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• Timothy Sheffer - in memory of “Ginger” Michalak (Airedale)
• Francis Martin - in memory of Bruce Hamilton
• Shades of Green Hosta Society of SE MN - In Memory of Andrea Sanders
• Erin Young, Sonja Miedtke, Heather Vanderpool, Cara Carisch, Nicole Mills and Josh Becker - In Memory of Andrea Sanders
• Patricia Torrens-Burton - In Memory of Andrea Sanders
• Charlene Goodnight - In Memory of Andrea Sanders
• Jane Holiday - Bailey Guillory Memorial Medical Fund
• Christine Sheffer - Bailey Guillory Memorial Medical Fund
• christina boccamaiello-huggins - Bailey Guillory Memorial Medical Fund
• Suzanne M Neaylon - Bailey Guillory Memorial Medical Fund
Fundraiser
• Cindy M Tomashek - In Memory of Andrea Sanders
• Gayle Gosse-Johnson - In Memory of Andrea Sanders
• Hunting Working Airedales - in Memory of George Gordon, Ellen Gordon, and Suzanne Hampton
• Mary Lou O'Keefe - in Honor of Delia Hardie
• Jim Hession - In Memory of Our Beloved and Cherished Farrah
• Scott Powell - in Honor of Delia Hardie
• Barbara Armstrong - in memory of “Maisey Sexton”
• Pat Nolan - in honor of Richard & Angie Erler
• Kay Krause - in Memory of Jim Krause

 

NINA (affectionately nicknamed "Nini Panini") came into Rescue at the end of August 2007. She was a stray rescued from the Brookhaven, NY shelter and those of us who have spent time with her can't fathom why no one was looking for her. Estimated to be at least 11 years old, 22-1/2" at the shoulder and 65 lbs, Nina was very arthritic and had Protein Losing Nephropathy (PLN) and Hypertension, which is a side effect of the PLN. She was so arthritic that she walked very straight-legged and yet she was able for some time to manage going up a long flight of stairs or take several walks around the townhouse complex a day. She was a very happy dog and loved everyone she met, be they human or canine, and everyone loved her back! She spent a month in foster care with rescue volunteers, the Slowiks, then went to live with the McDonnells (who always have taken in the older/sick hard to place dogs) for about 6 months until Jerri was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, and then came to me for 4 months. Spending that much time with a dog, we all came to feel that she was "our" dog. Nina was very well mannered in the house, knew some obedience commands and had such a wonderful disposition that it was obvious to all of us that someone had loved and cared for her for a long time. Perhaps her health issues became too much for them, and they let her go thinking someone would take her into their homes. Well 5 of us, 6 counting the dog walker, got to own Nina for various lengths of time. Things I remember about Nina: she loved to lie outside under a favorite bush at the Slowiks and dig for worms so we nicknamed her the "Worminator" (she also searched for worms in the grass during spring rainfalls); she did not like the sound of a microwave beeping or any kind of beeping sound and would bark and bark until you either muted the TV or distracted her with a carrot; her stubby little tail was ALWAYS wagging; she'd climb a flight of 15 stairs so she could sleep next to the bed; and she slept most of the day on her comfy dog bed. I affectionately called her "Nini Panini."

Her first day with me, she fell asleep and I didn't have the heart to wake her so I went upstairs and left her sleeping in the living room. At 1:30 AM I was awakened by the sound of thump, thump, thump and huff, huff, puff and here came Nina up the stairs to find me. When I woke her up at 5:45 AM so we could get in a walk and time to pee and poop before I left for work, she rolled over, opened one eye and gave me a look like "You've got to be kidding!" I told her if she lived here, this was the time we got up during the week. She didn't play much w/toys but did have brief spurts of energy when I first came home and for 5 minutes she would bring me a tennis ball to throw and she'd catch it or she'd pick up the big soft green "mousey" toy and shake it and bring it to me for a tug of war. Then she'd go take a nap before dinner! Because of her PLN, she needed to go outside every 3 to 3-1/2 hrs so I had to hire a dog walker to come in twice a day. She'd lie by the doorway waiting for Rochelle to come and the last month of her life, Rochelle would bring her to her house for the day since we were in thunderstorm mode and Nina was afraid of the storms. She'd just pace and couldn't seem to settle down. At Rochelle's she would greet all the day residents, fling a toy around for a brief moment and then go in the den to her corner and sleep the rest of the day, unless the doorbell rang, then she would be up and checking things out w/the rest of the dogs. She was Rochelle's first Airedale client and she loved her too.

The beginning of July she was having more and more trouble walking, couldn't get comfortable even on the orthopedic dog bed, was losing control of her bodily functions, and finally wasn't eating or drinking. It was time to help my friend on her journey. It's never an easy decision, but I'm a firm believer of quality of life for humans and dogs, and Nina's had gone down hill very quickly. As she passed over the Rainbow Bridge, I leaned down and whispered in her ear that I expected her to meet me with my other 3 Airedales (Jul, Bear and Ari) when it was my turn. She went peacefully, but it was emotionally difficult because she had become MY dog in those 4 months. However, I kept focusing on her greeting me at the door with her waggy, stubby tail and rubbing against my legs. As Virginia Slowik, her first foster Mom, said "We all gave her a happy, safe, loving last 11 months and Nina was truly a wonderful GIFT that we were allowed to share!"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Candy Kramlich
ATCMNY

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• Nelson and Steve Breve - in memory of Frank Corrier, Jr.

 

Special Angel Blackjack of Encore, CGC, CD
aka Alice Claire'dale
Born Feb. 8, 1999
Died Jan. 25, 2011
She would have been 12 years old in 2 weeks

A supernova is the explosive death of a star, which unleashes a burst of light through the cosmos.
Supernovas blaze so brightly that they can be seen at distances of up to 10 billion light years.

Be sure and watch for the blinding SuperNova in the Western sky tonight.

My beloved Alice has left her earthly journey.
We never left on our winter holidays as she got sick the day before departure.
I've been busy with her care ever since.
She defied medical science, but sadly couldn't win this battle. She was still wagging her tail until the very end.
There is nothing better than love until the end. I held her close, sang to her and with her favorite toy, ball and blanket tucked around her, I let her go in peace.

Alice loved a party and lived life to the fullest every day.
Even this morning she made her trip out to her rat hole to check it one last time.
I hope the rats don't know she's gone.

Alice touched the lives of many, in every walk of life.

Long live the Queen!

Lydia

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There are gifts and then there are Gifts. Alice Claire Ross gave Gifts. Alice Claire Ross was a Gift.

She was, as Lydia has often said, The Queen Bitch. She was not the girl foreveryone. In fact, she would have driven many people nuts but that was part of her charm. Alice had her own means, her own methods, her own opinions which were often not swayed by any degree of cajoling or bribery or, gawd forbid, logic. She was her own empire, her own fan club and most of all, her own girl except that she was in all things, Lydia's best girl.

Alice could look right at you and give you the doggy finger and wag her tail at the same time. She could be Miss Independence but heaven help the person who stood between Alice and her spot on Lydia's bed at night. That simply wasn't allowed. She could be Miss Let me Hunt to Kill Vermin and then become all protective of a hot water bottle and dare somebody to try to remove it from her bed. Oh trust me, it was removed and replaced at will because if there was one thing Alice knew for sure it was that Lydia always loved her and always knew where that line in the sand was. Alice knew where it was too, but she so delighted in seeing if you remembered.

Alice was great with people; young and old alike. She was patient and knowing around the elderly or infirm. She couldn't preen more or be more gracious to children. She had another opinion about small white dogs, but then everybody is entitled to an opinion or two, especially an Airedale bitch.

She loved McDonald's cheeseburgers, ice cream, and virtually any food in any food group you can name with the exception of a few things - raw mushrooms among them.

In short - she was a one in a gazillion and it'll will not be an easy task to cope with her departure. She was part of the driving force you've all come to know as Auntie Lydia. Alice Claire Ross leaves a mighty big hole with her absence. And yet, in so many ways, she's not absent at all. She

holds out hope that what unites us in sorrow will remain the same thing that united us all in many tales of joy. She leaves a legacy that reaches out to more people than you can possibly imagine.

In short, Alice Claire Ross gave us all a Gift. She gave us herself as her mum shared her with us. And Alice Claire Ross had the best Gift in having Lydia as her mum.

God speed, dear AC. I have a pretty good idea of where you are and what you're doing - and GOOD for you!

Much love from auntie joey

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Losing Alice, my heart dog is very difficult. We were attached at the hip that's for sure. But, I was there when she needed me most at the end, surrounded in love. For that I am thankful.

I'm sure she will be watching from afar and making sure that kookies are baked and boxes are packed.. she relished those days. She was the sample Queen and a nosy bitch.
Joey's eulogy truly summed her up.

Lydia and Dave

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Oh Dearest Lydia,

There absolutely are no words that I can send you to console you at this time. When I read your email I wept for you knowing the sadness you are feeling. All the time and energy we give to our furkids comes back to us in so many ways, it's that much harder when the time comes to say solong, at least for a temporary time.

Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers as you go through this difficult time.

Kathy

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Oh Lydia, I'm so sorry. I let out an audible gasp when I read your post. It's so hard when our Airedales leave us. They're so special, and such a huge part of our lives that we are so empty when they are gone. Alice was a very special girl, and we will all miss her. All of the human and furry Estlows will look for Super Nova Alice in the sky tonight. Hugs to you.

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We'll light our candle for Alice here on the West Coast in southern California when I get home from work - and leave it lit throughout the night. God Bless you, Alice - We shall always remember you with smiles and love.

The Berners
Nolan, Cindy - Penny & Odie

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What a wonderful eulogy Joey, I know you spent many an hour with Alice. Because we all know Alice from the beginning (if you have been on this list) it comes as such a shock to us, such a loss, I could not stop thinking about her last night....but one thing is for sure, she was met at the bridge by her brother Andy and they probably stayed up all last night catching up. Such a loss....we are all wrapping our cyber arms around you Lydia today to keep you strong.

Pam V

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These donations have been made in memory of Alice

• Heather Estlow
• Joey Warren - June Dutcher Memorial
• Katherine Appleton
• Monica Mahn
• Elizabeth Caesar
• Pam Vandergrift - In memory of an Airedale with an attitude.
• Penny, Odie, Nolan & Cindy Berner
• Barbara Durance - Never Ever forgotten! Hugs, Barbara, Spice and Griffin James