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11/01/19: Convo with Tyson, the trainer. I liked him. His description of Nena:
Honestly a very very good dog; single dog environment with substantial owner. Needs someone to tell her what to do. She is wonderful. Food – resource guarding – gets snappy with food, but as long as she’s fed alone, no problem. The off-the-record version – seeking food Welshie using play and treats. Nena lashed out and it was a scratch gone wrong. Don’t correct growling to get attention. Take away the stimulus the reward – if she growls they ignore her. She goes to her “away” place. In a minute or two she comes out and all is fine.With other dogs, she plays appropriately if someone is there to supervise. She’s used to playing with little dogs. His dogs — all between 50 and 70 lbs — will walk away if she plays too rough.
Slowly socialize with other dog if in the home. Start on opposite sides of the house, then slowly introduce them.
I asked if he thought Phil & Becky are a bit too over cautious with her – if they worry too much – if they are hyper. He said absolutely. A laid-back home/owner who knows how to stay in charge will be great. As for kids, 10 or up will probably be fine.
11/01/19: Called Tyson, trainer, and he asked to call him back.
Called vet Dr Redden and left voice mail for her to call back.10/31/19: I had a long conversation last night with Phil & Becky about Nena. She has a history of anxiety and reactivity including resource guarding — food, toys, attention. They got her when she was 4 weeks old. She was a gift from a relative but was to be returned to the breeder for another 4 weeks. She was obviously not healthy so they took her to a vet and she had worms, fleas, and a skin infection. They did not return her; they bottle-fed her, got her healthy, and kept her.
10/30/19: Although we turned down Allen for adoption because his Airedale would live outside, he has continued to send me messages about his Airedale, Winston, who he got as a put. The latest message today was that Winston will be 2 in December. Allen is not asking to adopt, he’s just keeping in touch and always asks how I’m doing and Hawkeye. He’s just a good ol’ country boy who loves his dogs. He also has a boxer.
Interview 10-27-19:
Dawn is an RN-administrator and works 5 days a week, but will be retiring the first week of December. Husband is retired and home all day, and spends most of his time outside — working in the yard or in his huge shop or walking in the woods. They have an electronic fence and have trained their dogs to that. I asked if one had ever breached the fence; yes a couple of times, then he wouldn’t come back in. We talked about that a long time but she said the dogs are never outside alone. If she and/or her husband are outside, the dogs are with them. I told her we must have a commitment that the Airedale would never be left unattended. She said that was fine.Her last dog dog died in May a year ago. He was a large mix — maybe some great dane, maybe some Rottweiler — they didn’t know. He was a wonderful, stubborn dog. He breached the fence then wouldn’t come back inside, so they never left him alone in the yard after that. They have Never had Airedales. Husband has been reading up on them. I recommended they see the Animal Planet video of Airedales on Dogs 101. They want a female – one that gets relatively big and he read that they’re loyal and good-natured and protective and don’t shed. I talked to her about their wiry coat and how it attracts and holds everything.
Son has a mix bull dog – About 70 lbs. Not aggressive. Very playful. Neutered.
They have 2 wireless fences that cover about 1/2 acre… dog can circle house and yard.
Describe a typical week day and weekend day Husband retired and she is getting ready. First week of December. Nurse administration in hospital. She works full time and he is home. Their house on 12 acres, lots of woods, house and guest house and pool house. Another covered area– bbq pit under roof, and there is a gigantic workshop. Pool is Enclosed. No dogs in the pool because they have a vinyl liner and none of their dogs can go in. They’d sit outside and the dogs sit with them beside the pool.
Tell me about the obedience classes. Her last dog – 2 different trainers. Dog showed up at 18 months old. Don’t know what he was. Big stubborn dog. 1 trainer came to house and worked with him, sit stay very basic stuff. After a year another trainer came to the house and took Beau to his house to work with him. 80 lbs. Really didn’t want him to jump on anyone. The trainer taught him to not jump.
Her mom – 95 years old – has her own apartment in their basement. She still comes up and down the stairs and is in good health. But, she doesn’t want a dog that is so rambunctious that it would jump on her and knock her down.
Dawn and husband lover to walk through the woods and hike. Their daughter lives in Vermont and they visit about 4 x a year with a 4-year-old and 2-year-old. They will travel and take their dog with them to Vermont. Daughter has a Norwegian Forest Cat who rules the house.
Their last dog, Beau, wanted to sleep outside at night, so they had a crate on porch. He also had a heated/air conditioned dog house if he wanted it. The porch is enclosed with a fence around it. I explained that their Airedale would have to sleep inside and never be left outside when they were gone or asleep. She said that’s what they’d prefer — they want the dog in the house.
Where will the dog stay during the day? In and out.. with Roger primarily
The only place in the house where the dog will not be allowed is the two guestrooms with bathrooms. They keep that back hallway closed off with French doors. Everywhere else is open and the dogs are allowed throughout the house.
Also, the dogs were not allowed in the basement without her or Roger because they didn’t want them alone with her mother.They had 2 dogs killed by hunters AFTER the end of deer season – separate incidents. One dragged himself all the way home. That was years ago and they installed the electronic fences after that.
All in all, I liked her. It may be difficult to find a home visit where they are.
10/29/19: Stew & Joan have helped ARG with numerous home visits and transports. They are the kind of people who never say no. Their sweet Maddie who was nearly 13 died on October 8, 2019.
10/29/19: Stew & Joan Tarkington will adopt Jazzy. Stew will drive to Barbara Yager’s to pick up Jazzy on Sat., Nov. 2nd.
Yay!
10-15-19 from Bay:
Right I think Andrea’s ego is all about her being able to control any dog off leash.
And thus the return as the dog made a fool of her in front of the airedale club in clt where she is their unofficial trainer.Jazzy (we need a new name) is prey driven which after seeing that with your small dog AND having to give her away, having Dr Murray consult with you, seeing prey drive in your back yard, knowing you were taking the dog to a place where she knew the welsh was and previously charged the welsh …etc etc.
Jazzy is certainly prey driven. She took a hard look at dixie doodle this am. Not yesterday. But DD gives off no negative vibe. so nothing but a stare. I do think she is not safe with small dogs or varmints. I would not put her in a home with crawling or toddler babies, just because. Although she has been in the crate with everyone around her or in the study alone, I will work her up to the yard, then Bishop and see what we have.
I did look all over the approved and neutral people and don’t see one who I think could fit her. I will write up a description for us and that you can share with the FL VA PA folks in case they are interested,
She is very pretty and small or course very well trained as long as off leash is not your expectation.don’t know that she needs training as much as parents with a back yard and second playful but laid back dog, not necessarily airedale
Like the folks in pa….
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I have had her in the yard and farm walks – she is loose in the study now, She is good on a leash MY problem is she walks on the left and I cant.
So I have her walking in front of me.I have not have tried out her training. I have a cold and am mostly low energy. L
I guess let me get a better handle on her. Right now I am thinking bad placement; wrong home.
10-18-19 She played with Bishop, the pup, and all was well.
10-21-19 from Bay:
This girl is a real charmer. Well behaved on walks. Sweet kissy face and so well trained. She has met and played with Bishop and met Cherry Berry (older female). No aggression face to face. No issues with anything so far. I am beginning to wonder if the owner’s tightly wound personality got her there. She can hunt – crouches down and crawls like a cat or points – – but hasn’t gone after trails of bunnies, etc on the farm. My dales point at deer and will take a bird if in the house – don’t ask J . I still say no little doggies, cats, ferrets etc. but she is very correct – beautiful and would be a special dog for someone who we love. J10/15/19: Offered to Mandy Dugan but she has very young nieces and nephews and he wouldn’t work with them.
10/18/19: Dash (NOW NASH) was adopted by Pat & Michael Beach and as of 10/21/19, good reports. He pulls badly on leash, but Pat is using a gentle leader and he does much better. He’s very much attracted to the deer that are always around and to the ponds, which have ALLIGATORS. He wants to go in the ponds, but she can’t let him. He and Lucky are getting along fine, as are he and the cats. One cat stays perched up high, the other walked beside him yesterday! The Beach’s have an elevator for their house on pilings that goes from their 3rd floor to the ground/garage level and he already knows that the elevator is great! Wonderful couple.
10/18/19: Mary Walker of Claddagh Boarding met Pat & Michael Beach in Dublin, GA at a Visitor’s Center right behind Zaxby’s (perfect meeting spot) and delivered Dash to them.
10/21/19: Sent contract!
10/16/19: Ziggy belonged to Laura’s brother, Daniel, who is in rehab and will go into transitional living, so he had to give up both of his Airedales. She is keeping Zappa, a 10-year-old male because he’s so easy going and calm. She has 4 children, ages 20 months to 7 years, so she has her hands full. Six months ago, Ziggy went to foster with a co-worker of Laura’s who has 4-5 kids also and lots of kids coming over. Unfortunately, Ziggy and the kids were outside and a neighbor girl was running around and screaming and tried to ride Ziggy. He turned and nipped at her ankle. You could see the streak and it bruised later, but no blood, no puncture. No medical attention (foster dad is medical professional), no animal control involved. Still, I would not put him with children younger than, say, 10 years old. They really like him and, in fact, they have been training him as a therapy dog!! (Find out more about that; Laura said she thinks he may be certified.) Regardless, the mother wants the dog gone. He was supposed to be just a foster anyway.
I asked Laura if they had considered neutering him and she said they had but just hadn’t gotten to it. I asked if they had considered contacting the breeder. She hadn’t. Told her the breeder will often take back an intact dog. She doesn’t know who the breeder is, but believes it is someone in Delaware — the same place Zappa came from — but she’s not sure. He lived with her mother and brother in Birmingham, so returning the dog to the breeder would not be realistic.
They will take care of neutering him and bringing him up to date on any vaccines, testing that he needs. We now have medical records and he appears to be up to date on everything. I’ve asked her to also have a microchip implanted (ARG will pay for that) and start on HW ad f/t preventative.
I asked about him running away – the mom in Birmingham had an electronic fence that Zappa respected, but occasionally if the battery went down or something, Ziggy would run and didn’t come back on his own. (I don’t know if he was outside most of the time.)
He went to a board and train facility but she doesn’t know if they used an electronic collar on him. She says he’s a barker — especially when he goes into his crate at first, when he gets excited, when he is playing, when someone comes to the door.
He sounds like a typical 3-4 year old Airedale who just needs a playmate and no young children and NO CATS.
10/15/19: Pat Beach’s home visit is perfect. JC contacted Noelle, assistant to Mary Walker at her boarding facility, Claddagh Pet Boarding. Confirm he is ok with small poodle like Pat & Michael Beach have.
Home visit by Sara Harbin-Holley, through Christina’s SC transport group.
HOME EVALUATION FORM
To the Home Evaluator: This form can be used when doing a home visit to evaluate a potential family for a rescued Airedale. Adoption or foster applicants you are visiting have already met preliminary criteria by having their Adoption Application accepted and have passed the telephone interview.
When doing a home visit, please attempt to get as much information as asked for on this form. Ask questions, where appropriate, and get as many details as you can about the home environment. Some of the questions on this form may not apply to this home so use your own judgment.
If possible, bring a friend or another rescue volunteer with you on the home visit. This helps both for the purpose of having another pair of eyes and ears to assist you in making a complete evaluation and for your own personal safety.
________________________________________Name Pat Beach
Address 114 Sand Piper Run
City, State ZIP Fripp Island, SC. 29920
Phone 303-437-4128
Email lewis.beach@prodigy.netSize of Home [estimate square footage if possible]: 2800 sq ft; 4 bedroom 4 bath
Setting [check all that apply]:
Rural
Semi rural
X—Suburban
Semi urban
Urban
X—Wooded (some trees)
Open acreage
Waterfront
Highway frontage
Neighborhood street frontage
City environment
Property bordering on park/fieldCondition of Home [check all that apply]:
Immaculate
X—Well-kept
X—Lived in but clean
Exterior untidy
Interior untidy
Exterior unkempt/poorly maintained
Interior trashed/dirtyDescribe the home interior:
The Beach’s home is beautiful and decorated appropriately. The couches are leather to help with clean up of pet fur or pet accidents. They have hardwood floors but have rugs throughout the living room and hallway. The bedrooms are carpeted.Accommodations:
When the dog is left alone in the home the dog will have the freedom to roam the house. There were not crates but Pat mentioned if the dog adopted has been crate train then she will consider a crate if the dog feels the crate as their safe place. She said she would then keep the crate in their bedroom. There are multiple dog beds throughout the home for a dog to use when sleep since much of the floors are hardwood. Even though there are stairs, the Beach’s have an elevator to use when the dog gets older or begins to have hip problems. The elevator goes from the garage to the top floor. Pat mentioned the dogs would never be kept in the garage or outside. She feels that pets are family and leaving them in a garage or unattended is not giving them the best care.Children:
Pat do not have any children living in their home. Their children are all grown and live out of town. Pat did mention she has two grandchildren but she teaches them how to behave around the pets. The grandchildren also have children in their homes so they are also taught how to be respectful towards pets.Family Environment:
The environment is quite and laid-back. The Beach’s are retired and can have a schedule that is accommodating for their pets.Life-Style Compromises:
Pat and Michael have been long-time pet owners. The have consistently thought about their pets when making decisions. During a move to South Carolina they had pets and kept their pets through the move. When they travel, they consider their pets and many times instead of flying they will drive so they dog can travel with them. They have also hired pet sitters for their two cats and in instances when their dog would stay home instead of ravel with them. Pat has even considered when they may be away for an extended amount during the day she arranges for a walker (Vanessa) or asks a neighbor whom she trusts. She has mentioned several neighbors that she can rely on to take their dog out if her and her husband get stuck somewhere and would be gone longer than expected.
Other Pets:
The Beach’s have two cats, Joplin (female) age approximately 9 years and Grayson (male) approximately 4 years. They have a dog named Lucky (male) who is 13 years. All pets appear to be healthy and well-cared for. They use flea preventative measures for all pets. Even though the cats are indoor-only cats they also are given flea-preventative. All pets were well-behaved. Lucky is a certified therapy dog and you can tell by the commands Pat gives him, Pat took the time to also train him.Owner Interaction with Other Pets:
o Describe the relationship all family members seem to have to other pets. They are loving and claim their pets as family members.
o What role will the dog play in applicant’s life? The dog will become part of the family like the other pets.
o Are the other pets treated like family members? yes
o How do the other animals behave? Well behaved and trained
o If applicant is looking for an additional dog, or cat why does applicant what another? Pat would like another big dog and while they are still young enough to put in the time to train, they would like to adopt now and not wait.
o Does applicant believe that the new dog will “train” old dog or vice versa? No
o Has applicant ever owned more than one dog or cat at the same time? Yes
o Is applicant prepared for the increased work, expense [including vet cost], and commotion? Yes
o How committed is adopter? I would say very committed. I stayed nearly two hours talking with the Beach’s and they had shown me around the island of various places where their new dog would play and walk.
o What are the owner’s responses to behaviors good and bad? They feel pet owners should be responsible pet owners and take the time to train their dogs.
o Do owners demand perfection or have unreasonable expectation regarding behaviors? No
o Do other dogs in the home obey happily? Yes
o Are the other dogs out of control and undisciplined? No
o Do the owners appear to know some basic training techniques? Yes
o How do the animals react to the owner’s response? The pets obey commands without fear or trembling.
Important Question to Answer:
o Explain that re-homing a dog is stressful for the dog.
o That often the rescued dog they want to adopt or foster may have training accidents, even if they are housebroken, while they are in their new home or foster care, for the first few weeks.
o Ask the applicant what they would do or how they would react to the new dog having an accident.What was their reply?
Pat understands there is a time period of adjustment for a new dog.Additional Information:
o Please describe any additional information about the home environment that you feel is pertinent.
o Is there anything in general or specifically that would cause you to feel uncomfortable about placing a dog or cat in this home?
o If so, what?
o “Gut feelings” are considered important. Would you feel comfortable leaving your own dog with the applicant?
o Explain.
Yes, I would be comfortable leaving my dog with them. Pat and Michael have owned pets throughout their lives and treat their pets like family. We have very similar perspectives when it comes to caring for a pet. Through our conversation we spoke about the hurricanes we’ve had for the past several years and she mentioned she doesn’t understand how someone could leave a pet behind as some of the residents have where she lives. She believes pets should be taken with you during evacuations as they are a part of the family. She has even shown me where she had a bag specifically made for a litter box so she can carry it like a bag, and it can travel with them if they have to evacuate. She has it ready to go during hurricane season for her cats. Pat and Michael are pet people and love on their pets as family members. I approve of them being chosen to adopt a dog from your rescue organization.
Conclusion:X—Approve Applicant
Do not approve applicant
Approve after additional counseling of applicants
and/or
Approve after modifications to the home environmentPlease describe:
Additional comments: no additional comments
Home Evaluator’s Signature: ____Sara Harbin-Holley___________________
Date: __10/14/19___________
Contact information: Email & Phone No.: ___lattesandlatenightsinteaching@gmail.com
334-475-0439__________________
________________________________________Additional Suggestions to The Home Evaluator:
• If you need to take notes during the visit, please do so discreetly on a small note pad, rather than on this form. It is preferred that the applicants feel at ease with you and to be themselves. Complete this form after the visit is over, when you are not in the presence of the applicants.
• Qualities to note are sincerity, commitment, tolerance of normal animal behavior, honest representation of the home environment, children’s behavior with other pets, and expected role of the children in pet care. Obtain explanations about the absence of any family members during the visit. Feel free to ask leading questions to begin productive conversation. Often good conversation will reveal far more than questions.
• Do not make any promises to the applicants or indicate whether they will be approved to adopt or foster. Please refrain from discussing any animal presently in rescue that may become available for adoption.
________________________________________
