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Watson was never really abused in the true sense of the word, but his 9 years of life were filled with upheaval. The product of wonderful parents from a good breeder, Watson went home at 9 weeks of age with a young man and his wife where he lived until things in the man's and woman's life began to unravel. For the next 9 years, Watson was shuffled between the man's house, his parent's house, back to the man's house, back to the parent's house and finally back to the man's house where the man had taken a new wife. Watson just never had any consistency and in spite of it all, remained a lovable and loving boy showing his true Airedale nature and good temperament. Finally, the man and the new wife decided to re-landscape their back yard and in spite of Watson's never having been a digger or at all destructive, it was decided that Watson would have to go because he just didn't fit in with the man's lifestyle anymore. Rescue was notified but told there was no urgency in picking up Watson. Several days later another call came in saying if the Watson wasn't picked up immediately, he would be put down because the landscapers were coming to start work. Watson was quickly picked up by a rescue volunteer who fully intended only to foster him. But, as these things go, she saw that he needed care and started him on a diet, a regular exercise routine and watched Watson return to the condition he should have been in all along. And somewhere along the line, Watson became such an integral part of the rescue person's life, it became apparent that Watson had found his forever home and filled a big hole in the heart of the rescue person from the loss of her beloved Annie Airedale 3 years before. Watson had come home and brought with him a love and a kindness the rescue person had been missing.

Now Watson steals carrots from the refrigerator the minute the door is opened, steals loaves of bread from the counter leaving the plastic wrap all in one piece on the floor, just minus the loaf of bread, gets his walkies every day and goes to the dog park on Saturday and Sunday mornings to play with his other 'dale pals and just generally charm everybody who meets him. His favorite part of the dog park is the restaurant adjacent to the park which serves both canine and hooman diners. The other doggies may lie down and wait patiently but Watson wants to be where he can see what's being served. He never attempts to take anything off the table, knowing full well that he will be the lucky guy who gets a treat first. He's living the good life now ~ something he always deserved.

Copyright 2002 by Joey Warren. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission of the author is prohibited.