to be placed. Ardis and Colleen who run the rescue (this is the same rescue from where I adopted Ida. Yes, you can still see that cutie on our website if you didn't click the link in the first paragraph above.) have such a good sense of what dog might go with what dog and person. I think they thought I was a bit high-maintenance when I said, I'd like a smaller boy (Nancy, doberman boys are typically quite large), a dog that isn't crazy active, been there-done that, (Nancy, dobermans are working dogs), yada yada yada. I was okay with a dog that was slightly older. No problem. Turns out they brought out 2 younger adult dogs for us to meet, both 2-3 years old. And one of them came home with us!

First Photo Together!

Meet Winston. He didn't come with a name he knew, so I named him. He hadn't been at the rescue for long, and I was told if they didn't know he was there, no one would have known. He just hid in the back of an igloo in a kennel with a few other dogs. He was a bit emaciated and he was healing from all-over bite marks. Evidently he was dumped by his owner at a shelter after the other dog or dogs in the house attacked him. From here Dobies & Little Paws saved him. He seemed sweet to me. And the interaction between Bella and him seemed okay. It's so random. Just like that I said "we'll take him home!" It seemed as if Ardis and Colleen were almost surprised by my choice. Now at a healthy weight, Winston weighs 62 or so, and he is fairly calm. He is and was the perfect choice!

Winston on Alert

You know I could go on and on and on about every detail of my sweet mascots. I will tell you that Bella has relinquished most of her barking duties. Winston is now the primary announcer of delivery trucks. Thy family dynamic is so funny. Bella adores me. Winston adores Bella. And me, I adore them both. (Winston loves me too, but he is crazy for Bella.) These two are the light of my life.

 

And for the heck of it. Today's attempt at a team selfie! - ND