If there are no dogs in Heaven,
then when I die I want to go where they went.

In memory of LEXIE SUTHERLAND, born 19 December 1955, who crossed The Rainbow Bridge on 22 August 2007

On 23 August 2007, JACKIE McGUINNESS writes:

Last Wednesday, my little sister took to her bed, too tired to fight any more. I'd spoken to her on the previous Friday and she seemed fine; when I phoned at the weekend she was asleep. Then on Monday 13 August when I phoned, it wasn't my sister any more. She said one or two words that were not relevant to anything I said, kept dropping the phone and said she'd get Don to hold the phone as she was too tired.

I was in total shock that she had deteriorated so quickly. I knew when her husband told me she'd taken to her bed it would not be for long. He phoned us on Monday this week to say they couldn't rouse her.The nurses thought it would be 24 to 48 hours, but Lex always liked to prove people wrong and crossed The Rainbow Bridge at 7:55 a.m. on Wednesday.

I'd like to think she went for a walk, found The Rainbow Bridge, saw all the happy Airedales restored to health, and wanted to wait with them; I'm sure Carrie MacGregor & MacIain were there to welcome her and introduce her to all their friends

The sunshine has gone from my life.

ANDREA DENNINGER:
I've been thinking all day of what I could write to you, and I can't find 'just the right' words . . . other than I'm so sorry for you and your family and Lexie's family. It's as if we all knew Lexie, through you, and now one of our own family members has gone across The Rainbow Bridge.

We all here - people and Airedales and Cairns alike - are keeping you and yours in our thoughts . . .

MARE MOORE:
On behalf of our beloved Jackie McGuinness, please read the following message. She says that she will reply to everyone after she gets back from Scotland next Wednesday.

Some of you may know by now that Jackie's little sister, Lex, passed away this Wednesday morning, August 22, 2007. Jackie's beautiful and descriptive written words made Lex seem as one of our own and our collective AireZen kept her going longer than anyone felt was possible!

Please join me in lighting a candle in memory of Lex this coming Monday, August 27, 2007, at 2 p.m.

If anyone wishes, donations may be made to your local Airedale rescue group . . . Jackie said that Lex really loved all of her 'dales over the years and she preferred to support local groups, so, as I am in Canada, my donation went to AireCanada, while Andréa has said that she will be donating to National Airedale Rescue through FOAMF.

Also, Andréa has kindly supplied Lex's family's postal address from last year's Howliday Card Exchange if anyone wishes to send a card the old fashioned way:

THE FAMILY OF
LEXIE SUTHERLAND
93 CHURCH PL
FAULDHOUSE
WEST LOTHIAN EH47 9HU
SCOTLAND

Jackie has given me permission to share the following with you all . . .

The funeral is on Monday at 2:00 p.m. She will be buried in the local cemetery which is on the edge of Lanark Moor - a wild, bleak place with a beauty all of its own - think of Wuthering Heights and you will see the place.

It's fine if you share with the group. A lot of them sent her a Howliday card last year; we thought she wouldn't survive past February and I wanted her to have lots of post to keep her spirits up. It worked and up until end July we thought she might even see this Howliday and had planned to go up to her Halloween party in October, so some of them might want to make a donation in her name.

It will be nice to think you are with me through the lighted candle on Monday.

Jackie

LIBBY, GARRY & MOLLY KARIER:
Mare,

Thanks for letting us know. Our hearts go out to Jackie and all of her and Lex's family. We will be lighting a candle.

SUE FORRESTER & BILL MOLYNEUX:
And another candle is lit at Wombat Bend, and will be kept alive and glowing in lasting memory of Lex.

There is a path shimmering across the billabong. We call it the End of the Moonpath, and it leads to that Forever Land where all the AireSpirits gather.

If you listen carefully, you will hear their joyous calls . . . . 'Here comes Lex!! Look! Here she comes!

PAULA:
Oh, Jackie, I am so sorry.

PATTI & GREGG WEBSTER:
We will light a candle in memory of Lexie. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family. Indeed, Lexie is where all the AireSpirits have gathered (as Sue so eloquently wrote).

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TRULY DEDICATED FRIENDS OF AIREDALES, PAGE 18