Tales from Tallulah Bean

Hi All! Tallulah Bean here. Tomorrow is my three month anniversary. Mom finally got some photos of me developed. Hope you can see them okay. Sorry we don't have any of me at the park -- we spend a lot of time there. I love the trails and running on the grass. At home I love my cuddle times (when I'm not stalking the squirrel). There are advantages to being an only dog! My groomer says that I am a sweetie. She washed, stripped & clipped me -- I even had my nails done without complaint.

Hanna is Already a Winner!

Hanna, fka Hubbard, is at her forever home and is "doing fabulous," her forever mom, Taron, says. She says she is still a bit apprehensive, but things are getting better on all fronts.

Hanna seems to like taking over her brother Kwanza's crate. "Hey," Kwanza, protested, "it's too hot for both of us in here." But Hanna isn't budging, and the two of them provide a good laugh for Mom.
Mom, reports that Hanna still likes some of her alone time, but she hangs out at the top of the stairs, watching the action below. And though she is still a bit shy, she will sometimes sit with the family until bedtime.
Also, the walks are getting much better, though Hanna still isn't too keen on that leashee thingee. But, Mom says, she did "mark" on one of her walks which is a real good thing for her, and she is much-improved in her tail-wagging endeavors. Go Hanna. And look at that bow and bandana! She's quite the fashionista.

Hanna is not 100% yet on the housebreaking, but she's getting better.  And in the meantime, Taron says, "She's already a winner in my book!"

Cabot: On Duty

Cabot is still in his loving foster home, but he knows what his job is - to be "on guard" and watching for that furever home.  Stay tuned for that update on this blog soon!  Great job Cabot, you handsome boy!

The New Zander with Gal Pal Neha

Zander has been on thyroid medicine and is like a new dog, feels good, more social, integrating himself into the pack. Neha misses Foster BG (now Guinness) but is very happy to hang out with Zander and they have started taking walks together. As you can see, they love the door and the full view window.
Bonnie in SC, Mom to CPs Bea (lying in the back window) Neha and Zander

Congrats to Napoleon for His Big Win in OKC Nosey Parker Contest!!

Napolean will be the "cause celeb" next Saturday at a big "Paint Your Art Out" event in Norman, Oklahoma where he will be painted with NoseyParker.  Congrats Napolean!!

Beach Baby!

British Columbia's newest Cairn resident, Hoka,
LOVES the beach! Who could blame her!

Dubuque Becomes a Buckeye!

Dubuque/Doobie is the second lucky CP Kid to become an Ohio resident this weekend!  Her new name is Eubha.  Here is a photo of her in the loving arms of her new mommie.

Tobosa Has a Furever Family!

Tobosa was adopted yesterday and is now a resident of Ohio. Here is a pic of Tobosa and her new family.

Guinness - the Perfect Graduation Gift!

Foster BG aka Snickers has been adopted! He joins the small but ever growing group of second generation CP adoptive families. His new mom is Margeurite D, who just graduated law school and applied for him by name.

Her parents adopted the late Rooster Cogburn and Prophet so cairn rescue runs in their family!

BG's new name is Guinness.  He  will be settling in Atlanta for several months before they move to Montgomery. He will also be spending a 2 week vacation in New York later this summer.

As you can see by the pictures, Marguerite and Guinness hit it off wonderfully and he was very comfortable with her.

Thanks to Deb C for the matchmaking. He was our foster for 9 months and we will miss him but as I told Margeurite, we were the perfect foster home for him and she is the perfect forever home.

Bonnie in SC, Mom to CPs Bea, Neha and Zander - Foster BG is on the road with his new mom.

Kerwin writes to say...

...Got-cha days are ggrrrrreat!!  Kerwin says thanks to Col. Potter for rescuing him and giving him a forever home. To celebrate his 5th Got-cha Day, Kerwin was treated to an eggy breakfast and a brand new bone. But he says the bestest thing in the world is his wonderful forever family.  Arooooo!

Yuki: Beginning to Walk the Walk

Well now, here is Yuki with his new dad, Steve. According to Steve, Yuki is beginning to claim his new backyard as his very own. Though he started out a little shy, after a few short practice walks, "...he at least piddles on every walk, and now he has begun to 'mark” his territory.'" So, Yuki is getting used to being Lord of his Domain. Go, Yuki.

Yuki also likes to travel to strange and exotic places like the local park. Steve says that Yuki is becoming quite the "terrier tracker"  and actually "ran toward rather than away from a rustle in the bushes the other day (a rabbit, we think)." Good boy, Yuki, we knew you had it in you.  

But Yuki likes his house too, and  he has his safe places at home. "He likes quiet spots, and will sit in our office with Bill during the day. At night he used to sleep in the hallway, but now wanders into the bedroom and sleeps on the floor next to the bed." So this little doggie is making great progress.

And Steve says that at night, "when we go upstairs, Yuki carries his favorite squeak toy with him, puts it down and looks at us. One of us will pick up the toy and squeeze it a couple times, then carry it to the end of the hallway. When we walk away, he “sneaks up” on the toy, picks it up and carries it back to his place. We have to do this 4 or 5 times each night – it’s become “expected”.

It seems that this little guy has surely landed in clover, and he knows now, "if I ever go looking for my heart's desire again, I won't look any further than my own backyard."

The Star of the Class!

Here is a picture of Wilton at his first obedience class with his new Mom. Wilton just graduated last Saturday as his Mom says: "The Star of the Class". He went with his friend, Mia, another CP dog and the fur daughter of one of our Matchmakers.

Wilton's story is so special. He was found as a young stray roaming a farm and sleeping with the barn cats at night. The family loved him, but felt he needed more attention than they could give him. He has had many experiences in his young life. The vet estimates that he is between 18-20 mo. He loves his cat siblings, and especially Sylvester. While Mom is at work, he and Sylvester roam the big house they live in rearranging the rugs and hiding things in Wilton's toy box.

Wilton has brought great joy to his Mom, and she to him. Wilton's home is in Boston, but he also has a summer home in NH that he will be spending time at this summer with his Mom. Whether Sylvester goes on these weekend outings is yet to be determined based on his ability to control his mischief and influence on Wilton. Wilton was named by the Intake Coordinator to honor another little cairn (shelter name of Will) who was killed by a vehicle just before finding his freedom. Wilton will keep his name. His Mom loves his name, and it truly fits him.

CPCRN 1st Annual Vancouver Island & Sunshine Coast Fun Day

On May 14, 2010, adoptive families and foster moms from Vancouver Island and Canada's Sunshine Coast gathered for an enjoyable afternoon at the home of Maeva and Kerby Lowen's.

We had 22 cairns in attendance and 16 of those were Colonel Potter Cairn Rescues. We raised over $330.00 for CPCRN and introduced half a dozen people to the CPCRN who are interested in adopting a cairn. It was a super day!

A huge thank you to Maeva and Susan for organizing this fun-filled event! Hats off to you both!!!

Click here for some event pics: http://preview.tinyurl.com/2vq5w26

Omaha Moves to New York

Little Miss Omaha went home to New York on Saturday with her new dad, Tad.  Her new name is Zoe and she is showing typical cairn antics and joy to have her own furever home.  This link has additional pictures http://pets.webshots.com/album/576819466xItVvK   The black brindle is Zeus, her foster brother, who loves to participate the adoption festivities!

The Tender Heart of a Rescuer

One of our volunteers sent this very sweet, true story:

I am in the midst of iris sales & Sunday a young couple brought thier daughter, Dottie, with them to see the iris and buy some starts. I always have "plant orphans" that people can adopt in return for a small donation to CPCRN.

The couple chose to add a little donation to their bill and commented to Dottie, who appeared to be 7 or 8 years old, that I rescued Toto dogs. Dottie had a dollar of her own - possibly her allowance - and she insisted on donating it too. Danielle has agreed that Dottie should receive her own donation receipt and thank you.

We also plan to use the Orphan Plants for Orphan Dogs money this year to purchase the name Dottie in the "name a cairn" fundraiser, so Dottie can follow her namesake throught the Col. Potter proces from intake to adoption.  Watch for future stories about Dottie and her Cairn namesake.

--

Kaaren J - Tecumseh, KS

 

Sow a thought and you reap an action;

sow an act and you reap a habit;

sow a habit and you reap a character;

sow a character and you reap a destiny.

---Ralph Waldo Emerson

Happy Mother's Day!

You're a Dog's best friend!

Love to our Fur Moms, our Foster Moms and our Furever Mommys

(not forgetting all the Aunties!!)

From Each and Every CP Kid

(ok, and our fursibs too!)

Announcing the CPCRN Cookbook – Volume III!

Make 2010 a year to remember by supporting CPCRN and ordering "Your Culinary Companion Volume III", our unique and lovingly-created cookbook of treasured recipes. This cookbook is our third book in our series.

Book I, "Your Culinary Companion" won TOP 10 honors from Morris Press, our publisher. We are very proud of this this accomplishment. Morris Press ONLY publishes cookbooks and they publish thousands every year.

We knew that our second book would be equally wonderful, and it is. It took 3rd place in the Morris Company’s contest, over 462 contest entries, and 10 finalists; for books published in 2007-2008! Each Volume II comes with that award medallion on the front! These books also truly make wonderful gifts! THESE are in very limited supply, but some are still available (see order form).

In addition to wonderful, heartwarming canine artwork, included in our Volume III, is a chapter on canine recipes, facts and healthy feeding tips, collected by Cairn Terrier lovers and their friends and relatives from all over the globe, as well as wonderful recipes in categories such as Bread & Breakfast, Appetizers & Snacks, Soups & Salads, Beef, Pork & Lamb, Poultry & Fish, Sides, Desserts, Budget Meals, Crock-Pot Cooking, Casseroles, and This & That which has a host of tips and gift ideas, beverages and specialty items.

Our Volume III is currently in PRE PUBLICATION sales and you can be among the very first to place an order. This book is very impressive in size and is a one-of-a-kind 3-ring (expandable) cookbook. It measures 8" wide, by 9-1/2" tall by almost 3 inch thick! The cookbook is professionally printed, including padded covers and approximately 750 carefully selected recipes. See below for more information on ordering. We expect shipment of your orders to be as early as September 2010!!

This is sure to become one of your favorite cookbooks and it benefits Cairns in need. And don’t forget, these are also great gifts for cooking friends or non-cooking friends, as the recipes are all tried and true family favorites. AND we will ship them DIRECTLY to your designated gift recipient for you. What more could you ask for?

Click here to order: http://mall.cairnrescue.com/inv_cookbookv3.htm

Happy Birthday CP Kids

Finley Brent, Annabelle, and Saratogo are 2 today!!!

Emerson and a Cairn Meet-Up

What do you do when you love cairns (and who reading this blog doesn't?) and you live where there a lots of cairns?  Have a "Meet-up"!!  CP Kid Emerson reports with photos:

Hi--Seems like there are a lot of Cairns in our area, and someone pulls together a Meet-Up every several weeks. This was the first we could attend, and it was held at my favorite dog run. There were 11 other Cairns there, and of course, Mom said I was the handsomest!  We were all on our best behavior and displayed our best barking!  I'm hard to see in the group photo, but that's me on the left with a Cuzin who also has wheaten coat and dark ears.

Hey, if you have a "Meet-up", why not send your update and photos to this blog?

Bunnie Hops into Hearts and Home

Bunnie found her furever home and now has a cairn brother Bandit, and a devoted Mom and Dad who she loved instantly. They all live in the mountains of Georgia. Bunnie explored the whole house, walked all over the golf course and now is playing with her tennis ball. So all in all she is great.  Here is a photo of Bunnie and her new parents.

The Fun and Rewards of Agility Competition

I thought you might be interested in some happenings in our busy Cairn Agility life.  Attached is an article that was in the NY Daily Times and AOL's Paw Nation last week - boy, all this celebrity is going to Charlie's
head! And Miss Annabelle (CP's Kiss) continues to amaze me! She and I flew to Eau Claire, Wisconsin last weekend for Puppy Camp with one of the most renonwned Agility competitor/instructors in the world (Ann

Braue, www.abctc.com). I have to say, my little pup is INCREDIBLE - THE class superstar! We had a ball!! I attached a picture of her bythe Chippewa River. She is as cute as a bug and as smart as a whip -

she is even learning to ride a skateboard (now if we could just nail that potty-training :) )!

Here's the link to Charlie's article if the pictures don't show up:
http://www.pawnation.com/2010/04/23/mixed-breed-dogs-get-in-on-the-action-with-akc-canine-partners/

Love to you all!
Pam in So Fl

How Love Transforms - Both Cairn and Owner!

I have always been a cat person. Please don't get me wrong, I have loved my dogs. Cats, however stole my hearts.

Enter Vito....

Vito (fka Zucchini) is a Col Potter rescue pup. He went through his first six years in a sad lonely pup mill. He reached the home of his foster Mom because of the efforts of Col Potter. Chris and her family gave Vito a great start. Was I looking for a six year old pup with missing teeth, not house trained, who had no idea of a world outside a puppy mill? No, but I saw his picture, read his bio and knew that sometimes the universe knows best.

We brought home a tired scared pup. He was my shadow. It took a few days, but Vito started to trust that life really had changed. I followed the advise from the blog and tethered Vito to my waist. He was smart and eager to please. House trained in a week. His growling and snapping problem started shortly after. I called my post adoption coordinator. She helped me to understand life from Vito's point of view. I gave him time and some space. Problem solved.

Digestion and breathing problems came next! After lots of visits to Dr. Goma, Vito was diagnosed with IBS. He had had multiple untreated respiratory infections during his internment. It left his lungs scared. A small dose of steroids and prescription food solved the problem.

Vito is making progress. He is learning to be a dog thanks to his cairn cousin Puck and his "fitness hounds" friends.

Vito gives me gifts of love every day. Last night I got the best gift of all! Vito let me snuggle up to him while he slept. His love is given with abandon.

I will always be a dog person.

Maryellen F
Rehoboth, Ma
Adoptive Mom of Zucchini~Col Potter Pup

A Journey to Remember!

Here are some photos of Journey, NKA Calliope ( Callie ). This little doll has settled comfortably in her forever home!

Callie's mom would like to thank everyone at Col. Potter for their assistance with Callie's adoption. Callie is the light of their life!

Demon is a Prince!

To Whom it may concern,

I just wanted to take a second to e-mail you all to say thank you so
much for the wonderful gift of Maxx. He is an angel. He is the most
perfect little boy ever. Words can not express how much I love him.
His original name was Demon but that name does not suit him because he
is Prince not a Demon. I have miss placed Barbara's e-mail address
(the foster mom) and the matchmakers e-mail. If who ever is reading
this could forward it to them I would love it. In the beginning I had
some doubts about if it was right but we got dog training for the
barking and he is now reformed to barely any barking unless there is a
delivery guy. You all are amazing for what you do with these puppies.
You all making such a huge difference with these dogs. If you all ever
need anything I will be happy to help. I would love to start a
foundation for Cairns in Charleston SC. I will from now on  always
rescue a  puppy. I can't tell you how much I love him. Thank you so
much!
Thank you,
Lindsay

Presenting a New Col. Potter Video - About Our Puppie!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cyj4V7SIaZY&playnext_from=TL&videos=i34oGB5jsEM&feature=sub

Dear Rescue family.

Col. Potter Cairn Rescue Network is proud to present our latest video under the wonderful direction of CPCRN'S Media group with Karen O as FILM DIRECTOR.

Look at these ADORABLE PUPPIES trying to be potty trained with baby belly bands already, and doing THE CAIRN THING, chewing on RUBY SLIPPERS . . . . so please follow our YELLOW BRICK ROAD and enjoy this video.

Danielle R, Founder
And a word from Director Karen O:

ColPotterCairnRescue — April 09, 2010 — Spring is in the air! Most of these puppies were rescued by Col. Potter Cairn Rescue Network. A large majority of them were rescued inside the bellies of their mommas, from breeding facilities and were whelped in a clean, warm environment at a foster home. Thanks to your generous donations, Col. Potter was able to rescue them from these less than desirable situations. Sit back and enjoy these adorable Cairn Terrier puppies!

Drumstick- now Griffey - has been Adopted!

Drumstick left this afternoon for his new home in Iowa. Attached is a picture of him with his Mom, Angela, Dad, Rob and little sister Miggy. His new name is Griffey. He looks a little scared, but he did really well and by the time Rob and Angela left for the drive back to Iowa, Griffey was following his new little sister around the house. Thanks to everyone involved in Drummie's rescue and to his matchmaker Kathy Burban. He is going to be one happy little boy once he gets used to his new family.


Foster Mom Marge T, MN

Bailey, the Cairn Princess Vies for Bissell's MVP

Bailey and her four 11-day-old pups found freedom & escaped their imprisonment in a puppy mill this past October, with the help of Col. Potter Cairn Rescue . She was a wonderful mom that is now retired. She is, loved & pampered in a wonderful home in sunny Florida. A far cry from the cold & harsh world she endured for nearly 6 years. Please help us help others still waiting for their chance at retirement. To see more of Bailey & her pups copy the following address http://tinyurl.com/yferzxw.

Jude's Adoption Day

Here is a great adoption story about how a scared mill puppy can adjsut in a loving foster home, then be adopted for a happy ever after, as told by foster mom Kathy:

My little foster Jude (black brindle) has come so far in the last few weeks. The day I picked her up from the breeder, she immediately started drooling as we drove away, and within 30 miles, on straight, fairly flat 4-lane highway, she threw up out of nervousness and fear. For days, she was scared of truly everything, hiding her head between your arm and your body. She acted like she'd been kept in the dark her whole life - and I think she literally had. But I knew being with my pack she'd start learning what it was like to be a normal dog. Over the past 6 weeks, she's learned that toys are fun, lightswitch clicks won't harm you, car rides are kinda scary but do-able, and people can really be a wonderful source of great things. The lights came on for her! She not only has been overcoming her fears, but she's also become a great ambassador for my scared foster boy Louisville - helping him to come out of his shell and play. Watching them has been like Mutt and Jeff - he twice her size. Yesterday, Jude's new mom arrived to spend the night and take her little girl home with her today. We had a wonderful visit, even though the weather was cold and drippy. I had to count heads when she left today to make sure one of my kids hadn't stowed away in her suitcase - especially since little Daphne was able to overcome her timidness and gave her kisses galore, and she couldn't sit down without Rudy wanting to be in her lap! LOL And Jude did the 7 hour drive home without having a sick tummy :-) Attached are a couple of pics I had Barney take before they left this morning -

Happy Forever, Jude! Maybe I'll see you again at CRAP this summer :-)
Kathy H in MO

Harvey and Wilton - Boys Will Be Boys!

Mary N and her foster Wilton came out yesterday for a visit. My foster Harvey and newly adopted Drifter (a Cairnabee) were excellent hosts. The boys sniffed, peed, zoomed, peed, mouth sparred, peed some more, zoomed again for a couple of hours.

Kaaren J - Tecumseh, KS

And All That Jazz!

Foster Mom Lori in Rogers, AR sent this picture of Jazz with his cairn sister Katiria that his forever home just sent to her. Jazz was one of Contralto's(Connie) puppies and a brother to our WuWu. His forever mom came all the way from Puerto Rico to get him.

Vote for CINDER - This Week's Bissell MVP Entrant

Visit daily to vote: http://mvp.bissell.com/mvp_petdetail.aspx?id=8590128577&cid=mvp10_widget_1101350

Here is Cinder's story Entrant #: 1101350
Home at Last!

We decided to foster a Cairn terrier after watching a UTube Video about Col. Potter Rescue. Cinder came to us in Feb 2009 from a commerical breeding facility and was completely terrified of pretty well everything. He stole our collective hearts and we adopted him in June 2009. Thanks to Col. Potter we were able to save a beautiful dog from a life of misery and he has become a much loved member of our family which includes Chloe the Cairn, Coco the Pappillon, Katie the cat and the four humans!

Thanks for voting and helping CPCRN win money to save more Totos!!!!

Nashua Moves from Pennsylvania to Maine

Furever Family sent Foster Mom Amy this update following Nashua's adoption:

We arrived home to Maine uneventfully yesterday afternoon. We are calling our girl Bella and she travelled like a champ. It went surprisingly well.  Fursister Abby is adjusting - less "spoiled child" outbursts. Bella stands her ground on what's important to her and Abby respects that. We are very please with their interaction. Both are now seeking the other to play. Bella loves the snow and has done well walking with Abby.  Potting training is in progress - I'm sure time and adjustment to her new home will bring her along fine.

We are so happy to have Bella and love her a ton already. She is a wonderful fit with our family. Will keep in touch as we progress. Again, thanks for all you do to make this happen!!! Col. Potter is heaven sent.

Love and best wishes,
Jackie, Carl, Abby & Bella

Cree is now as Free as a Butterfly!

Mary N reports that her little foster, Cree, has gone to her forever home--flew with her mom to TN--Nashville area.

Cree now has a wonderful and sensitive new mommy who is a vet tech. and studying to be a veterinarian. Cree's new name is Nahbi, which means "butterfly" in Japanese. Nahbi will have a cat brother and sister and Grandparents doting on her. She will seldom be alone.

Thanks to Deb C who found Nahbi this wonderful home. Nahbi was a hit a the airport, but a little too nervous to enjoy the attention. After about an hour she became very curious about the coming and going of so many people. She is a great little dog, who has come such a long way. I will miss her and our walks together.

Newark's New Home

Hi there, Col Potter family!!
It's me, Aberdeen Eilean Thomas, better known as "Abbey", formerly known as "Newark".

My new Mom, Gail, picked me up last night from Foster Mom Chris. I said good-bye to all my foster brothers and sisters and headed home to Momma's house, and my "fur-ever" home. I spent a lot of time looking around inside and outside. I even went potty nicely for Momma outside where I am supposed to go potty. She said I was a "very good girl". I had some supper, went potty again, and then settled down on the sofa with Momma to watch TV.

We were very comfy and cozy on the sofa. All of a sudden new sister Sedona Kitty came out to see what was going on. We just kind of looked at each other for a bit. Momma said I was very good. I didn't chase my sister or anything. I wish she would let me say "hi", but she just hides under the bed. I think once she knows that I am a good little girl and won't hurt her, she will come out from under the bed and play with me.

I slept very quietly last night. Momma said she didn't even know that a new pup was in the house. When she got up, we went outside to potty. I was very good again and got a treat. I helped Momma make her coffee by supervising the preparation very closely. She even let me lay on her bed while I gave her some makeup tips. I was VERY helpful this morning. Momma says that, because I wanted to be everywhere she is, she feels like she has run an agility course this morning, having to step over me and around me so many times. She says that's OK, because this will help with keeping her knees in shape and with her exercises.

I think I am really going to like it here. Momma loves to play with me and teach me fun things. I think we already have a handle on sit, and down. Tonight we are going to the park for a nice long walk. She says I will see boats in the marina on our walk and meet other nice dogs like me.

So, I just wanted to say thanks everybody for taking such good care of me until I could find my "fur-ever home". I am so happy I could just......... pee!

Oh, oh!

I will be in touch again soon. Momma lets me send e-mails on her computer. Did I tell you Momma says I am very smart!!

Licks and puppy kisses

Abbey Eilean

From Camper to Baker - This Boy has a Great Career!

Foster Mom Kathy H sent this adoption day story:

Our Camper boy left this morning for a new adventure in life - that of being someone's forever boy. He'd been here since the end of June and was feeling VERY comfortable.  His new mom and dad are retired military(one an audiologist and the other physician) and live in Vancouver, WA - the perfect place for this boy as he loves water and loves snow!

He now has a Cairn sister named Mollie who is 11 years young, and she's given her approval of the new boy in the house. Mom works a few days a week, and Dad's office is out of the home, so he'll pretty much have someone with him 24/7.

Camper's new name will be Baker, which ironically is the name of the university our two daughters graduated from.

Happy Forever, Camper - you've found HIGH COTTON for sure!

Our Three Cairns - Ginger, Buddy and Millie

Anne and Bob M of Pittsburgh, PA recently sent an update of their three cairns. Here is what she says:

Ginger is a dear senior cairn, who we adopted from a local shelter 10 years or so ago.

Buddy is the light of our life, adopted from Col. Potter a few years back. We picked him up in Gros Isle, Michigan and he has been our delight ever since. He is a dog dog and does not think he is human. Loves to cuddle but at his own time and place. Follows my husband about, always anticipating a walk. He is eager, funny, fast, and so sweet.

Millie came to us during a transport last March or April. She didn’t bark for 6 weeks (does now!), couldn’t do stairs for even longer, although she could jump onto a couch for a snuggle. She is still, almost a year later, proud of herself when she manages stairs. She is a dear sweet marshmallow of a dog with not a mean bone in her body. She is tilted to a definite California Rake with her back end much higher than her front and her fur the consistency of silk and oh, those eyes!!!!! In her whole life she will never get enough pats.

Cinny and Skeeter Say "Erin Go Bragh!"

Happy St. Patrick's Day from Kayla

An Update from Rick fka Merrick

Foster Mom Mary Ellen in NJ received a note and pictures of Merrick who was adopted by a retired couple on Long Island, NY. They sent the note and photos to thank me and remind me it has been three years this month since they adopted Rick.

He has a beautiful coat with every Cairn color in it. He sits up like a gopher to get treats, he goes to his crate at 7 PM every night. He loves to play with their granddaughter's puggle Deliah.

Thanks to everybody who was part of getting Rick's to his new life new life.

Izzy's First Year of Freedom and Fun

Hard for us to believe it, but February 13 was Izzy’s (fka Macaw, Freedom Flyer) 1-year “Got-Cha” day! It seems like just a short time ago that we drove to Florida to meet her foster parents at Cracker Barrel and that we first laid eyes on that terrified little gray ball of fur.

The ride home back to South Carolina was accompanied by frequent “what are we getting ourselves into” thoughts. It filled me with tears to look into her eyes and think about what the past 4.5 years had been like for her as a mill-momma. Izzy would flatten-out if someone moved too fast near her, instinctively thinking someone was going to hurt her. She was afraid to walk outside, would not move from one spot in a room to another spot, so we did a lot of dog-toting-around those first few weeks.

Izzy’s “first-time” achievements, when they occurred, made us so happy you would think we’d just won the lottery. Like the first time she walked a few steps across the living room floor. The first time she jumped onto the couch. The first time she licked my face. The first time she walked down the hall alone (she was terrified of halls and doorways for over 6 months). Potty time was a real challenge for months, as it took her a looooong while to relax enough to “go”. When walking outside, she would stop, freeze in her steps, and refuse to move any further. Now she does her business as soon as we take her out, then she uses the rest of the time to smell the yard and visit with the cat.

We had snow for the first time last week and she is a real snow-hound. She ran in it so fast that she was kicking up a snowstorm in front of her, then she would fall over on her side and roll in it. She still does not play with or show any interest in her dog-toys, but in the last few weeks she occasionally will get frisky and start “mouthing” at our hands like she wants to play.

Can’t wait to see what “first-time” achievements are in store for the coming year! Izzy has blessed us so much this last year and we can’t imagine life without her. Thanks to Col. Potter and all the wonderful people of this rescue group that made this possible.

Annie - the Four-Footed Valentine

Two weeks ago, I got the best Valentine's gift!! I flew to Omaha from Durham, NC to get Annie and bring her to her Forever Home. I got the chance to meet Annie's foster mom, Diane, which was great. Annie met the resident male Cairn, Rex ,upon arrival. He was very curious about her, and she was very shy and not very interested in him. Annie is 4, a former working mom, and Rex is nearly 10, and has lived a wonderful life since birth. Annie followed my every step at first, but cowered or ran if I tried to touch her or pick her up. She was scared of most things, but she has never been shy where food and treats are concerned! She dances around so much that sometimes I have to put her on the kitchen counter to keep her from getting in Rex's way while he eats. Some special friends have been over to meet Annie. This allowed Annie to be held and stroked while I had some Rex time. We even went to play with two other Cairns who were adopted by Gail in Chapel Hill. Annie learned to go up and down stairs on that visit. She's such a brave girl!


Annie has really blossomed in her short time here. She now comes right up to me for a love or to be picked up. She still flattens to the floor or runs if I make an unexpected move, or there's a loud unexpected noise. She sleeps on a king sized bed with her special pillow and pink blanket. She loves playing with her toys, leaving them all over the house. She no longer follows me, but she does keep an eye on me. She goes outside with Rex, instead of waiting for me to take her. Every little step towards independence is a huge achievement. She is still afraid of new things and new people, and we've got to get that potty training done. Annie is a delight! I look forward to hearing her bark when she hears my car pull into the garage. I enjoy seeing her climb onto the little sofa next to Rex.

It's amazing the changes that Annie has made since she has been here. In only two weeks, she has gone from shy, scared, staying right on my heels, to going outside alone or with Rex, playing with toys, and coming right to me for hugs and kisses. She has a long way to go, but she has made great strides already.

Here is a picture of Annie with Rex.

I'm so happy to have Annie in my family. I know there's a beautiful flower in there, just waiting to fully bloom.

Sally B