D&L's Regal Redford

                                            Sire:  Amaris' Poetic Justice                                                                                                       Dam:  Amaris' Serenade

Left photo:   Redford absolutely loves to sit for treats!

This photo summarizes Redford's best day.   Redford's favorite place to be, next to you or next to his best horse friend, Bobbie Sox.

Above:  03/15/08 Photos of Redford playing with one of his puppies, Mayson, from his December 2007 litter. 

 December 22, 2008 - The details below will come as a huge shock to many.   We have not shared this news with many because it has been too hard and so overwhelming.   This news has been almost unbearable and I have dreaded sharing and still have a very hard time talking about it.   We lost our dear sweet Redford on August 24th.   The last few months have been extremely difficult for us and raising his last litter (born August 27th) was such an emotional time.  Redford was only 4 1/2 years old and in his prime.  His passing came on a Sunday evening while we were home and in the yard with him and the other dogs.  Our friends, the Miners from Connecticut, had just arrived for a few days visit.  Redford was playing and he fell dead while in full stride running in the yard.  It was instant.   Long story short, after discussing the specifics with many veterinarians, the specialists believe and we feel that Redford had an anurism.   His death is still unbelievable for us.   It  felt like we lost Gracey all over again on top of losing Redford.  The Miners were here with us and helped so much.   They have Mason (Redford's son from December 07) and then they also have Lily, from Redford's last litter. They were able to see her born while they were here.  On top of all the emotions of losing Redford and reliving the loss of Gracey, we then delivered Redford's last litter the week he passed.   Everything was about more than Dwight and I could handle.   Then among all the tears, there was a little sign from Redford.   As Dwight and I sat with Star all night on August 26th while she delivered her and Redford's last litter, the last puppy born was a red male.  We named him RJ (short for Redford Jr.).   There is already a very special Redford Jr. from Gracey and Redford's last litter together so this special puppy is named "RJ".   It is kind of ironic that Gracey's last puppy was named Redford Jr. by his new family and Redford's last puppy is named "RJ".   Also, we are so thankful for the strong feelings that I had to keep Gressa from Redford's February litter.  She acts and loves just like him.   She has been such a blessing and she has helped us thru a very hard 2008.  

Left/Right:  03/08/08 Photos taken of Redford with Aaron Miner when they picked up their puppy, Mason (December 07 litter).   Aaron, Tanya and Mason Miner were visiting with us in August and Aaron was the last person to pet Redford as he ran past him just before Redford collapsed.  

Next, we had to make a decision on what to do about the future of D&L Dobermans.   We had a hard time thinking about a male after losing sweet Redford .   But we knew what we had to do if we were to continue with what Gracey and Redford had started with us and for the benefit and joy of the Doberman breed.   I gave myself a month and then started researching and inquiring in hopes of finding a male, that with our girls, will produce awesome puppies like we have had in the past at D&L.  We finally found a red male puppy that actually fit the requirements that we must have.  Many miles and days later, Dwight and I (and Gressa), visited this puppy in person.  I got sick to my stomach when I first saw him and I couldn't even pet him.   It was so strange and I had no idea that I would feel the way that I did.  In my mind I started picking him apart.  But then when I looked at the smile on Dwight's face, as he held him, I knew he was the one.  So we decided to bring  D & L's Regal Deezel back to Arkansas.  Deezel was here while we finished raising Redford and Star's puppies and that was a very good thing.   Deezel had a part in the litter too.   He loved the puppies so much and he would lay right beside their playpen when we placed he and them outside to play.   He could have run all over and played with Gressa, Josie and Star but he didn't.   He laid right beside their playpen for hours and just watched over them.    He won us over day by day.   He has been such a help to us and of course Gressa, Josie and Star are all blessings.

As Dwight says, just think, Redford and Gracey are playing together again.

D & L's Regal Redford

December 27, 2003 - August 24, 2008

Redford is missed every day...