STAY TUNED! WINNER ANNOUNCMENT COMING OCT. 5TH!

THANK YOU TO 2014 QUILT VOLUNTEERS & DONORS

ONLINE DONATIONS ARE CLOSED

You may also get quilt entries in person at the Headquarters Hotel Hospitality Room on Thursday, Oct. 2nd at 5 PM .

Also on Sunday, Oct. 5th, Montgomery Show, in Bluebell, Pennsylvania, at the Quilt Display Tent located in the vicinity of the Airedale ring up until the time of the drawings.

I just wanted to take the time to thank The Bee members who worked so hard to make the 2014 Airedale Rescue Quilt come to fruition and those folks who generously donated items to be used for the Early 'Dale Drawings. And I can't foget the adopters and regional rescue groups that shared the Rescue stories and photos. They contributed to making the 2014 Airedale Rescue Quilt Fundraiser a success!

Artists: Patty Eisenbraun, Linda Hobbet, Jane Miller and Mary Blood
Block Makers: Linda Bell, Karen Brown, Rebecca Eash, Jeanne Esmond, Carolyn Finlayson, Jeannette Grantner, Rose Knowles, Candy Kramlich, Jeri Langman, Joyce Miller, Becky Preston, Sue Senerchia, Eileen Tedesco
Bonus Quilt Makers: Linda Bell, Sharon DeBoer & Carolyn Finlayson, Marianne Perry, Candy Kramlich
Quilt Layout: Patty Eisenbraun
Pieced Background Assembly & Instructions: Sharon DeBoer
Top Assembly: Karen Brown
Machine Quilting: Karin Rainier
Quilt Label: Rebecca Eash
Final Assembly: Lydia Ross
Donation Processing: Sidney Hardie, Jeri Langman (August) and Eileen Tedesco (September)
Blog: Candy Kramlich with the help of Sidney Hardie, Lydia Ross and Sue Senerchia
Blog Incentives Coordination: Virginia Slowik, who did a FABULOUS job gathering a wonderful variety of incentives
Marketing: Lori Taylor
Finances/Logistics: Lydia Ross, whose guidance kept us on track and got things accomplished in a timely manner
Website: Elaine Hu
Photographer: Cheryl Caesar
Slide Show Video: Jean Seibert, for stepping up and taking on the challenge or there would not have been a Rescue slideshow/video this year
Steering Committee: Sharon DeBoer, Rebecca Eash, Patty Eisenbraun, Carolyn Finlayson, Candy Kramlich, Lydia Ross, Lori Taylor, who all helped to move the process along

Early 'Dale Donors (in alphabetical order):
ATCMNY Airedale Rescue & Adoption/Virginia Slowik
Ann Curran, Ragtail
Sharon DeBoer
Doctors Foster & Smith
Carol Domeracki, Anything Airedale
Jeanne Esmond
Maryellen Estes
Diana Fielder
Jennifer Fier
Linda Hobbet
Wendy Hodgson, Mudpups
Judy Howell, Montana Earth Pottery
Candy Kramlich
Kreativebyerika
Denise Lucas
Jane Miller
Sadie Moore
New England Airedale Rescue/Barbara Curtiss
Kathy Patterson
Lydia Ross
Sue Senerchia
Virginia Slowik
Southwest Airedale Terrier Rescue/Sidney Hardie
Lori Taylor
Connie Versagi,The Wool Dog Studio
Jan Williams/Arctic Aire

THANK YOU!!!

ONLINE DONATIONS ARE CLOSED


You may also get quilt entries in person at the Headquarters Hotel Hospitality Room on Thursday, Oct. 2nd at 5 PM .

Also on Sunday, Oct. 5th, Montgomery Show, in Bluebell, Pennsylvania,  at the Quilt Display Tent located in the vicinity of the Airedale ring up until the time of the drawings.

EARLY 'DALE NO. 16 WINNERS FROM SATURDAY NIGHT & ONLINE DONATIONS FINAL TOTAL!

Congratulations to the winners of the Early 'Dale No. 16 Drawing last night.  They are:

16A - "A is for Airedale" Pillow or Wall Hanging in winner's choice of color (red, blue, green or yellow) made and donated by Jeanne Esmond.

Winner: Delia Hardie
New Orleans, LA 

16B - Sit Up Airedale Statue made and donated by Linda Hobbet

Winner:  Tarry Faries
McLean, VA

16C - Framed Originial Airedale Watercolor by Canadian Artist, Catherine McMillan, donated by Maryellen Estes

Winner:  Karla Richardson
Kirkland, WA

The Final Total at the 
End of Online Ticket Processing is

$14,137!

Going into Montgomery, we are $2,989 ahead of online quilt ticket donations from last year's figures.  Thank you everyone for your support.  Montgomery ticket donations should put us at or over our projected goal of $15,000!

TODAY IS THE END OF ONLINE TICKET DONATIONS & TONIGHT IS THE EARLY 'DALE NO. 16 DRAWING

TODAY, SEPTEMBER 27th, IS THE LAST DAY FOR ONLINE ENTRY DONATIONS AS OF 8 PM EDT.

You may also get quilt entries in person at the Headquarters Hotel Hospitality Room on Thursday, Oct. 2nd at 5 PM and again on Sunday, Oct. 5th at the Quilt Display Tent located in the vicinity of the Airedale ring up until the time of the drawings.

Your donations will make a difference in the lives of so many Airedales in need!

Helping Airedales, it is the right thing to do.

On behalf of all the rescued Airedales and those to come, 

A HUGE THANK YOU!

We appreciate your continued support of the Airedale Quilt Fundraiser.

The Airedale Rescue Quilting Bee

There will be a few more follow-up blogs after Montgomery so you can find out who won the quilt and the bonus quilts.  Perhaps this year's winner will do a photo story of receiving the quilt like last year's winner.  You never know...I hope you have enjoyed reading all the stories about the quilt blocks, bonus quilts and the Rescue dogs.

I will be working as Cashier at the Airedale Rescue Bazaar located near the Airedale ring on Sunday, Oct. 5th so please stop by and say "Hello".  Lori Taylor will be manning the Quilt Display Tent, where the quilt and bonus quilt and wall hangings will be displayed. She'd love to meet you too!

I will post the winners of the quilt and bonus quilt/wall hangings later, much later, that evening when I return home.

The Airedale Quilting Bee wants to thank everyone who donated for quilt tickets, donated incentive prizes, and/or spread the word about the quilt fundraiser on their lists, Facebook pages or other social media outlets.  We so very much appreciate your support.  National Airedale Rescue depends on this yearly fundraiser.  Your monetary support makes it possible for the Rescue volunteers to devote their time and energies to the Airedales and not have to worry about how they will pay that vet bill for the dog that needs special attention.  Sometimes we get dogs that require very little medically aside from the basic checkup and shots, but then there are those special cases that need much more than that.  Your donations make it possible to get those Airedales the best possible medical care needed so that they can go on to live a happy, healthy life in their new homes.  We all love this breed or we wouldn't be doing what we do.  We give a lot to the rescue dogs, but the very special secret is that these dogs give us back so very much more than we ever give them. 

Please consider helping next year with the Quilting Bee.  I hope after following this blog, you will realize how many talents go into making a quilt and those talents are not just limited to sewing!  And I can attest to the fact that you don't have to have any prior training.  Quilters are very generous people who are willing to share what they know.  I started not knowing how to even do an applique, and I ended up making a block for the last 3 quilts, and have made 2 bonus wall hangings from start to finish. And I've done the quilt blog for the past 2 years, another new skill I learned since joining The Bee.  It has all been another way to help Rescue now that I'm not a "hands on" rescue volunteer.  So everyone has something to contribute and we could use your help as can the local and regional Airedale Rescue groups.  Not just your money, but your time and physical help are needed.  Go to the National Airedale Rescue website, look at the list of regional volunteers and if you can lend a hand, offer your assistance in some way to the regional coordinator.

Early 'Dale Drawing No. 16 ends TONIGHT at 8 PM EDT.  You have an opportunity to own one of the following incentives tonight:

16A - "A is for Airedale" Pillow in your choice of color (red, blue, green or yellow) made and donated by Jeanne Esmond

16B - "Sit Up" Airedale Statue made and donated by Linda Hobbet

16C - Framed Original Airedale Watercolor by Canadian Artist, Catherine McMillan, 6" x 7"; framed 12" x 12".  Donated by Maryellen Estes





Winners will be posted Sunday morning.

FIONNA OF KENTUCKY

Fionna - Then

This is Lady Fiona - Audra & her family adopted Lady Fiona, one of the Kentucky mill Airedales. Fiona is estimated to be between 6 and 8 years of age. Fiona was sick with bacterial infections, emaciated, and had worms when she came into rescue. Her front leg is 1.25" shorter than the other from a fracture that was never set. And she is partially deaf. She always had a beautiful soul, but now she looks the part. She is adored by her family which consists of a Mom, Dad, 3 boys, and an Airedale brother.

It is heart-breaking to see a dog, or any animal for that matter, in this condition. What a difference Airedale Rescue has made in their lives.

Below is an update from Audra, Fionna's adopter with lots of wonderful photos of Fionna and her new family.

Audra writes: Well let's see, when she first came home she liked to sleep under our Christmas tree. Security I guess. Though she is not a snuggler, she must have me in her sight line before she settles down. We had to work through some tummy troubles for a while; I think she was fighting worm. However, after several treatments of dewormers and antibiotics with a bland die, I think we knocked it out. She has finally warmed up to hugs from the boys, loves to sleep on the couch and ride in the car. Being mostly deaf and I think she has lost some eyesight, things don't bother her at all. She has begun to trust others in the family when I'm not around but still prefers my company. She gets along with every animal she meets, justs chills out. Girl loves her food! Can smell a french fry a mile away! ;) We don't kennel the dogs unless necessary and are planning an RV trip in a week and are bringing everyone with us.  

Fionna Now

Looking pretty relaxed on the sofa -
she didn't have one or even a bed in
that horrid puppy mill she came from

Darwin & Fionna

Fionna and her human, Audra
Look at that look of adoration on Fionna's face.
I love this photo!

1st Christmas in new home

                                                                                           

Fionna and her new family!

Don't forget that Early 'Dale Drawing No. 16 ends tomorrow, Saturday, 9/27 at 8 PM EDT.  It is also the end of online ticket donations.  After that, you can only get  your quilt tickets at Montgomery either at the Hospitality Room on Thurs., 10/2 at 5 PM or on Sunday, 10/5 at the Quilt Display Tent in the vicinity of the Airedale Ring.
  

16A - "A" is for Airedale Pillow or Wall Hanging (winner's choice of type and color) made and donated by Jeanne Esmond

16B - "Sit Up" Airedale Statue made and donated by Linda Hobbet

16C - Framed Original Airedale Watercolor by Canadian Artist, Catherine McMillan, 6" x 7"; bamboo frame 12" x 12" donated by Maryellen Estes

EARLY 'DALE DRAWING NO. 16

EARLY ‘DALE DRAWING NO. 16 BEGINS TODAY!

THERE ARE THREE SEPARATE PRIZES.

Anyone who makes a donation between Thursday, September 25th at 12:01 AM PST and Saturday, September 27th at 8 EDT is eligible to participate in this drawing.

NO. 16A - “A IS FOR AIREDALE” PILLOW OR WALL HANGING
WINNER:  DELIA HARDIE, NEW ORLEANS, WA
Made and donated by Jeanne Esmond

 

 

"A is for Airedale" 14 in. x 14 in. pillow or wall hanging made by Quilting Bee member and prolific and wonderful quilter, Jeanne Esmond. The lucky winner will have their choice of a red, blue, green or yellow color scheme as shown by the sample photos above.

NO. 16B - SIT UP AIREDALE
WINNER:  TARRY FARIES, MCLEAN, VA

Made and donated by Linda Hobbet

Right Side View

Left Side View

Linda Hobbet sculpted this engaging Airedale. Linda writes:

"Of the four Airedales who have shared my life, two of them couldn't get the hang of sitting up no matter how I tried to teach them, while two of them did it without being taught. When Punch was a puppy he sat up even before he learned to do a normal sit. In fact, his brothers and sisters all did the same thing. It took some effort to teach him to put his front feet on the floor! Do you think dogs know how cute it is?"

Linda's Punch

This stoneware ceramic was inspired by Punch. He sits almost 7" tall, begging you to make a donation to Airedale Rescue and give him a new home.

NO. 16C - FRAMED AIREDALE WATERCOLOR 
WINNER:  KARLA RICHARDSON, KIRKLAND, WA
Donated by Maryellen Estes

Closeup

An original watercolor by Canadian artist Catherine McMillan.  It measures 6 x 7 inches and is in a bamboo frame. The frame size is 12 x 12 inches.

 Maryellen Estes wrote:  "I live in Michigan and have a 5-year old Airedale named Rufus Alexander. He is my 7th Airedale. Rufus goes to Lil Nell’s Doggie Daycare in Walled Lake 2 or 3 days a week to burn off some energy while I’m at work.  He regularly steals the staff’s lunches as he figures out how to open any doors or gates that they put in place.  His arrival is announced by “Rufus is in the house!” and they immediately go into lockdown mode to secure all doors and food.  Still, he is one of their favorites and he loves to go there."

REMEMBER THERE ARE JUST 3 MORE DAYS LEFT FOR ONLINE TICKET DONATIONS.  ONLINE TICKET DONATIONS ENDS ON SATURDAY, SEPT. 27TH.  AFTER SATURDAY, YOU WILL ONLY BE ABLE TO GET YOUR QUILT TICKETS AT MONTGOMERY, EITHER ON THURSDAY EVENING, OCT. 2ND, AT THE HOSPITALITY ROOM OR ON SUNDAY, OCT. 5TH, AT THE QUILT DISPLAY TENT IN THE VICINITY OF THE AIREDALE RING.

BLOCK - PURPLE HAT SENIOR

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE WINNERS OF THE EARLY 'DALE NO. 16 DRAWING!

#15A - JESTER EMBROIDERED DUFFEL BAG

WINNER:  MARTHA CALLIGAN, CINCINNATI, OH

#15B - CLINKER PROOF PAGE & 2013 NAR ORNAMENT

WINNER:  KARI RADOJEVIC, CHANDLER, AZ

#15C - SET OF TWO MUDPUPS BLACK & TAN GIFT TAGS

WINNER:  KRISTINE THOMASON, HOUSTON, TX

THANK YOU TO BOTH THE WINNERS AND INCENTIVE DONORS FOR SUPPORTING THE 2014 AIREDALE QUILT FUNDRAISER.

BLOCK MAKER: JEANNE ESMOND

ARTIST: JANE MILLER

Original Drawing

Quilted Block

Jeanne wrote: “The Purple hat is Katiedo, my old girl I lost last year. I call her block “When I'm old, I will wear purple”. When I got her, she was already 8.5 years old and her fur had faded to tan. By the time she crossed the RB, she was almost white.”

Ready to go to assembler

Closeup of hat

There is something very special about people who adopt the senior rescues.  They are willing to love them and care for them for as long as God let's us have them.  I know from experience the joys a person receives from opening their home and heart to an old dog. The dog just wants to be loved and it gives us back so much more than we give it.  I call these adopters "Aire Angels".

Katie's Story by Jeanne Esmond
Katie Swafford Esmond
June, 1998 – March, 2012 

Katie came into rescue around 2003 when she was 5 years old. There were no foster or adoptive homes for her, so our then rescue coordinator, Lou Swafford said, that he would keep her for himself. Lou spoiled her shamelessly and Katie ruled the roost and adored Lou.

Early in 2007 Lou fell and broke his hip while walking Katie. Lou was taken to the hospital and Katie was returned to his apartment to await his return. She was alone for 28 hours without an accident awaiting Lou. Finally, someone came and took Katie to a kennel for boarding while Lou recuperated. Katie was not a happy girl and attempted to chew her way out of her jail …I mean crate!

Pam McKusick called and asked me if my son Chris would foster Katie until Lou came out of the hospital. Chris had been without a dog for several years and longed to have an Airedale. He agreed to take Katie, just until Lou recuperated.

Chris LOVED Katie and Katie LOVED Chris! However, Chris’ roommates did not. Chris went through 3 sets of roommates. Katie got into the trash and recycling. No food was safe in the house w/Katie around; she was a champion countersurfer. She loved to chew socks! And to top it all off, she would bite you if you did something she didn’t like, like brushing her or trimming her toenails. He asked me if I would keep her until he found suitable living arrangements w/more understanding fellows! I agreed. I thought that these people just did not understand Airedales and it would be a snap for me to keep her until Chris was ready to take her back.

And so, Katie came to live with me.

Sandy and Katie got along from the start. Katie taught him to be a real Airedale. She taught him to bark at c*ts, the mailman and to keep his tail up. Katie was attitude on four legs. When Lou crossed the Rainbow Bridge to be with Vee Katie stayed with us.

Katie was full of Airedale Attitude and knew how to get her way. She adored men and I swear she batted her eyelashes, and pranced when she went to see Dr Hinn.

In 2010 she was diagnosed w/severe heart murmur. In 2011, she lost 20 pounds and the vet said she had Lymphoma and didn’t give her long to live. Nobody told Katie, however, that she was ill. She kept up her antics until the end.

Katie always had a smile on her face and enjoyed her life. In spite of all her antics or perhaps because of her antics, Katie is very missed around here by me, Chris and Sandy.

Don't forget that the Early 'Dale No. 15 Drawing takes place tonight at 8 PM EDT.

15A is the Jester Embroidered Duffel Bag
15B is the unframed Clinker Proof Page from Ann Curran's book, CLINKER THE COALMAN'S DOG, and the 2013 NAR Christmas Ornament.
15C is a Set of 2 Mudpups Black & Tan Gift Tags

Just a $5 donation makes you eligible for this drawing!

GROVER OF TEXAS

At 3 years old, Grover was a “Wild Child” when he came into Rescue, but he was willing to learn. He arrived with both eardrums ruptured due to infection. Here is a note from Cheryl Silver, Texas Airedale Rescue Team, about Grover’s intro to his new Dad.

Grover is the one lying down and Tommy, his new brother
 is keeping on eye on him!

“Thanks to all of you who got him down here and to Pat who did the home visit. He went home today.......he is the one lying down while his brother, Tommy, watches............We had great intros at the kennel today and they were playing and playbowing in the play yard before they left Georgetown for San Antonio. Thank you sooooooo much......he is a real character........I spent time with all of them yesterday and he stole my heart with his total craziness.”

Grover is now called Phillip and is greatly loved by his new owner. He was recently featured in an article by the San Antonio, TX newspaper on Loft Living!”

Dont' forget - Early 'Dale No. 15 Drawing ends tomorrow night, Wed., 9/24 at 8 PM EDT.

15A - Jester Embroidered Duffel Bag
15B - Unframed Clinker Page Proof from Ann Curran's book and 2013 NAR Christmas Ornament
15C - Set of 2 Mudpups Black & Tan Gift Tags

EARLY 'DALE DRAWING NO. 15

EARLY ‘DALE DRAWING NO. 15 BEGINS TODAY!
THERE ARE THREE SEPARATE PRIZES.

Anyone who makes a donation between Monday, September 22nd at 12:01 AM PST and Wednesday, September 24th at 8 EDT is eligible to participate in this drawing.

NO. 15A - JESTER DUFFEL BAG
WINNER:  MARTHA CALLIGAN, CINCINNATI, OHMade and Donated by Diana Fielder

Duffel Bag

Logo on Duffel Bag

The bag is 16" tall and if you open it up to make it full, it is 12" across. It is 14 oz., 100% canvas and is lined. It has a cinch top closure. 

NO. 15B - "CLINKER" PROOF PAGE & 2013 NAR ORNAMENT
WINNER:  KARI RADOJEVIC, CHANDLER, AZ

“CLINKER” PROOF PAGE (unframed)
Donated by Ann Curran, Ragtail Airedales

It’s a glossy print, signed and dated by Ann Curran. It’s art from her book – CLINKER, THE COALMAN’S DOG. You can see the book here- http://ragtail.co.uk/book.htm

AND

2013 NAR ORNAMENT "CLUMSY AIREDALE"
Donated by Jan Williams of ArcticAire

2013 Limited Edition, #245 of 250 - "Clumsy Airedale". Diameter is 2 ¾ inches. Use of the "Clumsy Airedale" image was generously donated by Ann Curran.


NO. 15C - 2 MUDPUP BLACK & TAN GIFT TAGS
WINNER: KRISTINE THOMASON, HOUSTON, TX
Made and Donated by Wendy Hodgson

www.wendyhodgson.net

www.facebook.com/mudpups

Black & Tan Tags

Airedale black and tan tags are available in two sizes, Medium 3in/8cm, or Small 2.5in/6cm. Measurement is nose to tip of tail.

Each tag is handmade using a lightly grogged, tan coloured clay. Next the ears and eyes are added, then the furry beard and legs are created. After firing the saddle and nose are stained black, creating the perfect Airedale tag.  

There is one of each size in this incentive. Who wouldn't love to have one of these tags decorate a gift - it's like getting a gift with a gift!  These darling tags could also be used as ornaments during the holidays or you could leave them hanging all year long in a window or on a cabinet pull.  That's what I do.

BLOCK - JESTER

BLOCK MAKER: JEANNE ESMOND

ARTIST: PATTY EISENBRAUN

Original Drawing

Quilted Block

Back of quilted block

Jeanne wrote: “The Jester is Sandy, of course.” 

Jeanne's Sandy (at Rainbow Bridge)

Progress Photo for the Jester:

Progress Photo

Block ready to go to assembler

Closeup of hat

Closeup of scepter

Sandy's Story by Jeanne Esmond

SANDY ESMOND
August 15, 2002 to November 16, 2013

Sandy came into my life on June 5, 2005 after the devastating loss of my first Airedale, Roxie, to adenocarcinoma the previous April. Princess Roxie had been my “nurse” dog, caring for me through a divorce, pneumonia, cancer and four surgeries. While I was ill she would never leave my side, refusing even to go for a walk unless I was with her. And while I recuperated from all the illness she slept by me, tolerating my fitful movements, which she would never do when I was well. She was my best friend and I found myself in a terrible place emotionally after her loss, vowing never to have another dog.

But my friend Pam McKusick, coordinator of ATCMW Rescue, knew me very well and knew that what I needed was another a dog in my life as quickly as possible. She had received a call from a couple who were experiencing an illness in the family which made it impossible to care for their Airedale. They had dropped him off at a kennel and authorized the kennel to contact ATCMW to find him a new home. After several weeks of telling Pam “No,” I agreed to foster Andy until she could find the appropriate home for him. We took off early on that beautiful June morning to pick up “Andy” from the kennel. We found him in the kennel owner’s house with her own little yippy dogs that Andy loved. She told us that Andy slept in the house on her sofa under a little blanket that she had for him and that he was a very scared boy. During the several hours long drive back to my house I decided that I might just keep him. (Andy’s name was changed to Sandy when I adopted him. It was an easy transition for him and my littlest niece’s nickname was Andy. She was not happy that a dog had her name.)In the next few days, I discovered that Sandy was afraid of plastic bags, trash cans, road signs, men of all types and sizes, children , things held in one’s hand and strangest of all, the wind blowing. The next day Sandy and I began training.

We started our training regimen with the plastic bag toss. There are quite a few elderly

folks in my neighborhood who still get the newspaper. One morning, Roxie and I had seen one of the oldest neighbors struggling down her front porch steps to get the paper. From that day on,

when we walked in the morning we put her paper—then every paper in the neighborhood—on the porch. When Roxie passed away, I stopped the deliveries. Resuming the deliveries seemed like an excellent way to get Sandy over his fear of plastic bags! So the deliveries began anew. Within a month or so, Sandy had lost his fear of plastic bags.

Every excursion was an opportunity for training. On trash day, we would walk close to the trash cans with Sandy on a short lead so I could keep him out of the street. We would walk by signs and get closer and closer every day. When he startled at an item in my hand, I would offer it to him to smell and soon he was accepting various items without fear. Things seemed to be going well until a Saturday in November when we walked to the local bakery for bread. The wind was blowing and the plastic bag of bread was swinging and flipping in the breeze. I thought that I had control of him until he had had enough and pulled us into the street, narrowly missing a run in with a passing car. I realized that I had gone as far as I could go in Sandy’s training by myself. I was frankly out of ideas to help him. First I tried a dog psychiatrist. He was very knowledgeable about problem dogs, but light on solutions for a “cure” for Sandy. Then I heard about clicker training, but thought that it was just too odd for me. I frankly did not get it. But I was desperate for help and thought I would give it a try. We signed up for a beginner’s class in Obedience in Leesburg with Corally Burmaster. I was slow to get into the rhythm of “click and treat” and felt like a total klutz. The miracle was that Sandy got it. After a short period of time, my food-aholic boy figured out that if he did what I wanted, he got a snack.

We took classes in beginning and advanced obedience, Rally, and even passed Canine Good Citizen twice! We took advanced off lead classes where Sandy shone. We even competed in one Rally competition and earned a Rally Novice leg. Sandy blossomed in the training ring. He enjoyed the partnership that we developed over the years. It was all just play to him. He liked nothing better than my talking to him encouraging him to run with me spin, turn and jump. Our final competition was a Barn Hunt in Pennsylvania, just before he crossed the Rainbow Bridge. At the ripe old age of 11 he finished 2nd in a field of almost 30 dogs, all younger than he was.

Sandy was one of those Airedales that needed a job. It was apparent to me that he was happiest when he was working. And he taught me how to be a proactive rather than a reactive trainer. I learned to look ahead and plan for his behavior in advance. It was much easier to avoid a problem than to have to fix it later. I learned to see the goal and plan the steps required to achieve it. I have many happy memories of my sweet boy, but the best memories are of our partnership, training, playing and just hanging out together. He had a sweet disposition and a joyous sense of humor which never failed to delight me. He is much missed.