Spencer's owner was a postmistress and rather late in years when she bought a puppy
Airedale. She got Spencer from a local breeder in South Australia
because she wanted a big dog to protect her when in the post office as she'd
been robbed and bashed a few months earlier.
She adored the big gentle dog, who would be constantly with her wandering from her
living quarters into the post office freely. Everyone knew Spence and he would pop
his big woolly paws onto the counter and shake hands with some customer and was a
happy friendly chap. Everyone liked him but knew once he had grown he was no softy
with intruders. His big booming bark was a great deterrent in itself.
When Spencer was two or three years old, the postmistress died. It was a holiday, so
the post office was shut and no one knew anything was wrong. After the four-day holiday a line of customers had formed waiting for the shop to open and
when it hadn't rang the police to come and investigate. Looking through the window
they could see the postmistress sitting in her chair very still and Spencer lying
right at her feet. The police broke in, but Spencer chased them out and wouldn't let
them near unless his owner gave him the word as he'd been trained by her to do.
Soon police marksmen where called to shoot the dog but a local resident who
knew who had bred Spencer asked them to hold off until he called and
asked if he could coax the big fellow out. George, his breeder, came straight away
and entered the house with just a lead. He had only seen Spencer a few times since he had left
his kennels at 8 weeks old and that was when he was doing business at the
post office. George called his name and stretched out his hand. Spencer
rushed up barking and growling fiercely, then stopped and looked at George, who
talked softly in a friendly manner to him. George slipped the lead on the
dog and stroked his head saying 'come boy she has gone now you must come
home with me.' The dog solemnly walked out with him and seemed to know that
he had to go.
George told me this story and said he thought Spencer had never forgotten
him as the person who had raised him as a baby before the old lady took
him.
I met Spencer when he was seven and I showed him briefly. At this time he
had gone to live with George's son, who was also showing him infrequently when
his work schedule permitted.
I did use him and one of his kids is on my website (Star). I attained four
champions, all Group and in Show winners, from the litter by him and from my
New Zealand Import Ch Miliaire Touch of Bells.
Spencer was an adorable fellow; very tall, but balanced, with a beautiful
long clean head not lacking in substance and underjaw. The day I was
informed he had died I wept. Spencer's Grandfather was NZ CH Siccawei Kassle
imported from UK who's sire was Siccawei Kings Ransom.
Pauline Kitching
Beukale Airedales
www.beukale.shows.it
Western Australia
