On Monday, Marti Touchstone writes: Report from the WOTA front

Don't faint y'all --

World's greatest technophobe has actually gotten the laptop hooked up here in Missouri! Nothing to it - I only had to move every piece of furniture in the room and call a local electrician. Am awfully glad to get it working as I believe I have somehow locked my cell phone and that seems to be out of commission. Right now I THINK John is on his way here but since we had 12 inches of snow at home yesterday and my phone isn't working, that's just a hypothesis.

Anyway, Pixi & I set out in one heck of a snowstorm at 4 a.m. yesterday and drove about 650 miles, arriving here in mid afternoon. Thank doG for book tapes!

Now for all of you who are turning green imagining us in pretty fancy digs at these somewhat fancy prices, I have to admit the Ramada Six Flags is one impressive ediface of stone and leaded glass windows on a hill . . . and then they give you a little map of how to drive to your room and behind the castle is a collection of your basic Motel 8-quality outbuildings. Oh well.

Yesterday the heat and phone didn't work, there weren't enough hangers for a nun to stay overnight and there was no coffee for the coffee maker and a few other amenities were missing. Needless to say, the entire front desk now hits the floor when they see a call coming in from room 520 . . .

The first person I saw upon arriving was Mary Giese and Harriet Prairiedale is just as adorable in person as she is in pictures. Maybe more so. Mary is rooming with Katherine Key from Michigan who has done Rescue for ages but whom I had never met. Most of the rest of the dogs here now are the hunting/working crowd and whereas many of the names are familiar, I haven't met anyone from the list or whom I knew before with one exception.

Katherine Key from Michigan with Beau

Photo and caption provided by Sally Babcock

This morning I drove 40 minutes out to the Busch Wildlife Refuge to watch the water retrieving trials. This was not a hugely successful trip by my standards as I had not realized that in a water retrieve test a live duck is catapulted into the air, then shot and then the dog is asked to retrieve the dead or dying duck which the dog may or may not do. Not my idea of a spectator sport and I didn't last too long.

One more black mark against the Ramada is that they do not allow dogs to set foot in the lobby which hurts Pixi's feelings. On the positive side, there's a huge expanse of fields and a pond right across the parking lot from our little strip of rooms and we've had some great long walks and I've promised the Pix she can swim after tomorrow.

Am beginning to hear car trunks opening and closing so others may be arriving. Think I'll go out and see if I can locate any of our gang. After that there's drill team practice at 3:30, then hospitality at 5 and an entertainment committee meeting at 7.

Libby Karier writes:

Why do I get the feeling the Ramada people might start regretting the day they said, "Wow, a whole booking of terrier people. What a great deal . . ." They didn't know what they were getting into with terriers, methinks.

Mary Lou Dewar writes:

I'm reporting this after a full and a WONDERFUL fun-filled Airedale Day at WOTA. Wish that everyone was here. We are having an unbelievably fun time. I cannot believe how many different ADTs we have had the privilege of petting, kissing, and playing.

Cash loves to walk with Harriet Prairiedale and Mary Giese. He had a marvelous time frolicking with Dudley (Jackie & Wendell) who is a love . . . he lives to give big "Dudley kisses and loves". They played while Dick & I sampled Wendell's fabulous vino. We watched The Pixie in her practice with the ADT Drill Team. Even had a preview of some fantastic costumes for the Parade.

Met Sue Forrester who is so endearing one has to love her at first sight; she drove down with Mel Findley who is so lovely, they brought Idgy who I am looking forward to seeing tomorrow.

We are at Purina tomorrow for Obedience . . . not with Cash . . . or I should say with Cash as an "interested observer", not participant. Also we will probably have some great runs and plays in the field behind the Ramada.

Must get to bed now as both Dick & Cash are long asleep and I am slaving at the computer! What a pleasure it is being here!

On Tuesday, Sally Babcock writes:

Monday evening, Shelley & I sojourned through the hills of southern St. Louis and managed to find the host Ramada Inn at Six Flags. I must say, of all the Ramadas I've ever seen, this one is spectacular! It reminds you of an old English castle. In the lobby, we met Buck's rescuer, Jackie Cash & her hubby, and had a minor squealing session because we were so thrilled to see real people whom we've only heard about.

Kim & Dale Burrier, Sue Forrester, Sally Babcock & Christie Williams

Photo and caption provided by Sally Babcock

We arrived at the tail end of the Hospitality Hour and peeked in on the remaining people grouped around table in various meetings. Though people were rolling up the streets and putting things away, we did get to see the t-shirts (brown with black print), dog scarves and totes depicting the WOTA - really cool!

The we ran into Sue Forrester, whom we later took for a bite to eat, and some of the wonderful, wonderful Aireheads - oops - Airepeople. I can't tell you how this whole thing just makes us gurgle inside with excitement.

Shelley DeMerchant, Christie Williams & Sally Babcock

Photo and caption provided by Sally Babcock

On Tuesday, 1 April,Cyndy Mobley writes from up on the hill in the red and white RV:

Wow! What a cool gathering of 'dales and their skindales! It's been really neat to meet all the folks who had just been names on the list up until now. Huge kudos to Joey, Jackie & Maria working the Rescue Tent sales!

There was more than one teary eye during the Rescue Parade as we listened to the stories of the pups who were found in pounds, running loose on streets or surrendered by people who were having a child. The announcement as names were called off, "Not here -- ADOPTED!" brought huge cheers from the rest of the folks and I hope every 'dale can say the same thing before long.

An incredibly heartwarming event, the Parade of Rescues illustrated just what it's all about - wonderful rescuers, wonderful volunteers and those throw-away Airedales who have now found love and respect.

Photo and caption provided by Sally Babcock

Photo provided by Sally Babcock

After the Parade, each rescue and caregiver/parent stepped forward and the MC told the Airedale's story, drawing cheers from the crowd.

Photo and caption provided by Sally Babcock

The following stories were submitted by Samantha Curran, via Sidney Hardie:

ORALEE ADAMS & LUCA:

"Luca" was forgotten after a young couple divorced and Luca was relegated to the backyard - where she proved herself a skilled "escape artist." She is loved and owned by Rescuer Oralee Adams who calls Luca "my blessing" for all the love and support Luca has given Oralee during a difficult year with many losses.

KATHY BAUER & CODY:

"Cody" came to Kathy Bauer as the result of an owner-surrender in 1999 to Annette Hall. Kathy is so grateful to Annette; Cody is "her sweet boy!"

LINDA BELL & EMMA:

"Emma" is just what you want in an Airedale: Attitude, Attitude, Attitude. She takes to heart her job of keeping the household safe. When a dog next door charged Linda, Emma came running and got between the dog and Linda. This big-hearted Airedale is going to take good care of some lucky family!

JOHN W. CARR & MISS DIXIE:

"Miss Dixie" spent the first four years of her life in a puppy mill being bred and having puppies. Vivian Durbin & Bill Fox rescued Miss Dixie, and she went to live in her Forever Home with John, Susan & Katherine Carr. Miss Dixie enjoys long walks in the hills and the freedom to run and run and run. Porcupines are NOT her favorite animal!

BILL & NANCY DAVIS & PATCH ADAMS:

Bill & Nancy rescued this big, lovable boy and called him "Patches" or "Patch" for Patch Adams. Nancy says that Patch, like the Robin Williams character in the movie, is lovable, devoted and always makes you laugh!

VIVIAN DURBIN, BILL FOX & WINSTON:

"Winston" was rescued from a shelter in Fulton, Missouri, home of Westminster College and Winston Churchill's Iron Curtain speech. Winston was the first rescue and adoption seven years ago for Missouri ATRA volunteers, Bill Fox & Vivian Durbin.

VIVIAN DURBIN, BILL FOX & FITZGERALD:

"Fitz" was released into Rescue by a backyard breeder who kept him in a 3' x 3' pen and used him for breeding. Fitz was rescued and adopted by Bill Fox & Vivian Durbin.

VIVIAN DURBIN, BILL FOX & CASEY:

"Casey" was rescued from a puppy mill, and the vet estimated that Casey has had well over 100 puppies. Casey was rescued, fostered and adopted by Bill Fox & Vivian Durbin.

VIVIAN DURBIN, BILL FOX & SARA:

"Sara" is a daughter of Casey, and was rescued from a puppy mill with her ten seven-week-old puppies. Casey was rescued, fostered and adopted by Bill Fox & Vivian Durbin.

VIVIAN DURBIN, BILL FOX & GABBY (GABRIELLE):

Imagine their surprise when the St. Louis Humane Society found "Gabby" in their transport van! Gabby was rescued, fostered and adopted by Bill Fox & Vivian Durbin.

CAROL FISHER & MISS AVA:

"Miss Ava" was purchased at a pet store by a well-meaning young couple who already had an Airedale, a black Lab and a baby on the way. They called Rescue to turn over this sweet, four-month-old girl. Miss Ava has a Rescue Sister at home named Angel who was adopted at nine months old. They are three days apart in age, the best of friends and the "Joy of Carol's Life."

MARY GADE & REGGIE:

"Reggie" is a four-year-old boy who was rescued at the age of one year. Reggie is wonderful, beautiful and full of mischief, although Reggie is the "easiest" Airedale the Gades have ever had. Reggie has a great Forever Home with Mary & Milt Gade.

MILT GADE & DOLLY:

"Dolly" is a nine-year-old hyperactive little girl with "stand-up" ears and an undocked tail who still pulls like a sled dog. She was rescued by Mary & Milt Gade when she was nine months old after living in a garage for her nine months of life. Dolly is smart as a whip and is loved by Mary & Milt Gade.

MARY GIESE & HARRIET:

"Harriet" was found chained to a doghouse and nursing her puppies in the heat. "Harriet" has never lost her spirit, and is loved and owned by Mary Giese.

ERNEST & LEE ANN JOHNSON & ALLIE:

"Allie" is a very sweet, two-year-old who came to the Johnsons in August, 2001. Initially shy and unsure of people, Allie has gained much confidence and is today a very happy and much-loved Airedale. Allie enjoys playing with her buddies at the nearby Doggie Park, romps at home with her sister, Maxie, and sleeps contentedly next to her brother, Chetley (the c*t).

BARBARA MANN & MISS NOSY PARKER:

"Miss Nosy Parker" was picked up as a stray in Fairborn, Ohio when she was about a year old. The shelter tried hard to find her owner because she was obviously well cared for and even had some Obedience training. Barbara adopted her and says Parker loves to learn things, so Barbara has to keep busy teaching her desirable behaviors or Barbara suffers the consequences!

MARIA MATSON & CALLIE:

"Callie" was a stray in a New Jersey neighborhood for three months before being caught by an Airedale person as Callie ran down the street. Callie is a great Ambassador for Airedale Rescue and Adoption of the Delaware Valley as well as a much-loved member of the Matson family.

KATHY PEABODY FOR ANNETTE HALL & STUART:

"Stuart" went to a shelter in Kentucky at the age of seven months. He was adopted and loved by Annette Hall and is a wonderful boy. Stuart has two bad hips, but has had a successful corrective surgery on one hip and will have surgery on the second hip in time.

KARLEEN REDLE & LUCY & BARNEY:

Karleen adopted Ms. "Lucy" first and "Lucy" moved with the family to their new home in Colorado. "Barney" followed the advice, "Go West, Young Man!" Barney was delighted to leave his shelter in Missouri and travel west to join the Redle family where is happily spoiled. His big sister, Lucy, takes good care of Barney and teaches him all the best Airedale tricks. Karleen, Lucy & Barney participated in all the events at the Week of the Airedale.

TAFFY ROSS & FIFI:

For her first job with Airedale Rescue, Taffy was dispatched to the City Pound where she saw "Fifi" who was so unkempt that Taffy was not sure she was all Airedale. Taffy considered the name "Coyote" because of Fifi's prick ears, but kept the name Fifi. Fifi is all Terrier, and since her arrival in the Ross household, Fifi has helped Carol foster a whole string of needy Airedales.

CAROL WALKER & CONNOR:

Carol & Mack Walker adopted "Connor" when he was 10 years old. Connor is now 12, and his best buddy in the Walker household is their Chow, Schubert. Connor loves his toys and plays with them with "explosive joy". "Connor makes us think about the world in a different way through his eyes of discovery, and he blesses us and our dogs with his gentleness, his frenetic joy and love. It can't get any better than that."

On 27 August 2003, Carol writes to adtlovershome members:

For the past two days, Connor has been bleeding from his nose. No matter what we did, it wouldn't stop. All of our old standby treatments with ice and nose spray, failed us. We called our vet yesterday in desperation and he replied, "When his blood pressure falls low enough from all the bleeding, it'll stop." Needless to say, we're not going back there, ever.

As I got up this morning, I worried if I would find him dead but no, he was standing up in his crate, looking at me. His muzzle was congealed with blood. From the eyes down, it was completely red. His crate had a large puddle of blood in it as well. I was amazed at how he could still be alive, grateful, and feeling selfish all at the same time.

He has fought hard, especially this last month. Periods of violent diarrhea, the high fevers with the constant pneumonia, putting up with the daily penicillin shots then switching him over to oxyteracycline that they give cattle which I could mix in with his water. I watched his weight go down, down and I started buying smaller and smaller diapers.

Through all this, his mind was all there. Every once in a while, he would even still play with his toys. He became my shadow, following me everywhere. Sometimes, I feared he would drop dead by his constant following me, so I began picking him up, and taking him with me while I went about daily chores. I've been working 12-hour shifts so I would have a friend come by when my husband was on duty to check on him and phone me reports.

But this morning, I knew that we were truly beaten and to go on prolonging his suffering was selfish and cowardly. I wrapped him in a towel to catch the steady, hot dripping blood. When we got in the car, he was happy. He loved car rides. I held him in my lap, shocked at how his hip bones cut into me. I kissed his ears and told him how much Mommy & Daddy loved him.

Unfortunately, we've put down dogs before but this was the worst. The vet couldn't find a vein probably because he was shaking like a leaf. Mack & I were barely holding it together but all the digging around was starting to hurt Connor. That's when both of us told him to try another site. He said, "Well, I don't think that I'm going to find anything on the other arm so I'll have to give him an injection in his heart. It'll take just about five minutes." Mack & I locked eyes and said together, "No! Try another site!"

Luckily, the vet found one without too much difficulty in the other arm. Connor seemed surprised for a second and then he went limp. He didn't seem to be having any pain or fear. I just held him, kissed him, told him how much we loved him, and felt his heart stop beating. Occasionally, it would flutter but stop again. After about ten minutes, I carried him out to the car.

We had bought ten acres about a month ago and are in the earliest stages of building a house. We dug his grave under an ancient cedar tree and oak tree. Being bedrock, it took all morning to go about four feet deep. When the tiller died, we started trying to hack our way through with shovels but finally we had to quit. Cougars frequent here so we were very worried about him being dug up and carried off so we bought ALL the moth balls in the store and layered them heavily over him, with the lavender scented ones next to him.

We cried and prayed, then cried and prayed some more. We walked the property, picking up all the rocks we could carry, put them on the grave and went back for more. Finally, the only rocks left were the ones that weren't coming out without a backhoe.

We decided to keep ourselves busy the rest of the day. We went home to take showers, being covered in dust and dirt. We let the boys out and loved on them. We then went to this antique store that I love to try to find something to put Connor's collar and swatch of fur in. I didn't find anything but met the owner of the store. She has an Airedale named Duke and makes greeting cards with his pictures on the front. All these years of going to this store and I didn't know she had an Airedale. Of course, we bought all the cards and briefly shared our story of our morning. She had this "Ah ha" look on her face so I guess she was wondering why we were so zombie-like.

Anyway, our gentle boy is gone. We know that the people on this list understand and this helps us so much, you just can't believe it. Thanks to everyone for all your encouraging words and support during Connor's illness. He is no longer suffering or afraid but waits for us on the other side.

I explained it to St. Peter,
I'd rather stay here,
Outside the pearly gate.
I won't be a nuisance,
I won't even bark.
I'll be very patient and wait.
I'll be here chewing on a celestial bone,
No matter how long you may be.
I'd miss you so much, if I went in alone,
It wouldn't be Heaven for me.
-- Anonymous

CHRISTIE WILLIAMS & ERIN:

Christie & Greg Hunt adopted "Jerry's Dame Edith" at 10 months of age, changed her name to "Erin" and channeled her high energy and drive by teaching her Obedience and Agility. Erin excels in Obedience and Agility, is ranked Number Two Airedale in Agility and recently earned her Agility Excellent title to add to her Open Agility Jumpers Title and her CGC. This week Erin will be participating in the Obedience and Agility Trials and the Aire Extraordinaire Drill Team.

ANN WOODS & RUSTY:

Five-year-old "Rusty" grew up on a farm, and was surrendered to Rescue when his owners retired. Rusty spent several months in a kennel before going to live in his Forever Home with Ann Woods in Knoxville. Rusty was the cover model for "Aire Town".

FRED & PAM HUMMELSHEIM AND CHIEF & HOLLY:

No stories were given - if you read this, Fred & Pam (or Chief or Holly), please e-mail me and I will add their stories.

THESE ARE RESCUE AIREDALES NEEDING ADOPTION