Cassidy & Co at 5 Weeks

What a difference a week makes in a puppy's life! Look how they've grown! They are really looking like proper little Airedales now.

They are apparently playing and interacting lots with each other now and are pretty lively! Looks like they're testing out those crocodale teeth out here.

Here's the biggest pup in the litter with the smallest girl. She seems very healthy, just small.

Here's mum Maggie having a well deserved few minutes of peace and quiet. The pups are now eating two meals a day as well as taking milk from Maggie. At about this age she will start disciplining them with a little growl to limit their suckling time. With those razor sharp teeth emerging I think I'd be growling a bit too! She's lost weight after all the feeding and caring, so will start to regain some weight and condition over the coming weeks.

And yesterday the pups had their first foray into the garden! Apparently they took it all in their stride and had a good old nosy round with tails held confident and high.

It's great that they are getting lots of experiences now when they are still very young. It will mean their socialisation gets off to a fantastic start and they will get used to lots of different sights, smells, noises, people and situations.

Can't wait to see them on Sunday!! I wonder if we will get a feel of which one Cassidy is, or even if we may get to shortlist one or two? We should definitely be able to pick next weekend anyway (aged 6 weeks) as they will definitely decide which one(s) they are keeping at that point. Only 3 weeks now and Cassidy will be ready for home!

Katy x

My New Garden

Well hello there! How the devil are you? I'm in excellent form. I'm settling in well here with Katy and Martin, or ma and pa as I have decided I will call them.

I have assumed duties as garden security warden. Every morning I do a sweep of the lawn to make sure there are no invaders. Pa says enjoy the lawn, as when winter comes it apparently turns into a muddy mess and the gate is going on the fence, drat! Paws crossed for a dry winter I say!

All seems well at the top end of the garden. The big blue thing is a trampoline for the little ladies E & J, and jolly good fun it looks too.

I remain alert for any noises. I have already spotted that there are squirrels lurking here. There's no room for them in my garden let me tell you! Fair enough, I'd probably be more likely to befriend an intruder than scare them off, but still, doesn't hurt to maintain ones appearance.

A quick patrol of the border ensures that no imposters have entered the territory. All seems secure for now, jolly good.

A quick pose for the camera. I am learning already that if you live here, you need to get used to smiling for the camera.

There's a pretty tabby cat that lives next door. I'm sure she'll want to be friends when she realises what a nice chap I am. Perhaps I should ask Flakes to give me a character reference.

I very much like my new garden. What a lucky chap I am.

Toodle pip,

Harry x

Cassidy & Co at 4 Weeks

So the pups are 4 weeks old today, halfway to being ready to leave for their new homes. Here are the photos we received by email this week. They look bigger already than when we saw them last weekend.

They have started eating solid food this week, looks like it was a messy affair from the photos, but they all took to it well.



I'm sure a few paws in the bowl can only add to the flavour! They are starting to look more like Airedales now. For those that asked, yes they will have their tails, so they will look like Faya and Mojo with pretty tails curled over their backs.

At 4 weeks old the puppies will be able to hear and react to loud sounds. Mum will usually begin to discipline her pups, giving a growl when they try to feed at will for example. As their razor sharp puppy teeth are beginning to appear, perhaps that is not too surprising to hear!

At this age the puppies will also begin to bark, wag their tails and interact much more with each other. Dogs are den animals, and at this age will naturally start to leave the den area to go to the toilet.

I am off to see them again next weekend and I'm sure I will see a huge difference from when we went last weekend. It should be much clearer to see their individual personalities starting to develop, and watch how they interact with each other and with humans.

Katy x

The Scoop On Harry

Hello all,

Thank you all for giving Harry such a great welcome. I thought I'd tell you a little more about him and how he came into our life.

We heard about him last week via Planet Airedale. After talking it through we called and said we would like to know more with a view to offering him a new home. We were told he was in good health, had grown up with cats and other dogs, and lived with children all his life. These were all essential to us really. We would not want Flakes to have a dog around that was aggressive or rough with her. She is 15 herself and enjoys the quiet life. We need a dog that is used to children so that E & J are safe and happy when they are here, and knowing he was good with other dogs, both in his family and out and about was important to us too. When we met him he certainly did seem to tick all these boxes as well as being the HUGEST cuddle monster. We had a good talk with his previous owner and learnt more about him. His health has always been good, and the only real issue he has is with fireworks, leading to him needing meds around bonfire night and other times when there are likely to be lots going off such as New Year. We had another chat and decided we were happy and more than willing to give him a home.

He came to us on Saturday. He enjoyed having a good old nosy around the house and garden, then met Flakes. He was a perfect gent, standing a little away from her so she was not crowded. As you saw from the photos in the last post, he then lay close, but with his head away as if to say "it's OK, I'm a nice guy". He has continued to be lovely with her, apart from eating her dinner on two occasions!

The first night he was unsettled, as expected. I ended up taking a blanket and sleeping on the couch and he soon settled. Since then he has slept soundly until the alarm goes off in the morning.

He has met E & J and our neighbours little boy and loved all the attention. He isn't phased at all by children shrieking and playing, and just took himself off for a nap when he'd had enough. We have explained to the girls that he's old and to leave him be if he's sleeping. They also have a ten year old dog at home, so they understand this well.

As Harry has never been off lead, we won't let him either, especially as everything is very new and interesting at the moment. We have bought him a long, strong flexi lead and he loves the freedom that gives him. He has met lots of dogs out and about, including several of Oscar's friends and loves meeting them all and having a good old sniff.

We took him to our vet for a look over and he said he's in great shape. All he recommended was a big juicy bone to clean his teeth up, and some cod liver oil for his joints.

He has brought a lot of happiness back into our house already. As I said, he adores fuss, cuddles, tickles and scratches. He is so easy to live with. All he asks of us is food, walkies and lots of love, and we have lots of love to lavish on him.

I am so sure that Oscar did have a paw in it and that we were destined to help Harry out. He keeps going out to sit or lie by Oscar's plant pot and it really is like he's out there paying his respects and thanking him.

His previous owner and the rescue coordinator think that we should still get Cassidy, and we of course are happy with that. Harry is used to the company of 2 dogs, one of whom is still very young, so he is used to puppy ways. We will make sure he has plenty of time out so he does not get over tired. He is so calm and well behaved, I'm sure he will show a new pup his wise old Airedale ways.

We know we have potentially set ourselves up for more heartache in the future by adopting an older boy, but we thought this through, and sad as it will be, it will be easier to accept the shock of Oscar's untimely death. We will make sure Harry enjoys every day of his new life to the full. I think he's having a blast already!

They're be some more puppy news and photos over the weekend.

Katy and Martin x

The Name's Harry, Happy Harry

Hello old chaps and chapesses. Harry's the name. Absolutely super to meet you all. My new master and mistress have told me you're all absolutely fabulous types, so I hope you'll be pleased to meet me.

As I said, my name is Harry. I'm 10 1/2. My birthday is 14th March, which Katy says is the same day as Oscar's filly Faya. I have lived with my old family since I was 12 weeks old, but they have been having a few difficulties and I was no longer able to live with them and they needed to find me a new home urgently. My old family loved me lots though and found an Airedale rescue service and asked them to find me a simply marvellous home befitting an older timer like me.

I am a very fortunate chap I know, as almost immediately the rescue coordinator rang to say he had talked all about me with a lovely couple and that they had decided they would like to meet me with a view to offering me a home. They came to see me and talk to my family, and of course one they met yours truly it was a done deal.

I came to live with my new master and mistress Katy and Martin on Saturday evening. I must say they seem jolly nice so far, and they have a rather pretty old pusscat girl called Flakes who I think I could be very good pals with. They have told me that it gets better, and that in 5 weeks time a young whippersnapper named Cassidy will come to live here too. That sounds topper. I lived with 2 dogs and I do love a young pup to play with and keep me young at heart.As I said,

I'm a bit long in the tooth at 10 1/2, but that doesn't hold an Airedale like me back. The old legs give me some jip but I still like a good stroll. My eyes are a bit cloudy but I still have darn good eyesight, and the hearing is a sharp as ever.

I grew up with children and love them immensely. I met master girls yesterday and reckon they're just super. They gave me plenty of cuddles and fuss, but know to leave me be for an afternoon nap. What more could I ask for?

I have been for a recce of the new patch and it seems jolly nice. Left some pee on every lamp post and tree to let the local boys know there's a new stud in town. Met a few dogs and had some good sniffs. I hear I am off out tonight to meet Poppy, a pal of master and mistresses darling Oscar.

Talking of Oscar, I believe he had a hand in making sure I found this fabulous new home, so thank you Oscar. Even though I didn't now you, I am learning lots about you and you sound like an amazing young chap. If I can make your mum and dad a tenth as happy as you did I'll feel blessed indeed.

Katy says I can share Cassidy's blog, as she wants Oscar's to be mainly about him and a tribute to his memory, so please come on over there to learn more about me and hear about the young 'un.I'll leave you with a few piccies of the first day of my new life. I am charmed to meet you all and hope we'll become firm friends.

Here I am with Martin getting plenty of ear scratches. I may be an old gent, but I just love lots of attention and love. Nothing wrong with being an old softie I say!

Here I am trying to win Flakes over. Only a matter of time before I have her eating out of my paw I'm sure.

I have been to say thank you to Oscar every day. I know he helped me get here and I will be forever in his debt. Thank you little man.

Toodle pip for now,

Harry

3 Weeks Old

Well, here are the promised photos! I haven't actually got lots and lots as it was very warm in the room and my camera was fogging up furiously.

Needless to say, the pups are beautiful. They were just finishing off their lunchtime milk fix when we arrived. I think Maggie was happy to escape for a while for a toilet break and stretch of legs.

They all seem very teeny still. They all had fat little bellies full of milk. They all have their eyes open and it seems like they are starting to hear as they appeared to be reacting to our voices and to each other.


They can just about waddle around, but all look very drunken when they do, falling over lots and bumping into each other.

They still spend lots of time snoozing so we spent a lot of time sitting watching them. We didn't want to keep disturbing them and making them miss out on vital sleep.

As they are still so small and young, it's impossible to get a feel for their individual personalities or characters yet. The breeder has their eye on one girl in particular, and are possibly keeping a second too. 2 other couple were there at the same time we were, and another was visiting on Sunday, so that's all of them accounted for!

We will go back in 2 weeks to see them again. By then they should be very different - a fair bit bigger, starting to be weaned, and much, much more active! It will be very exciting to see them all again and see how their unique characters are developing.

They have said they will pick the one(s) they are keeping at 6 weeks to give everyone else the chance to choose. I don't know what number we are in the list, but I'm sure whichever pup turns out to be Cassidy will be the right one for us. I'm sure Oscar has a paw in it all and is sorting it out for us. We got to see Oscar's mum and his elder brother Arthur which was lovely.

We have some other news which I'm trying to post on Oscar's blog without much luck. If I can't I'll post it here.

Katy and Martin x

Getting Bigger

I don't think I really need to add too many words! They are all very strong and sturdy apparently and all have their eyes open now. Roll on the weekend! I can't wait to see them.

Katy and Martin x

Cassidy & Co at 2 Weeks

I'm sure you'll all be eager to see some new photos of the puppies! They are 2 weeks old today. As you can see, baby Airedales look more like baby Rottweilers! The black gradually fades to reveal the typical Airedale black "saddle".

At 2 weeks old a puppy can crawl to find milk and the warmth of its mum and brothers and sisters. They spend most of their time eating and sleeping. Their eyes should now be open, as this generally happens between day 10 and 14.


Don't they look adorable. I wonder which one Cassidy is?


Before we see them next weekend their teeth should start to break through (oh joy) and they will start walking and should be able to lap liquids, so weaning can begin. Once their teeth come through mum tends to be less keen to have them at the milk bar for long periods! Their ears should be open by the end of the 3rd week and their sense of smell begins to develop.

Watch out for lots of photos after our visit next week...

Katy and Martin x

Welcome Cassidy

Hello all,

Any of you that read Oscar's blog will know something of ours tears, heartache and sadness in recent weeks, but we have some happy news to share with you. Oscar's breeders had puppies in the early hours of Sunday 9th September and we have decided that we would like to give a home to one of the puppies.

We have always been in close contact with Oscar's breeders, and they have been a great support over the last 7 weeks. Oscar had a big place in their hearts, especially after being taken back to them by his original owners. We have known since Oscar died that the puppies were due, but at first we were too distraught to even think about the possibility of a new dog entering our lives. We were so numb from the loss of Oscar that all we could think about was being without him. I felt overwhelmed with guilt at the thought of getting a new puppy or dog, thinking Oscar would feel he was easily replaceable, when this is so, so far from the truth. I also didn't want to get too excited about a puppy to find something had gone wrong with the pregnancy or birth and face yet more heartache. We have come to understand now through talking to each other and other people, that by getting a new dog we are in a way honouring Oscar and the love of Airedales that he gave us. I know deep down that he wouldn't want us to go through life unable to open our hearts to another dog, and to have one from his breeders who have litters very infrequently seems fitting.

We do not know yet if we will get a girl or a boy, but as long as they are happy and healthy we do not mind at all. They will not have the same sire or dam as Oscar. This should mean that the puppies have very distinct personalities, looks and traits to Oscar, but no doubt will share the same clownish love for life as he had. We do not want to be forever comparing the new puppy to Oscar as that isn't fair on Oscar's memory, us or the new puppy.

However, as you may know, Oscar's KC name was Sherifs Sundance Kid, and we have decided to call the puppy (Butch) Cassidy as a way of remembering and honouring Oscar. Cassidy is a fairly unisex name, so it should equally suit a boy or a girl pup. Funnily enough both Martin and I decided on the name independently (Martin at 4am after waking from a dream about Oscar, and me after talking through some name suggestions from a very good friend who I came to know after her own Airedale died suddenly earlier this year, and she found solace in Oscar's blog).

Here is Cassidy's sire, isn't he handsome? He's English and American Champion Joval Jumpin Jack Flash at Jokyl. His pet name is Jack.

Here's a photo of the dam, Maggie. Her full name is Magwyr Starlight Over Sherifs. Here she is giving the first alert that the puppies might be on the way. Maggie was discovered in the garden having dug a nice comfy mud hole to give birth in. She was quickly rounded up and washed down (as you can see from her paws, she's made quite a mess!), and was settled in the whelping box. She became unsettled at about 10:30pm on Saturday 8th September, and gave birth to the first puppy at 2:00am on Sunday the 9th. The last one arrived at 9:45am. All the pups were vigorous and healthy despite being a few days early, and all took well to mum's milk bar.

Here is the beautiful Maggie with the puppies at a few hours old. It's hard to see the puppies, but they're all there at her tummy. Airedale puppies are almost totally black when they're born. The tan slowly grows through as they get older. She looks bright eyed and bushy tailed despite being up nearly all night giving birth.

So here begins Cassidy's tale. We will give you weekly updates until he or she is ready to come home, then hopefully we can pass the reins over. We are planning to go for our first visit when the puppies are 3 weeks old on the last weekend in September!

Katy and Martin xxx