"Joe"
Joe is approximately 7 years old and has an incredibly sad history. Joe is actually a Hurricane Katrina victim. Somehow his hips were severely crushed during or immediately after the storm. The vets were so amazed at this big boy's temperament that no one had the heart to just put him down. So they put him together and began searching for a foster home for him - a place where he could recover. Joe was taken in by dear lady that rehabilitates wildlife. She lovingly nursed him back to health and he has lived with her since shortly after Hurricane Katrina. There on the west side of the state Joe lived with his foster mom and all manner of wildlife. Joe's roommates were rabbits, opossum, raccoons & squirrels and he never hurt one of his little friends. Unfortunately Hurricane Gustave and Ike caused even more upheavel in Joe's life. Those storms badly damaged his foster home and forced his foster mom to again ask for help on his behalf.

GCDR recieved a request to assist him with an attached photo of Joe walking around with an opossum. He brought big smiles to our faces. How could we not help this gentle giant? Joe has been to the vet and will return soon. We will do whatever we can do to make his life easier from now own. We have been told that Joe suffers from a bleeding disorder so he may not be a candidate for surgery. Joe can certainly walk and stand but he is clearly weak in his hind quarters and his range of motion is limited. Initial x-rays also revealed that his heart is enlarged - possibily indicating that he has cardiomyopathy. He is scheduled for a full cardiac work-up.

Please watch for further updates and send Joe some good thoughts. Naturally we feel that Joe deserves a home of his own despite his ailments. Joe needs a settled home without too many steps. He'd love to have carpet rather than slick surfaces but says - carpet is not a deal breaker. He loves for you to scratch him on the neck and behind the ears. He can't reach those areas for himself anymore. He'll stand with his head in your lap probably longer than you can sit still. And his favorite things (other than his humans) are big soft dog beds and dinner.

UPDATE from Joe's Foster Mom:
Joe had his cardio work up. Unfortunately, Joe's misfortunes seem to have no end. He has severe DCI (Dilated Cardio Myopathy). He is now on several heart medications which we hope will lessen the burden and strain on his heart. On a tiny brighter note, since arriving with us and being placed on arthritis medications, Joe has perked up a lot. He seems happy now and moving with a zip in his step. I have even seen him scratching behind his own ear! We will continue to shower Joe with love and care and make every day for this boy as comfortable and happy as possible. Please keep him in your prayers.

Big Joe is one of the sweetest laid back boys you'd ever want to meet. He's being fostered in a great environment where he'll live out the time he has. The cost of all his meds does drain the GCDR bank account but this old boy is so worth it. If you'd like to make a donation to help GCDR pay for his expenses, please visit the main page and click on the paypal icon or you can send a donation to

Gulf Coast Doberman Rescue, Inc. P.O. Box 231051 New Orleans, LA 70183