Happy Howlidays to all our Special Friends!
As 2018 comes to a close
we continue to be thankful for all of life's goodness bestowed upon us,
especially the network of wonderful (Airedale) friends.
We shared many years of our life with Airedales serving as a foster family,
transporting homeless Airedales, and helping rescue in any way possible.
On January 2, 2016 after 6 wonderful years,
we said goodbye to our last beautiful Airedale Layla.
She was surrendered to rescue when she was 7 years old
because her family had fallen on hard times and could no longer care for her.
I picked her up knowing that we could not keep her because we had Sophie,
a very old and frail 13 year old gal who was surrendered at the age of 11.5.
Sophie couldn't hold her own against a younger dog
and our main objective was for Sophie to live out her remaining years
as the Queen she envisioned herself to be.
Once Layla arrived at our house she took to Sophie like an old friend.
The two were kindred spirits,
Layla never challenging Sophie's position in the family
and always respecting her space. Even after Sophie passed,
Layla refused to ride in the back seat of the car - that was Sophie's place.
We must have looked pretty silly going to the office every morning,
Jim and Layla riding in the front seat and me in the back.
They shared a special relationship of love, friendship, and respect for one another.
It was a life lesson that will always be with me.
I've always loved the card exchange, seeing all the photos
and reading the stories of love that we share with our furkids.
This year in honor of a very special person, I have requested Millie Stanley
receive the cards that would have otherwise been sent to me.
Millie is my dear friend. She's 97 years old, lives alone, continues to drive,
and has all the tenacity that we terrier people are so fondly familiar with.
She loves to receive the cards and tells me it's so wonderful to know
there are such kind and caring people in the world.
Many of you send her cards and letters throughout the year and for that,
I am deeply grateful. It is a ray of sunshine in her life to open the mailbox
and someone she's never even met cares enough to send a card or letter.
Today, after 20 years of Airedales, we share our life with Nellie a 4 year old Vizsla.
She is an incredible girl who is the light of our lives.
She loves everyone and we hope to share her sweet spirit with those in need.
Recently we earned our Therapy Dog International Title
and since she adores everyone, we hope to bring joy
and many smiles to others along the way.
May you all have a wonderful holiday filled with love, good health,
family, friends, and wet-beard kisses.
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