Juliet NKA Gypsy Update

An update on Gypsy as sent to her foster mom, Deb in New Mexixo:


Hi, Deb,
Well, we've had her for one week and the progress is amazing.  She still tests the furniture rule all the time, part of that is her wanting to look out the windows.  We are opening the door and she can see out the storm door, that helps. We decided not to use the doggie door (Yuma doesn't fit) and she is doing very well sitting at the door when she wants out. 


We have learned that she is very timid and shy with new people.  She barks and puts her tail between her legs.  Your scent rag worked wonderful for us, we never saw that reaction.  We have been ignoring it (this is with friends who are dog people!!) and she seems to settle.  She has taken treats from one neighbor and from a dog trainer.  


We took her in for an evaluation with a trainer and have begun to use a clicker.  She has one more private session and then will begin group classes some time after the holiday.  She also has an appointment with my homeopathic vet on Tues.


She is tolerating the dogs on the other side of the fence much better, but the rabbits still make her a crazy person. Chasing a large ball was a great suggestion, it distracts her from even the rabbits!!!!!!  She and Yuma have started to play, yesterday their best day.

She is wonderful and we love her.  More later, Joyce

Riley fka Tramp Joins a Big Furever Family!

Hi everyone,
        We just wanted to write and thank everyone involved with Colonel Potter for helping us add an absolute doll baby to our family. Riley (CP's Tramp f.k.a Gypsy) is an absolute pleasure. We picked her up in North Carolina two weeks ago.


Special thanks to her foster mom, Barbara and to our matchmaker, Lisa. From the time we sent our application, everything was handled promptly and professionally from the Reference checks (Karen) to the HSV (Carlene and Nicole) to the contract process (Bev) and finally to our Post-Adoption Counselor, Neola. 


We wanted to pick her up during my daughter's spring break and everyone worked very hard to make that happen. We would like to thank everyone involved in saving Riley from her former life, taking such good care of her and getting her to us. She is an real sweetheart.


We got home two Mondays ago in the afternoon after a 6 hour car ride. Our almost 11 year old alpha Cairn, Mollie wasn't really happy to see her new sister. We knew she would come around because she had accepted my daughter's dog Sophie.


We followed your instructions, gating Riley in the kitchen and continuing to treat Mollie as top dog. We took turns spending time with each dog. On Friday, we felt that they were ready to meet. Riley was certainly ready to explore the rest of the house. As suggested by both Barbara and Neola, I took them for a walk together. When we came back in the house, I played ball with Mollie while Riley sat behind me and watched. Then they went for another long walk and they have been fine ever since.


It was so nice to finally be one big family. Riley started to play with her toys in private at first.  Tonight, she was actually running around the house after my younger daughter who was holding her favorite toy and tossing it. What a pleasure to see her getting so used to us. We start basic obedience next week. Riley has already picked up on some of the commands we use for Mollie. I think she will do very well (OK, as well as a Cairn can do!).

Our older daughter was home this weekend with her dog, Sophie. Riley and Sophie has fun yesterday running and chasing each other in the back yard. The three dogs also loved going for several long walks together. Riley is my shadow and she enjoys laying on my lap in the evening watching TV, something I also really enjoy. I do have to share her sometimes so Gary has his turn.


Riley has been such a wonderful addition to our family. It was love at first sight.  I just want everyone involved to know how much we appreciate what you do.

Thank you again!
Leslie, Gary and Taylor
with Cairn fursibs Mollie and Riley
and furcuzin Sophie

Hemi's Family Celebrates and Continues the Blessing

Tomorrow will be Hemi's 1year adoption day. We are so happy and thankful to have him! He is a joy and the sweetest Cairn ever as are his brother, Bogie and his sister, Gypsy.

We can't thank Col. Potter and all the wonderful Volunteers that helped us along the way.

We just handed our first foster, Miss. Barbara C over to her new parents and I was feeling a bit sad. Then I remembered how happy we were when we picked Hemi up from the airport on 2/22/10. His Foster Mom had to trust that he was going to a good new home and that we would love him as much as she did. So I've wiped away the tears and put a smile on my face and gave Hemi a big hug and a kiss and he gave me one back!

Thank you all, so very, very much!
Geri & Joe P