LORI TAYLOR writes:

I read that Sandi was gravely ill, yet I never believed the worse was a possibility. I believed Sandi's young age would pull her through. I can't believe she has departed her Earthly home. I do believe that she is in a better place now and that God will bless her with caring for all the ADTs that have crossed the Rainbow Bridge and live on its other side. All those ADTs will be richly blessed by her presence.

And I know her love, humor, and kindness will live on, here on Earth, even without her human body to package and encompass her goodness for us. But it is still so hard to understand. God bless Lee, their Dales, and Motley, and all of her family, and may He provide strength and comfort to them.

From Canada, SHELLEY DeMERCHANT writes:

When I first read the sad news of Sandi's passing, I tried to log into the chat room. Ironically, a Yahoo! pop-up came on the screen advertising how to get a Yahoo! e-mail address. The catch phrase for the Yahoo! was: "Make Your Mark on the World". How strangely eerie and yet appropriate. I couldn't help but think to myself that Sandi has made a mark on the world.

I never knew Sandi. I wish I had had the opportunity to meet her. Through her caring and compassion, her involvement with rescue and her obvious love of animals - especially Airedales - Sandi has left her mark on the world.

I hope the parade of rescues in St. Louis during the WOTA is dedicated to the memory of Sandi Folta. What a fitting tribute that would be. My thoughts and prayers are with Sandi's family.

JOYCE MILLER [President, Lone Star Airedale Terrier Club] writes:

Sandi's legacy lives on in her dogs, in the work she did for Airedale rescue, and in the way she helped Airedale rescue and the Lone Star Airedale Terrier Club (LSATC) work so effectively together in Texas.

Sandi served on the board of the LSATC, and we miss her very much. She was also a member of ATCA, a leader of rescue, and a friend to everyone who loved Airedales. She will always be with us who knew and loved her as well as with everyone who loves these wonderful dogs.

CHRISTINE MUNIZ writes:

I met Sandi through Airedale Rescue here in Houston. I adopted an Alice after my 15-year-old Airedale, Chester, went across the Rainbow Bridge in September 2001. Sandi also had an Alice rescue, and we were going to get together with the two Alices in a dog park that is near both of us. We never quite found the time, but I later met her when I had to find a foster home for Rosie, a pup I was fostering, when my father-in-law died suddenly.

I'll never forget Sandi & Lee driving up in the parking lot where we made the swap, their big truck full of perfectly-groomed Airedales peering eagerly out the window. They were all coming to meet and pick up Rosie as a family, and I thought it was so cute that the whole gang was involved. Sandi sent me some cute e-mails on how Rosie was doing, and it made me so glad that Rosie was in such capable hands and had made the transition so well.

In September, Sandi & Lee hosted a party at their house for all the rescue dogs that had been placed in the Houston area in the past year. I took Alice and was so taken with Sandi's casual attitude about having 25 or so Airedales and Airedale friends running in and out of her house for a whole Saturday afternoon. When one of the doggie partygoers would do solid business in the backyard, Sandi would yell, "Lee, clean up on aisle 14!" and Lee would quietly clean up with his pooper scooper.

She was very humorous and so down-to-earth. She made us all feel so welcome with her warm and friendly personality. It was also so amazing that rescue had placed so many great Airedales with so many great people.

Sandi, Ellana, Erin, Julie, Cheryl and others have made the Houston area Airedale rescue program a great success story, and I'm so proud to be a helper to them. I'm just so sorry that we had to lose Sandi when she still had so much to teach us about dogs and compassion and the humorous side of life. I hope that my Chester will find her in heaven and latch onto her. We certainly will miss her here on earth, but heaven will be a much nicer and funnier place to be now that Sandi is there.

I have no real words of wisdom. I just know that I get a real wave of sadness and a big lump in my throat when I think about Sandi being gone. She was simply the best.

Louie, Christine, Alice the Airedale, & Ruby the Welsh Terrier

SHIRLEY SANBORN writes:

I did not know Sandi; I wish I did. I feel that anyone that does rescue work deserves the very best. When I saw the posts sending Zen her way, I thought it would work. I never expected to read the posts saying she did not make it.

Every time I look at Bobbi's drawing, tears fill my eyes. I really believe that our dogs would all get together and act like that. After all, those in rescue do everything for the furry guys . . . when we are in trouble . . . I KNOW they would all pitch in to help us!! I think it is wonderful that Sandi actually saw Bobbi's drawing. It must have made her soooo happy inside.

They say things happen for a reason . . . let's hope that reason is that God wanted her, because she was special, to help him with all the guys that have crossed the bridge.

My heart goes out to her husband, family and of course her dogs. Dogs understand so much . . . but sometimes I just wish we could explain the details to them.

Shirley, Otis & Milo

From Texas, CHERYL SILVER writes:

Sandi -- A Texas Gal

The TARTs have get-togethers in Houston on a fairly predictable basis. There would be a get-together for a feast at TART Erin Blair's home every year for the AstroCluster. Food, friendship, stories, laughter, and, of course, Airedales in abundance, would be part of the event. Sandi, of course, would bring her wonderful homemade goodies. Lee, her beloved and loving husband was always there (and sometimes would share his wonderful music including a song he wrote about one of their 'dales, Alice). There was always room in Sandi's lap for an Airedale that might be looking for a special spot to snuggle for a moment during all the silliness.

Sandi had a heart of gold, but I always think of her in terms of her absolutely brilliant wit and downright wicked giggle . . . she was one tough-tender cookie - bright-bright-bright and, oh so passionate. Sandi never sought the limelight for herself, but she was always a presence and always will be - as the state rescue representative to the Lone Star Airedale Terrier Club, she set a high standard any way you look at it.

Sandi - I am so sad you are gone, but I know that my beloved Henry my Honey is in the bestest of hands as he waits my turn to join him . . . Thanks for being there for so many.

BILL & PATTY WILLIAMSON [Southern States Airedale Rescue] write:

Our thoughts and prayers are with Sandi's family and loved ones. May God bless you and ease your sorrow. With love and much appreciation for all that was and is done for our 'dales.

From Alabama, DONNA NOLAND writes:

I was so happy to get to finally meet Sandi this past October at Montgomery. We had so much fun the whole weekend, but especially the night of the banquet. And wonder of wonders, I have TWO pictures of Sandi from that night. Of course, one of them is just the top of her head with me beside her giggling trying to get her to raise her face and the other I snuck in by pointing the camera over Becky Preston's shoulder when Sandi wasn't looking. That's a profile shot. I will always treasure those two pictures. We laughed so much about her camera "shyness". She told me she was already making plans to return for Montgomery 2003, she enjoyed herself so much.

We used the following at my father's funeral this past June. As you will recall, he was also an "Airedale Man". I think it's very appropriate for Sandi's passing, as there very definitely were "other eyes" and "other voices "waiting for her on Thursday night.

  I am standing upon the seashore.A ship at my side spreads her white sails to the morning breeze and starts for the blue ocean. She is an object of beauty and strength. I stand and watch her until at length she hangs like a speck of white cloud just where the sea and sky come to mingle with each other.

  Then someone at my side says: "There, she is gone!"

"Gone where?"

Gone from my sight. That is all. She is just as large in mast and hull and spar as she was when she left my side and she is just as able to bear her load of living freight to her destined port.

Her diminished size is in me, not in her. And just at the moment when someone at my side says: "There, she is gone!", there are other eyes watching her coming, and other voices ready to take up the glad shout: "Here she comes!"

And that is dying.

-- Henry Van Dyke

From Seattle, SHERRY RIND writes:

A Prayer for Sandi

As you take leave of this world
slowly, shutting down bit by bit,
you give us time to believe.
As you let go gently
and we scurry for more tubes,
more machines, your new-found
serenity spreads through your veins.
Most difficult is the last thread
tying you to all our love and grief
but when you break it, your good heart,
your whole heart, sends us
a glimpse of awe.

Sherry Rind with Darwin & Keeper

From Arizona, SIDNEY HARDIE writes:

The nice thing about having a group of friends who meet in CyberSpace is that when one of us shuffles off this mortal coil, it is easy to think of her as still being out there in CyberSpace. I like the image of AireAngel Sandi out there watching over us, urging us to love our Airedales, keep our sense of humor, think of her when something funny happens and know that she is sharing it with us.

So, Sandi, I look forward to meeting you "in person" when my turn comes to leap into the Aire.

JACKIE CASH [Southern States Airedale Rescue] writes:

Although I never met Sandi, I knew her by her humor and by her heart. It shone through everything she did. Her reputation was far-reaching and heart-touching. How sad for her husband, Lee, and for the 'dales and all other manner of sweet companions she left behind. We'll miss you and the all the stories about you, Sandi!

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TRULY DEDICATED FRIENDS OF AIREDALES, PAGE 5