AIREDALES ON PARADE - RUSTY BRYANT-RISE

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RUSTY BRYANT-RISE

So on Friday, 26 November, Barb writes to the List:
4 a.m. Friday . . . Ugh . . . is it time to get up yet? Almost . . . we knew we had to pick Rusty up at 11 a.m., and worried that holiday traffic may turn a three-hour trip into much more. Of course, I couldn't sleep whatsoever with all the excitement. So, out the door around 7 a.m., and finally on the road to get our Rusty!!
In the back seat were just a few of the essentials - Rusty's new fleece travel bed, new travel harness, new regular harness with newly-engraved "Rusty Bryant" tag on it, new leash, doggie water bottle, lots of bottles of water, collapsible water bowl, collapsible food bowl, regular food, treats, new stuffed toy, BIG dog towel, lots of plastic "scooper" bags, Pet First Aid Kit, two blankets - one to cover the seat under his bed, the other to make it all cushy back there. You know, just the basics - enough to get by . . .
We made great time and ended up sitting at a Starbucks for about an hour. That, we decided, was probably THE longest hour ever! Then, it was time. We made our way to the arranged meeting destination. My heart was pounding so loud I was sure Craig could hear it. 'Round the corner . . . looking for their truck . . . don't see it yet. Then, finally - THERE IT IS!
I saw Connie standing there with another couple who were looking at adopting one of her dogs. But, still no Rusty yet. We parked, then approached them. Even though I've spent at least 50 hours on the phone with Connie, I still didn't know what she looked like! Lots of introductions. But still, no Rusty. Argh! Where is he? I couldn't staaaaand it anymore!

Gordon prepares for the first viewing of Rusty (pictured here as only a foot)

Then I heard a familiar deep bark. I knew that had to be him. Only an Airedale sounds like that. He was still in the back of Connie's truck behind the tinted glass of the canopy. And he wanted OUT!

Do you think I could see him yet? No - we must first drive to a nearby park. Connie said, "You can meet him when we get there". She threw me a little smile. She knew I was about to burst if I didn't get a look at him. She was definitely enjoying that moment.

Okay. There we were, standing in the parking lot at a beautiful park. Connie's husband, Gordon, was poised and ready to open the canopy door. "Are you ready to meet him now?" As if he even had to ask. Up went the door.

. . . and heeeeere's Rusty!

There he stood. So--very--VERY--beautiful. What a moment. Melt. I went right up to him and he said hello (more like HELLO) with a million wags mixed in with some type of wriggle dance. He then proceeded to give me what must have been a thousand & one kisses! He wanted out of that truck.

Slurp! Preparing for kiss number 1000.

On the ground now. What lonnnnnnnnng legs! BOUNCEBOUNCE! Part giraffe I'm thinking. And part gazelle. So very thin yet looks really healthy. All legs, with a soft, sweet Airedale face. His head soars a good 36" above the ground.

Hello? Will you be my dad? (slurp)

His hair super short, and it appears that his last groomer probably wasn't used to grooming Airedales. Perhaps more of a barber who specialized in delivering that "extra close" shave. That's okay. It will grow. Bounding now and sniffing and more bounding. JUMPJUMPJUMP up onto Craig.

JUMPJUMPJUMP up onto me. What a nice big hello! I asked if we could take him to run around through the park. Gordon handed me the leash and said, "Do you mean you want to take YOUR dog for a walk?"

Are you my mom?

BOUNCEBOUNCE!
(I assume that refers to Rusty, not to Craig! - ad)

Oh my gosh . . . bounce bounce bounce . . . back and forth back and forth! I'm pretty certain we know who was doing the leading on this walk. (Hint: Not me.) And no matter how fast I walked or ran, he "heeled" by being in front and bounding to the right then to the left then to the right in a sort of bounding and leaping frenzied zig-zag pattern. I was laughing too hard to try and do anything about it. We thought a new name for him might be Mine-Sweeeper (although probably too bouncy to do that safely).

A calm moment . . .

Well, after a few miles around the park with each of us (that's how far HE ran anyway, those zigzags add up), he settled down a little. We spent some time just letting him come to us and getting to know us a little. He reeeally liked my right coat pocket. The one with the treats in it. I told him he may have one if he sits. I had barely muttered the sentence, and WHOMP! He heard me and immediately planted his hind-end down on the ground. Very enthusiastic, this boy is! His "sit" is just as animated as his "heel". Sort of a jump UP into a sitting position. I've never seen anything quite like it!

Craig learns a new trick . . .

. . . Awwwww.

We then put on his new harness and leash - all green - and found they went beautifully with his deep, rust-colored coat. Very Holiday-appropriate, too, I might add. What a beautiful color - he is aptly-named.

Connie shows us how it's REALLY done.

Then the time came to bid farewell to Connie & Gordon, and make our way back home.
Craig opened the back door to our truck and said, "Up!". Rusty didn't think twice. "Up" seems to be his specialty. Pretty sure he has springs on his feet. Off we went.

Hugs . . .

RUSTY BRYANT-RISE
So on Friday, 26 November, Barb writes to the List: 4 a.m. Friday . . . Ugh . . . is it time to get up yet? Almost . . . we knew we had to pick Rusty up at 11 a.m., and worried that holiday traffic may turn a three-hour trip into much more. Of course, I couldn't sleep whatsoever with all the excitement. So, out the door around 7 a.m., and finally on the road to get our Rusty!! In the back seat were just a few of the essentials - Rusty's new fleece travel bed, new travel harness, new regular harness with newly-engraved "Rusty Bryant" tag on it, new leash, doggie water bottle, lots of bottles of water, collapsible water bowl, collapsible food bowl, regular food, treats, new stuffed toy, BIG dog towel, lots of plastic "scooper" bags, Pet First Aid Kit, two blankets - one to cover the seat under his bed, the other to make it all cushy back there. You know, just the basics - enough to get by . . . We made great time and ended up sitting at a Starbucks for about an hour. That, we decided, was probably THE longest hour ever! Then, it was time. We made our way to the arranged meeting destination. My heart was pounding so loud I was sure Craig could hear it. 'Round the corner . . . looking for their truck . . . don't see it yet. Then, finally - THERE IT IS! I saw Connie standing there with another couple who were looking at adopting one of her dogs. But, still no Rusty yet. We parked, then approached them. Even though I've spent at least 50 hours on the phone with Connie, I still didn't know what she looked like! Lots of introductions. But still, no Rusty. Argh! Where is he? I couldn't staaaaand it anymore!
Gordon prepares for the first viewing of Rusty (pictured here as only a foot)	Then I heard a familiar deep bark. I knew that had to be him. Only an Airedale sounds like that. He was still in the back of Connie's truck behind the tinted glass of the canopy. And he wanted OUT!
Do you think I could see him yet? No - we must first drive to a nearby park. Connie said, "You can meet him when we get there". She threw me a little smile. She knew I was about to burst if I didn't get a look at him. She was definitely enjoying that moment.
Okay. There we were, standing in the parking lot at a beautiful park. Connie's husband, Gordon, was poised and ready to open the canopy door. "Are you ready to meet him now?" As if he even had to ask. Up went the door.	. . . and heeeeere's Rusty!

There he stood. So--very--VERY--beautiful. What a moment. Melt. I went right up to him and he said hello (more like HELLO) with a million wags mixed in with some type of wriggle dance. He then proceeded to give me what must have been a thousand & one kisses! He wanted out of that truck. Slurp! Preparing for kiss number 1000. On the ground now. What lonnnnnnnnng legs! BOUNCEBOUNCE! Part giraffe I'm thinking. And part gazelle. So very thin yet looks really healthy. All legs, with a soft, sweet Airedale face. His head soars a good 36" above the ground.
Hello? Will you be my dad? (slurp)	His hair super short, and it appears that his last groomer probably wasn't used to grooming Airedales. Perhaps more of a barber who specialized in delivering that "extra close" shave. That's okay. It will grow. Bounding now and sniffing and more bounding. JUMPJUMPJUMP up onto Craig.
JUMPJUMPJUMP up onto me. What a nice big hello! I asked if we could take him to run around through the park. Gordon handed me the leash and said, "Do you mean you want to take YOUR dog for a walk?" Are you my mom?
BOUNCEBOUNCE! (I assume that refers to Rusty, not to Craig! - ad)	Oh my gosh . . . bounce bounce bounce . . . back and forth back and forth! I'm pretty certain we know who was doing the leading on this walk. (Hint: Not me.) And no matter how fast I walked or ran, he "heeled" by being in front and bounding to the right then to the left then to the right in a sort of bounding and leaping frenzied zig-zag pattern. I was laughing too hard to try and do anything about it. We thought a new name for him might be Mine-Sweeeper (although probably too bouncy to do that safely).
A calm moment . . .	Well, after a few miles around the park with each of us (that's how far HE ran anyway, those zigzags add up), he settled down a little. We spent some time just letting him come to us and getting to know us a little. He reeeally liked my right coat pocket. The one with the treats in it. I told him he may have one if he sits. I had barely muttered the sentence, and WHOMP! He heard me and immediately planted his hind-end down on the ground. Very enthusiastic, this boy is! His "sit" is just as animated as his "heel". Sort of a jump UP into a sitting position. I've never seen anything quite like it!
Craig learns a new trick . . .	. . . Awwwww.
We then put on his new harness and leash - all green - and found they went beautifully with his deep, rust-colored coat. Very Holiday-appropriate, too, I might add. What a beautiful color - he is aptly-named. Connie shows us how it's REALLY done. Then the time came to bid farewell to Connie & Gordon, and make our way back home. Craig opened the back door to our truck and said, "Up!". Rusty didn't think twice. "Up" seems to be his specialty. Pretty sure he has springs on his feet. Off we went. Hugs . . .

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