JENNY BARRETT
	On 7 March 1999, Dave Barrett writes: "On Monday, March 1st, a caller notified us that an elderly lady was going to be leaving her house in St. Paul and moving to a nursing home. The woman, we were told, has no relatives, at least none that were known locally. This woman owned a ten-year-old Airedale and the dog was going to be put down since it could not go with her to the nursing home. The woman was to be out of her house by Wednesday afternoon, March 3, and the dog was to be destroyed by then."
"The lady who gave us this information was informed of the situation by interested neighbors. The lady could do nothing about the dog herself but hoped that we could. Becky got the elderly lady's address. She would stop by there on Tuesday afternoon after work. "On Tuesday afternoon Becky rushed home from work, let our dogs outside briefly, and then headed for the home of the elderly lady. When she arrived she found that the lady was not completely aware of all that was going on around her. There were already some people there organizing for the move. The dog was nowhere to be seen. When asked the whereabouts of the dog, the elderly lady was rather confused but she thought the dog was gone. "Becky asked if the dog had been put down already. The elderly lady was unsure. A frantic phone call was placed to the nearest vet. 'Has anyone brought in an Airedale to be put down?' 'No.' 'Well, if one is brought in please don't put it down - contact me.'
"Then Becky learned that the dog had been taken away by some other folks who were also interested in the welfare of the dog. They had taken 'Jenny' to the St. Croix Animal Shelter, only about 12 miles from our farm. Convinced for the moment that the dog was safe, Becky explained to the elderly lady what Airedale Rescue is and that she wished to keep the dog from being put down. The lady signed the surrender papers and Becky left for the animal shelter.
"Once at the shelter, Becky saw the dog and asked to take it. Becky said that the dog had been in the possession of the shelter only a short time and besides, she had the surrender papers signed by the owner. "Jenny left the shelter in Becky's car and arrived on the farm a little while later. Some of our dogs were outside and stood at the fence greeting the newcomer with animated Airedale barks. The wrecking crew was rounded up and Jenny was allowed to wander the yard alone. She was shy as are most dogs when they go through such an ordeal. Her former home was a very small place in the city. She is not fat but she has obviously not gotten much exercise these past years.
Jenny & Tigger	"Jenny was then introduced to the boys, Stevie, Barnaby, Tigger & Boomer. They were far more curious about her than she was about them.
"Next came the introduction to our female Airedales. Katie & Cinnamon rule the roost here and outsiders are only welcome after their approval. Jenny showed no desire to challenge the girls. She has a very sweet disposition. "On Wednesday afternoon, Jenny went to visit our vet. Her records showed that she was being treated for some liver problems and her blood tests showed some elevated levels. She also has many fatty tumors. The vet checked them and beyond being a bit unsightly found them to be non-cancerous. Jenny does have a skin infection which can be cured with some regular bathing and medication for several days.  
"Having been on the farm nearly a week, Jenny is learning her way around. She is trying to learn how to play with the other dogs. She seems to get on well with one dog but is a bit intimidated when several of them roughhouse together. She sometimes walks a bit stiffly and we attribute this in part to her age and also to the fact that she is suddenly getting much more exercise than she was probably used to. She sleeps on a blanket in the living room and is learning to beg at the kitchen table.
"Since Jenny is ten years old and has some medical concerns, placing her might be a problem. Many people looking for a rescue dog expect to find a housebroken, two-year-old female with an obedience title. So Jenny will live here on the farm for the time being. She is welcome here, by us and by the other dogs."
On 14 March, Dave writes:"Jenny sends woofs and wags of her very short tail. Jenny is doing quite well with us and unless something unforeseen happens she will stay with us. She is learning to bark a little at dinnertime; of course the rest of the gang is chiming in too. She is learning to play with the other dogs and getting some much-needed exercise. "Jenny looks a bit funny with all of the fatty bumps she has but according to the vet they are of no concern. She is the sweetest of dogs and, in both looks and some mannerisms, reminds us of our old Teddy. In fact I can visualize her sleeping soundly in the shade of the oak tree in just a few months. "Yes. Jenny has already worked her way into our hearts. It would be difficult to part with her. That is part of the problem of taking in additional dogs. We go out of our way to make them feel wanted. After all some of them, like Jenny, were in one home yesterday and now their surroundings have changed completely. We would like to think that change for the better. In any event we try to be friendly faces in an unfamiliar environment. Very often, as in Jenny's case, the dog returns the kindness as best it can. How could one treat lightly the possible adoption by yet another party of such a gentle creature? Jenny is old and we must acknowledge reality and realize there may not be many years left for her. Still, we can try to make those years happy ones for her and for us. " I know others enjoy a happy ending as I do. It may also inspire someone else to take a chance on a rescue dog. For some folks, and certainly the dogs, it is a rewarding experience." For the stories of the other members of the Barrett Pack, rescues all, visit WELCOME TO THE FARM! and MISHA, APRIL & CARI'S FRIENDS, CANINE & CYBER, B
On 23 October 2001, Dave writes: "Jenny, a rescue 'dale, went on to Rainbow Bridge today. Her health had been on the decline for some time but she weakened markedly the last two days. Jenny left peacefully and she did not suffer. She would have been 13 years old in January. "Jenny enjoyed walks (not too fast, thank you) and relished her naps. She was not terribly fond of little dogs and she let them know that on occasion. Like so many older dogs, she loved to place her head against a person and get her ears scratched. "Jenny stayed on the farm less than three years but in that time she worked her way into our hearts. We hope that she enjoyed her time here as much as we enjoyed her company."
Jenny shown with the kind permission of Dave & Becky Barrett Thanks to Karen Clouston for the Airedale Graphics

The Airedale can do anything any other dog can do and then whip the other dog. -- Teddy Roosevelt

If you have a Second-Hand 'Dale and would like to share her/his story, please e-mail me.

Be sure to visit FRIENDS OF AIREDALES MEMORIAL FUND. Your memorial will make a difference in an Airedale's life.

Back to AIREDALES ON PARADE/SPOTLIGHT ON RESCUE

Thanks to Karen Clouston for the Airedale Graphics

 INTRODUCING MISHA (@RB), APRIL, CARI & RICO

Remember to bring along your virtual pooper-scooper!