Dear Kimbertal,
It has been over ten years since I lost the wonderful Doberman I purchased from you in the early 1980ties. I have thought of you often throughout the years, and recommended countless people to your kennel.
There were so many things about your operation that impressed me. In fact I firmly believe that the quality of your dogs reflects, in good part, the quality of your entire kennel and its staff.
The first thing that impressed me was the time you spent on the phone when I initially called to inquire about your puppies. Your first questions centered around what I was looking for in a Doberman and then led to the type of family situation and facilities the dog would be coming into i.e. family members, amount of space to run etc.
I imagine my goals in finding a puppy were those you hear everyday: Good disposition, and good looks.
I made an appointment for the next Saturday and when I arrived, someone was there waiting to greet me by name. Considering you were crowded when I arrived, that was impressive in itself.
I was taken to the barn where each Doberman litter was confined to a spanking clean, spotless, and spacious stall. The entire set up was absolutely immaculate without a hint of odor. I was not allowed to touch the puppies, which again impressed me. I spent half an hour wandering up and down the aisle, asking many questions, and having each one fully answered. It was not long before I noticed that I was the one being selected by an oversized female who continuously pushed her littermates aside so she would be the only one with paws hanging over the divider.
It was too much to resist.
I learned that this puppy had been due to be shipped to the Virgin Islands as a show dog that very day, but during the night had chewed the stitches out of her tail. The tail needed redocking which made it too short for the show ring and only hours before my arrival the decision had been made to sell her at a greatly reduced price.....a price just right for my pocketbook.
Once the decision had been made and the puppy taken from the litter, I was allowed to hold her. From that very first minute, until the minute she passed away; that puppy filled my life. My relationship with Kimbertal did not end when my car pulled out of your drive. You were there to answer every question I had immediately, and to restate your guarantee should I feel dissatisfied at any time. Dissatisfaction was totally out of the question.
I named my puppy "Polly" and she was the light of my life. Easily trained, obedient, devoted, and loyal to a degree I have never seen in a dog before or since. She was my best friend through good and bad, thick or thin. Without exaggeration I can state that she literally saved my life on two occasions.
At 14 years of age, and after many X-rays and failing health it was decided that the kindest thing was to put her to sleep. I decided to do this at a friend's house where she could be buried next to their beloved Doberman and my vet agreed to come there as a favor. After a big dish of ice cream she fell asleep with her head in my lap and she peacefully went to Heaven.
I could not begin to thank Kimbertal enough for this puppy, for the wonderful start in life you gave her, for the care you took in defining my needs, and for the back up help after I bought her. There will always be a giant hole in my heart where Polly was, and I will always feel great sadness when I think of her; but I am grateful I had the wonderful 14 years I had with her, and grateful that I had the experience of owning, loving, and being loved in return by a Doberman.
I now live in North Carolina and in a situation that does not allow a dog over 30 pounds. I have a puppy that I rescued who is turning out to be a lovely animal and I sense sometimes that I am not the only one training her and that she has a mentor in the sky above who is lending a hand.
It has been many years since I have been to Kimbertal, but every once in awhile I have wanted to write and again thank you for the huge part you played in those wonderful 14 years. I have never forgotten. Sould I ever be in a situation where I can again have a Doberman, be assured that Kimbertal will be the only place I will look.
Sincerely,
Linda P.
