Finding a top dog
By Beverly Russell

Like many other retirees in San Miguel, Monty Escapade had a distinguished track record in his home town of Chicago before settling down in Los Frailes.

Forty-one award ribbons and a gold-embossed achievement certificate denoted his status as a pure-bred Champion Airedale Terrier of the American Kennel Club, an honor he received in 2002.

Monty’s owners, Richard Muetze and Don Collins, chose him from a litter of puppies at the Stone Ridge Airedales Kennel in Wadsworth, Ill. in 1999. “He had the look of a champion,” said Richard.

He was not their first Airedale, however. Monty was preceded by Jasper, who was a rescued dog. When Jasper died at the age of 12, Don says, “We knew we wanted another Airedale. We fell in love with the breed and liked the temperament. They are not lap dogs, but they are loyal and sociable and originally bred as hunting dogs in Northern England.”

Richard and Don wanted Monty to be the best he could be, so they first sent him as a young puppy to a professional trainer to earn his companion dog certificate. He was away from home for about eight weeks, and he learned the commands “heel,” “down,” “stay,” “come” and “sit.”

At three years old, he was groomed for American Kennel Club shows with his personal professional handler, Allison Sunderland of Hanover, Michigan. “He was six months on the Midwest show circuit; we barely saw him. He traveled throughout Illinois, Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, even as far as Virginia with his handler. If we attended a show including Monty, we had to sit way up in the rafters so that he didn’t catch our scent, which might have put him off track,” said Richard. After being awarded champion status, he was ready for breeding and subsequently sired progeny.


With all his glory behind him, Monty’s personality has changed somewhat in retirement. “He is even more lovable now and responsive,” remarked Don. “He used to be more independent, but now he stays around the house with us. He doesn’t have the anxieties he used to have when we were out all day working.”

Monty’s daily routine includes a leashed 45-minute walk twice a day. “Airedales need a lot of space,” the owners added, noting that exercise for retirees, both human and canine, is a very good thing.

The SPA has a selection of very gentle, sociable dogs like Monty, good for both young and old. All the dogs and cats at the SPA are neutered, have all their current shots and are well socialized. The dogs have all undergone a basic training program—in fact, some of the older dogs are advanced students. Each animal in the SPA shelter is handled every day. Our loyal volunteers know the likes and dislikes of the animals they care for and are well placed to match animal with a prospective adoptive family.

The SPA is a non-profit organization operating without governmental support. It relies entirely on donations from the community to provide for the animals in its care. Located at Los Pinos 7, off Calzada de la Estacion, the SPA is open from 11am–2pm daily. A donation of 300 pesos is requested for dogs that are adopted, 250 for cats. These amounts are to offset the significant care each animal in the shelter receives.


Beverly Russell is the author of ten books and articles for numerous publications including The New York Times. If you have a possible pet story for publication email bevrussmex@yahoo.com.