Introduction--Julie M./velcrodobes

Hi, I'm Julie M. in Washington State's North Olympic Peninsula. I got my first Dobe in 1998; a 7 y.o rescue named Buddy, from North Carolina, while I was visiting for 4 months.

Buddy was amazing. He taught me so much. I grew up training and showing horses. Buddy had been professionally trained but had fallen into inexperienced hands when someone took him from his job/owners and tried to hide him.

Eventually the people realized a Dobie was too much and I was fortunate to be in right place at right time. He was my constant companion for the next 3 years and I mean constant. I gave him either a couch or a bed to sleep in so he would never get rug-burn on his tender chest again. He wen with me everywhere and shop owners and customers adored him. He was a true diplomat.

I'm on my 4th Dobe now, another rescue I lucked upon when he was 1.5 yrs old in 2003. A son of a National champion, he is beautiful and also the most beloved dog at the dog park, daily. He is kind of big and likes to take up 1/2-2/3rds my full-sized bed every night. Everyone who meets him seems to love him:
<http://www.flickr.com/photos/velcrodobes/sets/72057594069647468/>.

Forrest, was recently diagnosed with dialated cardiomyopathy, but he is 9, so it's not that big of a surprise. During nursing school, I worked on the 5th ranked cardiac unit in the country; the University of Michigan cardiac stepdown unit, for 3 years. I know all about DCM.

Forrest is on Pimobentan, lasix and Gerizyme (an anti-oxidant I've used for 12 years on a few older pets with amazing results--and I did not believe in vitamins before I began using it).

Forrest is currently asymptomatic and more energertic than ever 5 weeks out from his initial Dx. I listen to his lungs daily.

You can see his pics at:
Forrest - a set on Flickr