Let me be the first to welcome you to Starting Over Airedale Rescue! I look forward to connecting with you and helping you get to know more about myself, our organization and our mission.
I officially started working with Airedale rescue in 1995. I have done everything from transporting (many transports using my airplane), home visits, fostering (failing at fostering and keeping my foster), newsletter editor, fundraising, serving on a Board (including as president for 5 years) and everything in between. I thoroughly enjoy Airedale rescue and am happy to serve as SOAR's first president as we "take off" and find our wings to rescue Airedales who need us in the future.
I have had terriers all of my life. My family had two Scotties when I was a toddler (although I don't remember much about them.) Then at age 12, my grandmother bought us a Wire Fox Terrier for Christmas. I called 4 additional Wires my "furry friends" for several years after that...including two Wires when I was first married. Somewhere along the line, I decided I wanted an Airedale in my life, so my first Airedale, Skipper, joined my pack of two Wires.
After a divorce in 1985 and losing all of my dogs to my ex-husband, I did my first rescue on my own when I found an Airedale wandering on the side of a busy highway. She came right up to me when I stopped the car and jumped in like she belonged! No one claimed her so she stayed and became my Honey.
My second rescue came the next summer when I helped someone place an Airedale that wandered into their gas station. After these two experiences, it was a natural for me to become involved with Airedale rescue when the opportunity came up several years later.
Dusty was my heart dog and she was the last of the Airedales I purchased from a breeder. She was always so wonderful with the many fosters I brought into my home. I have also been called "mom" by rescues Katy, Alice and Sweet Pea.
I am a flight instructor and ran my own flight school and maintenance shop at the local airport. I did airman checkrides on behalf of the FAA for small single-engine airplanes for 20 years. I also have a greenhouse where I enjoy taking care of around 3,000 orchids. I am an orchid judge and travel around the country speaking about my specialty field of pleurothallids. I also hybridize orchids and have named many for rescue friends.
My husband, Bob, and I share our home with two rescue Airedales, Alice and Sweet Pea, and our German Shepherd, Kasey.
I look forward to sharing my inspiration and enthusiasm with you. If you have any comments or suggestions, I am here to listen.
Lynn O'Shaughnessy
President
lynnos@soar-airedale-rescue.com
