My story

　　Sophie is a 4-year-old black/tan female Doberman. She is a sweet, independent girl. She is always curious with meeting people. She will dart off if strangers try to pet her for too long though. She worries if she thinks people are trying to grab and hold her. Sophie has cropped ears but very sadly it appears that her ear crop was a "home job". It is incredibly sad to think about what Sophie went through while someone butchered her ears so its no surprise that Sophie has extreme trust issues with people. Sophie came to us from a shelter as a stray. She probably escaped from the horrid people who butchered her ears and had used her as a breeder. She had pressure sores that makes you think she was confined a lot. Thankfully Sophie is not there anymore. She is with DAR&E in a foster home where her needs and wants are catered to. Sophie is a very smart, independent lady. She is quite the charming Diva :) Sophie has been with us for about 1 1/2 years. She has grown to trust us somewhat. She still gets nervous if she thinks she is being trapped or thinks you are trying to grab or subdue her. It took months for her to trust us enough to even dry her off after being out in the rain. She is afraid of being confined in a crate or small space. Sophie has come to enjoy pets and rubs from us but will still dart off sometimes if she feels uncertain. If she has to go to the vet we have to grab her and put her in the car. She is afraid to walk on a leash. She sees that as a trap. Sophie resists anything that is new and out of her routine. This presents certain challenges but day to day she has her routine and is quite happy here. Of course, in a new home it would take months for her to get to that point again. She loves to stretch out in the yard and sun herself. Sunning herself and playing with her treat balls/eating are Sophie's favorite activities.Sophie has an extreme oral fixation. If she can chew and swallow something, she will eat it. She is extremely curious about everything and immediately seeks to check to see if it is edible. She will eat anything remotely soft and pliable. Furniture, rugs, dog beds, non-durable toys, household items, etc. Sophie is house trained as long as you let her out when she indicates she needs to go. If not, she isn't apt to hold it for long. Sophie can be snarly toward other dogs. I am not sure she would hurt a dog, but she puts up a good show. She really doesn't want dogs near her food so she will be best as an only dog. Sophie needs a very patient caretaker; one that accepts her on her terms and has the ability to keep her safe from her eating obsession.

　　Here are a couple videos of our dear, sweet Sophie: https://youtu.be/-HahED8NEzU

　　Sophie playing: https://youtu.be/pbFzeSXLLyQDAR&E places dogs in DE, DC, MD, VA, Eastern WVA and Southern PA only.

　　If you are interested in this pet please follow the link below to read about our adoption process and submit an adoption application.

　　(copy and paste)

　　/adoption/adoption-process/

　　If you have any questions or would like to adopt Sophie, please reach out to the adoption group directly. PetSmart Charities does not facilitate the adoption process. Thank you.