Dara's Biography

Dara in repose, when she was younger

Dara, a Chesapeake Bay Retriever, was rescued from euthanasia in August 1991, by Lolo while in Vermont. Dara's role in life is to be a friend and companion to Lolo, and more recently, a missionary to help other dogs that have been mistreated, abandoned or impounded, to be adopted by suitable and loving new owners.

She recounts her firsthand experience in her book, Dara: Autobiography of a Chesapeake Bay Retriever. It explains, in Dara's own words (as transcribed by Lolo), what happens to a neglected and abused animal. Proceeds from the sale of Dara's book and contributions go directly to Dara's Canine Foundation, Inc., a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization which funds humane societies' adoption programs.

Dara tells her story in a very "matter of fact" way. At times her attitude may seem surly and unfriendly. She tells you up-front that she does not make new friends easily; however, once you know her story, you will understand that she has every right to be opinionated and crotchety, but nonetheless, very loyal and loving to her Mom and loved in return. "This is my life. These are the facts. Yes, these things happened, but I dealt with them as best I could."

By reading the book, you share the experience through Dara's feelings and recollections. Some sections are almost like talking to your grandmother about life in the depression.

Drawing of Dara

Dara's life starts out well, in a mansion on the Chesapeake Bay. But as often happens in life, it doesn't stay that way. Dara loses her first home. Gone are the love, security and freedom in which she was raised. It is difficult to go from being loved to being ignored. From being well fed and played with, to being abused and neglected. Being forced to stay out in all kinds of weather, with little or no food and water, is no way to live.

Dara takes responsibility for herself and runs away. Unfortunately, in the human world, dogs on their own are not looked on kindly. Dara had to fend for herself. She learned not to trust people. She became a stray; mangy, unkempt and pregnant. This made it even harder for her to find a family that would take her and care for her. She became tough–she had to.

One day as she was looking for food she was picked up and put in an animal shelter. Separated from her puppies and put in a cage, she lost what was left of her manners and discipline. She barred her teeth at people, she would howl and bark. In her own words "...I became a much worse dog." So much so that she received the Big Black X on her cage, the death sentence for an animal in a shelter.

Lolo Sarnoff enters, looking for a well-behaved toy-poodle. Exit Lolo with Dara.

When Lolo first took her home, Dara was very mistrustful of humans. She still does not take kindly to strangers. She first had to learn that her new friend was different. In her own words, Dara recalls the first days with the woman whom she would later call affectionately Mom. "I did nothing and I mean nothing that I was supposed to do...When Mom wanted to stroke me, I thought at first she was going to hit me."

One cannot blame Dara; she had not received any real affection for so long. It was with much patience that the dog and the sculptor got to know, trust and love one anther.

Dara fetching a stick

It speaks much of Dara's character that she had the courage to trust again. It seems almost like a fairy tale and in some ways it is, because not every dog's life has a happy ending.

Dara swimming across her lake in Vermont

If you would like to read for yourself Dara's experiences, here is how you may acquire her book:

Please fill out the Online Order Form.

If you would like to learn more about how you can help Dara help other dogs, return to the Home Page.