Well, the board is pretty slow lately, so in the interest of talking about something -- anything -- I figured I would let everyone know that today is Natasha's 13th birthday.

Natasha, or Tasha, or just plain Tash, was adopted by us in spring of 2008 as an approximately one-year-old black female Doberman. We didn't know her date of birth, so we just made it on the day we adopted her.

What makes this birthday all the more amazing is that she was diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy, a disease that runs rampant in her breed, at the age of six. Her cardiologist says this just doesn't happen, that she would still be around. Most dogs don't live more than a year and a half or so after diagnosis. At the time she was diagnosed, her prognosis wasn't even that good.

I credit a cocktail of great meds prescribed by her vets that she gets each and every day. She sleeps a lot and she definitely looks like an old dog now, but she still loves to go out in the yard (under my supervision) every day and survey her territory.

She and her almost-twelve-year-old brother are my reasons for getting out of bed in the morning. I cherish each and every day, knowing there can't possibly be that many left.

 Quote: Cheri Grissom

Well, the board is pretty slow lately, so in the interest of talking about something -- anything -- I figured I would let everyone know that today is Natasha's 13th birthday.

Natasha, or Tasha, or just plain Tash, was adopted by us in spring of 2008 as an approximately one-year-old black female Doberman. We didn't know her date of birth, so we just made it on the day we adopted her.

What makes this birthday all the more amazing is that she was diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy, a disease that runs rampant in her breed, at the age of six. Her cardiologist says this just doesn't happen, that she would still be around. Most dogs don't live more than a year and a half or so after diagnosis. At the time she was diagnosed, her prognosis wasn't even that good.

I credit a cocktail of great meds prescribed by her vets that she gets each and every day. She sleeps a lot and she definitely looks like an old dog now, but she still loves to go out in the yard (under my supervision) every day and survey her territory.

She and her almost-twelve-year-old brother are my reasons for getting out of bed in the morning. I cherish each and every day, knowing there can't possibly be that many left.

That is a wonderful miracle-dog story, Cheri. I'm very glad that Natasha is still with you.

The folks in one of my dog groups celebrate adoption/rescue dates as the "Gotcha Day."

Super cool that Natasha is doing so well. I've known of a couple of Dobes that were brought down with heart issues.

CONGRATULATIONS to Natasha on her birthday, Cheri !!! My 2 rescue Dobermans are each 8 years old now & are going GREAT as well -- They are guarding our yard from the local squirrel as I type ... Adobe & Adonis both say "Happy Gotcha Day" to your lucky girl

 Quote: Candi Campbell

CONGRATULATIONS to Natasha on her birthday, Cheri !!! My 2 rescue Dobermans are each 8 years old now & are going GREAT as well -- They are guarding our yard from the local squirrel as I type ... Adobe & Adonis both say "Happy Gotcha Day" to your lucky girl

Happy Gotcha Day from me, too!

Thanks, everyone! Yes, it's her Gotcha Day, too. We just figured, since we didn't know her date of birth, and the rescue personnel, as well as their vet and ours all agreed she seemed to be about a year old, we would just combine the two dates.

Candi, I'm glad to hear your two are doing well at eight years old.

 Quote: Cheri Grissom

Thanks, everyone! Yes, it's her Gotcha Day, too. We just figured, since we didn't know her date of birth, and the rescue personnel, as well as their vet and ours all agreed she seemed to be about a year old, we would just combine the two dates.

Candi, I'm glad to hear your two are doing well at eight years old.

Candi, it's great to hear from you too!