Libby's Gotcha Day

Libby F (CPCRN name Louise) recently celebrated her "Gotcha Day" anniversary in Ann Arbor, MI. where she was adopted in 2007. We believe Libby to be around 4 years old. I had never experienced the joys of owning a dog before Libby - it's certainly been a life-changing event!

Libby is about as sweet as they come, and has definitely tapped into her inner Princess. She was quite timid and fearful of many things upon her arrival, including stairs, doors, black shoes, a hand near her face, riding in the car, people yelling or speaking loudly, etc. Libby is much more confident now, & will strain on the leash to approach other dogs during a walk, even if they're considerably larger than her.

She's still very anxious on car rides and continues to be fearful of being struck with a hand. There are several human neighbors she considers her special friends, and automatically tries to walk up their sidewalks for a visit. She tries to catch up with unsuspecting butterflies, tiny toads & birds, and appears disappointed they don't sit and wait for her.

But her absolute favorite thing to do is visit her foster care home, which is Libby's version of going to a resort. Her foster mom Denise (a CPCRN associate) and I are friends & co-workers, and often bring Denise's 3 Cairns, her fosters & Libby together for socializing. They clearly all enjoy each other's company, and spend lots of time in the fenced-in yard together. Libby rarely barks, but she enjoys standing out on Denise's deck and barking at the gate in the fence, for unknown reasons.

This photo is from a recent "sleepover" she had with her Cairn cousins & Denise's family. We think Libby is happy with her life and knows she is loved by many. A big thank-you to CPCRN and to my Cairn Terrier mentor, Denise H.!

Bubbles is now Katie

What a big smile she has in her furever home!

Napolean's Bike Ride

Hi everyone! I hope this link works to show the pictures of the bike basket I bought for Napoleon. We just got it on last night so just took a real quick ride to see how he would like it. He LOVED it. Alexandra was taking the pictures and when we came back, she took Napoleon in so I could start mowing. He was NOT happy -- wanted to stay with Mom and ride the bike more! :-) I can't wait to go riding with him on Saturday and take him for a longer ride. He was perfect -- I got him all snapped in and he just looked around and smiled. Hope you enjoy the pictures! http://napoleonmc.shutterfly.com/
Keren in Oklahoma with Napoleon -- cuzins I gots to go bik riding! Tell yur moms to get you a basket! It was fun!
Ginger -- I didn't get to go bik riding but dats ok wif me.
Willie -- I would have to be chained in to stay in the basket and even that would be no guarantee, and Columbus (Bubby) -- I stays hom wif Wiwwee and pway wif him.

Big Celebrations for Bea, Neah, and Zander

September 24th was Bea and Neha’s first anniversary of their gotcha day AND it was Zander’s adoption day!

Bea and Neha met and bonded in foster care and we adopted them together. This picture is the two of them today wondering what all the fuss is about - after all, they knew all along they were cairn princesses.They sleep snuggled next to each other, play together all the time and always like to know where the other one is. Bea won Best Senior at the Isle of Palms Doggy Day at the Rec this year and Neha also participated in this and the Charleston Dog Show and she loves to show off her soccer skills at the dog park. They are very happy and healthy and love their toys and riding in the car and leaving nose prints on the windows!

Zander is getting his second chance at adoption. His first one didn’t work out and we were happy to offer him a “furever” home with us. .We never thought that we would have three dogs but you just know when it’s right and when he came back in the door, Bea and Neha came flying down the stairs to sniff him and do their happy dance. This is a picture of him with his new toys and face trim AFTER I mailed his contract.

We will be driving them to their first Cairn rescue Annual Party (CRAP) in West Virginia next week. I’m sure there will be a story to tell after that adventure! Thanks to everyone in Col. Potter who helps to make these stories possible behind the scenes everyday!

Bonnie in SC Mom to CP's Bea, Neah and Zander foster Mom to Bubba Gump

Tiara now Tee Tee Sends Foster Mom a "Thank You"

Tiara's Foster Mom wrote: What a wonderful surprise we received today, a beautiful edible arrangement from little Tee Tee. Blaine and I can not stop smiling. Following a quick note to TeeTee's new forever family, Foster Mom received this reply:

Why that little scamp!!!! She is so smart she now knows how to use my credit card and has mastered the intricacies of the computer - I haven't even been able to get Tim that well trained!!!! She is so sweet and well mannered I just can't believe it - she is starting to hang out more with the boys, but when she wants her "Tee-time" she takes her toys and goes into the bathroom and sits there - I think you are right - she must have been kept there, because she certainly feels comfortable there!

She got groomed today and the groomer said she was just a dream to work with. I've included a picture of her - and she didn't get much cut off, because I wanted to see how she did first.

I'll get to spend lots of time with her - she's got "sit" down really well!! We're working on her coming when her name is called. Enjoy the fruit! Talk to you later!
Susan, Tim, Chester, Munchkin, Taz and Tee Tee the Wonderdog!

Misty Visits the Grand Canyon

Here are some beautiful photos from Barry and Pat, who adopted Misty (fka Worship), last year. This former mill momma is so well loved by them, it really warms my heart. Seeing Misty at the Grand Canyon is pretty neat, especially because we thought early on, we were going to lose her from a terrible infection from her spay. Who'd a thought she would be seeing such beautiful sights!!

Tess Oughta Be in Pictures!

This is Tess, fka Belair
"LET ME OUT OF HERE!",
and posing with flowers. Isn't she precious!

Bella Loves Her Life!

Dear Aunt Mary, I didn't know life could be this good. I am so happy with my new forever family that words cannot express it. They love me no matter what kind of trouble I cause and believe me I can cause trouble. We have gotten into a regular routine and it is working just great. I am so excited to see my daddy come home that I about burst. DeDe is a great sister too. She has taught me a lot - some things mom and dad didn't want me to learn. Like how to escape from the laundry room. We have had several great adventures in the house when no one was home but dad thinks he has fixed that. He thinks he has corralled us but we are working on our next escape route. I am getting plenty of exercise running around the house and yard, and daddy has been taking us to the doggie park when he gets home. I am still a little unsure of myself around all those dogs but I can hold my own. Under daddy's legs that is. He says I am getting better. I will venture off and sniff all the great sniffs that there are to sniff. Then coming running back when someone tries to sniff me. We are working on things like Sit, Stay, and Come. I can do all that but only when it suits me. I am of course a Cairn, and we only do what we want to do when we want to do it. Last night I got my first bath in my new home. Daddy is learning that I am a handful when I am wet. I really did not want to be dried off afterwards and I let him know. I wiggled and wormed like only I can do but in the end I let him dry me off. Then it was off to romp with sis. Such fun. I am sending a couple of pictures so you can see how they spoil me. I am really the happiest little Cairn that ever lived. Thanks again for the great start. We think of you often. Luv Bella

A Cairn Princess in the Making - One Year

It took me a long time to come the decision to foster. A long time and a lot of convincing of my dear husband who felt we already had enough on our plate. A young family, a working family, with 2 kids still at home - quite a few years before they leave the nest. We already had one Cairn to add to our day to day responsibilities along with our family feline. I convinced my husband that we could do this, no problem.

Let’s rewind: August 11th, 2008 - a late night drive to the airport. Gosh, we were so excited about our new foster arriving in Winnipeg. We had already seen a picture of her and at least new what Wilson looked liked. Wilson came to Col. Potter from a puppy mill along with several Cairns that needed rescue. This group of fur-kids were named after rock legends. Wilson was named after the ever so talented ladies of the group Heart.
Finally, a small crate arrives in the cargo area of the airport. We all looked at each other with bewilderment and a now what look on our faces. We squeeze together and peek into the crate to see 2 eyes peeking back at us. In unison, we say “awwwww”. We carry Wilson to the car and start our new journey together as her foster family.

Let me tell you, things weren’t easy at first. Nope, not easy. We now had a dog that peed on the floor, on her bed, pretty much anywhere in her ex-pen. I guess when you gotta go, you gotta go! She growled at the resident Cairn and our cat. We wondered if she would ever be friendly. As each day went by, things got a little easier. After a few weeks, we were proud to say that Wilson was pee-mat trained. She wasn’t the most social dog we had ever met and was absolutely terrified to go outside. It didn’t matter though - those were things we would work on.
One day, I took some pictures of Wilson and put them on the Col. Potter website with a really nice update mentioning that Wilson was ready to be adopted. My dear husband was mortified! Yes, my husband - the same man who only one dog! He convinced me that we needed to adopt her NOW! He said that WE are the family for her, end of story. He also sat beside me to fill out an application to adopt.

Fast-forward: Sept.10th, 2008 - We received our contract that our adoption of Wilson had gone through. Wilson was officially ours! I shared the news with the family - everyone was elated!

Well, the first thing we did was a name change. Wilson, officially became Delilah - nickname Dilly. It is truly the most fitting name for this little girl… our little silly Dilly! Every month that went by with Dilly was a month full of accomplishments. Dilly was better bonded with the family, would walk a little more freely around the house, realized that the bathroom garbage can wouldn’t attack her and would even enter the kitchen at times when she felt comfortable.

It has taken Dilly 10 months to sniff - as crazy as that sounds, this little Cairn wouldn’t sniff anything. Well, she does now! She finally drinks out of the community water bowl and RUNS down the hallway with a smile on her face each and every morning because she can - and nobody stops her!
She continues to amaze me. Not just me but all of us. In August of 2009, Dilly went outside on her own. She didn’t need to be carried in terror at all. She followed us outside and ran for a short bit and wanted back inside. My dear hubby and I were speechless! We couldn’t believe it! Our little Dilly has come a very long way in the past year. She has also learned to finger play with small, gentle nips. She enjoys the company of her brother Hershey. I think she really started to like Hershey when she realized that he gets good treats when he comes in from outside and mom sneaks her one too. Speaking of food, I don’t think there will ever be another dog that is so grateful to receive a bowl of food. She sits in her little Sphinx position awaiting preparation of her meal, ever so quietly. Dilly will leap to her feet and bound down the hallway to her private eating area. Even the smallest crumb of food makes her happy. Her little eyes tell us “thank you” in her own way.

We have no regrets fostering. None. Dilly was the perfect addition to our family as silly as she can be. She adores her family, humans and fur siblings. She has made huge adjustments in her life but has settled in nicely.

We still have things to work on. We hope to spend our days in the backyard comfortably with Dilly one day where she can experience the shade of the apple tree on sunny day. Maybe she’ll roll in the dirt with Hershey or even dig in it. We want her to see a squirrel run along the fence or even watch a rabbit hop through the neighbor's yard.

All those good things will come - we’re certain of it. Time and patience are something we have a lot of.

Dilly, it has been a fantastic year! We are so happy to say that you are home for good!

It's Popeye ... make that Tessie the Sailor Cairn!

Introducing: ZAZZLE

Add Glitter to your Photos

ZAZZLE 'EM ... BEDAZZLE 'EM!
CPCRN is so excited to Introduce our latest store -
CP CAIRN RESCUE ZAZZLE!!!!!!

Where the designs are unique and fresh . . . something we are sure you will totally LOVE.
SO JOIN US in our Introduction of ZAZZLE!

There are three constants at Col Potter Cairn Rescue Network:
1. to help find homes for as many rescued Cairns as possible.
2. to generate the needed funding in a variety of ways.
3. to have fun and enjoy the satisfaction that comes from providing Cairns with good=2 0homes and homes with great Cairns.

The website is easy to navigate and can be found at www.zazzle.com/cpcairnrescue

Thank You for supporting Col. Potter Cairn Rescue Network!

Munchkin's Labor Day Celebration

Well, I am very happy to say that Munchkin and Dad [Frank P] are doing very well at the retirement center in Kittery, Maine.

For Labor Day weekend my brother invited the family to take a long ride on his Catboat. Most of us were able to attend, the day could not have been nicer, the sky clear- full sun and the water sparkling. The wind was a bit low - so sailing was almost a no-go.

We headed out toward Nantucket Sound. This trip was a first for both Munchkin and my Dad [since his stroke a couple of years ago now]. Neither Munckin nor Dad had any trouble at all adjusting to the sea air, salt water and the motion of the boat. Munchkin settled down nicely with Dad and enjoyed the ride across the water. She also took a walk up on top of the boat - starboard side.

When we docked for some time on the beach, we were not sure how Munchkin would take to the water, but she did just fine, for her first time swimming in the ocean. Go Munchkin!

On the trip back to the dock, I found that both my four year old and Munchkin had fallen asleep. So very tired from all the fun and excitement from our day of boating, beaching, collecting shells and rocks and just being with the family.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Labor Day weekend. Stay tuned for our next update(s) of fun! next weekend at the Kittery Retirement Center for a Clam Bake.

Best regards,

Ms. Heather-E. S. G. [Frank P's daughter]

You're Invited to the "Pet Extravaganza

The Gulf Coast Dog Magazine

Pet Extravaganza
Oct 17, 2009
9:00 am – 6:00 pm
Sarasota-Bradenton International Convention Center
More than 200 exhibits of pet-related products & services
(for more information) http://www.thegulfcoastdog.com/PetExtravaganza.html