Rusty
LaFrance
Arizona,
USA
I'm
not good with time but I remember that it has been over 19 years ago
that I got my first Airedale. He lived to be 17 and was the Howard
Hughes of Airedales in his last years; but still on duty at the
ranch as sentinel right up to the day before he passed.
I was the CEO of a fairly good sized Corporation with three major
holdings and we were breeding, training and showing Quarter horses
and Paints when I got my Monte to help watch our stallion when we
were on the road.
I was forced into retirement with a non-compete clause when I sold the
Corporation's assets so that my business partner could take a seat
on the state's Supreme Court. With that I found myself looking for
a grooming table for Monte. I found the name of Melissa Moore and
contacted her in Arizona. She told me where to look for a good buy
on a grooming table and then asked me if I could check on an
Airedale who's master had passed away. I went to the Animal shelter
and found this girl cowering in the back, shaking, in the company of
an Akita and a German Shepherd Dog. I couldn't get her out of there
fast enough and I slept with her for the next three nights, on the
bed in the guest room, before she even thought of feeling the least
bit comfortable from what all had happened to her.
That was the beginning.... a grooming table. Now, some six
banker's- boxes- full- of -Rescued -Airedales later I think of all
the chance meetings I have had with some of the most wonderful
Airedales you could ever ask for ~ all in Rescue through no fault of
their own.
I think of the ones who lived their lives out with me and the ones who
have allowed me to meet wonderful people. I think of the times I
have divided my hallway up with baby gates to make it possible to
feed 16 Airedales in their own space.
And then I realize.... I haven't said very much about me ~~ I have
become the Erma Bombeck of the Airedale world ;-)
I have a husband of 36 years and two daughters that are now 29 and 31
years of age (one is a violin teacher, the other a Visual
Presentation Expert for the Courts). I have a small ranch in Las
Vegas, Nevada and a 100 acre soon -to -be ranch in Tijeras New
Mexico. I am a volunteer with Southwest Airedale Terrier Rescue
Group (SWAT) that covers Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah. I
am a volunteer with National Airedale Rescue, Inc. as their
Treasurer. I still work as a consultant with clients in different
parts of the world and numerous clients in Nevada. Rarely is my
house clean! I use to have red hair. (Thus being named Rusty as a
newborn). I NEVER know what tomorrow will bring.
|