I’m Joan Ragan, and to say Airedales are my passion is an understatement. When my youngest daughter bought an Airedale from a local, quality breeder in 1995, it was love at first sight for the entire family. Following my husband’s death in 1998, I began working with Airedale Rescue. My first transport took me to St. Louis, where I picked up 11-month-old “scaredy cat” Zoey, whom I promptly adopted. Then came Brandy, a senior who needed a quiet, final home. Wiggles and Breezie were my next foster failures. Do you see a pattern here?
I joined SOAR in 2005 and truly found my place with them. I was involved in everything from transports and home visits to the microchip program, keeping me active and engaged. Although age has ended my transporting days, I still conduct home visits in my area and remain part of the microchip program. The biggest difference is that I have no dogs now. But when I need an Airedale “fix”, I have my two Airedale “grand dogs” owned by my youngest daughter who lives across the road.
The people involved in rescue are very special people, all working with the same goal in mind. Placing deserving dogs in caring and loving homes. Laughing at the clownish antics of the Airedales they save and crying when they leave – whether for their forever homes or Rainbow Bridge. Then they start over again. And it’s all for the Airedales
