The Magic of Echo

Meet Echo, or Whirlwind Spirit's Echo, which was her papered name.    This is one of the few companions that I sought out and  purchased.      I searched for months for her, knew I wanted a female, black and tan, and full of fire.   I saw many ads for puppies sold but nothing clicked.  Then one day there was an ad saying "One, ten week old , female, black and tan Doberman for sale."
I felt it was the right dog and called.    A young man had purchased her and was called to military service.   He had to live on base and the dog could not come along.   What impressed me about these people was the parents were willing to keep this dog if they did not find the exact right home.    I made several visits to the house and the first time I held this pup, she bit me on the tip of my nose.   I knew she was perfect.

I could not have been more correct.   She was not yet named and I took my time and got to know her.  My dear friend came up with the name which honored the memory of my last Doberman, Spirit.   My black and tan ball of fire was afraid of nothing, made friends with everyone and became a top quality Certified Therapy and Certified Service dog.    I took her to schools to teach the value of respecting animals and proper behavior around them.   I took her to endless nursing homes and gave obedience demonstrations and then would let her socialize with all the patients.   She went into hospitals to visit the sick as well as  Ronald McDonald Houses to seek out the children and parents of children who were so sad.  Echo never met an stranger.   She could sense sadness, anxiety, fear, stress, as well as happiness and joy.   To say she shared in all those emotions is an understatement.      Her stories of love could fill it's own book.   Gentle and patient, she would nuzzle people who were despondent or lay quietly at the feet of a stranger who was anxious.

As a puppy she went everywhere with me.   I lived near the Illinois State Fair grounds in Springfield, IL, and we delighted in going to all the horse, cow, pig, and sheep 4-H shows.   At one point I was teaching the  4-H classes at the fairgrounds, and she came along as a demonstration dog.  I  taught public obedience classes where she also was a teachers aide.     Her curiosity was great and I would hold her tiny puppy form up to the show horses in the barns at the fairgrounds.   They would sniff and whinny and nearly blow her away trying to inhale her scent.   One Belgium draft horse who stood 17 hands high and about 1,800 pounds loved dogs.   After asking permission I walked Echo, who was about five months old and a little over 50 pounds, right up to the horses nose.    Without the slightest bit of fear the two stood smelling each other.   I wish I had a picture of the small, bold Doberman staring up into those deep brown eyes of this huge animal.   I swear she cocked her head and said in dog language,
"My, you are the biggest Doberman I have ever seen !"
Nothing about this dog ever disappointed me.   I had her for ten years and the imprint she left on my heart will always be huge.   She touched many lives, and I hope her stories in future posts will make you smile and give you a chance to share in the magic of Echo.



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