JAKE'S STORY
A note from Jeanne Combo, of SOUTHWEST AIREDALE TERRIER RESCUE: Jake is settling in well and is truly the most loving (almost too loving at times) boy. For the first several weeks I couldn't make a move without having him right at my feet, between my legs or in my face. Thank heavens he's not a lap dog because he weighs about 72 pounds. I believe he is very needy; probably has to do with the fact that he was in the home with his owner after he'd had that massive stroke and no one discovered Jake & Belle, his companion ADT, for a couple of days. I also know that Belle was very Alpha and took advantage of Jake. Now Jake will sleep in another room away from me during the day and is spending more time with Lilly, our rescued female ADT. Spending time with Sam, the other Rescue 'dale, is another story. Jake & Sam tangle fairly often and I have to stand between them frequently to make sure they don't get into it. Jake knows now that he must wait to go out the door, something he apparently wasn't called on as when I first got him, he tended to bolt out the door at every opportunity. His teeth, and particularly his gums, are a mess and I am planning to deal with that after the first of the year. Hard to tell what the cause of all his dental problems stem from . . . perhaps his owner only fed him canned food and I doubt he ever had a cleaning. I've been giving him a number of things to help get his teeth cleaner such as raw chicken wings, Merrick's beef puffs, other chew items, but I think his gums are so sore they hurt him. I've even begun giving him green tea to drink and he loves it. He's a little unsteady on his feet and a bit clumsy but we have tile throughout the house and he tends to slip on it so I'm debating getting him some booties for traction. But this big guy can out run Sam if he puts his mind to it. Amazing for an almost-10-year-old dog . . . his birthdate is 2/1/98. He gets Phenobarbital 2x/day for his epilepsy and now is taking thyroid medication. He's a bit of a barker and we are working on that as well as doing refresher work in all commands. I don't make him sit on command a lot because he is stiff so just ask him to "stay" or "wait" to have his beard dried. He has really bonded with me but is getting closer to John. John travels a fair amount for his job so Jake hasn't had the opportunity to spend as much time with him as he has had with me. Just this week Jake has shown some interest in playing with Lilly; still avoids Sam as Sam tends to be the Alpha dog in the household. Before, playing consisted of only playing with squeaky toys and balls. So we are making huge amounts of progress with this sweetie who has an appetite like a horse. Jake on the left, Lilly in the middle, Sam on the right. All three 'dales are out of Airedale Rescue.
OLD DOG Darling, the hesitation in your step makes my heart ache, knowing that you're wondering, hoping, is this the last home? will I have to move again? how will she know who I am? Beautiful, I see your history in your eyes and in those small quirks, in your startles and starts. oh, I know I'll never know the whole story of you but together we can patch things up, heal old wounds, soothe old fears. Beloved, I respect your years, and I promise you will grow old with me in comfort, in love, in safety. and when your years are done, I will see you through your passing, and keep you close in my arms, in my heart. You will live forever. T. Nesbit, in Memory of Duchess Claire June 2001

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