Enzo, nka Finzee, Forever in Florida!

Contributed by his Happy Forever Mom

CP Enzo nka Finzee hatches a plan with Brother & New best friend Buddy!

CP Enzo nka Finzee is home!  “We couldn’t have gotten a better dog!” say his Forever Mom & Dad.  It is clear that both Mom and Dad think he is the perfect match for their family! Finzee automatically bonded with their one year old Cairn, Buddy, and now they play together all the time and even sleep together.  There has been no problem with barking and no accidents in the house.  These lucky little Cairns have a three acre yard to chase around in!

Finzee and Buddy are inseparable!

“Bye Bye Crate!  This is the best thing for all of us!” says New Mom.  “The first night, I went to put Finzee in the crate and he whined.  I left the door open and he came into the bedroom, then made himself comfortable on Doc's pillow.  That is all she wrote until 5:00 in the morning!   Buddy at my feet and Finzee at the head!” 

Finzee explores his fenced 3 acre yard!

“They have the best time, and everybody drools over them - and they know it!  Finzee is such a firecracker!  We are enjoying him immensely!  I want to tell you that he is happy and we are too!”

Finzee and Buddy are always ready for play!

“I cannot thank all of you for everything you all did!  This is truly amazing how wonderful your organization is.  Finzee’s Foster Mom and Dad have been very lovely people to work with!  We will forever praise the wonderful volunteers of Col. Potter Cairn Rescue Network.” 

CP Carolina nka Millie after 1st Year of Freedom!

Contributed by Foster Mom and her Forever Mom

CP Carolina nka Millie happy to be Forever Free!

On March 12, 2012, Col. Potter Foster Mom and Dad, Kathy and Barney, drove many miles and watchful hours, bringing a very pregnant member of the CP "Tar Heels" group to the safety of their home.  She nested in her crate to such an extent that they checked Carolina every fifteen minutes or so to make sure she didn’t have any new companions in her crate, and when they got her home, they followed her with a flashlight to make sure she didn’t drop a puppy in the course of doing her business!

She waited, however, settling happily into her Foster Home, playing with as many toys as she could gather, and then on March 15, 2012, she gave birth to six little Ides of March Puppies, lucky to be born into the loving care of Col. Potter instead of a lonely wire crate in a breeding facility.

CP Carolina nka Millie, with 6 Ides of March Puppies, CP Appalachia nka Piper, CP Banks, CP Beaufort nka Bodie, CP Bodie nka Callie, CP Hatteras nka Selkie, CP Mayberry nka Maizy

When her work was done, sweet Carolina retired for good, late in May, having her well deserved spay and dental.  “She weighed 23lbs. when she came in - full of puppies and her buffet bar overflowing. Today when I dropped her off, she weighed a svelte 16.6 lbs.!” said Foster Mom.   “I was shocked she weighed so little as her poor buffet is empty but still a tripping hazard when she runs.  I think she's had a litter every time she's been in season because they're really stretched out.” 

Soon Carolina was working to get back in shape and getting ready for her Forever Home.  “She's just a five year old puppy - everything goes in her mouth!” laughed Foster Mom.  “She's always happy, tail going, and loves to fetch balls and Frisbees with Foster Dad!”

Millie is right at home with brother Tobey!

“Carolina, now ‘Millie’, has been wonderful!” says her Forever Mom.  “She is the best little dog we've ever had - Truly!  We love her sooooo much, and I believe she loves us equally.”

“She had a seizure in October of last year, but not a bad one.  We took her to the vet the next day and he thought we should just keep an eye on her and record everything that happened prior to.  He feels one seizure isn't enough to put her on meds, so we're keeping a close eye on her and, so far, she hasn't had another one.  Keep your fingers crossed!”

“We're going to be fencing in our back yard this Spring, so I can't wait for Millie and Tobey (our 3/4 bulldog/1/4 beagle puppy) to be able to just run around free and play all they want - plus be able to have some of their fur friends come over to play.  We can't wait to go to camp and see how Millie likes the water.”  

Millie is still a real love bug, always happy to cuddle up!

“I just can't say enough wonderful things about Millie.  If I did, this would go on forever!  I love her so much!  I've actually thought about adopting another, however, they would have to be as wonderful as Millie, and I'm not sure that is possible!”

Orange & Tangelo Forever Family!

Contributed by their Foster Mom and Forever Mom

Orange and Tangelo with Forever Mom & Dad

The Co. Potter Citrus Delights group saw five Cairns delivered into freedom, including 1 year old Orange, a delightful Red Wheaten female, and 5 month old Tangelo, a terrified little Black Brindle male.  “Orange acted like a surrogate mom to little Tangelo and gave him courage to come out of his shell early on, and then taught him manners on how to behave around her.  They were adopted to the same family,” said Foster Mom, Monika.  “Look at my babies with their new Mom and Dad!”

CP Orange and CP Tangelo nka Gracie & Sammy

“We want to thank the Col. Potter volunteers for making the process so great and efficient to get our loving Cairns to their permanent home,” says New Mom.  ”Every morning Gracie and Sammy end up in the one crate because they love each others company.  They are so cute!  We've just had them two days and they already have made themselves at home!  They love the back yard and are still trying to find a way to escape, but my husband has made it all secure.  Typical Cairns!  Two 10 year old boys came over and they were great with them.”

”Sammy loves to watch TV.  He especially likes to bark back to the dogs!  I guess we can't watch the animal channel, without him going nuts.  Gracie is a pure delight!  She cuddles (Sammy too) with both of us, especially at night.  Right in between us!”

Gracie & Sammy happy Together Forever - and So Cute!

"Sammy and Gracie already have our hearts, and we want to thank the Col. Potter volunteers again for all their efforts to give them to us.  They are just dolls!  Thank you so much!  More news to follow as time progresses…  God bless you all & May you have a wonderful Easter.  We sure will!”

Preston Packs his Bags!

Contributed by his Forever Mom

Preston came to Col. Potter with terrible skin problems.

Remember Preston, the little six year old boy who came to Col. Potter last May suffering with several years worth of skin problems?   Well, bye bye cone!  Those itchy days are gone, and Preston has now packed his bags and moved to Florida with his wonderful Forever Mom!

CP Preston ready to try Forever!

I arrived at Preston's Foster Home on Tuesday afternoon and began the 'get acquainted' process with him.  We played fetch with a ball; walked around the block;  I fed him his dinner; I looked over some of the documents his Foster Mom gave me;  Preston spent the night in a crate in the room where I slept.

Preston gets acquainted with Forever Mom

The next day, we left Virginia at 8:00 a.m. and got home on the dot of 9:00 p.m.! My friends all piled out to come meet Preston, and he was good with everyone!  He was very interested in exploring his new home!  I said good night to everyone and gave Preston his dinner right away - figuring he was hungry! 

I set up his bed with the blankets and my “used” night shirt.  Got out some toys, including the ones he had in the car, and he settled right in.  After a final walk around the block, I went to bed.  He decided he wanted to sleep with me, so I let him - with everything being strange, he probably felt more secure close by.  If that continues to be his choice, that’s OK with me!  He made it through the night just fine and we got up at 8:00 to take a quick walk around the block and then have his breakfast.  He is currently sleeping in his bed next to me. 

This is one sweet boy!  I hope his Foster Mom isn't having 'withdrawal' too badly!

Trapeze nka Trapper Finally Forever Home!

Contributed by his Proud Foster Mom

CP Trapeze nka Trapper & Kloe fka CP Libra, together Forever!

Foster Trapeze is now “Trapper” and a resident of sunny California! He flew out Friday, just in time to miss one of the biggest late snowfalls in March for 101 years in St. Louis! LOL

Here's a little history on this boy.  He was one of the Under the Big Top kids, rescued by Col. Potter last June, only about 18 months old, but one of the most damaged kids we've fostered.  In his first few weeks here, he'd pee/poo his crate almost every night, and the instant his door was opened, he'd come barreling out, hitting you in the chin if you were in the way, running away from you in fear.

CP Trapeze at intake, a terribly damaged little boy

For the past nine months, we've tried to get him to overcome his fears of people, flinching at your touch, having to be cornered to be picked up, soaking his belly bands and pooping at least once daily in the family room after you'd left the room, even if he'd just been outside. He was one of the best “snackers” I've ever seen - he knew when another dog here was trotting off to leave their deposit, and he'd have his nose up their rear, catching it before it ever hit the ground.

Outside he was better socially, and he loved to run and zoom with the younger kids here, barking at the silly rabbit that's taken up residence against our fence, and even playing ball. Yes, he loved to fetch a Kong ball, but he could only bring it back to about five feet from you - just not able to approach you any closer.

CP Trapeze made so much progress in his Foster Home!

About Christmas, during all the hub-bub, his rate of progress changed.  Almost daily we had a tiny glimmer of progress - following us into the kitchen, going out the door without being cornered/carried, finding his safe spot to stop and sit/stay to have his belly band removed/put on, wagging his tail, hopping on the far end of the couch and staying as long as you didn't acknowledge he was there.  

I also started tempting him with McDonald's french fries :-)  You had to offer with a closed fist because he'd lunge to get the fry and take your fingers in his haste to make sure he got it and could exit without being touched!   I had bruises on my hand and fingers until he learned "easy".   He started playing fetch with toys in the house, still only able to return them a number of feet away from you, but excited and happy to play the game.

I debated about putting him on meds or even asking he be moved to another Foster Home, thinking he needed a shake up to help him move forward.  I didn't know if we were doing him justice - he's been the toughest foster we've had to try to help find his Cairnittude.  Even with all this extreme fear, he never once has offered to use his teeth to defend himself.  In January, I decided to put him as Available and see what happened - if the right home was out there that wanted to work with him, he could be making these small positive steps with his Forever family.

Trapper & Kloe meet for the first time, all ears up!

Enter Fate and Destiny, working their magic once again!  Much to my surprise, early in February, Suzanne C. contacted me with a family interested!   She said she'd been "totally and brutally honest" with them in describing Trap and his challenges, and they weren't deterred - they'd been watching him for months!   I read their information she sent me, and I wanted to speak with them and asked for the Match. We had the three of us on the line, and I again was brutally honest.  They didn't care about his issues - they were willing to work thru it all, and still wanted him to be a member of their family!  

Don't ever underestimate one of these kids and their ability to adapt!  To the right home, these frightened kids can prosper.  This boy has totally amazed me in his first five days in his Forever Home.  He came out of his crate that first day and sat down and waited to be leashed.  He's explored the house, hopping on the couch with his dads and accepting skritches, even though his ears are back, showing he's still a bit timid about their touch.  He and his sister Kloe are getting along "like cheese and fine wine" to quote his new dad. LOL  He has even figured out how to use the doggy door to go in and out on his own, and he's not had an accident in the house!

Trapper & Kloe hanging out on the couch.

His dads are great with updates - there's nothing better than the smile on my face and the happy tears I've shed as they've reported how well he's doing!  And today I sent them an update on their Kloe, fka CP Libra.   She was part of a group we picked up back in October, 2010, so she was here for her initial vetting before she moved on to her Foster home :-)  I've had both of their CP kids here, getting their first kisses!

Happy Forever, Trapeze!

All is Just Dandy in Forever!

Contributed by Dandy fka CP Jim Dandy

Dandy fka CP Jim Dandy flashing his Big Brown Eyes for Foster Mom!

Hi, there!  I asked New Mom to send some photos of me and my new digs!  I like my new crate – it was already here and it's easier for Mom to open.  I enjoy rolling around on the floor, wiggling all over, scratching my own back - Not that I don't get lots of scratchin's from Mom & Dad!    I’ve been investigating all over the place, and it's all good.  The Bistro pet waterer burbled at me, but I just backed up, looked at it, and decided 'never mind' and finished getting my drink!

Dandy likes his new crate Just Dandy!

Malcolm, the dog that was here, is big (20 lbs) but he's a Cairn, so I’m good with that.  We play a little, and nap together.  There are cats here too, but I don't have much use for them, so we just pass like ships in the night.

Dandy likes a good back scratch  –  hint!…hint!

I know Foster Mom must miss my beautiful brown eyes, so I asked Mom to please be sure and send Foster Mom a dreamy cheesecake shot of my gorgeous face.  I hope she likes it!  And I asked her to say “Thank You Very Much!” to Foster Mom for all the love and affection, and for passing on all my likes - like what kind of food I likes, the down and dirty on belly bands, "Eas-eeeeee", and everything else!   Foster Mom didn't miss anything, but I miss her, and, while I know I’m not in Kansas anymore, I do check around this new house - just to make sure Foster Mom 's not hiding anywhere…

Dandy investigates, just to be sure…

Oh, and I asked New Mom to say “Thank You!” to that Mary lady who hooked me up with a good house and a good new Mom & Dad, who love me very much, see to my every need, and understand that I’m a special dog who's had a bit of a tough row to hoe, and they consider that all the time - while they spoil me rotten!  

Dandy deciding which toy he’ll play with next!

Mom says she loves to take my picture, but doesn't know how to post them, so if you want to put up my new pictures for all my Dandy fans, that's okay by her.

This is a great forever home!  It's quiet, I have a playmate named Malcolm who shares toys with me.  I get my breakfast & dinner on time (very important, that is!!).  The cats don't pester me, and it's so easy to be good I hardly never ever get scolded.  I got told "NO" when I tried to mark a table leg (darned belly band foiled my attempt!) but that's the only time I've been fussed at.   New Mom sits on a heating pad, and lets me sit in her lap and relax.   I really think I'm in the right place.  

Dandy just checking out the cat bed...

*YAWWWWWWN*  O.K.!…  Now I'm going to go take a nap in the living room with Malcolm while new Mom gets her computer business done in her chair.  New Dad will wake me up when he gets home, and I'll take him outside to the dog yard.

Dandy loves to roll – especially for a good belly scratch!

I hope New Mom remembers to tell Foster Dad and my old Foster mates “Hello!” from me, here in South Carolina!  And that she tells Foster Mom there are FLOWERS blooming here - no snow at all!  This is great!

Thanks again!!!

Livin' the high life!

Dandy fka Jim Dandy