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09/07/19: I spoke to Karen Lounsbury yesterday and she was very nice. She is an Assistant Professor at SC Upstate in Early Childhood Education after having taught ECE for a few years. Her 25yo son lives with her and works nights as a bartender. She doesn’t see him leaving any time soon.
Describe a typical week day for you and your son.
Teaches 2 days a week Mondays 3-hr block 8:30 – 11:00 and then open; every other Monday 4:30 – 6:30. They live 10 min from university. Tuesdays teach at 8 and 12:15-3:00.
Son is 25 and living at home and going back to school. Bartender in Spartanburg. She’s a morning person and he’s up late.
She’s home on weekends or in Easley with a friend who has a dog or the friend and dog come to her house. Friend has a mixed breed – Heinz 57. Therapy dog. 30 lbs. Sweet dog.
No other animals in home.Daughter has a Doberman who thinks she’s a lap dog. No alpha tendencies. The Dobie plays with her friend’s dog. When she is there they play together. No cats.
She had 2 Airedales in 98-99. Spencer from breeder in Ohio/Michigan. Had Spencer until his hips just gave out – 11-12 years old. Her vet worked with her with Rimadyl. Never wants an animal in pain. He was the sweetest. Then an Airedale lived around the corner. The owners had lost their jobs. Airedale, Shana was 5 years old. Horrible skin and hot spots from fleas. Karen adopted her and Got her well and put her on good food and treated her skin. It took Shana about six months to warm up to her; she had been outside dog only. After she warmed up, she actually sought out affection. Children were 8 or 9 and she was a short stout Airedale. Spencer tall and lanky. They got along great.
Shana may have had cancer. A bunch of growths. Then she divorced and both dogs died – all within 2 year period. She moved out. How long ago? 2007-08.
We talked about the food she would feed and I told her about http://www.dogfoodadvisor.com. She fed Spencer lamb dog food; can’t remember the name but it was in a pink bag. (I think that’s Eukanuba.)
We talked about training for an Airedale and she did use a trainer for Spencer in Lincolnton where she previously lived. Her vet was also in Lincolnton and she sent me the vet’s name and number: Lincolnton Animal Hospital, Dr. Karen Miller, 704-732-0728.
Although she prefers a male, she would consider a female.
Need to check vet reference and find home visit volunteer.
On Sun, Sep 8, 2019 at 9:34 AM Jackie Cash < airedalemail@comcast.net> wrote:
Marcela Hincapie Martinez called me yesterday in tears. Izzy bit her youngest son in the face — not bad, no medical attention required, but this was in addition to him biting her older son’s girlfriend a week or so ago. The younger son had simply walked into the room where Marcela and Izzy were and as the boy approached — not even talking to Izzy or reaching for her — she growled and went for him. The older boy and his girlfriend were watching tv on the couch and I think the girlfriend was talking to Izzy and Izzy just grabbed her leg. Again, no medical attention. Izzy also has exhibited aggressive behavior to other dogs – but not all dogs – when they go on walks.The owners who relinquished Izzy said she was fine with their older children but since their 18-mo-old came along, she had become growly around him. But, I should have paid attention to this in my notes:
Izzy has been great with our four older kids, but for a few months now she has been growling and snapping at our 18 month old son. And she has exhibited similar characteristics around some of our friends’ younger kids. It’s been hard to keep her away from all the kids in our life, and it means she ends up spending a lot of time in her crate.I advised Marcela to take Izzy to her vet for boarding until we could find a place for her, but she refuses. She said she will keep her until we find a family to take her directly. I advised her to get a basket muzzle for Izzy and use baby gates to keep her away from the children.
I was thinking yesterday that we would see if Cindy Green would be willing to work with her, though I don’t know that aggression toward children is in her wheelhouse. If not, I would be hesitant to place her with most people. The Adkins were just approved and we may have others who are approved.
What do you all think?
09/08/19: Home Evaluation by Julie Groom (atrva)
HOME EVALUATION FORMTo the Home Evaluator: This form can be used when doing a home visit to evalu- ate 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.
Kristen & Adam Schuette 3631 Pencader Rd
Midlothian, VA 23112
979-248-9972
kristencs@gmail.com
Size of Home [estimate square footage if possible]:Setting [check all that apply]: Rural
Semi rural x Suburban
Semi urban Urban Wooded 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
Lived in but clean Exterior untidy Interior untidy
Exterior unkempt/poorly maintainedInterior trashed/dirty
Describe the home interior:
[Include type of furnishings, flooring, and general appearance. For example, “an- tiques with museum atmosphere,” “shabby furniture,” “brand new furniture and/ or carpet,” “badly stained carpet,” “hardwood/ vinyl flooring with some carpet/ rugs,” etc.]The house is very clean and tidy, especially given they have two young kids. Hardwood floors with area rugs, comfy sofas and chairs. Dogs allowed on the sofa.
Accommodations:
[Describe what accommodations the home has for a dog and where the dog will be left when the owners are not at home. For example, “crate in kitchen/laundry room,” “baby gate across kitchen,” “no crate planned,” “pen in basement,” “pen in garage,” “outdoor run,” etc. Include complete description of any pen or kennel [chain link run, dirt run with chicken wire, etc.]. Will the dog ever be left chained out or left unattended in a fenced-in yard? Describe the fencing, if any, and con- sider security of fence.]Kristen is at home with the kids, so the dog would be crated only when she leaves to run errands (2-3 hours at most). The crate would be in the laundry room, off the kitchen. They have a screened in porch where their previous Airedale used to hang out. Their back yard is a medium sized grass area, but it is not fenced in.
They said fencing the yard was not off the table, they just didn’t need it with their older Airedale.Children:
[Give ages of children, if any, and pay special attention to the behavior of the children, the parents’ responses and method of discipline, and the children’s in- teractions with other pets. Note whether parents always supervise young children with other pets and if the parents seem to expect the child/children to be “re- sponsible” for the care of the pets.]Owen is 6 and just starting kindergarten, Evan is 2 1/2. The boys were both good with my 5 month old puppy, curious but respectful.Owen bonded with his grand- parents Airedale when they visited for a week this summer.
Family Environment:
[Describe the behavior of the adults among themselves, and to any other pets or children. Are they respectful, hectic, noisy, loud, quiet, commanding, etc.?]
They were quiet, and they kids were well-behaved.
Life-Style Compromises:
[Has the applicant thought through life-style compromises pet ownership will re- quire? Give details.]We discussed the need to dog-proof the house (kid’s toys, etc), and that without a fence, they would walk the dog twice a day.
Other Pets:
[Describe number, type, age, and gender of the other pets and give complete de- scription of their apparent health and well-being. Things to note would be skin or flea problems, condition of nails, overweight or underweight, type of collar, id tags other pets have, etc.]One fish. Didn’t get it’s name, or see it. One of the boys has been lobbying for a cat, but the answer has been “no”. Kristen does not want a litter box in the house…
Owner Interaction with Other Pets:
o Describe the relationship all family members seem to have to other pets.
They seemed very attached to their previous Airedale, Willow, who died in her sleep at age 12. She had a heart condition.
What role will the dog play in applicant’s life?
I believe it would be a part of the family.
o Are the other pets treated like family members?
N/A
o How do the other animals behave?
N/A
o If applicant is looking for an additional dog, or cat why does applicant what another?N/A
o Does applicant believe that the new dog will “train” old dog or vice versa?
N/A
o Has applicant ever owned more than one dog or cat at the same time?No
o Is applicant prepared for the increased work, expense [including vet cost], and commotion?I believe so. They are previous Airedale parents.
o How committed is adopter?
They seem committed, although not excited.
o What are the owner’s responses to behaviors good and bad?
They appeared to get the basic concepts.
o Do owners demand perfection or have unreasonable expectation regarding behaviors?No
o Do other dogs in the home obey happily?N/A
o Are the other dogs out of control and undisciplined?
N/A
o Do the owners appear to know some basic training techniques?
They said they would go to dog training classes and individual classes as neces- sary.
o How do the animals react to the owner’s response?
Adam was more interested in Flynn, Kristen, less so.Important Question to Answer:
o Explain that re-homing a dog is stressful for the dog.We discussed this issue and they seemed to understand. Adam’s parent have sev- eral rescues.
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.
They understood the concept of reprimanding the dog gently only went caught in the action, not afterward.What was their reply?
Additional Information:
o Please describe any additional information about the home environment that you feel is pertinent.
The house was very tidy and clean, as noted previously. Kristen, as the primary caregiver would have to accept a bit more mess.
o Is there anything in general or specifically that would cause you to feel un- comfortable about placing a dog or cat in this home?
I think they need to fence in the yard so the dog has a place to run around.
o If so, what?
o “Gut feelings” are considered important. Would you feel comfortable leaving your own dog with the applicant?
o Explain.
Ugh. Tough question. I’m sure my dog would be safe. They just didn’t seem excit- ed or enthusiastic. I felt as though my visit was an intrusion and they couldn’t wait for me to leave. They never asked me to sit down during the conversation, we just stood for 45 minutes.
There was just an underlying chilliness, more from Kristen, but perhaps that’s just her personality. When Joey Fineran came to do a home visit with me, she scared me half to death, that was Joey, but we had a great visit. I could tell she really wanted to get to know me.Conclusion:
Approve Applicant
Do not approve applicant
Approve after additional counseling of applicants
and/or
xApprove after modifications to the home environmentPlease describe:
Fenced in back yard.Additional comments:
Home Evaluator’s Signature:
Date: 9.7.19
Contact information: Email & Phone No.:
Julie Groom utahairedale@gmail.com 804.837.7442
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 be- havior, honest representation of the home environment, children’s behavior with other pets, and expected role of the children in pet care. Obtain ex- planations 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 pres- ently in rescue that may become available for adoption.09/07/19: Got a reminder from West Rome Animal Clinic that Oscar’s (Toby’s) 2nd canine influenza shot was due on 08-08-19. Why didn’t they give it while he ws there? Notified Eric Holder.
09/05/19: Amy, the dentist’s tech, called to give me an update on Banjo. They will not have to take all teeth, but will extract 12 of them, including the two lower canines which have pulp exposure.
He’ll have left only:
upper canines, back two molars on upper right and left, and
lower two molars on right and left.09/02/19:
———- Original Message ———-
From: Jackie Cash
To: jb-il@sbcglobal.net
Cc: Barbara Yager
Date: August 28, 2019 at 5:19 PM
Subject: Airedale RescueHello, Inga & Jeffrey. I apologize it has taken 3 weeks since we received your application for me to contact you. If you’re available tomorrow, I’d like to call to go over your application and learn more about your situation. Please let me know a good time to talk and I’ll call.
Thank you for your patience.
Jackie
09/02/19: Cathy Biersack recommended both Julie Groom, utahairedale@gmail.com, and Susan Speese, sspeese617@aol.com, both of whom live in Midlothian, VA.
Julie will do the visit. I’ve connected her and Kristen.
