On 17 December 2019, Becky writes:
I'd like to share a picture of Jolly sleeping in our
living room the other night while I was busy wrapping gifts.
Christmas music was playing on the stereo,
and I'm sure he was dreaming of fabulous treats & toys.
Speaking of Christmas music, his name comes up quite often
(and also in some commercials), but he doesn't seem to notice.
He really is a super sweet boy.
On 23 December 2019, Becky writes:
My big shaggy (desperately in need of a fur cut)
boy Jolly turns two today!
Had eggs and cheese with his kibble this morning and
has presents to open later once his Aunt Lana arrives.
We're at the farm, his favorite place, for Christmas,
so he's a happy (Jolly!) boy.
On 15 October 2020, Becky writes:
Geoffrey, our Welshie, is our little old man.
We've had him since he was 10 weeks old;
he will turn 16 on November 4th.
Facebook was where I met so many Airedale folks,
and we started thinking about adding one to our family.
We applied to SOAR (STARTING OVER AIREDALE RESCUE),
and in June 2012, we added Bizzy to our family.
She turned five two days after we picked her up.
I am tearing up now thinking of her as we lost her to a variety
of health issues in March 2018. She was so very amazing.
The perfect introduction to the breed.
You all know the huge hole in our hearts and lives that losing an Airedale brings.
Although we have a special place in our hearts for rescues and always will,
we wanted to experience an Airedale puppy at least once
(before we got too old to survive the experience!),
so we started putting out feelers to breeders,
planning to just get on a list for a time down the road a bit.
Well, a breeder not far from us in Mississippi happened to have a male available.
It all just fell into place and in April 2018,
only about a month after losing Bizzy and much sooner than I had intended,
Jolly joined our family. He was born on Christmas Eve 2017,
so I wanted a Christmas name. His registered name is
Jet Aire's 'Tis The Season By Golly.
We survived puppyhood!
(In fairness, he was already four months when we got him.)
He makes us laugh every day, kept Geoffrey younger for quite a while
(although Geoffrey has slowed down quite a bit now over the last year),
and is truly a fantastic dog. I don't know that I've ever seen a dog
with a better disposition.
We were on a roll in 2019 with all sorts of dog events and titles.
He made it to Senior level in Barn Hunt and earned his CGCA title
and his Farm Dog certification. Unfortunately, this year has not allowed
for such opportunities, but we are going to start getting back
into the swing of things here in the next few weeks.
On 27 February 2021, Becky writes:
Last week (or week before last?) when it was so cold
(over 100 hours below freezing which hardly ever happens here)
and there was sleet and ice everywhere, Jolly LOVED it.
He'd sit with his rear in two inches of ice and sleet on the deck
and just survey his territory before running off again to check on something.
Then he'd come to the door but when we opened it,
he would go dancing off wanting us to join him in the cold.
So for two days, the only way we could get him to come in
was to leave the back door open, then go to the front and ring the doorbell.
As he rushed in to check out would-be intruders,
we ran and shut the back door behind him.
On 7 June 2021, Becky writes:
GEOFFREY
4 NOVEMBER 2004 - 6 JUNE 2021
He wasn't an Airedale, but he was our first Black and Tan
and put up with Airedales Bizzy & Jolly when they joined our family,
so I just wanted to note his passing here as well.
Our "little man" left us late yesterday afternoon,
and our hearts are broken. He was 16 years and seven months
this past Friday and had slowed down considerably over the last year.
We moved to a new house Memorial Day weekend,
and we'd been encouraged by how well he had handled the move.
He'd seemed to perk up a bit having new places to explore.
But yesterday afternoon, he had some sort of stroke or seizure.
We knew his time had come and were able to hold him
and talk to him as he breathed his last.
So very grateful to have had him in our lives all these many years.
Until we meet again . . . .
ANDREA SHAFRAN:
I'm so sorry, Becky. I'm sure Geoffrey was comforted that you were there to see him off to The Bridge. Run free, Sweet Geoffrey . . . Until we meet again at The Bridge.
JANE DAVIES
in Canada:
I'm so sorry, Becky & Kent. I'm glad to have met him and snuggled him on several occasions. Crying for Li'l G up here in Canada.
LORI NELSON:
I am so sorry for your loss.
LIBBY KARIER:
So very sorry Becky. Geoffrey was a force in the universe.
MARE MOORE
in Canada:
RE: Jane Davies' comment "Crying for Li'l G up here in Canada."
I was too when I first read of Geoffrey's passing on facebook earlier today.
Soar high, soar free, dear Geoffrey, an old lad no more for you are young, hale and hearty again o'er the RB for eternity! We mourn with you, Becky, and send comforting cyberhugs your way.
CHUCK RUSK:
So sorry to hear about your loss of Geoffrey. May you meet again at the Rainbow Bridge.
LINDA DOERING:
Oh, Becky, I know that Geoffrey has left a hole in your heart. My condolences.
MARGIE HIRSH:
I'm so very sorry to hear about the loss of your Geoffrey.
LIZZIE HURTT
in Australia:
So sorry to hear that, Becky - big hugs.
JULIE HERRIDGE:
RIP & RUN FREE, GEOFFREY!
PATRICIA YARNOT:
Run free, little Geoff! What a wonderful companion you had for so many years. It sounds as if he had a terrific life with you! I'm so sorry for your loss of your best buddy.
RAINBOW BRIDGE
Just this side of Heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here,
that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills
for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine
and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor;
those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again,
just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing:
they each miss someone very special, someone who was left behind.
They all run and play together,
but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance.
His bright eyes are intent; his eager body begins to quiver.
Suddenly, he breaks from the group, flying over the green grass,
faster and faster. You have been spotted,
and when you and your special friend finally meet,
you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again.
The happy kisses rain upon your face;
your hands again caress the beloved head,
and you look once more into those trusting eyes,
so long gone from your life, but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross the Rainbow Bridge together . . .
Author Unknown
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