Today is a very hard day for us at Family Dobes as we mourn the loss of some of our dearest friends. Today Zenka lost a short but severe battle with Lymphoma and was finally released from suffering, and we believe now again able to run and play and chase cats the way she always did. She was one of the dearest friends I have ever had in this life, and as I reflect back, she was the perfect Doberman for me. There is not a thing about her I would have changed, I admired her courage and sensitivity, her fighting spirit and her persistence in getting my attention. Whatever I asked her for she gave me and then more. She rekindled my passion for dog sport, and taught so many others about the sport. She was happy to bite a sleeve on anyone much to many peoples enjoyment over the years. I never will get over losing her, she was everything I hoped her to be, she carved a mark on the hearts of my whole family, and all of those who knew her at all. She was an amazing girl, and passed far too young, I would have liked to hang on to her forever.

To add to the pain of it all, Oxa Devil Garden who we have had only a short time, also passed today with a very aggressive and advanced Sarcoma. She had such a willingness to work and such eagerness in her play, although she was with us only a short time, she too is greatly missed and can not be forgotten. She too made friends out of those who knew her well, and we count today one of the darkest in our kennels history.

We had never produced any pups from these girls or these lines, so thankfully we do not have to go through this at a future date with their offspring.

But as you all take time to reflect on this season and this short email, realize how many things we have to be grateful for. Zenka filled and enriched my life beyond my imagination, she holds my heart still this very moment while she awaits across what many call the “Rainbow Bridge” I wouldn’t erase my memories of her even if it meant the pain would end for me now, I am so grateful to have spent the time with her that I did. I find it sad and poignant that the woman who had her before me and showed her to her championship also passed this April of Cancer. I am sure they missed each other as much as I now miss Zenka. If you have some Great four  legged teachers around you, hug them all extra tight for just a little longer today than you normally would. Be grateful for the moments and memories you have, and don’t give them up for anything. Treasure even the mischief that may now drive you crazy, read the book or see the movie “Marley and me” Go for a walk and throw a ball, and focus on making some extra good memories. Don’t let the sun go down on regret, I wish I had done more with these girls than I did, had I known how short the time would be I am sure I would have, so why don’t we all project that forward to the ones still with us. God Bless all of you, and may you all have a Merry CHRISTmas despite all of the troubled economy and suffering that is upon so many of us and our loved ones. Find peace and happiness in a cold wet nose with a warm heart that can teach us far more about unconditional love than any other source. They trust, they give, they accept us just as we are even though we could all be so much more. They see only the best in us setting the example for how we should look at our world and those in it. I want to thank Dr Hoban at friends Animal Hospital especially for true compassion, and expert care, she worried for us every day and continued to check in on us. Grayhawk animal Hospital and Sonoran Animal Hospital also treated Zenka as her own in the early stages of her suffering. She was very loved right to the end and will be forever. I want to thank all of you for being a part of my life and sharing the good times as well as the hard ones with me

Steve Parsons

480-993-9797

http://www.familydobes.com

http://www.dobetalk.com