We had a wonderful terrier/mix dog for almost 14 years. He was raised with our daughters and became part of our family. He was our first terrier. We had a Springer spaniel for 8 years. A good dog, but not like our friendly, almost human terrier, Fritz.

So now, years after Fritz had gone to the Rainbow Bridge, we decided we needed a dog in Phil’s (my husband) and my life. A puppy? A terrier of some kind? A pure bred? A rescue? From the Humane Society? We looked around, and then I remembered how much I always liked the looks of an Airedale Terrier. A bigger version of Fritz.

I started doing research on the breed - books, articles in Dog Magazine, talks with breeders. ‘A wonderful family dog, a devout guardian of hearth and home, loves the out-of-doors, loves the water, loves snow but – and here comes the BUT – very smart to the point of testing who is smarter, them or us. Is not aggressive toward other animals but when confronted will finish a fight started. Doesn’t shed. So far all good positive points of a wonderful dog. 

Yes, we wanted a puppy.  I didn’t worry about the all-night whining or the taking her out many, many times during house training. Or the not being gone too long for the first couple of months so that she’s comfortable when we do leave the house for a couple of hours. We can handle this.

Now to look for a good breeder. A wonderful woman called Myra who works for a kennel near us owns three Airedales and occasionally breeds them. I called her to find out that she was mating her bitch, Jackie, and that the puppies (if the mating were successful) would be ready around Christmas, perfect! Such a long to wait!

The first pick was Myra’s choice so she would keep a female pup and we would get the second choice so we waited a few more weeks. The pups were due around my eldest daughter’s birthday, November 4^th.  We went out of town for Halloween and on returning home Sunday, 2nd of November, I find out the puppies had been born that very day.

Nine in all! Five girls and four boys! Yahoo!

Myra, the breeder had let me visit with Jackie during her pregnancy – also with Gabor, fourteen year old, and Raymond, almost two year old, who is a real ‘hoot.’  He is such a character. Myra asks me if I’m sure I don’t want a male, as they are the clowns of Airedales. We’ve never had a female and really want a laid back lady to join our family.

The first week I was anxious to go to see them. Myra doesn’t usually let anyone visit during the first few weeks. Says germs aren’t good for the pups. BUT, she makes an exception as long as I wash my hands when I get to her home. The sight of seeing those puppies for the first time was amazing. Watching Jackie take care of them and being the perfect mother was a wonder. We had decided that we would take our ‘girl’ home the day after Christmas. Oh, that’s a long time but I knew the eight weeks would fly by. 

As it turned out, we didn’t get our “Annie” as scheduled. Phil and I both came down with the flu around the middle of December. We had to call off getting her as we could hardly take care of ourselves, let alone a puppy. 

Finally, on January 3^rd, 2004, we went to pick her up. I was nervous, excited, a little apprehensive, and in the back of my mind wondering if this was the right thing to do.

Those big brown eyes and spiked brown/black hair made my heart melt. How could I not bring her home? Phil was hooked too. He handled her the same way when our daughters were first born. So gentle. And with love, even after only a few hours…

The first night… Ok! I was ready. The crate was ready. And every toy was in her toy basket. We played with her. Took her out to go potty. Gave her food and water. Took her out again, and again! A couple of accidents inside but that’s to be expected. It was time for bed, we were all very tired.

We lay in bed expecting to hear her whine, but there is nothing but quiet. Is she alright? I didn’t dare get up to check. All of a sudden it’s the next morning –5AM. She has slept through the night. How did that happen?

We’re up early on Sunday, but we both have smiles on our faces as “Annie” prances around looking oh so cute. Out to go potty. Good girl – she peed! Then back in for breakfast. Within a half hour we’re back outside to poop. Yahoo! Believe it or not, she’s tired so it’s off to her crate for a nap. Phil and I decided to take advantage of the time and took a little nap ourselves.

It’s been a week now. It seems like she’s always been here with us. We’re still working on the house training part.  It’ll come. She’s a very smart girl. Almost more then what I’ve been told about Airedales. She catches on quickly. Loves the snow. Loves the car.  Loves her water and food. Loves her crate and all her toys. Wants to play with her brother Richard, our cat, but he’s not so sure he wants to be buddies yet. She loves to be held. I’m taking advantage of this right now. Soon she’ll be too big to hold. She’ll always be hugged and kissed – that will never stop. But there’s something about picking up a 40-plus pound dog that my aching back just won’t accept. 

Everything that I’ve been told about Airedales is true. The unconditional love, the intelligence, the sweet temperament and the wanting to learn and please is right there in this little puppy of ten weeks. The fun of teaching her to sit, to come, to learn the meaning of the word NO. Why, in just the week that we’ve had her she’s grown so that she now bumps her head when ducking under the coffee table. It’s all been worth it, taking her outside six to eight times a day to make sure she doesn’t do anything inside. Making sure she always has fresh food and water. 

Why an AIREDALE?  Because they’re a wonderful breed. And because of ‘all of the above’….

Friendship!