Gracie
Rescued Feburary 15, 2002 Left us February 8, 2011 It seems like yesterday when we turned around and there you were. And then, one day when we weren’t looking, you became our best friend. You were simply the best surprise of our lives. The way that you would look at us as if you were blessed with a human soul and understanding made a wonderful kind of magic in our lives . . . a true treasure you were . . . simply our best time. We now walk where we all used to walk together and we shed gentle tears and remember sweetly. You are no longer here to tell us it is time for dinner and time to go to bed. We no longer wake up to your wonderful face resting patiently on the side of the bed in the morning with those beautiful eyes begging us to play. Oh dear Gracie . . . you are so deeply imbedded in our hearts. We will always feel the laughter that you gave us, the affection, the silliness, the energy and then the tears and the sorrow. There was a place of quietness and contentment that we found with you whether it was sitting together in the lake on those hot summer days or driving down the coast to California. How you loved the car rides. Oliver seems so lost without you. You were his leader. He looked to you for guidance. You kept such close cadence with each other and so delighted in each other’s company. Now we all just sit and remember each and every step we took together and know that you will be with us always. You were a vision of long standing loyalty, compassion, patience and unconditional loving. You were the best of everything. Simply knowing you was the greatest of gifts. Thank you, dear, sweet Gracie. We miss you so.

Alice Ross
Feb 8, 1999 - Jan 25, 2011 Alice Claire'dale Special Angel Blackjack of Encore, CGC, CD Alice was, without a doubt, a force to be reckoned with. She was fiercely loyal, a mighty huntress, a top notch security enforcer, ball handler extraordinaire, and very smart. Her capability of understanding vocabulary was amazing, she knew sign language as well, and all the usual obedience commands. There was never a dull moment with her around. If things were getting boring, she could spice it up in a heartbeat. She was my constant companion, and I will miss her terribly. I'm sure she is busy organizing a hunting cabal at the Rainbow Bridge. You will always be loved, Alice by your earthly family.

Annie Hardy
January 1, 1998 - October 20, 2010 Annie, I haven't been able to bring myself to write a remembrance for you because words just don't do justice for what needs to be conveyed about you, wonderful you. Unlike the many rescue Dales who have crossed and left such a big paw on our hearts, you were with us from six weeks old. I struggle to find the words to sum up all of the years we spent together...guarding us like no other dog, being mama hen to all the many rescue dogs that have been in our home, sharing not only your toys, but your bed, your family and so much more. Dave and I are in such awe of you that nothing I say can convey what a special, wonderful friend you have been for us, how much we love you and will miss you. We will never forget our Annie girl.

Missy
12/23/2010 Our sweet Missy went to the Rainbow Bridge this morning to meet the others who have passed. It is with heavy hearts we let her go, but hope her spirit is free now from hurt and pain. We are better for knowing her, short 3 years that it was, we will never regret a moment we had with her in our lives. She brought some real class to this household. I asked Missy to say hi to Jacob, Rocky, Gretchen and Tina for me, I hope she can. This came last night in my sleep, woke me up, I am not known for being a writer much less a poet. It shows what a good influence our dogs are on us. I wrote this for my Airedales, it applies to dogs of all stripes: Our Airedale friends come for a while To share our lives and make us smile They spend their lives with love and grace In their Humans' warm embrace Their lives are short because you see They learn their lessons faster than we Our hearts will grant their every need Within our power to love and feed When their time is done on Earth And Heaven prepares another berth They don their wings and fly away Into the arms of God, they say My hope is they are running free Without the pain this world can see One by one we share this fate For what great plan we do not know But for that time, I hope they wait For where they are, I want to go Author, Deen Walsh

Our Boy Louie
November 1999 - February 1, 2009 Nancy found Connie Turner with Northwest Airedale Terrier rescue after we lost our first Airedale mix, Lyle. Connie told us she had rambuncious boy named Wild Bill Cody so we flew up and took him for a 4 mile run. Connie fed us a nice lunch and later, one of Connie's drivers dropped off Loui, his new name, to us and our lives changed forever. We spent countless Saturday morning and weekday evenings in dog classes and Louie did really well with it. He passed his Canine Good Citizen test on his first attempt. I think his size (75lbs) and his rambuncious attitude kept the "real" Airedale people at a distance in the Airedale obedience classes. If we wanted an easy dog, we'd have a Lab. We love his free spirit and his lack of patience. At the dog parks, he was Louie the instigator. He loved to be chased by other dogs but it sometimes took a bit of nipping to get the 'game on'! He really loved the dog beach at the Santa Cruz lighthouse; so much room, so many dogs. His long legs gave him an endearing gate when he cantered or ran. When he went, his downward dog looked so funny and leggy. He was a sweet and tolerant dog; one of those dogs that groomers love. He never fought or squirmed. He did as anyone guided and happily wore their seasonal silly neckerchiffs. He was the same with other dogs. He'd let them have a few free shots at him to get it out of their systems, then it was playtime. When a husky in the neighborhood took that as a sign of weakness and tried to press his "advantage", "Kujo Louie" put a stop to that nonsense real quick!. We understood the Airedale addage "they won't start the fight but they'll end 'em". Loui rebounded extremely well after two different major surgeries. Cancer finally took him away from us. We miss you so much, Loui. Love, Wade and Nancy