"Search and Rescue"

Artist:   Denise Lucas

Media:   Cross Stitch and Appliqué

Artist's Comments

I joined the group late also. A Search and Rescue Airedale square theme was one that was not taken. I admire the owners and their dogs (no matter what kind of dog) for the dedication they have to this job. I started with a picture suggested by Christie Williams of Seneca Energizer (Jesse) a Search and Rescue Dale in California. I traced the picture, enlarged it and transferred it on to the cross stitch fabric. I had a lot of apprehension about how the square was going to look. So I procrastinated until the last minute. I started the dog and the more I accomplished the more I liked it. It was not until a couple of days before the deadline that I decided to add the material ( Besides I knew I couldn't cross stitch it all and have it done on time.)

Well it is done and I am quite pleased with it. I hope everyone else likes it too, especially Jesse's owner . I had fun doing it once I got going.

Thank you for letting me help with such a great cause. Please keep me posted, I am interested in helping again next year.

Jesse's picture is from web page maintained by Elizabeth TeSelle and Marc Mazzone. Liz and Marc are the uprights belonging to Becket, who is Jesse's littermate.

The breeder of Jesse is Nancy Nieset of Seneca Airedales and Christie Williams' dog Rigel was a sibling of Jesse.

Denise Lucas and Rescue Dale Hannah

Artist's Bio:

I share my home with my husband Ray "Kingfish," my two dogs, Missy (a doberman mix) & Hannah (my rescue dale), and many tropical fish. We live in Boston, New York which is about 25 miles south of Buffalo. I work as an X-Ray Technician for a local hospital. My husband works as an auto worker and in his spare time travels across the country promoting the tropical fish hobby.

Missy is 7yrs old and was my problem child. She has separation anxiety. But after 7yrs seems to be mellowing out.

Hannah came to us about 2 1/2 yrs ago. She was a show dog (in Conformation). Even though she was a Champion in conformation she was not very obedient. She was a handful. We've been going to obedience classes and they have helped. Maybe some day I will show her in obedience.

I have fostered 2 airedales for short periods of time. Luckily rescue is slow in our area and we seem to be able to find homes quickly.

For the past 3 yrs I have been either Treasurer or President of Hamburg All Breed Obedience Club. This has taken up most of my time along with training Hannah. I like to do Cross Stitch and try new crafts in my spare time.

I hope to be able to help with the quilt again next year. I had fun doing my square. The cross stitch I had done before but the rest was new and came to me at the last minute when I was down to the last couple days. Thank You for letting me be part of such a worthy cause.