Jolee Aire Baron of Appyaire
March 9, 1995 - January 21, 1998
If there are no dogs in Heaven,
then when I die I want to go where they went.
The Friends of Airedales Memorial Fund was founded in January, 1998, as Shelley & Howard DeMerchant shared the heartbreaking ramifications of Baron's illness with the Airedale Terrier List. The Fund resulted from the sudden and untimely death of this young Airedale, who symbolizes the depth of the bond we have with our beloved friends. Their paw prints are etched permanently on our hearts.
Baron's legacy is to transform despair into joy. Through donations in memory of lost friends, Airedale Rescue can continue its devoted cause of saving the lives and ensuring the well-being of Airedales in distress. Baron represents the spirit we share. For the love of Airedales, the Friends of Airedales Memorial Fund perpetuates Baron's legacy so that others may know happiness.
PLEASE LIGHT A CANDLE
Photo Courtesy Shelley (DeMerchant) Stotts
Sally & Aireabella
August 1999
Sally Babcock, Airedale illustrator extraordinaire, crossed The Rainbow Bridge in the early morning hours of Saturday, 25 July 2009. She was surrounded with love from her companion, Ron; her brother Bob and sister-in-law Carol; her good friend, Shelley (DeMerchant) Stotts; and her Airedales, Aireabella and Dudley. I know she was greeted by Odie and Indiana Bones, many of our Airedale friends, and our friends in Airedales.
Sally will live on in our hearts, as she was such a part of our Airedale world since the internet became so important to us. Her Calendars, her FOAMF cards, her lovely Airedale and Cairn crate blankets and Howliday tree skirts, and her illustrations for the 2008 and 2009 Senior Airedales Fundraisers brought so much attention to the world of Airedale Rescue . . .
Please take a few moments to wish her dogspeed . . .
we will surely miss her talents.
RAINBOW BRIDGE
FOR RESCUERS
Unlike most days at Rainbow Bridge, this day dawned cold and gray, damp as a swamp and as dismal as could be imagined. All of the recent arrivals had no idea what to think, as they had never experienced a day like this before. But the animals who had been waiting for their beloved people knew exactly what was going on and started to gather at the pathway leading to The Bridge to watch.
It wasn't long before an elderly animal came into view, head hung low and tail dragging. The other animals, the ones who had been there for while, knew what his story was right away, for they had seen this happen far too often.
He approached slowly, obviously in great emotional pain, but with no sign of injury or illness. Unlike all of the other animals waiting at The Bridge, this animal had not been restored to youth and made healthy and vigorous again. As he walked toward The Bridge, he watched all of the other animals watching him. He knew he was out of place here and the sooner he could cross over, the happier he would be. But, alas, as he approached The Bridge, his way was barred by the appearance of an Angel who apologized, but told him that he would not be able to pass. Only those animals who were with their people could pass over Rainbow Bridge.
With no place else to turn to, the elderly animal turned towards the fields before The Bridge and saw a group of other animals like himself, also elderly and infirm. They weren't playing, but rather simply lying on the green grass, forlornly staring out at the pathway leading to The Bridge. And so, he took his place among them, watching the pathway and waiting.
One of the newest arrivals at The Bridge didn't understand what he had just witnessed and asked one of the animals that had been there for a while to explain it to him.
"You see, that poor animal was a rescue. He was turned in to rescue just as you see him now, an older animal with his fur graying and his eyes clouding. He never made it out of rescue and passed on with only the love of his rescuer to comfort him as he left his earthly existance. Because he had no family to give his love to, he has no one to escort him across The Bridge."/I>
The first animal thought about this for a minute and then asked, "So what will happen now?" As he was about to receive his answer, the clouds suddenly parted and the gloom lifted. Approaching The Bridge could be seen a single person and among the older animals, a whole group was suddenly bathed in a golden light and they were all young and healthy again, just as they were in the prime of life.
"Watch, and see", said the second animal. A second group of animals from those waiting came to the pathway and bowed low as the person neared. At each bowed head, the person offered a pat on the head or a scratch behind the ears. The newly-restored animals fell into line and followed her towards The Bridge. They all crossed The Bridge together.
"What happened?"
"That was a rescuer. The animals you saw bowing in respect were those who found new homes because of her work. They will cross when their new families arrive. Those you saw restored were those who never found homes. When rescuers arrive, they are allowed to perform one final act of rescue. They are allowed to escort those poor animals that they couldn't place on earth across The Rainbow Bridge."
Author Unknown
Sally's Obituary Page is HERE
There will be a Retrospective of Sally's Airedale & Cairn Art in the near future, located HERE
Decisions are pending regarding the future of FOAMF, but rest assured that the current pages WILL REMAIN ONLINE
Please visit
AIREDALES IN MEMORIAM Page
or OTHERS SO PRECIOUS TO US IN MEMORIAM Page
or TRULY DEDICATED FRIENDS OF AIREDALES Page
or WAGS & WOOFS FOR FRIENDS OF AIREDALES Page
For more information, please 
e-mail Andréa Denninger.
I have sometimes thought of the final cause of dogs having such short lives, and I am quite satisfied it is in compassion to the human race; for if we suffer so much in losing a dog after an acquaintance of ten or twelve years, what would it be if they were to live double that time?
-- Sir Walter Scott, 1822
The Airedale . . . an unrivaled mixture of brains and clownish wit, the very ingredients one looks for in a spouse.
-- Chip Brown
The Airedale can do anything any other dog can do and then whip the other dog.
-- Teddy Roosevelt
An Airedale, erect beside the chauffeur of a Rolls-Royce,
Often gives you the impression she's there from choice.
-- E.B. White
WHEN I GOT MY NEW DOG
I asked for strength that I might rear her perfectly;
I was given weakness that I might feed her more treats.
I asked for good health that I might rest easy;
I was given a special needs dog that I might know nurturing.
I asked for an obedient dog that I might feel proud;
I was given stubborness that I might feel humble.
I asked for compliance that I might feel masterful;
I was given a clown that I might laugh.
I asked for a companion that I might not feel lonely;
I was given a best friend that I would feel loved.
I got nothing that I asked for,
But everything that I needed.
I got an Airedale.
-- Carol DiPrima & Kibo
The inhabitants of the United States are, I think, the most practical people on the earth's surface, and there is no dog like the Airedale to them. If there is a secret in it, the reason that she appeals to them with such irresistible force is probably that she is a dog that one can go out and do something with.
-- Holland Buckley, The Airedale Terrier,1920
PRAYER FOR A PUP
Great God of Dogs,
Seated on thy regal throne in the high heavens, where ruddy Sirius flames; with all thy angel pack about thee, running to do thy bidding - St. Bernards and all the other canine saints, collies, setters, mastiffs, and Great Danes, dogs who gained heaven through much loving and profound devotion, a noble brood, heroes of flame and flood.
Great God of Dogs,
Look down and hear my humble prayer. Outside thy portals this gray morn a little stranger waits, an Airedale Terrier, nine months old, big-footed, awkward-limbed, rough-coated, with stubby tail held upright, wagging rapidly, ears cocked, and brown eyes full of innocent inquiry and pained surprise at his strange plight, pleading humbly for admittance. That's Dusty Rhodes. He died in undeserved pain. His little spirit passed beyond our ken. No more our door is open to his plaintive whine.
Great God of Dogs,
I pray thee grant him mercy. If in his record thou dost read much mischief and some disobedience, forget not his unsullied heart, his sweet and gentle disposition: no trace of viciousness did darken his young life, no evil mood, nor any least resentment. He teased our cat, but it was only play; he would have loved him like a brother if he could. And if on such and such a day he misbehaved and heeded not the bidding of his mistress, on the same day he licked the chastising hand, and all was soon forgiven and forgot.
There be no deeds of valor to record; but he was young. He came of noble lineage; and his little heart was true. Be merciful, I pray, and let him in. His little collar hangs upon a nail, and e'en the little whip, the sight of which chastises us to-day. He has no home. We cannot bear that he should wander there in outer darkness, unpatted and unloved. Is there no place in all wide heaven for him? Is there no loving hand to take his proffered paw? I pray thee, let him in.
And if there be an angel child or two whose time may well be spared, some cherub who can understand a dog, who loves to play, I pray thee to entrust him to his keeping. He will repay the care. Across the Elysian fields he'll romp and run; and if some angel stops and smiles and speaks his name, as neighbors did on earth, then there will sound the bark of pure delight that we shall hear no more; and heaven will hear a joyful noise that day.
Great God of Dogs,
Outside thy pearly gates this little stranger stands and begs the simplest boon. He only asks for someone he may love.
Great God of Dogs, wilt thou not take him in?
-- Walter A. Dyer
Gulliver the Great and Other Dog Stories,1916
The loss of a dog is undeniably difficult. Thankfully, there are good books on the subject and local bereavement groups. Three U.S. veterinary schools maintain hotlines for those seeking counseling:
University of Florida - (904) 392-4700 ext. 4080
Michigan State University - (517) 336-2696
University of California - (916) 752-4200
These pages contain many, many links to other pet-grief pages
PETS-GRIEF SUPPORT PAGE
AMERICAN VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION PET LOSS PAGE
Thanks to Jamie Hare for the Animated Airedale Graphics
Thanks to Karen Clouston for the Airedale Graphics
dogs have joined Misha (@RB), April (@RB), Cari & Rico on the couch since 16 AUGUST 1996. We hope you all were comfy!!
INTRODUCING MISHA (@RB) & APRIL (@RB)
CARI, RICO, ROSIEVI, DAISY2LEGS & LUUCEEE
Remember to bring along your virtual pooper-scooper!
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Updated 30 JULY 2008