Meet Our i Love Dobermans Photo Contest Winners!

Our thanks to all of you who participated in our i Love Dobermans photo contest last month by sending us pictures of your delightful Dobies.

And our sincere appreciation to our contest judge, Pam Abare-Newton, the president of Illinois Doberman Rescue Plus. Her job was no easy task.

We’d like to thank each and every one of you pet parents who entered your pooch’s picture in our breed photo contests last year. It was so much fun seeing so many beautiful dogs!

For 2012, our photo contests will focus on various parts of your dog. All breeds and mixes are invited to enter! We’re starting off right at the top – here’s how to enter our i Love Dog Ears photo contest this month.

1st Place: Jäger

“By looking at the photo, I see a a distinguished and regal looking senior who has enjoyed life and looks content and happy,” Abare-Newton said of her first-place choice.

“In my eyes, nothing is more beautiful then a senior dog.”

Nine-year-old Jäger is “the sweetest red/rust Doberman you’ll ever meet!” according to her dog mom, Nicole, who’s had her since she was a puppy, along with two Miniature Pinschers.

“Jäger loves to run with horses and protect the house,” Nicole says. “Besides that, she thinks she’s a lap dog and loves to give kisses. The thing I love most about the Doberman breed is probably their loyalty and stature. They’re truly gorgeous dogs and would do anything for their owner.“

2nd Place: Reggie

“Her soft and adoring eyes remind me of so many Dobermans who cannot get enough of their owners,” Abare-Newton said. “The fact that she is pushing her head through the gate as if to say, ‘If only I could get a little closer, you might be able to touch me.’”

Reggie is a 4-year-old Doberman who was rescued from a puppy mill. Her dog mom, Janet, found her when a friend said a puppy-mill operator needed homes for more than 40 dogs before she went to prison on unrelated charges.

One of the dogs, named Regina, had been used for breeding. “We went to see her and it was all over,” Janet says. ”She was shy and so skinny, but wanted to make friends. I decided to take her, of course!”

Reggie is now living the good life on Janet’s farm in Kentucky. “She has four large beds and a doggie door, so she is free to come in and out as she pleases,” Janet says. “We have owned four other Dobermans, but she is the most affectionate of the bunch. She even lays on her back and grabs my leg with her two front paws so I can rub her belly!”

Honorable Mention: Eddie

Based on your “Likes” in our i Love Dobermans Facebook photo album, our honorable-mention prize winner is Eddie!

Eddie, aka Bravante Von Luka, is a 3-year-old, full-bred Doberman.

“Eddie has such a willingness to learn new things on his own and then show them off to us,” say his pet parents. “When he wants a snack, he will push on a drawer with his nose, making it easy to get him to close drawers and cabinet doors when our hands are full! He is also very sneaky. He will sleep on his bed, but the minute he knows we are fast asleep, he will jump onto the bed, and to our surprise be all cuddled up with us in the morning.”

According to his pet parents, Eddie’s serious demeanor is “just a front for strangers.”

Congratulations to Jäger, Reggie and Eddie! Jäger and Reggie will each receive i Love Dogs Reishi with Green Tea plus a coupon good for a 50-percent discount on their pet parents’ next purchase of i Love Dogs vitamins and supplements. As the fan favorite, Eddie will receive an i Love Dogs bag filled with pawsome goodies.

Thanks again to Pam Abare-Newton for judging our contest. Illinois Doberman Rescue Plus operates as a not-for-profit organization based in Northern Illinois.

“Our goal is to rescue Dobermans in need, to place them into responsible homes and to educate the public about the Doberman breed,” she said. “We also rescue other breeds, as well as cats, which is what the ‘plus’ in our name is for. We take pride in the fact that we do not turn away any Doberman due to their medical issues or age.”

To find out more about Illinois Doberman Rescue Plus or view available dogs or cats, please visit ildoberescue.com.

Laura Goldman

Laura Goldman is senior social media writer for i Love Dogs, Inc. She does love dogs. And elephants and turtles. Along with writing about the loves of her life, Laura likes to play with her two pound pups and tell anyone who’ll listen just how awesome Pit Bulls are.