Dr. Kim Danoff and Stella... the Danoff side of the story (photo p.2, post #14)

[admin]

We have a new member on DSNN… Dr. Kim Danoff… the vet who had Stella before Alla got involved and took Stella. Many of you may know that Dr. Danoff has been the target of a rather intense campaign on CyberDobes to malign her. We have heard Alla’s side of this. Virginia State prosecutors have seen facts that you and I have not seen and have pursued charges against Alla ( I believe for the theft of Stella). Through this all Dr. Danoff has remained silent at far as I know. I can’t recall ever hearing Dr. Danoff’s side of things. I hope we at DSNN give her a fair chance to introduce herself… and I hope we make her feel welcome.

[andyhilt27]

Welcome Dr. Kim Danroff!

[stellasmommy]

I want to thank you all for having me here. I first want to take a moment to tell you a little about who I am. I am a veterinarian that sees dogs, cats, birds and exotics and have a clinic in Vienna, Virginia with a focus on holistic medicine and rehabilitation.

My personal passion is working with geriatric animals and special needs animals especially those with congenital limb deformities. In the past 10 years I have shared my life with 3 very special dogs all born with forelimb deformities, and have seen others out of the clinic.

I am a vegetarian (approx. 95% vegan), I am on the leadership council of the Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association (an offshoot of HSUS), a member of the Avian Welfare Coalition, I have a mini parrot rescue in my home (unfortunately not a non-profit yet, but that is soon to come) and have a flock of neglected, homeless, and special needs parrots at home.

I received my veterinary degree from the University of Florida (my home state) and did a 1 year internship at Tufts University immediately after graduation. I am certified in acupuncture, reiki, canine rehabilitation, and working on my herbal medicine and tui-na certifications.

My hobbies include special needs animals, parrot rescue, family, wine tasting and touring local vineyards, white water canoeing, adventure travel, boating, camping, and traveling with my dogs (and sometimes the cat or the bird...). I have a background in emergency and critical care medicine and practiced in referral hospitals for several years prior to opening my own clinic. I am in the process of starting an online pet store for socially conscious people called The Green Pet Store (hoping it will make its debut in 4 weeks).

Now I realize you are all most interested in my story of Stella. I will share with you the summarized version as this whole saga is quite convoluted and could take hours. I will do my best. In April 2006 Colleen Taylor emailed me a photo of a young doberman with a limb deformity, asking me if this was the same deformity that my other dog had and if so, would I be recommending that it be amputated. It was in fact the same deformity as my dog, Charles, and NO I would not recommend amputation. I explained the limb is typically not painful and is used to hold bones, play with toys, communicate, do tricks, balance, scratching, etc. And God forbid something happened to another limb, she would need that limb in order to walk.

She informed me that this dog, named Stella, was scheduled to have it ampuated later that week at the shelter. I drove over an hour to this shelter, brought my 2 physically challenged dogs, lots of photos and a letter from an orthopedic surgeon in the hopes of convincing the shelter director to save her leg. Luckily I was successful and the surgery was called off. After meeting Stella (the bounching hyperactive wild woman that she was), I immediately fell in love. I was interested in adopting her right then and there, but was concerned about my little critters I had at home. What if Stella did not like cats or birds? Because of this, the shelter felt it was better for Stella to be signed over to DARE, which would allow me to foster her and see if she fit in. So this is what we did, and a DARE volunteer transported her to my office a few days later.

Well, Stella having lived in a crate for close to 7 months of her life, had lots of behavior issues. She was not just the wild rambunctious doberman pup...she was this and more! Stella had some very unique behavior issues-I suspect from living in a crate or kennel for so long and without the guidance of a human. Stella did not like to go outdoors, nor would she sit her little bottom down in the grass. So this made potty training challenging. In addition, Stella had been "trained" that her place to go potty was on her belongings. This must have been where she was forced to do it for 7 months. I had a queen sized mattress on the floor in her bedroom for her to sleep on, and i would find her sleeping on the mattress next to a pool of urine. This happened multiple times. She would go in her crate. She would hang her little bottom over her toys or other belongings either outside or inside and defecate on them. She truly thought she was doing what she was supposed to do. She would even raise her botton in the air and urinate on a large boulder in my backyard (and never on the grass-at least not for a few months) How very sad. This became my biggest challenge.

I came home to stuffing all around the room, shredded blankets, sheets, mattress covers, carpet ripped off the floor, and it goes on an on. Well, we started working with some private trainers within about 1 week after having her. We made gradual improvements each week, but there was so much to overcome, that it took months to get to where she was appeared sane and could actually take a breath and look me in the eyes. Well during this challenging time, I vented to 2 DARE volunteers about my extreme frustration, but assured them it was just that. I adored this dog, had fallen madly in love, and wanted to adopt. We were meant to be. I now had 2 gimpy dogs-one hopped on the right front and the other on the left front. It was the perfect family in my mind!

Sadly, these volunteers felt Stella was acting out in my home b/c she was not happy, b/c they had never heard of a dog urinating and defecating on her belongings, amongst other things. It was at this time, they got a group of people together to try to get her out of my home. I had been attempting to adopt her almost from the time I got her, once I saw she loved cats and little animals. I was told that DARE was way too busy to do a home visit and they would get back to me soon. (the home visit was not done prior to fostering b/c Colleen Taylor knew me and felt a home visit had not been necessary). I emailed again and again and was told again and again that DARE was too busy. I let them know that all was fine and to do what they needed to do to get needy animals into homes and we were fine to wait. Well it was not until December 2006 that the home visit finally occurred. It was obvious something was not right about this visit. I live in a 3 level townhouse and she did not want to see the 2nd or 3rd floors. I talked her into the 2nd floor, but she never saw the 3rd. I knew something was not right, but was not sure what. Well, she told me that someone would be contacting me about signing the adoption papers the following week. That week, Linda Smith, came out to my office. I thought I was signing papers. She informed me that DARE wanted to do a behavior evaluation on Stella since I had complained about behavior issues (keep in mind most of my complaints were close to 7 months prior and by this time stella was sane, knew sit, down, stay, come, off and did them all very well-the girl was developing into a nice (and needy) and super sweet little girl. Because I thought that this was just an evaluation, I handed Stella over. I packed up all her stuff along with several hundred dollars worth of her favorite natural and organic foods and treats from my office. As i packed up her bag, Stella ran across the lobby as I kneeled on the floor, and gave me the biggest kiss and zipped away. That was the last kiss I got from Stella. I have not seen her since. But as they walked out the door, Linda said something to me that made me think I was never going to see Stella again.

I was told she was going to stay with Linda Smith, but I have heard that she went directly into Alla's home that same day. After the DARE BOD reviewed what had happened, they allowed me to adopt her. I now have signed adoption papers. When they requested that Alla return her, she refused. What happened after that...you are probably all aware of. I would prefer not to comment on that stuff since there is a trial pending. But I will say that I have been attacked both personally and professionally all over the internet, on numerous local and national dog lists, I have been called an animal abuser, an inappropriate home by the DPCA, amongst other things. Ironically, not a single person on the opposing "team" had ever met me, spoken to me, emailed me (except those 2 DARE volunteers), and yet all of these people have continued to tell story after story of lies. I spent hours writing things down, putting together photos and sending them off to the DPCA...Yet their response was so quick, I would find it hard to believe that they actually reviewed any of the materials that I sent along.

Stella was not abused. In fact, she was spoiled. She came to work with me every day and stayed in my office on a bed next to my desk with my other dog, she was lifted into and out of the car so she would not injure her legs, she traveled with me (we took a 10 day dog vacation in Canada on www.dogpaddlingadventures.com), went on numerous flat water and white water day canoe trips, several camping trips, she had a wardrobe like you would not believe-a jogging suit, several coats, a rain coat, multiple Kongs, toys, bones, and cute little leashes (most of which she shredded within a few days). She attended doggie birthday parties, went to friends houses for movie night, and even went with me to get my hair cut in DC where she urinated on the salon floor (ooops). She was by my side 24/7. After 10 months together, we had worked through most of stella's issues and she was only having accidents in the house 1-3 times per month. She was not potty trained, but we were close. We were working on all sorts of new tricks-the last one was gimme your paw.

Sadly, Stella was taken from a home and family that loved her tremendously and from a home that provided her with more than most dogs ever have the opportunity to have.

It am truly amazed with the behavior of these individuals, the DPCA, SND, and others. Why would anyone want to potentially subject themselves to a double felony conviction and possible jail time. (Our prosecutor is seeking jail time!) This is outlandish. And all for political reasons, it seems. Something that I suspect has nothing to do with Stella or myself. Because some people wanted things their way and did not want to be told they need to abide by rules that they did not approve of. Because someone wanted Stella that was told she could not have Stella. And because they were too selfish to see that this little precious angel of a dog, loved her mommy,her family and the life she had. And together we had grown so much in 10 months.

I will forever regret the sharing of my frustrations to those 2 volunteers that I thought I could trust.

Please...if you know ANYTHING, even if you think it is it not important, PLEASE contact Eric Heflin. Help bring Stella home. I miss her dearly. With the way all of these people are behaving, I truly fear for her safety and mental well being.

Kim

[pitbull]

Hi Kim,
Sorry that Stella was not returned to you. It could've saved everybody a lot of aggravation and unnecessary wasted energy and heartache. I think you have no choice but to fight for her return, because by ignoring what was done here, you are almost admitting that their assessment that you are an inappropriate home for a rescue dog is correct. CAN"T THEY SEE THIS. Your reputation is at stake here.

After reading about you as a veterinarian (your credentials), I think your reputation, and obvious motivation to HELP animals (in all situations), speaks for itself. Alla needed a voice of reason to set her straight early on -- before this escalated to be one of the stupidist situations I've ever heard of. This is a huge waste of money and precious energy of intelligent people. Unfortunately, alot of people just never look into the facts, and just follow what everybody else thinks, and the don't have time to form there own opinions -- I think that is what has happened here and why you have not had more support all along. Welcome to "As The Doberman World Turns" -- sorry you got dragged in.

Sophia Koster, DVM
EASTWICK

[stellasmommy]

Sophia

I agree. Sometimes I think that maybe this has gotten so out of hand, that they don't know how to get out, and get out safely. And so they just continue on, hoping the situation will go away, or she will be found innocent. All we have ever wanted was Stella returned home. Had I not loved Stella like a child, I would never have pursued this. I have opened myself up to scrutiny. My clients and friends have read Alla's websites all over the internet and clients ask me about them in the exam rooms. Now how many people may not come to the clinic b/c of what they read? When most of my clients find me via the internet.

I truly hope that someone hands over Stella to the authorities and gives us all the opportunity to end this as peacefully as we can. These people have made me out like a monster. When all I ever do, is solely for the animals. In the beginning, I tried in my heart to understand where Alla may have been coming from. I sent her a letter, literally, begging for this to end, so our lives could return to normal. In the very beginning, I had a mediator leave her a message on her voice mail requesting that we sit down and talk, yet she never returned the call.

Most people, especially a veterinarian in this situation, would have walked away long ago. They would not have taken the time, the money, or the effort solely for "a dog". They would have separated themselves as best as possible to "save" their reputation. But I don't have human childen...my pets are my children. When they enter my life, I make them each a promise. I promise to always be there for them and to give them a perfect life. Well, I promised this to Stella and I have no intent on giving up until she is returned home where she belongs.

The criminal trial is not the end. The end, is when Stella is returned. I hope and pray every day that someone will come to their senses, save themselves and their "friends" from a trial. Ironically, these people are ruining THEIR reputations, their non-profits' reputations, and wasting time and money that could be used to save other dogs. And for what? To save a dog from a veterinarian that loved her dog! Truly amazing.

[Betty]

Welcome aboard, Dr. Danoff... Thank you for sharing your side of the story with us.

Betty

[dobesign]

We all share the common threads of the needs for justice, and the love of our fur families. Welcome to our eccentric but passionate family!:cool:

[doberdogsfd]

Welcome to DSNN Dr. Danoff.
As Brenna said, we are a rather diverse and passionate group of people that respect and value others opinions. I believe you will find it quite refreshing.

I was very interested to read you are involved in rehab and acupuncture. I use a vet here in PA (Dr. Ann Caufield) that I took one of my oldies to for almost 3 yrs for acupuncture, it was of a huge benefit to Deca.

Thank you for sharing your side of the story.

Cheryl

[Elaine]

After hearing from Dr. Danoff it is pretty clear she was an excellent loving home for Stella, committed to the welfare of this special needs rescue dog. In my opinion, what Alla McGeary did by taking Stella was clearly wrong, and I can understand why she is now the defendant in a criminal prosecution.

Frankly, I am stunned that Dana Johnson and /or Sam Burle allowed Mr. Phil Da Kid Green’s post to the DPCA members only list, calling for the expulsion or resignation of the Board Members who voted against Alla’s DPCA membership. http://dogshownewsnetwork.com/forum/showthread.php?t=435

I am stunned that any member of the DPCA Board would involve themselves in this matter in any way, either overtly or behind-the-scenes. In my opinion doing so calls in to question their judgment and leadership. I am equally stunned that anyone would commit a criminal act to willfully hide Stella from Dr. Danoff, in furtherance of a crime. As others have pointed out, Stella was not in any danger… it sounds like Dr. Danoff was finally giving her the love and attention she had needed from day one.

I have no axe to grind against Alla and I have some small measure of sympathy for her situation, but she created it with her poor judgment and rash conduct. Whatever her defense, I will NOT support a precedent that third parties can decide to steal a dog and then defend their criminal act with the defense that, in their delusion, they thought stealing was the right thing to do. Stealing is never the right thing to do. It was categorically not the right thing to do in this situation and it seems obvious to me that Alla knew that all along, otherwise, why hide the dog? Dr. Danoff wasn’t hiding Stella, her conduct was in the open. If what Alla did was so meritorious, why isn’t it in the open as well?

When you're wrong, you generally have two options:

Option #1: Admit you made a mistake, find the courage and integrity to do the right thing to correct your mistake and accept responsibility for your conduct.

Option #2: Refuse to admit your mistake and dig a bigger hole.

My opinion is that Alla made a huge mistake, and after being egged on by people with nothing at all to loose, she dug a much deeper hole for herself, dragging others in along with her. As a result, Alla McGeary is now the defendant in a criminal prosecution. Hiding Stella in some 2008 version of the “underground rail road” is ludicrous. Not only is it breaking the law, but Stella was not in need of rescue from Dr. Danoff ( a licensed veterinarian who loved her). I suspect this is essentially what the Virginia prosecutor believes as well, i.e. that stealing Stella is a criminal act.

Stella was taken from a loving home, which was open to all, to a home of secrecy and no monitoring of any kind. Dr. Danoff is held to a professional standard… her care of Stella was open, transparent, and able to be monitored, in part because (as we can see from her posts) Dr. Danoff is an open, loving, honest person, and in part because her conduct is reviewed by her profession, which has standards she is held to. Alla and whoever has Stella are held to no standards what-so-ever. Who knows what they are doing to Stella?

As for the hatchet job done on Dr. Danoff’s reputation on CyberDobes, and the censoring of Arthur's post on the DPCA members only list, I can see McNealy and CyberDobes getting involved to fuel this situation… she has a history of this kind of thing and no professional career / professional standards to be held accountable to. She doesn't own or breed Dobermans, so even the AKC can't sanction her. She can start fires all over the place and stand back from any accountability. In my opinion, Dr. Sam Burke should know better than to be involved in any way with this. Dr. Burke (like Dr. Danoff) is a medical professional. He is held to a professional standard. It’s difficult to find an exact parallel here, but would Burke like it if some volunteer-run-amuck started “rescuing” his patients from his medical practice and hiding them.

[andyhilt27]

Dr. Kim.....I read from your post that you expressed frustration from Stella urinating in all the wrong places among other undesireable behaviors. Who wouldn't be?

A few weeks back Eva (my 10 month old doberman) for at least 3 days would urinate in her crate. I would take her outside, let her do her business, and crate for the night as I tried to get some much needed sleep. Three hours later I was unpleasantly awakened from a deep sleep from her raising hell because she had urinated all over her bedding. This was 5 o'clock in the morning! Take her back out. Clean her crate. Wash her bedding. Give her a bath. Oh wait, by this time my daughter is now screaming her head off too. Rock my daughter back to sleep. Take Eva back out. Crate her. Go back to sleep. Wake up a few hours later to find she had pissed her crate AGAIN After 3 days of this you could say I was a little frustrated. I think this happened because she was beginning to come into heat. During these days of hell if someone were to ask how Eva was doing I would not have had a pleasant response. I still very much loved her and did not punish her in any way. But yeah, you could say I was frustrated.

[Ann Lanier]

I'm glad you have joined us. I think you will find this group a refreshing change from those who judge without knowledge. As one who is also on the poopy end of the stick without basis I sympathize!

The thing I have learned is that all the negativity and ignorant attacks are a reflection of those making them, not of YOU. When Sam Burke tells me, when my illness keeps me housebound, "Good, then you won't be able to to get to Doberman club meetings, will you?" on whom does that reflect?

Not me. And similarly these attacks reflect on those blindly making them, not upon you. So just be peaceful and know what you know to be true. When you feel like the whole world is against you, know that it is only the sheep who are willing to follow for the most part an individual who reflexively selects a victim and pridefully rides the crest of the attack. I suppose it is a substitute form of leadership by those unable to lead. People like that are probably a surprise to you, because they are instinctively not those with whom you choose to associate.

I think there can logically be little doubt of the outcome. Every time a client questions your integrity as a result of the intern garbage, it must add to your position. I have no doubt you will be vindicated.

I can't imagine any parent who has not felt and expressed frustration from time to time, with children, two foot or four foot, and indeed with spouse, parents, even friends, but hello ?!?! .....frustration doesn't negate love. Who thought that one up? Maybe someone whose own frustration turns to abuse and that's all they know?

As a matter of fact, not long ago Elaine commented here what a job it was to 'lead' her beautiful new foal who was disinclined to go where he was supposed to. And there was a little matter of torn up flower beds..:rolleyes:... Nobody here thinks those 'kids' were abused as a result!

I am so very sorry for the distress, hurt and misery you have suffered. Given time, this too will pass. It's not about you, it's about them. You can only control and later, reflect upon, your own actions.

a

[abowman]

Welcome Dr. Danoff:

I hope that you will see that we are a group of people that care about our dogs and those on this board. We are fair and will treat you as such.

I am sorry that you are going through this and I will be praying for a safe return of Stella back to you.

Angela

[Elaine]

When Sam Burke tells me, when my illness keeps me housebound, "Good, then you won't be able to to get to Doberman club meetings, will you?" on whom does that reflect?

Just so I’m clear here, you’re saying that when Sam Burke found out you had Multiple Scleroses he made that comment to you! Dr. Burke, a medical doctor made an insensitive pig-from-hell comment like that to you… at a time when you were just diagnosed with MS!!! :mad: That says everything about him.

About Titans’ gardening… :( anyone who knows me knows I let the expletive deletes fly if the situation calls for it, and when I saw what Titan had done to the flower box, the situation called for it. :o But you’d have to pry that dog from my cold dead hands before I’d let some volunteer-run-amuck steal him and disappear for months. :mad:

[Athy]

This is one of dozens of photographs that Dr Danoff submitted to the DAR&E board when we were considering her request for adoption. It is one of my favorites and I hope Dr Danoff won't be upset with me for sharing it in this forum. I think it helps for people to see the two beings whose lives have been so disrupted by the selfish actions of a "volunteer-run-amok" as Elaine has coined it.

997

Athy

[Elaine]

Here’s the inescapable truth, that photo was taken in a moment of love and joy. That dog and that woman love each other. If you have any visual receptor cells at all and any cognitive functioning at all, you can see the love between them. They love each other!!! If you have any sort of heart and human emotion AT ALL, you can see that they love each other!!! The photo was taken some time before Alla stole Stella. It is not a staged photo… how on earth could Dr. Danoff have known that some time after this photo was taken Stella would be ripped from her life? The photo is genuine, and so is Dr. Danoff’s love and commitment to Stella.

[andyhilt27]

Is that a t-shirt on Stella? I don't know too many that would bother to put clothing on a dog that they abuse!

[abowman]

Or a lifevest!

This story just makes me so mad!:mad: I feel so helpless and I really want to do something.

[stellasmommy]

I want to thank you all for your moral support. I realize you all want to help. I only wish I knew how to tell you to help. All I can say is...keep your eyes and ears open and share anything that you might hear with our investigator. This is a very unusual and extremely sad story. Once the trial is over and done with, and we can divulge the full story, you will learn how this story gets even more devastating. And sadly, only for Stella.

But for now, the glass needs to be seen half full and not half empty and see the light at the end of the tunnel. We can make the best out of a bad situation and move on.

So, to completely change the mood here...do I have bragging rights??? Well, I hope so cause here it goes...I am going to attempt to share a few photos of my Stella Bella Baby Girl. I may screw up and if I do, I will be giving Elaine a call to take me through the process. I told Elaine I was very computer saavy and would be fine, so let's see how saavy I am.

But before I do this...I just want to give a history of that photo that Athy sent along. That day is one of many special days I shared with Stella. That was two years ago. At the end of every summer, the Monocacy Canoe Club has a Splash Trip for families to go on. Everyone brings their canoes and kayaks and does some basic white water on the Potomac. Well, in 2006 I took Stella and a human friend of mine for Stella's first white water adventure. She had already been canoeing many times and was an expert at this point. In fact, she LOVED the water. It was not unusual for this girl to jump out of the boat for a swim. She was a little unsteady on her feet that day in the rapids, but then quickly caught on. At lunch time, the group stopped off on some large rocks in the middle of the river. Our little group had our own large rock. That photo was taken of Stella laying on her kennel cushion with her doggie canteen next to her. She had her snacks just like we had ours. Got rehydrated and then we were ready to go back out on the river. Well, we all got in the boat and called Stella. Well, little Stella decided it was play time on the rock. She began to play bow and bounce around. Well, keep in mind these rocks are slippery. And this little girl had one deformed leg. I sent my friend to "catch" her so I did not kill myself in the process. We finally got her in and off we went. But she was so darn cute trying to play on this rock. And yes, I did put her in a T-shirt b/c it was a very hot day and I wanted to ensure this black dog did not overheat. I soaked it in water and then put it on her and kept re-wetting it over the course of the day. She had a blast!
1006

well, i tried to attach 2 more, but there were issues. let's just see if this one works first.

Thanks for your thoughts and your prayers. And keep praying.

And if you know anyone in 'this clan" that participated in this, please speak to them. Let them know that we need to move past what has happened and get on with our lives. It is not about who did what or why. Let's burry the hatchet and move on. Perhaps their egos may be bruised, but that happens to all of us. If this goes on this way, it may be more than just their egos that will be bruised. Get out while you can. Let's fix a badly broken problem and do so before even more lives are affected and more beings are injured.

Kim

[stellasmommy]

the photo i attached, that does seem to have worked...was stella in canada in her red jogging suit, snuggled inside her doggie sleeping bag. i think you can see her deformed foot. how cute is she?!!!!
kim

[Elaine2]

Welcome to DSNN Dr Danoff and thank you for sharing your side of Stella's story with us.
It was way overdue, and I have been through a lot of kleenex I must say.

Elaine2