Monday, September 29, 2008
Tragedy Associated With Invisible Fencing
I have never been a big fan of Invisible Fencing, but today I am sick at heart. Images of a young girl with blood dripping from her face, of another young girl opening her front door to discover the body of her dog laying on her front yard ,as well as the sound of the shot from the police revolver that killed the dog haunt me.
Like many of the homes in our area, our neighbors had decided to use invisible fencing. The boundary ran nearly to the sidewalk on one side and the road on the other side of the home. The owners had very carefully trained their dog to respect the boundary and although we no longer used the sidewalk when walking our own dogs past the house, we never saw the dog cross the boundaries - only bark and charge up and down the length of the yard.
Unfortunately, Invisible Fencing doesn't prevent anyone - human or animal - from crossing into a yard so protected. A child might think twice about opening a gate to enter a yard fenced by "visible" material, but most won't think at all before stepping a few feet onto someone's grass. Most folks might think twice about crossing a whole lawn to enter someone's backyard, but who thinks about stepping one or two feet off a sidewalk?
So yesterday afternoon, on the way home from school, one of the children in the neighborhood who knew the dog well stopped to say 'hello'. He walked onto the grass to greet the dog. He was accompanied by a girl who adores dogs and she, too, walked into the yard to greet the dog. Then, the girl bent down to kiss the dog. And the dog bit her, tearing her lip badly.
The girl's mother called the police and an ambulance. One of the policeman saw the girl covered in blood while her mother screamed "That dog tore her face off". The police then went to the house where the dog lived. The dog was protective of his property, knew he had done something wrong and also knew the police were acting in a threatening manner. He growled and menacingly charged the police; but never ever crossed the boundary of his yard.
He was standing in the middle of the yard when the policeman shot him. Shortly after, the young teenaged girl who lived there realized something was going on and opened her front door only to find the dog's body with police cars in the street and police standing in the road.
You could say that no one should ever approach a dog they don't know. That no one should ever put their face close to a dog they don't know well. That no one should ever enter another person's yard without their express permission and in the owner's presence. You can argue that the police should have waited for Animal Control. You can argue that the dog was a Mastiff mix, that the police considered it a bulldog and dangerous. You can argue, as do the neighbors who knew the dog well, that the dog was actually just a big loveable teddy bear of a dog. You could argue that the dog was large, looked mean and threatening, as large dogs frequently do. You could even argue that Invisible Fences don't always work as the police believe happened in this case.
However, my husband was working outside and saw the children inside the yard. Each of those arguments have some truth to them. But what you can't argue with is that Invisible Fencing is basically no protection at all, especially when it is run up to your property lines. It doesn't protect your dog from animals entering the yard. It doesn't protect your dog from humans entering the yard. It leaves your dog to do the protecting. And while that little girl, now awaiting plastic surgery, might have petted a dog through a "real" fence and still been bitten, it is doubtful that it would have been her face that was damaged. It is also doubtful that the police would have felt they needed to shoot the dog on the spot if it had been contained by a "visible" fence.
I am writing about this tragedy primarily for the rescue community. I give all of you permission to print it and put it into the packages you give your adopters, to warn them that Invisible Fencing may be cheaper than 'visible' fencing but it might not be so cheap in the long run!! To beg them that, if they must use it, to at least limit the area to just their backyards, not to run it to their property lines.
Samantha D.
Sheltie Rescue
Jacksonville, FL
Possible Danger - Dog Bones
Here's Pixie!
Warning For All Pet Lovers - In Memory of Ella
In honor of our precious Ella's memory, I am crusading an effort to let everyone know that this can and does happen and hopefully I can save someone else from the same agonizing pain!
Our 9 month old Sheltie puppy, Ella, suffered a tragic, sudden, senseless death this past Friday. She suffocated to death on a bag liner that was inside a box of Cheez-its snack crackers. We were out for the evening and someone had left a box of Cheez-its within Ella's reach. She put her head in the bag inside the box to get to the crackers. The bag came out of the box but she couldn't get the bag off of her head. We came home and found her dead from suffocation. It doesn't seem possible, that a dog couldn't get a bag off their head, but they can' t.
I have since learned that this occurs more often than you would imagine. There was also a family whose 6 year old Labrador got hold of a Doritos bag when they weren't looking. They found him dead with the bag over his head, having died the same way as Ella. I also learned from the man that is cremating Ella for us that he has had FIVE other dogs that have died like this in the PAST MONTH! Make sure that ALL PLASTIC BAGS AND BOXES WITH BAG LINERS IN THEM (chips, snack crackers, cookies, cereal, etc.) are WAY out of your pets reach!!!!!!
This tragedy has been a tremendous blow for our family! I have tried to be strong, but the whole scenario has played out in my head over and over and I have been a total mess! I cannot begin to understand the senselessness of this and my heart is absolutely broken! Ella was so young and full of life...an adorable, sweet, smart, loving dog, and her life was cut short way too soon!
Welcome Olive!
Saturday, I drove to a town called Olivehurst to pick up a little girl who's number would have been up on Tuesday. I named her Olive just cause it seemed right. Maureen in Intakes had the same thought so I'm thinking that might just be the right name. I’m not good at naming pets and it's pretty rare when a name comes to me so quickly.
Olive is very sweet but a little skittish. She's spending the week at my vets while Intakes looks for a foster home for her. I bought her a collar and a toy at Wal-Mart and will give both to her when I go visit her.
Somebody gave her an awful hair cut. The deputy who was helping me pointed out the uneven cutting. I was concerned at the length of her coat but she had only been at the shelter for about 2 weeks so I hope in time she'll grow a nice cairn coat. Even with this bad hair cut, you can tell she has a nice hard terrier coat.
Please give a big CP welcome to Olive!
Friday, September 26, 2008
GAME TIME: Where In The World Is Cairn San Diego?
CONGRATULATIONS ANGELA T. YOU WON!! Our little Cairn was visiting Bear Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park. Please email CPCRN at CPCRN-Media@cairnrescue.com within 3 days to claim your prize!
Special thanks to Rocky for being our Cairn Model!
CLUE FOUR ADDED!
CLUE THREE AND NEW PICTURE ADDED!
CLUE TWO ADDED! Scroll to the bottom of the blog, check out the newest hint, then post your guess in the comments. Remember to post the exact location of our wandering Cairn.
The last time we saw one of our little cairns he was touring the Bureau of Engraving and Printing in Washington DC. Where, oh where could he be this week?? Got a guess? Add it to the comment section of the blog! If no one guesses correctly, check back tomorrow for the second clue.
Here's the required fine print:
The first person who correctly identifies and posts the exact location as a blog comment wins! The winner will be posted on the blog and must contact Col. Potter Cairn Rescue Network by emailing CPCRN-Media@cairnrescue.com within 3 days of the game completion or the prize is forfeited. If the correct location is not posted by Monday afternoon at 5:00 PM CDT, the game will end and the correct location will be posted. Be sure to check back for addition clues and to see if you are the WINNER!"
CLUE ONE:
As fall approaches and October is around the corner, we need to find our little Cairn boy. He is lost and if we don't find him soon he may not get home until Spring. Where could he be?
CLUE TWO:
We know our intrepid hero had to hike a bit to reach this place because the shuttle bus would not let him on unless he was accompanied by a hooman and his Mommy was busy...
CLUE THREE:
The half-mile hike will take you past beautiful alpine lakes and forests. Some would call one that you see a Mesa. But will the lake flow to the Atlantic or the Pacific?
CLUE FOUR:
... and it was said that
"The shadows from the starlight is softer than a lullabye"
Is This Your Dog? Cairn or Cairn Mix Found in Houston, TX
Thursday, September 25, 2008
"Man's Best Friend"
"Gentleman of the jury, the best friend a man has in the world may turn against him and become his enemy. His son or daughter that he has reared with loving care may prove ungrateful. Those who are nearest and dearest to us, those whom we trust with our happiness and our good name may become traitors to their faith. The money that a man has he may lose. It flies away from him, perhaps when he needs it most. A man's reputation may be sacrificed in a moment of ill-considered action. The people who are prone to fall on their knees when success is with us, may be the first to throw the stone of malice when failure settles its cloud upon our heads.
The one absolutely unselfish friend that a man can have in this selfish world, the one that never deserts him, the one that never proves ungrateful or treacherous, is his dog.
A man's dog stands by him in prosperity and poverty, in health and in sickness. He will sleep on the cold ground, where the wintry winds blow and the snow drives fiercely, if only he may be near his master's side. He will kiss the hand that has no food to offer. He will lick the wounds and sores that come in encounter with the roughness of the world. He guards the sleep of his pauper master as if he were a prince. When all other friends desert, he remains. When riches take wings and reputation falls to pieces, he is as constant in his love as the sun in its journey thru the heavens.
If fortune drives his master forth an outcast in the world, friendless and homeless, the faithful dog asks no higher privilege than that of accompanying him, to guard him against danger, to fight against his enemies. And when the last scene of all comes, and death takes his master in its embrace and his body is laid away in the cold ground, no matter if all other friends pursue their way, there by his graveside will the noble dog be found, his head between his paws, his eyes sad but open in alert watchfulness, faithful and true even in death"
- Senator George Vest, 1870
Lost Cairn in Monroe, Connecticut
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
YOU CAN HELP SAVE A CAIRN!
A puppy miller in MO died unexpectedly leaving behind 60, yes SIXTY Cairns and Pekingese. Col. Potter has been asked to help rescue the Cairns but, we can only take as many as we have foster homes for.
With the large groups we have recently rescued, our "regular" foster homes are full to the brim. These Cairns deserve a chance to grab the brass ring of freedom and be loved, spoiled, pampered members of a family. They are currently living in a horse barn with no light and little ventilation or some of them are living in horse trailers. Won't you consider opening your heart and your home to these Cairns????
If you've never fostered, I can assure you it will be one of the most rewarding things you have ever done!! If you are an approved foster home and haven't fostered in awhile, please consider helping one of these Cairns.
We aren't sure how many Cairns will need our help, but please remember, we can only help those we have foster homes for. If you are interesting in fostering a Cairn please check out our Foster Facts. THANK YOU for helping to get these Cairns out of the horse barn and trailers and into your homes!
If you aren’t able to foster a Cairn we still have numerous ways you can help! Please consider filling out a volunteer application. After all, it takes a "village" to save a Cairn! :)
Monday, September 22, 2008
Connie - Two Are Better Than One!
CP Girl Almond, Now Know As Sissy, Wins Contest!
Molly, left and Sissy, right, were winner's in the pet contest.
By Ragan Robinson Daily Record
Published: September 5, 2008
An animal group rescued Sissy, a Cairn terrier who now sports a pink, rhinestone-studded collar, from a puppy mill. She paid the favor forward when she rescued her family from grief.
Sissy was born the same day Ann and Doug's 16-year-old Cairn terrier, Vincent, died. But she was hundreds of miles away then and Ann wasn't thinking straight enough to consider a new puppy.
She had Vincent cremated and put his ashes on a lighted shelf in her great room after she and her husband had to have the dog put to sleep. Then she settled in for the months of tears, the weeks of coming in the back door to a house without Vincent. Ann gave away his dog bowl, his collar and his leash.
She was doing an Internet search for something to help her with the grief when she came across the Col. Potter Cairn Rescue Network. There was Sissy's picture, along with her birthday. Ann signed up to adopt her without even telling her husband.
What came next was an exhaustive background check by the rescue group. The couple had to provide references, who all got a call about the couple's puppy-parenting skills. The Col. Potter people found out they let Vincent sleep in their air-conditioned garage for a night and they didn't like it. Their choice of dog food was questionable, said the animal rescuers.
But after an in-person inspection of their home, the couple got the OK. As it turned out, their son, Josh, adopted Sissy. But when he got married and moved out in May, there was no way his mom and dad were letting the dog go with him, Ann says.
Sissy will stay their baby. She rides in a stroller when they go to Lowe's. Ann puts a bib on her and feeds Sissy breakfasts of eggs, yogurt and dog food with a baby spoon. The pup is on her own for lunch, when she gets pears and cheese, and supper, which is usually green beans and dog food.
For snacks, Sissy gets Cheerios, pumpkin or mini vanilla wafers. She loves cucumbers, Ann says, and carrots, mandarin oranges, pineapple or bananas.
Josh rolls his eyes over what he calls the dog's ensemble — a closet and several boxes of clothes and shoes, including bunny slippers, a raincoat, a bikini, a houndstooth jacket with matching boots, sweaters and dresses. Sissy also has three beds, even though she sleeps with mom and dad.
The couple never learned anything about the puppy mill where Sissy was born. Ann said she'd rather not. All she needs to know is there's nothing wrong with Sissy.
Josh disagrees.
"She's spoiled rotten," he says, and sneaks a kiss on her cheek.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Lost Cairn in Roselle, New Jersey - NOW FOUND
Any info please call 201-274-6367 or 908-241-5645 or email pabloystefani@ verizon.net
UPDATE:
Bobby is about 10 inches tall and weighs about 12 pounds. He is a light reddish brown and isn't wearing a collar. He is very scared and even though several people have seen him, no one has been able to catch him and he will run if approached. If you spot Bobby please call his owners - 201-274-6367. He has been seen in Roselle Park and in that general area within the past few days. For more information please visit the following link, Dog Detective - Lost Cairn Terrier.
UPDATE FROM BOBBY'S OWNERS:
We are so excited to let you know that finally after a month, we have found our beloved Bobby! We want to thank you all for being supportive and concerned about our dog. He is all skin and bones but we working on helping him to gain his weight back. Thank you again for being there!
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Lost Cairn in Northern Michigan
Please Welcome Col. Potter's Newest Puppy Mill Kids!
Intakes was contacted on Sunday by a woman who was rescuing three cairns from a puppymill. She could only take them if she could find a rescue group to accept them. The miller told her there were two females and one male, ages 9 and 11 YEARS old.
Col. Potter said yes!
Wednesday night, she met Kathy H. with the cairns. Kathy described these three kids as the biggest cairns she has ever seen, weighing in between 26 and 28 pounds! She doubts they have ever been groomed, and said they could only be described as yaks. They are friendly and vocal, letting Kathy and Barney know they wanted attention.
Each of these kids were named through the "Name a Mill Cairn" program, and I am proud to announce them! Please help me welcome:
Bubbles - Wheaton Female - friendly and vocal, dark tips on her ears and tail. She was named in honor of our own Sister Bubbles, Carol L. Kathy said her personality fits her name!
Shipwreck - Wheaton Male - friendly and sweet. He was named in honor of Joy W's beloved boy, who crossed the Rainbow Bridge in May.
Kenda - Wheaton Female - shyest of the bunch, on the quiet side. Her name means 'Child of clear, cool water'.
They will be ready to move to their foster homes the weekend of Sept 27. If you would like to foster one of these special kids and give them their first look at what life SHOULD be like, check out our Foster Facts!
If you would like to name a mill kid, you can find out more by visiting our website and clicking on the "Name a Mill Cairn" button on the home page. It’s a wonderful way to honor a loved one, and help a puppy mill survivor!
Monday, September 15, 2008
Lost Cairn in Walworth, New York
Sunday, September 14, 2008
The Freedom Fliers Have Landed!
Intakes was contacted by a puppy miller that wanted to release some of their cairns to us now and the rest in a couple of months when the remaining females had whelped their puppies.
Welcome the Freedom Fliers! They were able to fly the coop and land in the arms of Col. Potter! We only hope the miller will hold the promise to release the remaining Cairns when they are done weaning their puppies.
Bluebird - 1 Year Old Female
Bobolink - 7 Year Old Male
Cardinal - 1 Year Old Female
Chikadee - 6 Month Old Female
Dove - 1 Year Old Female
Goldeneye - 3 Year Old Female
Kestrel - 3 Year Old Female
Pewee - 10-12 Week Old Male; Brother to Sparrow
Pipet - 10-12 Week Old Male; Brother to Sandpiper
Rosefinch - 1 Year Old Female
Sandpiper - 10-12 Week Old Male
Sparrow - 10-12 Week Old Female
Towhee - 1 Year Old Female
Warbler - 1 Year Old Female
This was truly a team effort to get these furkids in to Col. Potter with Intakes working with Susan B. and Susan C. who did the pick-up and an extra THANK YOU to Susan C. for the use of her cabin as a processing stop where all the furkids went after pickup. They were bathed, fed, pottied photographed, tagged and prepped for their continued journey today. Susan B. is on the road again driving to meet Stacey W. who will meet up with Kathy H. Kathy will take them to her home for an overnight B&B (Bed & Biscuit) before they head to the vet for boarding and vetting in the morning. Also, a BIG THANK YOU to Deborah C. and her husband who assisted on their first Puppy Mill mission, bathing and tagging and then they took the four youngest puppies home with them to B&B while we search for foster to adopt homes for them.
We NEED foster homes. We will not be able to continue to bring in these large PM groups without the continued support and participation of our foster homes. You can imagine the strain that a group like this puts on our foster home resources. If you are not a foster home and have been sitting on the fence, please consider jumping off that fence and getting into the foster home game by checking out our Foster Facts. Without you, these flights of freedom may end ...
Heeere's WESTIN!
Westin is now a Col. Potter kid. Sweet Westin's Mom was moved into a nursing home, and her daughter could not take him into her home. She contacted Col. Potter, hoping that we would take him and find him a great new home. She said that out of all the things she needed to do after her Mom went into the nursing home, this was the most difficult. However, she knew that we would love Westin, care for him, and find him a wonderful forever.
Please welcome Westin, and send good thoughts to the family that loved him enough to find Col Potter.
Welcome Ghali!
Thank you Frank, Cheryl and Steve, and WELCOME Ghali!
Friday, September 12, 2008
Mars Petcare US Voluntary Limited Food Recall
Franklin, Tennessee (September 12, 2008)—Today, Mars Petcare US announced a voluntary recall of products manufactured at its Everson, Pennsylvania facility. The pet food is being voluntarily recalled because of potential contamination with Salmonella serotype Schwarzengrund. This voluntary recall only affects the United States.
For more information and to check the recall list please visit the following link: Mars Petcare
GAME TIME: Where In The World Is Cairn San Diego?
Colonel was at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing in Washington DC. The rest of the clues and pictures are posted at the end of this blog entry.
The last time we saw one of our little cairns he was playing on the Field of Dreams. Where, oh where could he be this week?? Got a guess? Add it to the comment section of the blog! If no one guesses correctly, check back tomorrow for the second clue. (That is unless Hurricane Ike brings an abrupt halt to our little game!)
Here's the required fine print:
The first person who correctly identifies and posts the location, including city and state, as a blog comment wins! The winner will be posted on the blog and must contact Col. Potter Cairn Rescue Network by emailing CPCRN-Media@cairnrescue.com within 3 days of the game completion or the prize is forfeited. If the correct location is not posted by Monday afternoon at 4:00 PM CDT, the game will end and the correct location will be posted. Be sure to check back for addition clues and to see if you are the WINNER!"
CLUE ONE: Our little Cairn is at it again ... Where in the World can Cairn San Diego be today?? There is a rumor around that Col. Potter has a Million hits. So I think he is off to see if he can find a million too. (Special thanks to Colonel for being our cairn model this week!)
CLUE TWO: Our hero heard that Millions can start here.
CLUE THREE: The Col. Has a million hits, but the General has even more of these.
CLUE FOUR: You probably have one as well, and yours may have come from here.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Col. Potter Has a New BABY!
WARNING: the attached pictures may cause weak knees and a yearning for puppy breath in your home!!!
Rufus is a donated name from our Name a PM Kid Program. My thanks to the donor for helping to support our efforts to rescue PM kids!!!
Oh, and before I forget, Rufus already has a foster to adopt home, so he's taken, but there are LOTS of other Cairns waiting at the gate that need a foster home. If you aren't already on the list of available foster homes and you are interested in fostering check out our Foster Facts. We may have another large group of PM kids come in this weekend and we might need your help with them!
In the meantime, please help me welcome Rufus to the CP family!
Monday, September 8, 2008
What Does a MILLION Look Like?
Isn't the word MILLION a word that always gets our attention? Wouldn't each of us be excited to hear we had just won a MILLION dollars? Col. Potter had another major milestone this weekend when the COL. POTTER WEBSITE had the 1,000,000th hit. The Intake Team is pleased to present to you the newest Col. Potter kid, MILLION!!!
MILLION is a 4 y/o girl who is an owner surrender. In her prior life she had been half of a breeding pair belonging to a private individual, sometimes referred to as a backyard breeder (BYB). We know she had at least 2 litters of puppies. She and her mate were well taken care but with changes in spay/neuter laws and breeder license requirements, their owner decided to give them up. The owner had asked that they be placed together if possible as they were very bonded to each other. As fate would have it, Million's 'husband' was separated from her. Col. Potter was asked to take Million and help her find a forever home. Million has had little exposure to female dogs other than her babies. She spent most of her time being a good 'wife', companion and mother. She was a working girl!
Million was definitely a 'one man' woman and consequently is not fond of female dogs. She's a very good dog to people, including women, just not girl dogs. Million's life has changed so much in the past few months. I'm sure she's wondering what is going on and where is my man! With time, love and patience, Million will have a new life where she can just relax and enjoy being a princess. Sooo - to answer the question "What does a MILLION look like?" Please welcome MILLION!!!
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Welcome These School Kids To CP's Classroom!
Writing: F, DOB 2/27/04
Arithmetic: M, DOB 9/3/05
This Weekend Is Going To Be IT!
What??? What kind of an IT???
Well.... a big IT....
And you don't get a prize for guessing what IT is....
But there is a riddle … can you figure it out? Post your guesses in the comments section!
What turns but does not need a handle?
What ticks but doesn't tell time?
What counts without saying a word?
What grows without getting taller?
CONGRATS Bonnie and Karen P! YOU WIN!
Today is a very, very special day indeed! Today we reached our ONE MILLIONTH hit on our website - www.cairnrescue.com!!
Friday, September 5, 2008
Welcome A Special Little Girl!
Wednesday, a special girl became a member of the Col. Potter family. Four years ago a cairn momma gave birth to a litter of puppies. Sometimes things don't go as planned and a puppy can be in distress. This is the case of Rayne. During her entry to the world, she had a problem getting air due to a difficult birth. Fortunately Rayne survived, unfortunately she had a funny little walk due to the lack of oxygen. The breeder took her to a vet to be put down. The vet refused and a home was found for Rayne.
Her family loved her and she thrived. She adopted the daughter as her human. Life changed as Rayne's human grew older. She went away to school and Rayne became lonely. With the obligations of work and school, the family couldn't fill the void in Rayne's life or give her the attention she so deserved. They made the agonizing decision to do what was best for Rayne, to allow her to find a new family to love and be loved She's a sweet, affectionate girl with a lot of love to give. She gets along with dogs, cats, and kids. She loves being brushed, playing ball and cuddling in a lap. She's just the right size and a beautiful brindle.
A special thanks to Lois Q. and Carol L. for helping Rayne find her way to Col. Potter. She is enjoying a few days with Lois before heading to her foster home with Debbie H. in Oregon. Please welcome our special little girl, Rayne!!
Lost Cairn In Oregon - NOW FOUND!
GREAT NEWS! WE FOUND NUGENT! He is happy, safe and HOME! CPCRN would like to thank everyone for their prayers and support!