How did I end up with an Airedale? And, what's up with the name Scout Too?

Where to start?

Many years ago, at least 30, I bought a delightful Bouvier pup from Ellen and David Raper. Yes, we named her Scout! Sadly, Scout died of cancer at a fairly young age. I will spare us both the details, though at the time I said I would never have another pup. Period! And, this was just after Annie, our Airedale terrier, died. Yes, we had an Airedale terrier and a Bouvier at the same time. These pups got along so well.... Anyway.

For reasons maybe not known, I bought another Bouvier about eleven years ago. Yes, Sophie. At the time I wanted to name her Scout. I will spare us both the details of why that didn't happen. So, here I am.

A few weeks after Sophie died decided I wanted another pup. Will not try to explain to you folks who may be reading or to me....

My first choice, of course, would have been a Bouvier; however, at almost 78, figured I just didn't want to wrestle with another 80-pound pup.

Decided I wanted a pup not more than 40 pounds. Considered Soft Coated Whittens, Kerry Terriers, and Standard Schnauzers. Wow, was it a mess trying to find a darn breeder who I could buy a pup from. Actually, I could write a million words about my experience, but...I won't. I will say, that for almost twenty years I was a mental health worker...and, I will tell you, many of these breeders have personality disorders...yep, grandiose and narcissistic.

Let me move on.

Had remembered Annie, my Airedale, as being BIG! Well, took a look at Airedales. Hey, maybe not so big. Seemed I could get a female at maybe not more than 50 pounds. So, my search was on, again.

Yes, shortening this story.... I found a pup, Scout Too, from Karen Curley, Arlydales. Thankfully, Karen is just a few miles up the road from me. OK, maybe more than a few. She's in Fork Union, Virginia which seems to be midway between Richmond and Charlottesville. (Before finding Karen, I had considered pups in Florida and upstate New York.)

OK, back to Scout Too and the name. Yes, I'm sure it may well be obvious. But, I had wanted to name Sophie Scout...and, I had thought of naming the new pup Annie after my other Airedale...but, really liked the name, Scout!!!!

And, Scout Too, she will be....


Wednesday, April 12, 2017

A Brief Update and a Few Crappy Snaps....

Yes, one thing she does well is what she's doing in this snap.


Picked-up the pooch March 24, 2017. Today is April 12th. Let's see...about 19  days. Thought I was prepared for her...not so!

I had bought a crate and a million so-called toy kinds of things...plus treats, of course.


OK, yes, it's been a while since I raised a pup. Going back many years, there was Fred the Cairn Terrier, and delightful Annie, yes, another Airedale, and Scout Too's namesake, if you will, Scout who was a Bouvier. Then, of course, about eleven years ago, Sophie...yes, another delightful Bouvier.

Where was I? Anyway, Scout is yes, cute, funny, and neat looking and all of that...but, dang. She will bite on anything and everything. And, I mean bite. I have punctures on both hands. If it keeps going like this I'll most likely have to go in for a blood transfusion.

Anyway, where was I?





Last week the pup and I went to our first obedience class. Yes, the fellow who was the instructor seems knowledgeable and I am sure does a nice job. That said, he gave us a clicker. I just can't warm up to using a clicker. OK, maybe clicker training is the greatest. That I do not know. That said, I'm going to use whatever I used to use back in the old days. Not sure what that was, but...nope, we didn't have clickers.

I now have two bandages on my left hand and there are two/three places on that hand healing and a few places on my right hand healing.

Well, I missed this week's obedience (long story...well, maybe not too long...another time?).


We ventured out without the crate. Yes, in my car. Went to the vet, wanted a vet tech to check her nails. Yes, they need to be clipped...but, can't clip them until she's been seen by a vet. OK, that will be tomorrow or the next day. Have an exam and some shots.


Went to the doggie park that is about a mile as a crow could fly. And, she ran around and got some exercise. Plan on going there at least 3/4 days a week.

About 50% of the time I call her Sophie. Yep, my last pup. Maybe that's what I should have named her. Hmm. Oh, well.

A former coworker's parents always got pups from the pound. Yes, their entire life. They always got a Lab or Lab mix. And they were all named, Buddy.