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Most of us can trace their interest in the breed to a specific point in time. I unfortunately cannot do so. After having a miniature schnauzer share my household, my wife decided that I should have a dog of my own. (The schnauzer and I didn’t exactly get along, but rather tolerated each other). After some discussion, I settled on an Airedale. Perhaps it was the information I had read on the breed or more likely it was “the look” that appealed to me. Vera Chapman provided us with our first introduction to the breed and my first Airedale. I wish I had great stories to tell about Maggie but unfortunately, as novice owners we did almost all the wrong things. On the plus side, she was a great companion for me and I could do almost anything with her. Regrettably, no one else in the household could say the same and after she bit my son, it was decided to find her a new home where she would have a one to one relationship with her new owner. Maggie did introduce me to showing dogs. I owe a debt of gratitude to Dr Ron Hobkirk, who mentored me through the first initial introduction to this wonderful sport. He not only helped me learn to groom, but was encouraging to Aaron to enter Junior Handling and was always a gentleman to my wife. With his support and encouragement I joined the Airedale Club of Canada and met some of the “best” in this sometimes wacky world of dogs. Vera introduced me to John Voortman, who had a female he wanted to have shown. I had just finished showing a male for Vera (Henry, who was perhaps the perfect specimen of a gentle and patient Airedale) and John, ever the supporter of “new” blood in our club, agreed to let me show Molly. She was my first success in the ring and finished in a short period of time, winning Winners Bitch and Best of Winners at Terrier Breeders. I will be forever indebted to Karstan Kameling who stayed at ringside, while I received my ribbons and encouraged me to stick to my guns and go with dogs and a breeding program that represented my ideal of an Airedale. In time, John “gave” me Molly. John and Ellie will always hold a special place in my memories of the people I have met, who have made the journey such a joy and pleasure to travel. With Molly, the decision was made to have a litter. I became very interested in the Doc Holliday lines and bred Molly to a Doc Holliday son from the USA. We called him Vader (Star Wars was all the rage at the time) but he simply did not mature into a suitable show dog. My search for another male led me to Janet Framke, who thought she had the male I was looking for. Once, again I was fortunate to be in touch with someone who loved our breed and only wanted to do what’s best for its development. My interest was piqued after she told me all his good points, but before agreeing to let me have him, she pointed out some of his less stellar points. I drove to Janet’s right after work one Friday night and arrived before she had her first coffee. Luke was everything I was looking for. I gladly paid the price and headed home to start his show carrier and introduce him to his new girlfriend. He turned out to be the easiest dog I have ever taken into the ring. I rarely had to lay a hand on him and he presented himself with no help from me at all. He finished his Championship in four weekends and I seriously thought about campaigning him. I had never been a very good groomer or been comfortable “playing the game” of using “stuff” to enhance a dog’s coat and colour. As Luke had a very soft coat and was very “English” in his lines, he was also very lightly coloured. I simply could not play the game and after his first weekend as a Special who took the Breed, I decided to end his show career. Luke and Molly produced several litters and we finished several Champions. Luke and Molly remained with me until their final days and I will always treasure the time they were with me. Molly remained till her end the reigning Queen and Luke was without a doubt my best friend, and I still miss him greatly even after all these many years. Tessa and Jenna were two of their kids that remained with me till it was time for them to cross rainbow bridge. After trying to get better coats in my breeding, I finally accepted it was not going to happen with the dogs that I had. While talking to Kelly Wood, it was revealed that she had a litter due and Tori came to me. She proved to be all that I could hope for and produced two wonderful litters of 11 and 10 puppies. She was probably the best mother I have ever seen and looked after her babies beautifully. Well, for what it is worth, there is a thumbnail sketch of my involvement with Airedales. Throughout the time I have had Airedales, I have been a member of the ATCC and have held several positions with the Club. I trust each of you will have the same pleasure throughout your lives, if you have half the fun and joy I have received from my dogs you will be just as lucky as I have been for knowing them.
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