TAYLOR'S STORY
A note from Maureen Scott, of AIRECANADA: "We love this dog enormously but we are unable to keep her. We are unwell and are moving into an apartment. Can you help us?" That was the message AireCanada volunteer Yvonne Winram received this past summer. Further discussion revealed that 12-year-old Taylor was in failing health herself and there was some thought she should be euthanized. Acting swiftly, Yvonne visited Taylor and saw a very unhappy animal with glazed eyes, a poor coat, several large growths, weakened hind legs and teeth in need of cleaning. A consultation with Dr. Pawel Cichon, who works closely with AireCanada in the Vancouver, BC, area, was alarming. "This dog is not going to survive," he said bluntly. "She needs attention now. Can you take her into your care right this minute?" Yvonne explained she needed time to find a foster situation for Taylor. "Fine," said Dr. Chichon, "I will board her here at the hospital until you can do so." So Taylor came to AireCanada. During the next week, Dr. Cichon & his staff tenderly bathed her and treated her ailments. Now clean and feeling better, the light came back into her eyes. Yvonne discovered that Tom & Caron Schramm would be willing to foster this big girl. AireCanada volunteer, Tom, and his wife fostered poor, sick Simba until she crossed the Bridge. They are extremely good with elderly animals. Upon closer examination, Taylor proved to have an evil growth in her mouth. AireCanada asked Dr. Cichon to remove this and to clean her teeth as well. The lump proved to be malignant so we were happy we had made this decision. During a visit to the pet hospital for a follow-up check to her surgery, Taylor showed typical Airedale goofiness -- wagging her stubby tail and offering to play with a Cocker Spaniel in the waiting room. Taylor is presently available for adoption. Sadly, no one is much interested in offering a home to a senior girl so, barring a miracle, she will likely be in foster care for the remainder of her life. The Schramms say that she is welcome in their home as long as need be. Their rescued Airedale, Otis, is even beginning to accept bossy Miss Taylor as a possible older sibling. A nutritious diet and lots of love have made all the difference in the world to Taylor, who is showing great Airedale spunk, despite severe arthritis that restricts her movement. She enjoys a short walk daily and has been known to scurry down the stairs to the lower floor of the Schramm house, although Tom will tell you that he has also carried all 70 pounds of her back up once she'd discovered going down is much easier than coming up! Without the assistance of AireCanada volunteers, Yvonne & Tom, Taylor would likely have crossed The Bridge months ago. Instead, she is happy and as healthy as possible. We guarantee Taylor will be welcome within AireCanada's sheltering embrace for as long as she lives.
	Taylor is 12 years old
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

CLOSE WINDOW