Happy Father's Day!

A father is so much more than daddy, dad or pops,

The daddy-men here today have earned the rank of "tops"!

For every time you pick me up, scratch my ears or wrestle,

You say you love my little self, for that I have to nestle.

It takes a special kind of man to be a Cairn Dad,

Sometimes we are feisty and can make a human mad,

Like when we eat your glasses, medicine, remote or shoes.

But you always end up loving us, and sharing our ARROOOOS!

Thanks for always walking me and filling up my bowl.

Thanks for taking extra naps and sharing bites of roll. 

Thanks for always picking up my poo, and cleaning out my ears.

Thanks for sharing everyday and belaying all my fears.

It is for you dad that this day was made,

For you that today we will celebrate.

For ME that I have to give a cheer,

Without you DAD, I wouldn’t be here!

All the little Cairns that have known a Dad’s love through CP

  By Marla and Amy

My Dad "Popa Ed" with Foster Scupper January 2007

Ella and Walter Demonstrate Cairn Yoga

Ella shows "The Yawn"

Walter doe "The Pant"

Mom messed up her foot and she can't take us for a walk so she ordered us outside to have fun and run around.

She took pictures of us outside having our fun. 

Walter did pretty good he actually worked up a pant.  Me, well I am a Duchess and didn't want to sweat any. 

Mom gave up on us and shooed us back in side while mumbling a lot of stuff  - I think some was not nice.

Ella Duchess of Pensashire

Sir Walter Dog in waiting 

Mickey has a "Staycation"

Hope all is well.  We just got back from vacation yesterday afternoon.  Every year we go to the Americade motorcycle event held in New York State.  We got to meet up with old friends and make new friends also.

My daughter came down from Ma. to watch Mickey and Sony.  She has three dogs also.  Mickey did great while we were away.  My daughter said he is one of the best behaved dogs she has ever seen.  She was able to bring Mickey in with the other dogs and everybody got along just fine.  We did call three times a day to check on how things were going, I guess because we missed Mickey and Sony.  They were so happy to see us when we got back.

Mickey has really settled in just fine.  I'm sure he knows this is his forever home.  His favorite thing is playing ball and we play everyday sometimes fetch and sometimes catch.  He loves to sit and look out the front bay window and has learned that he can jump up to the dining room window sill to look out the side of the house.  Check out the attached picture.  He also has figured out what time I get home from work and goes to the front to wait for me.  I just love this little guy.  We are so lucky to have him.  

We want to thank everyone from Colonel Potter for helping make the adoption of Mickey possible.  I will be in touch soon.


Mike & Cindy

Riley is a June Graduate!

Congratulations Riley!!  Now we just need an "IF" for Dogs!!!

McIntyre has a Forever Family

After a bump in the road, McIntyre is now home with his forever family.  His original adoption date was to be a couple weeks ago, but the morning after it was set up he became ill with diahrrea.  A quick trip to the vet and the adoption was put on hold while he took his meds and recovered.  Within a day or two he was back to normal, but his new folks had some family commitments so they finally got to have their boy last Sunday.   He will be an only dog and will probably have a name change.  "Mac" is too close to the name of their Westie Max, now at the Rainbow bridge, so it may be Doc or Doc McIntyre.

Champion Bad Bad Leroy Brown of Braveheart

Hi All

 

I finally got Leroy's picture from his major win that gave him his championship and wanted to share it with you (took me a day to get it scanned into the computer). I wish you could see him in real time as his coat is actually much more of a darker auburn coloring and his face is actually a charcoal grey - the lights seem to bring out the lighter look on every picture I get of him. 

 

Hope you enjoy seeing my boy!

Sydney D

                      Introducing: 

 Champion Bad Bad Leroy Brown of Braveheart

Huxley Flies to His Furever Family

This morning Huxley started his journey to his new family taking his first airplane ride ever on Delta.  When we got to the airport there were no lines so it looked like it was going to be a piece of cake!  The agent started the check in process only to have a computer blip freezing up the airbill.  When she called for assistance the phone went dead.  A line started to form but Huxley and I kept our cool.  And it was already nearly 80 degrees at 8:30 a.m.!!  After 40 minutes everything was in order and it was time for the 'inspection'.  As the crate was being inspected, I was holding Huxley (still being a good boy).  When the frazzled agent looked up from the crate, Huxley growled over the displeasure of the wait.  I was so glad he said something so I didn't have to (LOL).  Delta changed his plane after the layover in Detroit and called his new family to let them know he was in early when he reached Providence RI.  Huxley will be living in MA with his new mom, dad, 18 y/o son and grandparents.  He will be an only dog getting all the attention which is what he loves! 

 

Here's some pictures of the little grumble butt.  He especially liked his CP blanket from Aunt Stacie - it matches him and his bed perfectly!  I hope to have photos of him with his new family soon.  Thanks Matchmaker Lisa B for helping Huxley find his new family!!

 

Carolynne

Ft. Wayne IN

Kisu Kisses Seal the Deal

Yesterday Kisu's new mom drove here from IL to meet and pick up her new girl. Kisu's new cairn brother Riley also came along to meet fursib.  Kisu's mom was smitten by her and I think the deal was sealed for Kisu after a few scritches and treats from her new mom.

As you can see from the pictures, Kisu crawled in mom's lap and didn't move until it was time to leave.

Riley showed little interest in his new sister other than a few sniffs, but I got lots of kisses from him:)

 

It is strange how the house can seem much emptier with only one less, even though my five kids are still here.

 

Lori

Rogers, AR

 

Ramsay Plays Ball and Shows His Cairnitude!

Ramsay is great. He loves chasing the tennis ball in his new backyard. During the week we get up around 5:45 and go for a nice walk (getting much better on his leash). He eats his breakfast and we have a little play time in the living room (he doesn't like the wet grass early in the morning). 

I leave for work around 7 and I put him in his crate with some toys and his kong with Peanut Butter. He has been very good in his crate so far. When I get home around 4, I take him out in the yard and he does his business and we play a little ball. Unfortunetly it has been really hot here, so he doesn't last too long.

Then he has dinner and a treat. I have been still giving him a half cup in the morning and half cup in the evening. When it begins to cool off in the late evening we either go for a nice walk or play in the backyard. That usually tires him out. So that is pretty much our routine each day. I have to keep an eye him at all times however, he likes to grab pretty much anything he can get his mouth on, I just distract him with a toy. Everything is great so far. He's my little buddy. He has been sleeping in his crate every night. Have a great weekend.

Thanks again.

Sincerely,

Bryan & Michelle

Run Free Little Hawthorne!

Hawthorne is a CP boy who spent the first 7 years of his life in a puppymill.  We just celebrated his 15th birthday three weeks ago.  Hawthorne is the reason I became actively involved with Col. Potter.  He was absolutely the most frightened and terrified little dog I have ever met.  His journey to freedom continued every day right up until today.  Now he will be completely free of his fears and his demons, but mostly from his physical body that has failed him on so many levels.  I want to picture in my mind, Hawthorne as a puppy, running, playing and rolling in the tall, cool grass and doing all the things puppies do and get into.  Something Hawthorne never had a chance to do as a puppy.  I want him to lose all his inhibitions and take that final step to total freedom.

 

The last 4 years Hawthorne has suffered from kidney failure, an enlarged heart, a faulty heart valve, Cushings disease and a rapid growth tumor on his eye resulting in the having to be enucleated.  Through it all, Hawthorne has enjoyed his walks, his food, laying in the yard in the fresh air, and yes, finally be loved.  Now his kidneys have finally totally shutdown and Hawthorne has stopped eating and for the most part stopped drinking water.

 

Please indulge me in a little poem I wrote for my boy:

 

You came to us

A broken, frightened little boy.

Didn't know what freedom was

Or what to do with a toy.

 

Slowly, you blossomed and bloomed

While overcoming your demons and fears.

Over time you learned to run, bark and roll in the grass

Hawthorne was becoming a Cairn, it was clear.

 

Eight wonderful years we had to share

Not near as much as you deserved or long enough

But more years spent in freedom

Than those in the mill that were so tough.

 

Today your mama's heart is breaking

I know you will be waiting for me.

Until we meet again

My Little Brown Boy, Run Free!

 

If you would be so kind to light a candle and keep my Hawthorne in your thoughts as he makes his final journey in freedom, it would be very much appreciated.

--
Valerie K

McDuffy's Memorial Day Photo

From Karen O in Yuma AZ: I wanted to share a couple I took of McDuffy by himself in front of the flag.  He is such a good boy, putting up with all of the girls' antics.  McDuffy was my first CP adoptee.  He was being fostered up in Medford, OR, so I flew up there, stayed the night with his foster mom, and flew back home with him.  I think it created a special bond between the two of us, as he's always been a momma's boy.



All I can say is "WOW" Handsome to the max!!

Henry Ready for His Next Best Life!

Saturday, we got up at 3:30am to get the pack here fed a light breakfast and pottied, and we packed up the van with 3 of our kids AND HENRY C - it was his special day!  We drove through rain and drizzle and April-like weather (was forecast to be a high of 82, but we only saw 69 degrees, and that was for a few short miles) to Iowa City, IA.  Joe and Michelle, Henry's new parents, drove from St. Paul to meet us there, halfway for us both.  We met at a park where we could get the kids out on a grassy area, and because of the weather, there were few people there, so it was a quiet and wonderful spot to meet.

 

Joe and Michelle are two of the warmest, quietest, calmest people I've ever met.  And it was obvious they had already fallen in love with Henry.  We handed them Henry's leash, and they let him come to them on his own accord (which for outgoing Henry, greeting them took only a few seconds).  We let the kids investigate the new smells and wander around while we talked.  We had to laugh - Henry's bandanna - even though I'd rolled it a few times to make it smaller - became like a sling for his left front foot as he kept stepping into it and catching his foot, so he'd hobble around until one of us saw him caught and released it.  We took our pics and then took his bandanna off so Henry could maneuver more easily.  Michelle asked about grooming, and I'd taken my favorite tools - a pin brush for just quick clean-ups, a metal comb, my 32 tooth Mars, and a regular bristle brush for the last brush to catch any hair that's clinging.  I showed her how to use them on one of our kids that I hadn't done anything with in quite a while, and she'll be purchasing the Mars and probably the comb off the Mall :-)

 

Joe and Michelle are both professionals - no children - and Henry will be their first dog since they married, and their first Cairn! They'd done their research on breeds and decided that the Cairn's energetic personality was the dog for them and their active lifestyle, and they wanted to do the right thing and adopt a rescue dog.  Henry's the perfect dog for them as even though he came from a breeder, he's young and few little mill issues. For such a young dog, he can be a little lover, spending time on your lap to get loved on, in between finding things to entertain himself (stealing items from a low trash can, prancing thru the house with your dirty laundry, shredding a napkin left on a sofa table, relocating your shoes, etc. . . . ..LOL).

And Joe and Michelle are undaunted about his bobble head - which since he was a little stressed from the long ride, he did have a bit of a head shake a few times, so they got to see it before we'd gone.  Joe works until noon during the summer, so Henry will have short days alone for a while, and they'll be able to work with completing his housetraining.  We talked about the area they live in and our love of lighthouses and found they do frequent trips up the shore of Lake Superior, and they like to visit Split Rock Lighthouse, so I know a picture of Henry with Split Rock Lighthouse will be coming my way over the summer. LOL  And they've told us if we ever come up their way to make sure we plan to stop and visit!

 

We completed the paperwork, handed his bag over to them, and it was time for us both to get on the road and start our five hour drives home.  I don't believe Henry looked back - he was content in Michelle's arms and ready for the next chapter of his life :-)

 

And I did ask about his name.  They think Henry fits him perfectly and are keeping it :-)

 

So Happy Forever, little Henry C!  We'll miss you but know you're where you were meant to be -

 

Kathy H in MO

 

Every Toto (and Darby) Needs a Dorothy

An update on Darby in Texas:

6 months ago this weekend our lives changed---Nov. 28th 2010.  This marks the day we picked up Darby/Ciao ar the Dallas Airport.  She flew in from Penn. where she was in Foster Care with the B's.  She was rescued in October from a puppy mill, was quite confused scared.  In spite of that, she has been such a WONDERFUL dog!!  We can't tell you how she has changed our lives.  Darby is our 4th cairn.  Our last Cairn, Matty, died unexpectedly in Oct.  We were shocked and sad but knew just the right dog would come along to join us in this journey called "LIFE"......

Then we found out about Col Potter and after a lot of anticipation We were told we could have Darby!!!  God knew who we needed!!!  She is perfect!  Our 1st Cairn was Silver black Brindle, our next 2 were Wheaten; now we had come full cycle and we got Darby, a Black Brindle.  She is beautiful!  She is so dark we can't see her around the house at night!!!  She has learned to get out of our way so we don't trip over her!!!  She is so smart and so wants to please!  She looks to us as the folks she use to dream about the first 2 yrs of her life!  She is our Toto dog and we are her Dorothy!!!

She does well at the Groomers and loves to be brushed and thinned with the comb from Col. Potter.   She has been groomed 3 times and some golden fur is peaking through her black fur....so pretty!!!

Darby found out it DOES snow in Texas !!!  She finds it very COLD and is very curious about it!:

Darby loves to nap on sheets and blankies which we, of course, keep in every room of the house!  

She LOVES her bones and spends a lot of time chewing on them and laying on her couch blankie!  She will chew on one for awhile and spend the rest of the night running all over the house finding a safe place to bury it.  Moving it from place to place!!

She LOVES her backyard and plays with the squirrels and birds!  She is very polite she will NOT scratch at the door to come in....instead she will sit 3-5 feet away from the door and wait patiently for us to notice!!  And she doesn't feel like she has to bark at the neighbor dogs or the wind.  Our other Cairns were very scared of storms--you would think the world was coming to an end!  NOT DARBY!!!  Rain, Wind, Thunder, Lightening even Tornadoes----NO BIG DEAL !!!  WE LOVE THAT!!!!!!  She even takes the yard guys in stride!!  I guess the main thing that gets her barking is the doorbell and she is still a little nervous with people coming into the house.  MUCH better than at first!  

Darby's most important job is chasing the squirrels between the tree and the fence.  The squirrels yap at her and tease her all day!!  She finally decided the best way was easier to just sit under the tree to "stay in control" of those squirrels!

Our daughter's cairn, Presley, spent the weekend 2 weeks ago, and they spent a lot of time looking out her favorite window and spotting the squirrels in the backyard.

Darby is so loving and doesn't take her new home for granted.  She greets us every time we come home or even come into the room with kisses.  She has the funniest way of getting our attention---she will CHOMP CHOMP CHOMP her teeth together REALLY loud!!  It's Hilarious!!!  and Yes it does get  the attention she is looking for!!!  She  also dances on her back feet and flaps her front paws!  That works too!!  She loves to cuddle, have her tummy rubbed and her unconditional love is truly a Blessing!!  We humans should be dogs sometimes!!  

Once again, THANK YOU COL POTTER FOR ALL YOU DO and FOR GIVING US THE OPPORTUNITY TO GIVE DARBY A HOME!!    

Blessings,

Vicki and Steve B in Texas

Narcissus Blooms and Zooms in Her Furever Home

Narcissus (now Sissy) is happily in her forever home. Her new moms came all the way Tennessee to pick her up. They have e-mailed a few times indicating Sissy has adjusted well and loves to play chase with her new brother Tobey. They also indicated Sissy was the main instigator!! It was hard to say good bye to her, but it is so nice to know she is happy and being loved and will be forever. 

Foster Mom Mary B
Kenosha, WI

Aon Visits Foster Mom

After several very happy years in his furever home, Jenni L's foster boy paid her a visit.  


Jenni says "And he's an adorable little guy!"

Pranks Takes Her Throne as Princess

Pranks, now known as Princess, has moved to her fur-ever home in Topeka, KS.


Don't you know by her new name that she has landed in high cotton?!


She has moved right in like she knew it was home at first sight. Her new mom, Marjorie, just loves her to pieces.

Lynn B. in KC, KS

Star Meets Her New Family

Puppy Star, of the Dr. Seuss group was escorted by Foster Mom Alice from St. Louis to Conneticut. 
Star's family was waiting eagerly for her. Brother Graham was excited because he got out of school early to come to the airport! 
Star was excited because she got to wear her favorite pink dress!!

Kasey Loves Toys, Walks and Cheese!!

Kasey was a puppy mill mom and still has some issues we're dealing with.  She was in a wonderful foster home in New Jersey for about 5 or 6 weeks before we got her.  It's sort of weird because she is still nervous around my husband - won't play when he's around and really doesn't play with me - but she plays with her toys when I'm in the room.  However, she seems to love to go for walks with him and she's his best friend whenever he's got CHEESE!


For the most part, she finds a corner of the sofa her safety zone and that's where she usually is.  She just turned three last weekend, but sometimes seems older - I think just because she doesn't play as much as our other dogs did.  She loves to ride in the car, but doesn't look out the windows like our other dogs loved to do.  When we first got her she didn't like to go for walks and we had to carry her in and out of doors - she was just afraid of doors I guess.  Now, for the most part, the "door thing" is solved.

Kasey is still a “work in progress”, adjusting to a wonderful life outside the mill. But she is a cairn and that cairn-itude shows more each day!

Furever Mom Donna B

Abbie Rose - as Pretty as Her Name!

Foster Dad sent a before and after photo of Abie Rose was adopted last Nov. and is now a resident of Pearland Texas.
She cannot be a cuter!!
Ron K

Carpenterville. IL

Abie before

Abie now

Tess' Wonderful Life

Tess fka Aphrodite (famous lovers group) is one special little girl.  Barely out of puppyhood herself, she came to Col. Potter with a litter of her own on board. She safely delivered 6 babies - 3 girls and 3 boys - who were named after Dr. Seuss characters.

After nursing, raising and weaning the puppies found their own furever homes. Then it was time for the Mama’s wonderful life to begin. First Tess flew in cabin from Missouri to Pennsylvania where she joined Brian and Amy’s large clan at Calliope -Wookie (aka “Fabio” and Cairn wannabe), Wookie, Lucy, Missy, Rocky and Gabby - these 2 youngest are Tess’ bestest playmates  Click photo for an updated album of the clan.

Amy also sent a few recent back yard videos:
Tess video 1
Tess video 2
Tess video 3

Tess surely landed in some well-deserved high cotton and now gets all the loving and playing for a very happy furever after!

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

Starry Night is 11 years Young

I can't belive how quickly time flies!  Six years ago, Starry was my first foster girl, thanks to CP and Lori and Mike R, who were brave enough to venture to this mill in the middle of nowhere.  She still loves that camera. :)
-- 

Karen O

Yuma, AZ
MacKenzie, McDuffy, Starry Night, Holly, and Bree's Mom
Media Team, Home Safety Visit Coordinator, Zazzle Team

www.cairnrescue.com

Backpack now Kasey's Birthday

Remember BACKPACK?  Well yesterday was his third birthday, first birthday in freedom – and his name is now Kasey.