November, 1999 to August, 2000

He is finally a big bad Airedale who can run and leap the way nature intended. Rally had nine love-filled months on earth . . . it was hoped he would enjoy a year of life and live with his foster mom until the first snowfall. Rally so loved the snow . . . happily his backyard had been gifted with a second batch back in May. We can take comfort in knowing Rally was never in any pain or distress. He enjoyed his meals . . . his toys . . . games with his canine siblings and most of all the attention from all of the kind people who made a big fuss over the little paralyzed puppy everywhere he went. Rally was dealt a bad hand at birth - distemper had taken such a toll that medical science had nothing to offer. Holistic/alternative treatments were also ineffective and, in the end even the wheelchair/doggie cart was not workable. Sadly, as Rally doubled in size he lost what little mobility he had back in February. In the end Rally needed help lifting his head up so he could watch all the action going on around him. He even lost his bark and was left with only a soft "whoosh" sound to tell his foster mom of his needs.

Watching an able-bodied Airedale puppy of the same age living side-by-side with Rally gave his foster mom pause. She realized that in spite of all our efforts and all our hopes Rally was not going to have the kind of life we were working toward. With ATRA's support, and the brave shoulders of Patty and Ken Eisenbraun, Rally was loved until the last moment on this earth. He crossed over the Rainbow Bridge while his friends petted and cradled him.

Kirk Nims, being supervised by Andy Nims & Hoover Hall

Ed Woelfert took these photos at Rally's memorial service on the Sunday before Labor Day. Rally was privately cremated thanks to the generosity of Patty and Ken Eisenbraun. Some of his ashes and his fur lie in state at his foster home - the rest were buried on the grounds of Deerfield House in Meredith, Michigan. Rally had spent enjoyable weekends visiting this wooded acreage owned by Michael Billion & Kirk Nims, who are famous/infamous for hosting Planet Airedale events.

Andy Nims

Rally had a wonderful interment service attended by 15 four-leggeds and their humans. People came from as far away as Cleveland, Ohio to pay their last respects. Rally was known and loved by the 'community at large' as evidenced by the hundreds of condolence emails his foster mom received after news of his passing was made public.

Annette Hall holding Rally's ashes, with Beamer, Andy Nims, Hoover Hall & Dusty O'Shaughnessy at the beginning of Rally's eulogy

Continue with the story of Rally HERE