Yesterday morning was a pivotal moment for this incredible boy.
When Gaston came to AireCanada the information given to me was that Gaston was aggressive to other dogs.
Both his foster Mom and I felt that this was not an accurate picture of what he was about. We knew he had lived with another dog in Quebec, apparently one who bullied him and we also knew that with the right person we could show that he was able to associate with other dogs. The right person came along and from there on it was a positive experience. She brought her laid back setter and she and foster Mom took the two dogs for a walk. They walked side by side. It validated our belief that he was not dog aggressive but perhaps insecure and not properly socialized as a pup. Gaston will need some help in overcoming any concerns he might have with other dogs but he is truly an awesome boy.
Gaston came to AireCanada from another rescue. He was in temporary foster care and had to be moved very quickly. With assistance from friends, I was able to arrange a foster situation for Gaston and he was transferred to AireCanada’s care.
Gaston was born in Quebec and lived with his family for most of his 7 years. He was presented as having severe dog aggression but was great with people. What I didn’t know until the vet records were accessed is that, at the age of 3, he was diagnosed with a condition called Lumbosacral Syndrome. Dogs with this condition may be in pain and, from what my foster and I have observed, he is not aggressive to dogs but either fearful or hurting. When he gets excited he lunges and again we think this is more of a response to pain. Long walks are out for this boy and he does appear to let you know when he has had enough. The good news is that this condition can be managed.
Both the lady who is fostering him and I would dearly love to keep him but her circumstances and mine preclude this option. He is well mannered, loves being near the wood stove, is very curious, but doesn’t like to be left alone — an issue we are addressing.
I drove this boy from Dartmouth to Antigonish. He is a perfect car traveller. We stopped once on the drive. He saw dogs in cars, did a bark and then ignored them.
The person or family who are fortunate enough to be selected as Gaston’s forever family must have a fenced area, should not leave him alone for hours at a time, would agree to feed him quality food, avoid further vaccinations and…love him unconditionally. Gaston deserves no less.
His first vet appointment as an AireCanada boy is November 20th. I know for sure he will require dental work but will not know the full extent of what he needs until he is seen by the veterinarian.
KIWA HAS BEEN ADOPTED! OUR THANKS TO ALL WHO CONSIDERED OFFERING THIS NICE BOY A NEW HOME!!
Hi there! My name is Kiwa and I am an Airedale!
Are you looking for a purebred Airedale Terrier but don’t have the time or inclination to spend hours grooming your new friend? Here is the perfect solution! Two-year old Kiwa is a short-coated Redline Airedale. His fur will never grow long and untidy and he will be happy to be brushed from time to time and offered the occasional bath! Nevertheless, this young boy is all Airedale — he’s smart and trainable, affectionate, playful, energetic and loving. He’s everything you would like and hope for from an Airedale Terrier. He is that rare creature: a Redline Airedale Terrier!
From Wikipedia: There are also the short coated “Redline” type Airedales, they appear to be genetic throwbacks in looks to the Airedale’s early days when the breed’s coats were much shorter than today’s Airedale. Even with their shorter coat they still have the same hard wiry outer coat with a soft under coat and fall well within the criteria of the breed standard and therefore can be AKC registered and most are registered.
Here I am! It’s me — Kiwa! Aren’t I a handsome fellow?
Geri Thom, our volunteer who is managing Kiwa’s adoption, writes:
Kiwa is a big, beautiful boy who was born Jan. 29, 2014.. His owner surrendered him to the SPCA around the beginning of May 2015. He was thought by SPCA staff to be an Airedale mix because he has a short coat and longer ears than the standard Airedale. Inexplicably, his tail had also been completely docked.
AireCanada determined him to be a Redline Airedale — very rare and much sought-after by Airedale aficionados!
Could I come live with you? I promise to love you forever and ever!
I met him in June when the SPCA called to ask for help placing him in an appropriate home. I first saw him striding back from a walk with a handler and was instantly struck by his beauty. Within minutes of meeting him I knew he was all Airedale and absolutely fell in love with him as did my husband. We sincerely wished we were in a position to add him to our family – he was that special.
Placing an Airedale in a new home requires considerable knowledge of the Airedale breed. Recognizing this, the SPCA offered AireCanada’s contact information to Kiwa’s new owners in the event the placement did not work out.
Six months after Kiwa’s placement, AireCanada has been contacted to help find a new home for Kiwa. Kiwa is presently living in very confined circumstances with a cat, an Airedale mix and a yard about 14 by 18 ft with a low fence. Both of his new owners work and they are having problems managing an Airedale pup. To their credit, his behavior and manners have improved since he joined their family, but they simply cannot give him the exercise he needs and are heartbroken at having to give him up.
Kiwa on the left is only slightly larger than the standard-sized male Airedale shown on the right for comparison.
Kiwa spends four hours a day three times a week at a daycare and plays very well with both large and small dogs. He will retaliate if two or more dogs gang up on him. The Kennel staff tell me he is a great dog who needs more exercise than his owners can give him.
At home, he gets along well with the other dog (as you can see from the photo below) and seems to be fine with the cat.
I loves other dogs!
Kiwa is a strong youngster and does pull on the leash (like many Airedales!). This is a training issue and such behavior can be extinguished. He is not aggressive and, of course, he likes to dig and chase mice. He is a large puppy (88 pounds or 39.9 kg and 27″ to the top of his back) who is in need of exercise, some training and most of all love with positive direction and a forever home.
Fair warning: those soft pleading eyes will capture your heart in a second!
Note from AireCanada Coordinator:
AireCanada has been fortunate to have placed another Redline Airedale named Doc not too long ago. Here is what the owner of Doc says about him:
Doc is doing great. He is a boy who loves life to the fullest and brings a great joy to everyone who knows him. He is the first Airedale we have had that is so tolerant of dressing up. We put felt antlers on him at Christmas and he was so proud of himself. He left them on when he went to deliver his Christmas presents and was so pleased with the extra attention that they gave him (we all told him how cute he was). He even sat still for a Christmas picture. He loves to play in the deep snow and the best is finding a really deep part (it is about2.5 feet in some places in the field) and rolling in it. Just before Christmas Doc and I went to obedience classes and he did very well. He is a smart boy and picked things up very quickly. We did that to see how he would take to a class setting as I would like to take him to agility. I think he will have fun with it, he has the energy, and the speed for it (not that we will go to any trials but it will be a fun activity for us). It is funny how many people really think that Doc is a mixed breed. I do a lot of educating and explaining about him.
Our opinion is that Kiwa, like Doc, will do well in an Airedale-experienced home where the owners have space for him to exercise and are willing to continue his training. Like all Airedales, he requires a securely fenced yard. We believe he would make a splendid companion and would prefer an owner who is home much of the time.
Do you have a home for me? I would love to be YOUR companion forever and ever!
This is a rare opportunity for some fortunate individual to adopt a wonderful and unique pup. If you are interested in Kiwa, you may contact mailto:generic.puppy@gmail.com for further information. In order to adopt Kiwa, you will need to complete the application form found on this website. A home visit will be required.
Kiwa is waiting for you! Will you be the lucky one to take him home?
Nellie has been adopted. Thank you all for your interest in her!
[This is a courtesy posting for another rescue organization. For information regarding this dog, please contact AireCanada Coordinator, Maureen Scott, here: generic.puppy@gmail.com]
Meet Nellie! She’s only four years old but stands 29″ at the withers and weighs 96.4 pounds. She is looking for a new owner who has a heart large enough to love this big handsome young lady.
Nellie, who is exceedingly friendly, likes people a lot. She also loves other Airedales and other dogs. Cats? Well, not so much! And definitely no turtles…!
She is up to date on vaccinations and is available for immediate placement in Western Canada or the Pacific Northwest.
Nellie lacks training. A potential home who would consider adopting her must commit to training her to be the perfect girl we know she can be. Due to her lovable and friendly personality, we expect that, with training, she would end up being a terrific companion.
A home with a fenced yard is essential for this charming girl. An application form, which can be found under the heading “Adoption Application” on our front page, must be completed if you wish to be considered as a suitable home for Nellie. No young children, please. Adult home preferred.
Is your heart large enough to include Nellie? We really hope so!
I would love to come home with you and be your companion!
Meet Tucker! Tucker is a two year old Airedale Terrier crossed with an Irish Terrier. He is a big boy who weighs between 65 and 70 pounds and he has a gorgeous red coat reminiscent of the Irish Terrier. This engaging fellow is located in Victoria, BC, and is currently in the care of the Victoria Branch of the SPCA.
AireCanada is impressed with the amount of training the SPCA staff has given Tucker during his 6 month stay with this agency. Tucker arrived at the shelter very undersocialized and actively “tasting” the world around him. He is not an inherently aggressive dog but merely a foolish Terrier puppy who needs a firm but loving hand. He has learned hand commands and is easily distracted from poorly chosen behaviors when his handler offers food.
Our local AireCanada volunteer visited Tucker and took him for a walk. Due to his tendency to mouth, Tucker has been taught to wear a muzzle when he is out and about in public. Despite being a very strong dog, he walked nicely with our volunteer and played gently with a chance-met puppy. He reacted well to positive reinforcement. He ignored some birds that were encountered during the outing completely! Our volunteer deemed him to be a nice boy with lots of potential.
If you adopt me, I promise to work hard to learn how to be the dog you want to have in your life forever!
Tucker requires a Terrier-experienced home — someone who understands the Terrier temperament and who is willing to continue his training and to work to extinguish his puppy mouthing tendencies. Because of his size and enthusiastic demeanor, Tucker is not a suitable dog to live with young children. It is our impression that Tucker could be an absolutely amazing companion for an active individual — someone who enjoys hiking, running or being involved in outdoor activities.
This is a courtesy listing by AireCanada on behalf of the Victoria SPCA. Please contact Annie Bell at the Victoria SPCA at 250-388-7722 if you are interested in adopting Tucker or learning more about him. The AireCanada Airedale Rescue Network is willing to support Tucker’s adoption with advice regarding care and training.
Tucker is begging for you to offer him a new home. How can you resist that face?
