Judy: Airedales & Grandchildren 2

Judy writes:

 

I've been reading about Zeus and Neisha working with kids. I'm thinking Duncan may be a candidate for a program like those in a little while. Yesterday was our grandson Jordan's 11th birthday. Remember Jordan is our Airedale-boy. Some of his first memories are of Airedales gazing up at him as he ate snacks in the high chair. He used to ride between Beau and Anabelle in the backseat of our pick up as we pulled our motorhome to the beach. He was so tolerant of BIGBADBARKS in his ear as Beau shouted at the horses grazing in fields as we passed by.

Yesterday, Jordan's birthday was located at a bowling alley. His Mom asked us to transport some of the kids because we have room in our SUV. We took Jordan, Nick, Aria and one of Jordan's 12 year-old friends named Andre. Andre is the biggest of the kids so he can sit without a booster chair. We squeezed him between Aria's carseat and Jordan's booster in the backseat. We have a barrier that screens off the cargo area of the SUV. It's where Duncan rides. Nicholas' booster sits in a jumpseat in the back of the SUV with Duncan. We've discovered Duncan is such a slender guy, he can squeeze through the side of the barrier when he's really wants to be included in the passenger area. He usually stays in the back, when the car seat and boosters are in the car.

Yesterday, as soon as we picked up Andre and started off to the bowling alley. Duncan slipped through the side of the barrier, climbing over Aria and sitting smack dab in the middle of the backseat, on top of Andre. I'd asked Andre if he likes dogs before he got into the car. He said, "Yes, I've always wanted one but our apartments don't allow pets." It's a good thing Andre likes dogs. We stopped and put Duncan into the back again. As soon as Roy started driving, he once more squeezed through to land on Andre's lap. Roy thinks it is because he was protecting me from this strange kid. Duncan sat on Andre with his head lying on my shoulder. Andre spent the time petting and scratching him. I kept asking Andre if he was okay and he said, "Yes." Aria was crying because she wanted Duncan to sit closer to her so she could pet him.

On the way home, I squeezed myself into the backseat between Jordan and Aria. Duncan was happy to stay in the back as long as I was sitting close.  Andre is big enough to ride in the front seat. He's a tall 12 year-old.

Duncan has definitely become my bodyguard. Like Beau (@RB), he sticks close to me at most times. Since Roy and I are both retired, we spend all our time with Duncan. We haven't left him home alone yet. Like Anabelle (@RB), he now expects to go where we go and do what we do. Roy and I kept telling each other we lucked out taking Andre. He's a very sweet boy who was absolutely wonderful with Duncan. Before we picked him up, I knew Andre must be good kid as our seven year-old grandson Nicholas (Jordan's little brother) said, "I like Andre, he's nice to me." Now you know he has to be special to treat little brothers with respect. And the whole way to the bowling alley, he oooed and ahhhed over baby Aria while scratching Duncan's back. It's a darn good thing he likes dogs.

Duncan enjoyed himself immensely. However, it appears we're going to have to put a seat belt on him, unless he gains a lot of weight so he can't slip through the side of the barrier. Acura must not have had a slippery dog like him in mind when they designed the barrier.