The Rainbow Bridge

There exists an anonymous poem written about the wonderful dogs which have left this earth. The poem is well known to those of us in the dog fancy-- it is called The Rainbow Bridge. I have put a copy of the poem at the bottom of this page. If you have ever deeply loved and lost a treasured companion, have a box of Kleenex handy when you read The Rainbow Bridge.

This page is dedicated to the special dogs which touched our lives so deeply, and with whom we wait to meet some day on the other side of the Rainbow Bridge.

Int'l CH ADAMAS In Harm's Way CD, AX, AXJ, WAC, CGC (AKC major pointed)
May 3, 1998 - September 11, 2001
A victim of Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM)
(for more info on DCM, go to the DPFA site and read the Health Related Articles)

Three year, four month old Harm was my once in a lifetime dog. He was my beloved companion and faithful protector, as well as being recognized in many fields, as his various titles reflect. He died needing just one major to finish his AKC Championship and Register of Merit, all of his points being received breeder/owner-handled. I'll never forget his 1st place win at the 2000 DPCA Nationals in the Bred-By AOAC class (pictured right). He was well on his way to his Master level agility titles and had accumulated over 200 MACH points. He was an incredible agility athlete whose unique gift was to run ahead of me and negotiate a course by watching and responding peripherally to my slightest hand or body motion, all without slowing or turning off of the desired heading.

If a picture can say a thousand words, then this is it. If you think by the look on my face that we had just qualified, you would be wrong. This is the last jump of the fourth and final run of a NON-qualifying weekend. But my face expresses exactly how I felt every time I ran with Harm--
Free, Full of Love, Joy and Pride.

Harm died less than three weeks before he was to compete in the invitational 2001 DPCA Top 20 Agility event. That event was dedicated to Harm with a very moving tribute which brought the audience of hundreds to their feet, and to tears. The loss of Harm was not only felt by ourselves, but by the Doberman and agility community at large, as was evidenced by the well over 100 cards, letters and emails I received upon his death. Here is a sampling:

"I loved to watch you work him ... he was so willing to try anything you asked of him."
M.S. (Agility instructor/ MACH owner)

"Harm was a magnificent dog who excelled in everything he tried... I'll never forget his awesome agility runs...I may never see another Doberman who can match them."
 N.B. (Agility/Breed exhibitor)

"I remember him as being a good representative in the conformation ring, whose strength was a dog of correct proportions and immaculate condition."
Robert Vandiver, MISTEL

"I love seeing good looking Dobermans that are capable of doing it all, and that he was."
Carol Petruzzo, CAROSEL

"...he was my favorite of all your dogs and truly my competition. I loved to watch him run. He was so intense. He will truly leave a void at the trials"
A.Y. (Top 20 agility competitor)

"He will live in my memory...as long as I have one."
Vic Monteleon, MONTWOOD

"Harm was not only a TRUE AMBASSADOR of the breed, he was BEAUTIFUL!"
Linda Bellin, VERMILION

"I know from the look on your face when you were showing him or working him- that he was your best friend. Have comfort in the thought that he adored you as well, and you were his best friend..."
Carol Kepler, CAROLON

"He has gone to search for those lost souls, to guard and comfort them, and to help lead them to Heaven over the Rainbow Bridge" (Note- Harm died the night of September 11, 2001 after terrorist attacks in New York, Washington DC and Pennsylvaniatook the lives of over 2000 people, representing countries from around the world.) D.G.

"You two had become a wonderful team flowing and meshing together."
L.R. (Top 20 agility competitor)

"Anyone who watched you knew that he was your baby and you were his world. The kind of relationship you had with him doesn't happen every day. Some people never experience it. The tragedy is that he left you so soon with so much on the horizon." M.L. (Agility/Breed exhibitor)

"Harm was such a majestic dog to watch...watching you and Harm run through an agility course was like watching a dance combined with athleticism and grace. I know that he was a special dog, because it was reflected in your work and play together." B.D. (Agility/Field/Obedience exhibitor)

Kai Esa II Ariel of ADAMAS CD, WAC, ATT, CGC (ptd)
New York State licensed Service Dog
January 20, 1994 - March 31, 2003 (9 years, 2 mos)

Ariel was the foundation bitch for ADAMAS and produced three AKC multi-titled get, including two DPCA Top 20 Agility finalists and one CH/CD/ROM.  Once her showing and breeding days were over, she moved on to an even higher calling—that of a service dog.  During the last years of her life, Ariel served the needs of Mardee Edelstein of New York by picking up dropped articles, bringing Mardee the phone when she would fall, and helping Mardee get out of bed, off chairs, up and down curbs and much, much more.  She wore a harness similar to that of a guide dog, except the handle on this harness stayed in an upright position. 
Ariel sometimes sported a backpack to carry light articles needed by Mardee.  As a licensed service dog, Ariel accompanied Mardee into any public building including the grocery store and restaurants. 

Ariel was once credited with saving Mardee's life when she had collapsed into unconsciousness in her kitchen.  Although she had never been trained to do so, Ariel finally managed to open the door to the apartment, and went up and down the hallway barking until she attracted the attention of a fellow resident, who Ariel then proceeded to take to her stricken mistress.  An ambulance had to be called for Mardee, who did not learn of Ariel's deeds until days later when she regained consciousness in a hospital.

We could not have been prouder of Ariel and her testament to the brains, beauty and loyalty of the Doberman Pinscher breed.  Ariel's legacy is proudly carried on through the beauty and working aptitude of her children and grandchildren.

MACH Amadeus Idomeneo Warrior CDX, WAC, ATT, CGC (ptd) 
June 30, 1991 - October 4, 2003 (12 years, 3 mos.)

2003 DPCA Top 20 Agility Finalist-
#2 Overall Doberman, #1 Doberman male

2002 DPCA Top 20 Agility Finalist-
#3 Overall Doberman, #1 Doberman male

“Amadeus” was our first Doberman and was our introduction into the world of conformation, obedience, agility, Working Aptitude Evaluations, public education and much, much more.  He was a true Doberman ambassador, dispelling much public misconception about the breed.  He was a wonderful working dog, always placing in obedience when receiving a qualifying score, including back to back first places at the popular Cherokee Rose cluster shows for his last two CDX legs.  Beginning his career in agility at age 6, he obtained his AX title at the age of 8 years, 3 months at which time he was retired.

The photo to the left was taken of Amadeus at his last agility trial, just days before his 12th birthday.  Upon turning 12, he began to finally show signs that his years were catching up with him.  We are eternally grateful to God for allowing us to share our lives with this remarkable soul.

AND NOW...                                The Rainbow Bridge

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge. When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and all our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. The bright eyes are intent; the eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

YOU have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in a joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart. You then cross Rainbow Bridge together.

-- Author Unknown

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