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Christina Prange
Thu, Dec 9, 5:22 PM (12 days ago)
to me, kevnkell@hotmail.comhi – Kel, please interview John however he did return a ‘dale to us a few years ago. It was my Birkie and I’m so thankful he did return him because he never left my house. John had young kids at the time and Birkie was a bit unpredictable and snappy so it was a decision that John made for the kids. He only had him a few days.
I am glad that he says that he has no fence. His fence was not complete when I visited them in the past. I’m all about a leash walker!
Christina Prange
919-605-456312/1/2021
HOME EVALUATION FORMTo 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 a particular 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 _Markel_Sizemore____________________________________________
Address _____5512 Village Ridge______________________________________
City State ZIP __Fairburn, GA 30213____________________________________
Phone _323.240.2503____________________________________________
Email __markelsizemore@gmail.com_________________________________
Size of Home [estimate square footage if possible]:
2500 sf ??
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
Well-kept
Lived in but clean
Exterior untidy
Interior untidy
Exterior unkempt/poorly maintained
Interior trashed/dirtyDescribe the home interior:
[Include type of furnishings, flooring, and general appearance. For example, “antiques with museum atmosphere,” “shabby furniture,” “brand new furniture and/or carpet,” “badly stained carpet,” “hardwood/ vinyl flooring with some carpet/rugs,” etc.]The home was tidy and well organized but when Maddie came in Markel had no concerns about her exploring and checking things out. There is a front room that will be the dog’s room, although it is not a room that has a door to close so the dog won’t be locked away.
The home was clean and tidy but since their son has a dog, they are used to having a non-perfect house and Markel didn’t seem fazed by it. Their kids are out of the house and the dog will be their new baby, he said.
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 consider security of fence.]As noted, the dog will have the front room as his/hers but will be allowed the full run of the house. (This room seems to be the grandaughter’s play room. We discussed appropriate use of the crate and how my dogs that used crates liked and continued to use them even when they didn’t need to because they see them as a safe space. We also discussed crate size. They have one that their son’s dog (a medium to small female) used when he was living there that is a 32” but I told him it really depended upon how big the dog they adopt is and they would likely need a larger 42” crate if the dog is close to Maddie’s size.
The back yard is fully fenced (6’ fence) and mostly grass beyond a patio. Not huge but certainly big enough for zoomies and lots of play. Maddie ran perimeter patrol and approved.
In addition to walking with the dog, Markel mentioned there was a nearby dog yard and he asked me about them (dog yards in general). I told him dog parks vary and recommended he visit the dog park before actually going in with the dog, watching for behavior of people and dogs, making sure people are acting responsible, etc.
The house is deep in a newer subdivision so is far from any major road. Very walkable.
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 interactions 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 “responsible” for the care of the pets.]The Sizemores have 2 sons, one in East Point and one in California. The East Point son has a young daughter who visits periodically so the dog would need to be child-friendly. He also has a small to medium-size female who visits so the Airedale would need to get along with other dogs as well as kids. The California grandchildren don’t visit very often.
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.?]It was only Markel at the house as his wife had to work. Markel was over the moon meeting Maddie, he was so excited. He was very responsive to her and gave her lots of attention. He was excitedly telling me about being retired so he could take the dog walking a lot. His wife, he said, would also be walking and caring for the dog, which she does when their son’s dog visits.
Life-Style Compromises:
[Has the applicant thought through life-style compromises pet ownership will require? Give details.]The Sizemores are used to having a dog in the house because their son used to live with them with his dog. I don’t think he will look upon the dog as being a life-style compromise given how excited he is about adopting an Airedale. He was so excited to meet Maddie and had no problems with her exploring wherever she did, including when she went into the garage, which they seem to use mostly for storage.
Other Pets:
[Describe number, type, age, and gender of the other pets and give complete description 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.]Small to medium female visits with their son but no other animals in the house.
Owner Interaction With Other Pets:
o Describe the relationship all family members seem to have to other pets.
o What role will the dog play in applicant’s life?
o Markel is excited to have a dog to walk with. They are empty nestersHe was super excited
o Are the other pets treated like family members?
o How do the other animals behave?
o If applicant is looking for an additional dog, or cat why does applicant what another?
o Does applicant believe that the new dog will “train” old dog or vice versa?
o Has applicant ever owned more than one dog or cat at the same time?
o Is applicant prepared for the increased work, expense [including vet cost], and commotion?
o Yes, they have already identified a vet and a groomer, both of which are personal friends.
o How committed is adopter?
o The Sizemores have wanted an Airedale for years. They tried breeders and often received no calls back. He was so excited when I first called him and when I got to the house he reiterated how much he appreciated how responsive we were and how much he and his wife had been wanting an Airedale.
o What are the owner’s responses to behaviors good and bad?
o Do owners demand perfection or have unreasonable expectation regarding behaviors?
o Do other dogs in the home obey happily?
o Are the other dogs out of control and undisciplined?
o Do the owners appear to know some basic training techniques?
o How do the animals react to the owner’s response?Important Question to Answer:
o Explain that re-homing a dog is stressful for the dog.
o We discussed this and he understands the need to give it time for everyone to settle in.
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?
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 Not at all. I think they will be a wonderful family and the dog who ends up with them will be very lucky.
o If so, what?
o “Gut feelings” are considered important. Would you feel comfortable leaving your own dog with the applicant?
o Explain. Absolutely!
Conclusion:Approve Applicant
Do not approve applicant
Approve after additional counseling of applicants
and/or
Approve after modifications to the home environmentPlease describe:
Additional comments:
We discussed food and I recommended he go to DogFoodAdvisor.com. We also discussed gentle leader vs. harness.
Markel was very interested in learning more about everything related to dog ownership, from training (we discussed only positive focused training), to food, to leash/collars, etc.Home Evaluator’s Signature: ____Mary Z McEneaney____________________________________
Date: __12-1-21___________
Contact information: Email & Phone No.: ________________________________________
________________________________________
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 to have 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 or not they will be approved to adopt or foster. Please refrain from discussing any particular animal presently in rescue that may become available for adoption.
________________________________________12/3/21 from Mary Mc.
Barbara Brim –
I reviewed the application from Barbara Brim and have a lot of concerns. She lives in a condo/townhome subdivision with no fencing and no grass, the foot space just being concrete, she says. The only quality she noted as appealing to her was size – nothing about the dog’s personality at all. She wants a young adult but with no fenced grassy area, I have concerns the dog won’t get enough exercise, which means it could have behavioral issues due to boredom. She does say she wants to enjoy walking with the dog but will that be enough? It seems like she would be better off with a smaller, less energetic dog.12/18/2021:
Birdie -pulled by Jeanne Johnson. Will board and try to vet. Growth on right neck. Jeanne will try to vet this week.
Resource guarded.
Valerie Perry, CharlestonSC will foster 12/27.
Annecy Airedale
7:00 PM (31 minutes ago)
to me, ChristinaGreat call with Pam!
I usually don’t call references until I’ve spoken with the applicant but her app was so good, I called beforehand. Rave reviews from the sitter, Hillary, and up to date on all vaccines, etc.
She lives on the dead end of a street off another deadend at the far end of the subdivision/neighborhood so looks like a good safe area.
She clearly loves her dogs, giving them affectionate nicknames and in addition to keeping them up to date with vaxx, flea, etc, she gives Ripley (8) glucosamine. She feeds highly rated Diamond Naturals.
She is Airedale experienced as she has 2 currently. She wants a younger dog to help keep the other feeling young but said if there was a senior who needed a home, she would take it.
Barrett (7) guards toys but not food. She will set limits with the better lived toys. Ripley doesn’t pay much attention to other dogs. Barrett loves to play with other dogs. He also goes to stores with them and has play dates with neighbor dogs. Vacations the dog’s usually go with them but if they can’t go, Hillary takes card of them.
Next step home visit for sure!
Mary
Annecy Airedale
2:54 PM (21 minutes ago)
to me
Hi, Pat,July 26 I emailed him to set up a time to talk on the phone, then August 1 I followed up but I never heard back from him.
Mary
On Thu, Oct 28, 2021 at 1:41 PM Pat Hairston
Hi Mary –
I am working on some of the open applications and wondering if you ever got up with Thomas Smith.
Thanks.
Pat10/28/2021: Mary Pickles applied again on 10/26/2021. I initially sent application to Kelly and then today, found the info here on MB. MB notes sent to Kelly to determine if we should HV or maybe send a polite decline. – Pat
Annecy Airedale
Mon, Oct 18, 8:23 PM (10 days ago)
to Christina, me
Well, never heard back from this guy but you may be getting an app from Joshua and Ashley McCoy. We were leaving the dog yard and they stopped to ask if Poppie and Maddie were Airedales, then asked me about their temperament. Said they had been considering a dale. Told them to check out the website/FB and to go ahead and fill out the application so we could do the phone interview and home visit and that way when the right dog came in, they’d be ready to go.Looking forward a younger dale to go on 2-3 mile walks with them. They have a toddler. Their last dogs were rescues so understand puppies don’t become available very often.
m
———- Forwarded message ———
From: Annecy Airedale
Date: Sun, Oct 10, 2021 at 8:01 PM
Subject: Re: Airedale Rescue Application
To: James MckinneyHi, James,
Currently we have no ‘Dale’s in need of a home but that could change at the drop of a hat. It’s definitely helpful for both ARG and adopters to have gone through the vetting process already so that when a ‘dale does become available, if s/he is a good match for your household, then we can immediately place him/her.
Mary
10/28/2021
Sister for Bentley
Joanna Arnhart
1:14 PM (8 minutes ago)
to Christina, me, Joanna, Tommy
Hi,Hope you are both doing well. I didn’t want to bother Jackie, as I know she’s grieving and has a lot on her. But I wanted to let ARG know we’d like to add our name back on the “active” list. Even though we can barely talk about Fergie without tears, Bentley is really lonely without a sibling. Our ideal addition would be a slightly older female, and it’s fine if she’s an alpha dog. Bentley actually needs that. Fergie used to keep his butt in line! Lol
Let me know if you have any questions or want to chat.
Thanks so much,
Joanna
Sent from my iPhone
RE: Took – follow up to your phone call
5-ARG/Applications
Tom LatimerTue, Oct 26, 8:50 PM (15 hours ago)
to Christina, me
Christina: Thanks for responding. Here is some history and info about our experience with Took.
After the thorough vetting process of ARG, we adopted Took in January 2020. Jackie Cash was our main contact.
While we were informed that Took had shown some aggression to other large dogs (and had a precipitating episode with some dogs at a nearby home in GA), only after a thorough exam by our vet did we understand that he had a pretty free-ranging life prior to coming to us. He had a sustained a broken leg and had scars and bite marks indicative of fighting with other dogs/critters. He had a serious tooth issue requiring surgery for which ARG paid. He was also neutered just before he travelled to us.
In our first month, we experienced first-hand Took’s aggressive behavior, very high prey instinct and quick trigger … the sight of another dog could send him from “zero to 100” in a split second. Cats and squirrels did the same. He would even leap at birds as they flew away
Realizing we needed help, we engaged a trainer in Greensboro, Megan Cunningham. Her training worked on several fronts. She came to our home for several weeks to work on basics, had him for board and train for a week in March 2020, then came back for several more weeks in April for follow-up. Took seemed to make progress with basic commands and obedience. Yet his triggering signs remained a little below the surface. During those early sessions, we would pass large dogs on the street or sidewalk and Took would consistently pop off. It took quite an effort to re-direct him. On one occasion, He charged another dog and pulled Jennie off-balance, down and along the street for several feet. It happened so fast, even the trainer was caught unawares. She commented that she had rarely seen a dog pop off so quickly. Of course, this training required an investment of over $1500.
We began using a prong collar and calming pills recommended by the trainer. Because Took was and is so good around humans, our vet never witnessed the more severe behavior. We found that we had to be constantly on guard and vigilant to everything around us when we walked him 3-4 times a day.. We would consistently avoid getting too close to other dogs, for their sake.
Of course, inside the house and around just us, Took was affectionate and loving … though even this behavior was pushy and insistent. The calming pills seemed to help him in general be less excitable.
We moved to Union County below Charlotte in July 2020. We rent a home in Indian Trail with a nice fenced back yard. Took enjoys being in the yard, though he identifies closely with us/me and wants to be around us as much as possible.
Because there are many large and small dogs/cats in our development, we are likely as not to encounter/pass large dogs every time we walk. Again we are constantly on edge to try and ensure that Took is contained and poses no danger to another animal. Jennie and I both admit this is not what we had in mind for life with a pet. We have had other terriers, even an Airedale that did not bring such stress and mayhem into our lives. Never have we encountered a dog like Took.
This past Friday October 22, as I came out the front door with Took on leash, a neighbor was passing the front of our house with their large dog. Somehow, in a split second, Took had shaken free of his collar and charged after the other dog. He was on that dog in an instant, snarling and biting. I got to them asap (2-3 seconds) to try to catch Took and get him back under control. In the ensuing chaos, the neighbor lost control of her leash and both dogs ran off. During the scuffle, I felt my right hamstring pop and sprain causing me to fall to the sidewalk. As I tried to get up and run after the dogs, my left knee gave out and I went down again. I am waiting for the docs to schedule an MRI to assess any ligament damage Fortunately, the neighbors were able to corral both dogs and help Jennie return Took to our home.
I share these details to highlight the sobering reality that we now face. Namely, that we cannot reliably control/contain this 80 pound dog should be pop off and somehow get away from us again. Neither of us is any longer willing to live with this fear, anxiety and uncertainty. It is not fair to us, Took or other dogs in his environment.
So, we have determined to find a new home for Took. He will no longer be part of our household. We contacted you because Took originally came to us through ARG. Our hope is that you will give the same energy to re-homing Took that you gave to getting him to us. If not, we will seek other avenues to accomplish our goal.
Thanks for your help and understanding. We look forward to hearing next steps and processes by which Took can come to a new setting.
Sincerely, Tom and Jennie Latimer
From: Christina Prange [mailto:mcprange@aol.com]
Sent: Tuesday, October 26, 2021 2:47 PM
To: zumbajen@twc.com; revctl@twc.com
Cc: hairstonpat@gmail.com
Subject: Took – follow up to your phone callhi Jennie and Tom,
Thank you for letting me know about the issue you’ve had with Took. I wanted to ask if you all would consider putting Took on a medication that may help with his behavioral issues. so he would be able to stay in your home. Your vet could prescribe a medication – like a generic form of prozak. Doing this with behavior modification with a trainer may help Took’s outlook on how he reacts to dogs.
Pat Hairston, who is in ARG has her ‘dale Desi on 20 mg/2 X day of Fluxeoteine. This has helped Desi.
I know you’ve recently moved so If you need help with a trainer, we can ask our trainer who helps us with Airedale behavior for recommendation.
Christina Prange
919-605-4563
10/5/21: Multiple texts from Wendy on Sunday 10/3 about Georgia.
12:42 pm I spoke to a behaviorist about Georgia. I am going to have her accessed to see if she would be better off a only dog. She was very ruff with River yesterday and Rob was concerned.
2:38 PM I rather pay money and make sure she goes to the right place instead of home to home. That was Dr. Fitzsimmons idea.
6:15 PM K(CONCEPTS, we are sending Georgia there for training and then River. IF we place Georgia in a new home his behavior will go with him. It is very expensive but has a very good reputation. I am sorry I put you out.
Georgia bit Rob yesterday when he put his food down.
K9conceptsdogtraining.com
Georgia has been moved to Waffling Parents.
