Why an Airedale?

<--- Previous Why an Airedale?

The joy, the fun and the laughter an Airedale brings to a home is beyond a complete description, but we'll try anyway. Our life here in Houston would not be complete without the effects of our two Airedales such as:

  • the puddles of drool you don't know are there until you step in them
  • the unexpected (but expected) kiss and tongue action
  • the big-eyed look as if to say "what did I do?"
  • the missing/ hidden socks, pantyhose, shoe, favorite toy
  • the wonderful warmth of their bodies pressing against you at night as they lay on your bed pushing you closer to the edge
  • the way they can take up 3/4 of a king-1size bed and only the human Alpha male grumbles about that
  • the happy greeting you get when you come home, even if you were only gone for 10 minutes
  • the shoulder hugs
  • the Tuck Butt run
  • the insistent barking while looking up a tree
  • the drying of the beards, or trying to catch them to dry the beards
  • the guard dog behavior when it's important
  • the tender way they can watch out for each other, and you
  • the hanging of the head off the end of the bed / chair/ pillow
  • the funny sounds they make while sleeping - with eyes only half shut
  • the sound of their growling and grunting when playing tug of war with a rope toy ( to a non Airedale owner they would think this was a fight to the death -- we know it's just play)
  • the quizzical looks on their faces at any given time is enough to make you laugh out loud
  • aarrooooing
  • who knew an Airedale could get bored with their food? so catsup, Parmesan cheese and leftover chopped veggies and whatever is in the fridge have become toppings on kibble
  • the fun of separating dogs to eat their meals
  • fly catching: watching the walls inside the house and attacking the wall to get a fly-slamming straight on nose to wall only to find out it was a spot of drool from earlier
  • the happy faces on other people when they see you have a adorable Airedale sticking his head out the window of your car, or up to the glass window
  • that beautiful shine their hair gets after the latest grooming begins to grow out
  • watching their cute butts wiggle when you walk behind them during their walk
  • the fact they know when it is time to go for the walk -- they can't tell time or can they?
  • their stubbornness, independence and high intellect
  • How well they have trained us
  • How much they love us, no matter what. AND how much we love them! No matter what!

Kristine

 
 
 
I have had Airedales so long I don't know what it would be like without them.  I am pretty sure I wouldn't like to try it. I probably wouldn't have holes in the yard, holes in the car's upholstery, a hole in the side of the couch, giant "holes" in my checking account, etc.  But I also wouldn't have all the fun and joy of living with the 'dales.  Probably wouldn't be on all these great Airedale lists either.   Jan

 

I too am hooked...in my case I would not have a head on my knee. I would not have a walking buddy. My life is good, but is better with that Sassy One. We can't live without them because we have lived with them ... and love them.   Linda
 
 

The first mistake Christine

...I think the Airedales own us!

Those soulful eyes drilling a hole in yours when they want something; those fly-away ears that have to make you laugh; the ever present "smile"; the paw asking for forgiveness; the mouth that eventually will take your hand "gently" to say I love you; the head butts and nose pokes and squeezing between your legs as you're walking down the driveway or worse yet, the stairs!.

I can't imagine missing them, but I truly did when I went on vacation. Most of all they make us smile!   Rosey

 
 
I would never have guessed I could fall in love with my Airedale the way I have. I have other dogs, but Harry and I have something. He walks with me and runs his head under my hand every so often just to let me know he is still with me. When I am upset he curls (well he's bigger than me) up and lets me hold him. At night he sleeps at the foot of my bed and watches out for me. He chews up everything in sight. Have you ever had to pick up thousand of little pieces of toilet paper from all over your living room if you have you know what I'm talking about. If you haven't thank the Lord. Forget the kids' stuffed animals they are now Harry's. But for every thing he does wrong he just has to look and me and I forgive him. He has brought so much joy during a time when life is harder than I thought it would get so for that he gets to lay on the couch sleep on the bed and if left out chew up toilet paper.   Tracy

 

Christine: Sing along with the Carpenters and Dionne Warwick (by Evie )

What do you get when you fall in love?
A 'dale with a pin to burst your bubble
That's what you get for all your trouble
I'll never fall in love again
I'll never fall in love again

What do you get when you kiss a 'dale
You get beard slimed and sniffed and nuzzled
He'll trot away and leave you puzzled
I'll never fall in love again
I'll never fall in love again

Don't tell me what it's all about
'Cause I've been there and I'm glad I'm out
Out of the fur and fleas and claws that bind you
That is why I'm here to remind you

What do you get when you fall in love?
You only get mess and worry and sorrow
So far at least until tomorrow
I'll never fall in love again
I'll never fall in love again
So, for at least until tomorrow
I'll never fall in love again
I'll never fall in love again

 
 

A picture's worth a thousand words: http://www.flickr.com/photos/glenfinlas/196901800/

This was especially welcome as we were selling our house - brand new pale cream carpets, spotless kitchen floor, etc., to impress viewers ...   Cherry


Because they've captured our hearts for the rest of our lives.   Jean

<--- Previous Why an Airedale?

You can't help but laugh when you're sitting at the dining room table after supper and a 70 pound Airedale is trying to get into your guest's lap, or when they want you to get up so they slam into the mattress and rub all the way down. And their favorite: bearded dogs that have had sardines for supper, then drink a gallon of water (saved in their beards) coming your direction, when you're dressed to go out for supper.   Glenda

 

Because they make us laugh and have short tails and we stay grounded with humor.

I had my sister's Lab here for a week. It was a dog I rescued and gave to them five years ago. He is a lovely boy - tall, long and lanky. Ball crazy and great for her boys. I could not live with a lab. He is a couch potato until he hears "Ball"; he doesn't really "play" like an Airedale; and that tail! He wags it constantly and sweeps literally everything at that height. All my outdoor planters have bashed flowers. Tables are cleaned off and doors are whacked hard. He is not a clown he does some funny things-like say "Mom".

He is not a thinking dog...couldn't find his way out of a paper bag if he tried....but sweet and loving.  Alice tried to tell him she was hot on the trail of a rat and he should come along--nope he sat down and looked around not a clue there was scent of anything....until he spotted his ball. LOL Give me a thinking, clownish, playful vermin-hunting Airedale any day.   Lydia

 

 

I love the fact that these dogs think for themselves! I know that it is a full

time job reminding them that we are boss, but I like that. My brother-in-law has two golden retrievers because he wanted dogs that do not challenge him, they just follow him blindly. Don't get me wrong, that breed is a wonderful, beautiful dog for those that like that personality, but I prefer my Airegirl - she has a mind of her own and likes to tease. She outsmarts those dogs all of the time and I love to watch her thinking and carrying out her plan. She has learned everything that I have taken the time to teach her properly and we have learned, as we did with our children, firmness and consistency, mixed with love and affection are the secret.   Heather

 

Why do anything that's challenging??

Why raise kids that challenge you every step of the way when your efforts are rewarded in the future? Why do anything that's not easy? If you want easy get a cat! Airedales are challenging! They need constant attention, they need constant discipline to show them the difference between right and wrong. If you are not willing to give that get a different breed. But ... If you're willing to do all the work, all the saying "No", and backing that up, you'll be rewarded with a wonderful companion. Too many Airedales are in rescue because of owners that don't make that commitment.   Jim

 
 
Just last week I had the "scream like you are being attacked" yipping. I jumped up from my morning coffee and thought "I need to grab something." It sounded like Abbey was being attacked (my thought was a groundhog which has been seen traveling through our yards in search of our veggie gardens). Broom in hand I started out for our yard behind the fort/shed in the corner. Lo and behold there was Abbey with her head stuck in our fence. She had wanted to sniff something on the other side, went under and lifted her head up and I guess tried to pull it out thus the screaming and yelping. As I got closer she realized she had to lower it and then pull back. Sigh...my life would be SO boring without an Airedale!   Marie

 

Oh Christine! What great timing! I just got back upstairs from attending to Miss Trudikins. She *had* to go outside -- even though she'd already been out twice. Miss "I don't bark in the house" even barked to be let out! I thought someone must be trying to break in to call for such drastic measures. Nope -- the emergency was that she just *had* to trot a few laps around the yard and snuffle some bunny tracks.

I finally gave in and joined her in my nightgown. She was onto something. It's a beautiful cool night out and the grass smells fresh and clean. Trudi was rolling in it, trying to convince me to do the same. I almost did. She had to settle for a game of tag. I hope the neighbors weren't watching!

Eventually Tim came out and wondered what was taking so long. I was too embarrassed to admit that I was frolicking, too. I finally just gathered Trudi up and heaved her into the house. It was almost a shame not to spend the night together in the yard. Life's just too short to miss those kind of moments with my former shy-girl! On the other hand, morning comes too early and sleep would be a good idea too!   Monica

 

Sort of like our morning wake-up call by Ms Lilly'dale at 5:30. She emits one huge BARK letting us know it's time to get up. So we get up (Sam generally isn't buying into this...he stays in bed); take her to the back door (we keep the dog door closed at night to discourage scorpions, kit foxes and other unwanted critters out); and let her out. What does she do? Stands there, sniffing the wind, looks up at the sky, turns around looks at us, goes to the big water tub for a sip (and I mean a sip), continues to sniff the wind, looks at the sky again, then turns around and trots back inside. No poop, no pee. So why does she get us up? I guess to let us know to fix breakfast. Airedales, ya gotta love 'em. And this is why we own them.   Jeanne
 
 
Can we add the one about them sleeping all day and stretching, licking, whining, playing with their ball, groaning, licking, licking, looking out the window and having to move the blinds so they hit against the window frame all night while you are trying to sleep, then when you get out of bed to get ready to go to work to earn the money for the dog food and dog sundries, they hop onto the nice warm soft spot you just left and go to sleep, meaning that you have to rouse the Airedaless out of the warm spot to get them to go outside to do business and get their breakfast and cookie - don't forget the cookie or we'll just stand in your way until you get the cookie - and do the other 100 things you need to do in the morning. In my next life I want to come back as an Airedale to a person who is a human slave just like me.   Glenda

 

Because we need company while in the shower or bathtub. Or while we are sitting contemplating life. Life is boring if there isn't one or two sharing your space. How about knowing that you are second to an Airedale for that hug and kiss when the significant other comes home for the day. Wait your turn! I just love the Happy Aire Dance that I get from the girls when I get home. It never ceases to lift my spirits even after a "BAD" day. So many reasons that outweigh the bad. So they chewed the leg on the teak coffee table or the 2 handles on the chest of drawers they have given smiles to those that have just lost their Airedale by doing Zoomies and playbows asking them to play. Good Will Ambassadors for Airedale Rescue!!   Barbara

 

It's that charm, that smile and the attitude of "what's this? what's next?"  Ellen

 

Because they keep us humble ... you can never get too full of yourself when you live with an Airedale. Because they make sure we never lose our sense of humor. Because they worm their way into your heart in such a way that when they're not around life just isn't the same.  Libby

More Why an Airedale? --->

 

OK friends, I need a reminder. Tell me again why we can't live without these Airedales. The "best" Airedale activity today was Baron eating the roll of paper towels while I was cleaning up from Bristol's incident. CeCe - and her out-of-control barking - is a subject I won't even approach.   Christine

 

Life is Merrier with An Airedale Terrier???

What's life like living with an Airedale Terrier"
asked my sister in law while sitting on her derrière
Well said I, with a twinkle in my eye
"it just couldn't get much merrier"

"How so", she asked
"Just watch", I laughed
And tossed a squeeky toy in air
Sam lept to his feet and as if on a dare
Quickly snatched the fuzzy bear

In formidable jaws of death,
wildly racing about the house, not returning til out of breath,
He squeeked that bruin until it would squeek no more
Finally dropping the slimed and desqueeked toy upon the floor.

Looking up at me with heart-melting eyes
He then stood pleading...throw another, yes, throw another prize
And.......suddenly I came up with a wicked guise,
First I taunted, laughed and teased,
eventually hiding the new toy up my sleeve

Sam looked and looked, behind my back, at my hands
Down toward the end of the room he ran
then back to me and down to the end of the room again
quizzically he looked in the air..... could it be caught on the ceiling fan?

Puzzled, eyes pleading, he stood watching.... still as a statue
And all the while I'm cockedly thinking... yippee...I've scored a coup
Untrue, untrue, untrue, totally untrue....
because my oh so smart aire-boy
had by now zeroed in on a more accessible toy.....
.....my new Nike shoe!!!

Can you hear my sister in law laughing????

Jeanne & The Desert'dales

 

Because they are cute, fuzzy, some of them are cuddly, they are smart (outsmart us a lot of times), funny, scared of storms and have to be held (mothering instinct in us), stubborn, willful - guess that's the same as stubborn. There is no other breed in the world quite like an Airedale! And we can't live without them. Does that help?   Bobbi

 

While I was gone last week, my guys shredded a major newspaper in the living room (it's ALWAYS the living room) one afternoon. A few days later they destroyed their sixth (in two years) dog bed, as in: bite the zipper off so the cover can't be used again unless you sew (I don't) and can put in another zipper, assuming the fabric isn't too damaged (but it was), shred the stuffing and spread it all over the living room floor (for a summer blizzard effect) and smile innocently when the alpha male (as Maureen would say) comes home.

What would we ever do for quality entertainment without them?? Does this help?   Elizabeth

 

Well, I've come to determine our reason for having an Airedale is so that we wouldn't need a paper shredder for our documents ... both Piper and Abbey LOVE to shred any paper they get their teeth on. Today I came home to find our newspaper shredded on the living room floor and sofa. Mind you, the dogs were not loose alone, our son and daughter were home doing their thing. No need to prune the plants outside, either. Abbey just runs or walks by and picks off the low branches on the Rose of Sharon, ornamental grasses and even dead-heads flowers. But there is also time when they are the most loving, cuddling, couch potatoes you can ask for.   Marie
 
 

Well, I don't own an Airedale anymore. I had to find a home for my Zoe when my husband's allergies just became too much. Luckily, I found a wonderful couple who adore her (as is proper) and we have become good friends.

So, here's what I miss about NOT owning an Airedale:

Her goofy smile when I came home in the evening. The way her tail would wag so hard her back end started coming in a semi-circle to the front. Her habit of coming up to ask for some attention by putting both paws in my lap and then leaning in for a long cuddle. How she slept on her bed with a cat and never minded sharing. Walks through the neighborhood and people stopping me to tell me how beautiful she was (and a lot of "what kind of dog is that?"); one time someone offered to buy her. Not a chance. Watching her grow from a 6-month-old, hairy, goofy puppy to a 70-pound, classically beautiful Airedale, with some moments of dignity and a big sense of humor. The way she stopped on walks to give me a nose-poke so I wouldn't forget she was there.

Yeah, she chewed a couple rugs and the legs of a hutch. I lost count of the number of beds I bought for her so she could use them as big chew toys. Cleaning up the yard was no treat, and trying to dry her beard after a big drink of water was always a challenge. And then there were the bills associated with a dog: grooming, vet's, doggie day care and replacement beds.

But I would take her back in a second if I could and put up with everything if I could own an Airedale again. As it is, I walk the Airedale Terrier Rescue & Adoption dogs that land at my local vet and transport 'dales who need a ride to a new, better home. But it's not the same and you know it. So, I know you're just exasperated after an Airedale kind of day, but I had to weigh in with why I would take that kind of a day if I could. Then, I would sit down with a drink and contemplate what makes me put up with these big, hairy, goofy, charming dogs ... it must be love.   Ellen

 
 
Because they make us laugh and bring out the love from the deepest part of our heart of hearts - there's just nothing like that kind of love. There's that wonderful unique bond and kinship that knows no bounds. They make my world complete. And they ground us in this day and age of chaos.   Kat

 

Because they make us smile every day. Sophie has a UTI and thus had to wear diapers for a few days -- this doesn't faze her. However, I left her recent diaper by the door -- it is clean ... and today she was barking at me while I was in the basement to come up ... and she goes and picks up her diaper and tosses it in the air. That made me smile.   Deb

 

They are Reality TV at work in our homes. The best entertainment around even if they drive us a bit bonkers at times. Those people who produce these silly reality TV programs should come visit some of us; they'd get a dose of a day in the life of living with Airedales.   Jeanne

More Why an Airedale? ---> 

Donate with PayPal or Credit Card

 

Click here for other ways to donate

Airedale Information

The ATCA Rescue & Adoption Committee fulfills the Airedale Terrier Club of America, Inc. ("ATCA") obligation to protect and advance the interests of the breed by providing services to lost, abandoned, abused or unwanted purebred Airedale Terriers.