AIREDALES ON PARADE/SPOTLIGHT ON RESCUE

Cartoon Cartoon
JUNE'S FAMILY
OF
FOUR 'DALES

On 29 September 1999, June writes: "Here's the latest scoop on the Mom and her 1-1/2 yr old pups I rescued from Alabama. I decided to get them yesterday afternoon and not wait. Since I left so late, I did not get them to my vet's until this morning.
" I know that you have all found dogs in this condition and now I know firsthand how you feel. I found them in a filthy open pen. First the males. The only description is matted long dreadlocks. And wow did they smell.
Their names registered with AKC, which will give you an idea of how they were thought of, WERE Runt and Bossman. I have renamed them Rory (Runt) and Bobby (Bossman). The first one did not want to leave the pen, and dug his feet in - first Airedale sign I saw. I had to coax him and hug him. He finally came with much stopping and coaxing along the way. I got him into crate #1.

Rory

Rory

Rory in all his Glory

"I then went back to get Bobby. He cowered in a corner and put his stomach on the ground. I literally had to drag him. He was so frightened beyond belief. I said to the woman, 'They must have been abused.' She said, 'Oh no, the owner wouldn't do that.' Right! I don't argue, I just get the 'Dales.
"Bobby has heartworm, roundworm, and an eye infection and is extremely malnourished.

Bobby

Bobby

"Rory actually wagged his tail this morning. Although both were reluctant to leave the crate, they sort of slunk (is that a word?) outside with me. He, too, is extremely malnourished.
"Now to the females. No dreadlocks, just roundworm and an ear infection. They do need grooming, but were not quite as neglected as the males.
"The mom is Sophia. She is very sweet and tender. A little afraid but not too much. She is five years old and a doll. She was the killer of the game hens. (If she hadn't killed the hens, Bobby would eventually be dead from heartworm - so she saved her son's life.)
"The daughter was named Braveheart and she is. Her new name is Madeleine. It suits her.

Madeleine

Madeleine

"The mother, daughter and Rory gave me a kiss and realize just a tiny bit that life is about to get better. They obviously are not housebroken, yet. They need to be housebroken and shown a lot of love. They are very tender and need to learn how an Airedale is supposed to be: In charge, or always trying to be.
"Right now they are at the vet's. After Bobby's heartworm is taken care of he will be neutered. That will be a while. The others will be neutered and spayed. I have contacted a trainer to help me with the housebreaking, I have nowhere to keep them all and since I will need to board some of them until placement, the trainer will board and train them.
" These dales wouldn't dream of jumping or using their mouth to communicate like our dales do, but they do love chicken!
On 30 September, June writes: "Sophia (the mom), was spayed yesterday - not Madeleine. It seems our Bobby with heartworm had raw skin around his neck from a rope or chain. I just cried when I saw them cleaned up. Rory and Bobby especially are very skittish.
"The groomer said they were terrified of the bath and they almost did not groom them. Unfortunately I was in a meeting and they could not contact me. She shaved Bobby and Rory down and later did their faces. They were quite relaxed at that time. It still took two people to do the baths and grooming.
"I took some toys into them and they are playing with them a little, but they have never had toys so it is very strange for them.
On 1 October, June writes: "Pups are 2-1/2, not 1-1/2 like the woman told me. I looked at their papers. Haven't had any shots for two years. We will catch them up starting today. Asked vet to give shots over period of time, not all at once."

The Family of Four 'Dales shown with the kind permission of June Dudley