Monday, March 31, 2008

Kirsty - A Red Beauty

Friday a young lady joined the Col. Potter family. She's a pleasingly plump, 2 year old red beauty named Kirsty. She visited the vet for her official weigh in and exam and tipped the scale at 23.3 pounds. She came to CP as an owner surrender of sorts. Her grandma assumed her care a few months ago and began looking for a suitable home for her. She contacted the local SPCA to discuss the situation and they referred her to Col. Potter. Grandma still wasn't sure. She was speaking to a lady she met in one of her classes, and she was again told about Col. Potter. Seems her classmate had 3 cairns and fosters for CP - grandma couldn't remember the classmate's name but whoever you are- thank you! Grandma decided to give CP a try. She quizzed me over and over about all the aspects of CP and how her granddog would be cared for. She wanted the best for Kirsty and decided that was CP. Kirsty will be headed to Corinne's house soon to enjoy her foster brothers and sisters. A huge thanks to Deb for helping Kirsty become a Col. Potter kid. The best is yet to come Kirsty!!

Tatum - A Blonde Boy

Friday a 2 1/2 year old cute cairn boy became a member of the Col. Potter blonde boy club! He's an owner surrender and looking forward to finding a forever home! He was once rescued from a shelter and when the novelty wore off he was given away. A kind lady took him in hoping her home could be his forever home. Alas, that couldn't be so Col. Potter was contacted to help this cute young man. Tatum likes playing with stuffed toys. He also enjoys getting brushed and having his coat stripped!!! He enjoys walks and other animals, although he will participate in recreational cat chasing. Sandy has once again stepped up to be a rescue angel as she brought Tatum to Col. Potter. Tatum will be joining his foster mom, Carla in Florida. Tatum's going to need some sunglasses soon!

Saturday, March 29, 2008

From A Pauper To A Princess - The Journey of a Puppy Mill Dog (Entry 4)

Karen, one of CPCRN's foster mentors, has graciously allowed us access to her diary documenting the journey of Flopsy, also known as Rusty, from the puppy mill to her forever home. The diary will be broken up into short sections and posted. Check back for new entries in the series entitled "From A Pauper To A Princess - The Journey of a Puppy Mill Dog". (Previous Journal Entries: Entry One, Entry Two, Entry Three)

4/22/07
No changes today, in fact we had a little set-back in Rusty’s confidence. I am trying to teach her the word, “stop” so she knows when we stop on the leash, it also means stop off the leash.

Rusty is just one frightened and confused little girl. She is going to need a very patient and understanding adoptive home.

Rusty does not know the joy of toys or playing with the other dogs, yet. When Rusty is frightened, she will not take any treats from me, she turns her head away.

Rusty continues to wake me in the middle of the night, she does not like her crate and I think she’s afraid she will never get back out of it again.

Rusty continues to have no accidents in the house!

4/23/07
Today, I decided to leave Rusty out of the x-pen while we are at work. I left the door open to the pen, so she could go in and out of it while I was at work. When Tony got home from work, all was well, so I think Rusty has graduated from being in the pen all day.

Tony and I spent a lot of time laying on the grass this evening, playing with our fur kids. Rusty was avidly watching us. The minute she would notice us looking at her, she would scurry away. What was cute, is she was inching her way over to us and stood there for a few minutes. You can see the torment in her face, as I think deep down, she wants to join in with us.

We had a beach towel laying on the grass next to our larger blanket. My back was to the towel and Rusty can over and laid on the towel. She really wants to be a part of us.

We took Rusty for her first walk outside of the yard. Of course, she was double leashed for extra precaution, because I know we’d never catch her if she got away. Rusty’s walking practice in the backyard has really paid off; she did wonderfully!! I couldn’t believe how she would just trot along with everyone else. She only hesitated a couple of times, but there was no sign of struggle on the leash. This activity might just be the confidence builder she needs.

4/26/07
I decided to lay back a little with Rusty and not push her too much. I wanted her to just watch us interacting with the other dogs.

Rusty is getting a little easier to catch, but not by much. She still skitters away, until she finally gives up, knowing that we aren’t going to stop.

We have taken Rusty on walks the past couple of days and she is doing quite well. I am trying to build up her confidence with the walks.

Rusty has done well being left out of the x-pen with our dogs, while we are at work. She is using the doggy door to go outside and potty.

She still refuses to eat her meals in front of me, but I think that will change with more trust. McDuffy has tried to play with Rusty a couple of times, but she hasn’t a clue as to what he is doing and will move away from him.

This morning, Rusty came right in the door with the others, but she hasn’t done it again, since. I think she was as surprised as I was. I usually have to hide or remove myself at least 20’ before she will go in or out of the door.


To Be Continued ...

Friday, March 28, 2008

Two New Cairn Cuzins!

Two new Cuzins joined us on Wednesday. It was a beautiful day in Iowa, a good day for a drive in the country. So I took myself off into the sunshine and went and welcomed two new cuzins into Col. Potter. Wellington & Tressel were residents in a Breeding Facility in Rural Iowa. They are now temporary residents with my vet. The accommodations are somewhat nicer and the care givers are very different! Very soon these two gentlemen will find their way to foster homes in the Col. Potter family. For now please welcome Wellington & Tressel.

Gentleman Jock

I received a call from Animal Control on Wednesday that a woman had turned in a 14 year old Cairn, because "I don't have time for him anymore." I went in to meet him, take a picture, and ID him as a Cairn. He's a Cairn all right-his tail wags his butt, he's a kisser, clipped way down, with those senile warts, and loads of energy. I got him on Thursday, and took him (and his new blankie) to the kennel, and after he's vetted, I’ll take him home for B&B, until his foster home is available. On the way to get him released, I'm going to pick him up a jazzy collar and leash! Welcome Gentleman Jock!

Col. Potter's Newest Spring Sweetheart


This beautiful 5 yr old wheaten girl found her way to Col. Potter by way of a good Samaritan who notified CP that she had been left at the shelter by her owners.

Thank you Montez, for checking on this girl, getting her out of the shelter and taking her to the vet. Montez's mother, Mae, who was visiting went along, so it was only fitting that this girl was partially named after her and one of Montez's granddaughters.

Please Welcome Franki Mae!

Thursday, March 27, 2008

French Five Find Fabulous "Forevers"!

The French Five have all been adopted and have found their "happily every after". So, for one last time here are the French Five along with their Forever Families!!

Fort with Forever Mom, Karen.



Coquin with Forever Dad, Glenn and Forever Mom, Cindy.



Joli with Forever Mom, Jenna and Fripon with Forever Dad, Brandon.

Jenna and Brandon adopted TWO of the French Five!



Last but most definitely not least, Voulu with Forever Mom, Christy.

Voulu is now known as Uber because he is UBER everything!



Thank you Christy for all the memories and for allowing us to watch the French Five grow into handsome and beautiful Cairns. Best of luck to the French Five and to their Forever Families!

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

"The Joy of Fostering" by Carole Raphaelle Davis


Carole Raphaelle Davis is a passionate animal welfare advocate and author of “The Diary of Jinky, Dog of a Hollywood Wife”. She has worked closely with numerous animal welfare groups and wants people to get smart about cruelty to animals and to start making ethical choices when it comes to bringing a companion animal into their lives. She lives in Hollywood with her rescue mutt Jinky, her rescue Cairn, Finley, and foster flunkee, Lamby. Finley's mom donates the proceeds of her book to animal welfare charities.

To introduce Finley to the CPCRN group Carole wrote the following:

She was a pet store/puppy mill dog for sure. She's absolutely gorgeous, with her perfect black tips. She's also got the "Terriorist" character! Stubborn, mind of her own, only does what she wants when she wants. She gives the sweetest kisses in the world.

She was bought by a senior care facility and it didn't work out at all. She ended up tied outside in the sun, on a short chain with no human contact for two years. She was rescued by the Amanda Foundation in Beverly Hills and I fell in love with her while I was volunteering there, walking dogs for them. I took her home and she is the Queen of the house, loved and adored, pampered like she deserves, like all dogs deserve. She is Jinky's wife, and like all Hollywood wives, she indulges herself. And after her awful beginning, she should!

Carole recently wrote the following article featured on Fetchdog.com:

The Joy of Fostering
Willing to turn your home into a halfway house for a homeless dog? Shelters need more people like you!
by Carole Raphaelle Davis

Are you missing the company of a dog but reluctant to take on the full responsibility? Maybe you live in a smallish apartment or are worried about the burden of unexpected veterinary bills. Or perhaps you recently lost your dog but aren’t ready for a full-time dog. Well, there is a way to enjoy doggie companionship and help a dog in need on a temporary basis; it’s called fostering. Fostering a dog is one of the most rewarding ways to get that sublime dog love without having the full responsibility of life-long guardianship.

Click here to read the entire article on Fetchdog.com and leave comments for Carole.

CPCRN is always in need of foster homes, if you would like to learn more please visit our Foster FAQs!

Saturday, March 22, 2008

Welcome Erica and Nigel Thomas!

Several weeks ago, a PM in Virginia was raided, shutdown and the dogs seized. CPCRN had made contact at the time but they were still in the process of sorting, evaluating and treating the many dogs. This week, CP was contacted by the County Animal shelter for help with two Cairns.

Please help me welcome Erica and Nigel Thomas!

Erica is named after the All My Children vixen Erica Kane. She is 5 years old, 15 pounds and it's apparent she recently whelped puppies. You can see how her coat was butchered obviously to shorten it up for ease of the nursing puppies, and she has the saggy milk sacks and large nipples from recently nursing. On top of all of this Erica has tested HEARTWORM POSITIVE. We are looking for a foster home that is located on the east coast and an easy transport, where Erica will be able to spend her time relaxing while she undergoes heartworm treatment. If you have room in your heart and your home to help Erica through her treatment, please contact us.


Nigel Thomas is 6 years old, 17 pounds, has fleas and an ear infection. He's quite a rough, hairy mass right now, but I just know that after a bath, stripping and a little grooming, there is one handsome hunk of a Cairn there!


With it being Easter weekend, these two definitely have been touched by a higher power and have risen from the Hell of a PM to find themselves in the loving arms of CP where they will now be able to get their happily ever after. Their Easter baskets are now full of hope, care and love ...

Friday, March 21, 2008

From A Pauper To A Princess - The Journey of a Puppy Mill Dog (Entry 3)

Karen, one of CPCRN's foster mentors, has graciously allowed us access to her diary documenting the journey of Flopsy, also known as Rusty, from the puppy mill to her forever home. The diary will be broken up into short sections and posted. Check back for new entries in the series entitled "From A Pauper To A Princess - The Journey of a Puppy Mill Dog". (Previous Journal Entries: Entry One, Entry Two)

4/19/07
Well, new day and we are back at square one. Rusty seemed to forget what trust she gained yesterday.

She still didn’t mess in her pen when we were at work. After work, we got out the x-pen and set it up in the grass again. We laid in there for over an hour, then we took “walks” around the yard. I put Rusty back in the pen and groomed Holly, while she watched.

I forgot to mention that before I went in the pen with Rusty, I was in the house changing and checking emails. Rusty was whining and jumped over the x-pen! I think she could be a potential escape artist.

When we went back into the house, I put Rusty in her x-pen and she went to sleep in her bed.

I think the x-pen in the grass is going to have to be a part of our daily routine for quite a while. Whatever was done to Rusty in the mill had to be pretty bad, because she seems to have the spirit knocked out of her. She carries around a blank expression on her face and doesn’t wag her tail at anything.

One more note; I took cheese into the x-pen and Rusty would turn her head if I tried to give her a piece, so I put it on the towel and she ate it. I gave her a few pieces this way and she seemed to acquire a taste for it. I tried to hand feed her again, she looked away, then turned back, licked the cheese then gently took it and dropped it on the ground before eating it. It seems as though she doesn’t know how to manipulate the cheese in her mouth to eat it right after taking it from me. She repeated this a few times, before we ran out of cheese.

4/21/07
Rusty woke me early this a.m. When she wants out of the crate, she wants out. She went out and did her business. I was still tired, so I went back to bed. Rusty was upset and wanted to come in the room with me. I brought Starry, McDuffy, and Rusty back into the room and we all went back to sleep.

We took a drive to the vet’s office to have the buttons removed from her ear. Rusty did really well in the truck. She mainly sat and looked out of the window. She seemed to enjoy the ride. Dr. S. didn’t remove the buttons yet. She said it was too soon, so we will go back in a couple of weeks.

Back home, Rusty is still doing her pacing in the yard and kitchen, but it doesn’t appear as frantic. I think we are beginning to make real progress with trust. I believe spending all of the time with her in the x-pen has helped.

When Rusty was doing her trotting around the kitchen island, I called her as I approached. She ran the other way, so I turned and met her on the other side and spoke gently to her. She stopped and dropped to her belly and let me approach! I gave her lots of praise and scritches, then turned and walked away. I repeated this several times throughout the day. I am so pleased that she is finally stopping for me, even thought it’s not immediate.

Rusty is also continuing to reluctantly take treats from me. She really likes the cheese and bits of boiled chicken breast.

Rusty still hasn’t had a potty accident in the house! This may change as she develops more confidence, or maybe not!


To Be Continued ...

Thursday, March 20, 2008

Welcome A New Cairn Princess!

Eppie is a lovely reddish wheaten 4 year old who was brought to a veterinarian by her owners to be put down. The only thing this girl did wrong was to have allergies. This veterinarian turned out to be Eppie's guardian angel and asked the owners to sign her over, which they did. Once this vet had Eppie's skin problems under control, she contacted Col. Potter about placing Eppie with us. Eppie won the hearts of the entire clinic, so they were very protective of Eppie and asked a lot of questions about CPCRN, before entrusting us to find a great new forever home for this darling girl. Who could resist those big beautiful eyes!

Thank you to Marlene who picked Eppie up from the clinic and provided these great pictures. And a special thank you to first time foster mom, Wendy, who will be fostering Eppie.

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

GiGi Update After Her 3rd Follow-Up Visit

GiGi went for her third follow-up visit with the eye specialist this week. It seems that her right eye is bothering her a bit (it seemed to bother her a lot even before the surgery), and it's a little irritated, so we need to keep "the cone" on her for another week or two so she can't rub or scratch it. That darn cone really gets in the way of her climbing up the stairs, and when she's sleeping at night. But most of the time she tolerates it really well. The doc said we were doing a "good job" with her post-op care, and he was very pleased with her progress. Her eye pressures are low, which is great because high pressures can be a sign of glaucoma, which can be a side affect from cataract surgery.

It seems as though her diabetes has been temporarily affected due to all the stress and medication she's been taking. Once she's back to her normal routine with no more eye drops and without "the cone" she'll be back to her old self again. It's just amazing to look into her face and have her looking back at ME and not up at the ceiling anymore. She literally looks years younger, and is just so happy and playful, all because she can see again. She's visably more relaxed around my two other dogs, and even wants to join in when it's playtime. She's the queen bee when she's outside, and just loves to sit in the grass and soak in the warm sunshine. What an amazing transformation this has been for this little girl. We can't thank you enough for helping make this happen for her. I believe that GiGi will only find good things to come in her future. I like to think that we have given her back her quality of life so that she can live happily for years to come. Now we just need to find that special forever home for this very special and deserving little girl to call her own.

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Welcome Mickey D!

Please welcome Mickey D, a 5 year old owner surrender to Col. Potter.

This is one beautiful guy, and he is a big boy. He weighs in at 20 pounds so he is officially on a diet with Foster Mom and Foster Sister. A bit too much Mickey D's for us perhaps? He doesn't need to lose ALOT, but definitely could benefit from a drop in weight.

Mickey D is a terrific little guy who is 100% Cairn. He loves to play ball. Mickey D is very full of himself and his ears and tail are held high. He's a snuggler too!

He knows commands, sit, stay and come. Mickey D is also a very good watch dog. He'll bark when he hears something out of order, but becomes quiet quickly. He's completely housebroken and has not attempted to mark in the house.

This guy is ready for a forever home. He can't wait to be the apple of someone's eye! Can you tell that I think he's perfect?


Monday, March 17, 2008

Irish Eyes Are Smiling!

This weekend three PM girls made their way to freedom and the loving arms of Col. Potter just in time to kiss the Blarney Stone and find their Pot 'O Gold at the end of the Rainbow.

Please help me welcome the Irish Lasses:

Shenanigan is wheaton, DOB 12/14/01 and whelped her last litter of puppies this past December.

Shelalegh is black brindle, DOB 12/13/04 and luckily for her was never able to conceive and won her freedom as a result.

Rose of Tralee is red brindle, DOB 3/13/06 and last whelped a litter of 5 puppies. This little girl also came in covered in ticks.

The Irish Lasses will be dancing an Irish jig in celebration and truly had the luck of the Irish this weekend! Welcome to CP and FREEDOM!!!



Sunday, March 16, 2008

From A Pauper To A Princess - The Journey of a Puppy Mill Dog (Entry 2)

Karen, one of CPCRN's foster mentors, has graciously allowed us access to her diary documenting the journey of Flopsy, also known as Rusty, from the puppy mill to her forever home. The diary will be broken up into short sections and posted. Check back for new entries in the series entitled "From A Pauper To A Princess - The Journey of a Puppy Mill Dog". (To read the first journal entry click here.)

4/18/07
Tony and I had to corner Rusty in the yard this morning to bring her back inside. We have tried to have her drag a leash, but it frightens her even more when she gets caught on things and when I am trying to step on the leash. It’s so heartbreaking to watch her run with fear.

Today, after work, we decided to set up an x-pen on the grass where we lay with the dogs. We put Rusty inside & she seemed immediately relieved she doesn’t have to deal with that huge yard. I decided to put Holly in there too, because she is the gentlest with other dogs. Rusty liked the company and laid down.

When Tony went inside for a shower, I decided to put a towel in the pen and lay in there with them. Holly snuggled up next to me for scritches. Rusty was close enough for me to reach over and pet her under the chin and on the chest. When I stopped, she sniffed my hand! I pet her again, stopped, she sniffed; I repeated this several times with the same results. I laid in the pen for over an hour. I put the leash and harness on Rusty and walked her around the yard, then put her back in the pen. I brought out the grooming table and set it up next to the pen and groomed Starry and McDuffy. Rusty laid there and watched. Tony got in the pen with her and started to Mars her. She didn’t seem to mind. I put Rusty on the leash again and walked her around the yard. I decided to see what would happen if I let the leash down. Rusty trotted around, but not frantically. She would stop and sniff the ground several times. Rusty actually had a look of relief in her eyes! She shook her body a couple of times and it looked like she had a doggy smile on her face. The big test was to see if she would let me catch her. I spoke to her as I walked towards her and she didn’t run! Hooray! I squatted down stretched out my arm with the back of my hand up and she let me touch her. OMG, was I excited, we had a breakthrough!

We went back into the house and Rusty was put in the x-pen. She climbed into the bed we bought for her and relaxed.

I am so determined to teach Rusty to trust and I think we have taken a step in the right direction.


To Be Continued ...

Saturday, March 15, 2008

Welcome Badger!

We have a new handsome guy joining the ranks of Col. Potter. His name is Badger, after the state animal of Wisconsin and proud mascot for the University of Wisconsin. He is a year old and was from a large breeder release. There's something special about Badger - instead of facing the fate of many breeder dogs, he was taken to a safe place which in turn contacted Col. Potter. With the help of Joan and Mary Jean he made his way to the vet clinic for his physical, so important for a young man like Badger! During his stay at the clinic he worked his magic on the staff. He went from a shy but somewhat friendly and playful guy to a major flirt and a fun kind of guy! Just check out the build on this guy - even with his Marine cut you can tell he's going to be a looker. Watch out Fabio!!

He will be enjoying a stay with his new foster mom, Carla in Wisconsin. Many thanks to Joan, Mary Jean, Mary C. and Carla for their part in Badger's trip to freedom.

Beware The Ides of March

Col. Potter’s newest member joined us the day before the Ides of March, but we’ve decided to call him “Caesar” anyway. Right now, he’s all alone and he doesn’t know whom to trust. In fact, today he was so scared, he threw up all over Auntie Deirdre while she was holding him! Wonderful!

Caesar is about three years old. He is tiny: not quite 10½ pounds, and a reddish wheaten. He’s a handsome little fellow, but he was given up by his owner because he was beginning to lose his hair. (Now if that was a good reason to let someone go, several of us would be without our DH …) Actually, the vet said he has some dry skin, but it doesn’t look like a serious condition at all.

Once Caesar realizes he’s a Colonel’s kid, I’m sure he’ll get some confidence, and before long, he’ll be strutting around just like a Roman emperor.

Friday, March 14, 2008

Welcome Clyde!

Another handsome young wheaten boy has joined Col. Potter. Clyde is a 1 yr old boy that was surrendered by his previous owners, due to lack of time and finances to care for him. Clyde's lack of care showed in his long nails and he is also extremely thin at just under 11 lbs, but this hasn't affected his sweet personality.

Thank you to Kim C. who will be fostering this sweet boy and getting him fattened up with good food and lots of love!

A special thank you also to rescue angels, Kathie R. and Maureen H., who made sure Clyde made it safely into CP and on his way to his foster home.

Thursday, March 13, 2008

The Dangers Associated With Raisins

Written by: Laurinda Morris, DVM
Danville Veterinary Clinic
Danville, Ohio

This week I had the first case of raisin toxicity ever seen at MedVet. My patient was a 56-pound, 5 yr old male neutered lab mix that ate half a canister of raisins sometime between 7:30 AM and 4:30 PM on Tuesday. He started with vomiting, diarrhea and shaking about 1AM on Wednesday but the owner didn't call my emergency service until 7AM.

I had heard somewhere about raisins AND grapes causing acute Renal failure but hadn't seen any formal paper on the subject. We had her bring the dog in immediately. In the meantime, I called the ER service at MedVet, and the doctor there was like me - had heard something about it, but.... Anyway, we contacted the ASPCA National Animal Poison Control Center and they said to give I V fluids at 1 1/2 times maintenance and watch the kidney values for the next 48-72 hours.

The dog's BUN (blood urea nitrogen level) was already at 32 (normal less than 27) and creatinine over 5 (1.9 is the high end of normal). Both are monitors of kidney function in the bloodstream. We placed an IV catheter and started the fluids. Rechecked the renal values at 5 PM and the BUN was over 40 and creatinine over 7 with no urine production after a liter of fluids. At the point I felt the dog was in acute renal failure and sent him on to MedVet for a urinary catheter to monitor urine output overnight as well as overnight care.

He started vomiting again overnight at MedVet and his renal values have continued to increase daily. He produced urine when given lasix as a diuretic. He was on 3 different anti-vomiting medications and they still couldn't control his vomiting. Today his urine output decreased again, his BUN was over 120, his creatinine was at 10, his phosphorus was very elevated and his blood pressure, which had been staying around 150, skyrocketed to 220.. He continued to vomit and the owners elected to euthanize.

This is a very sad case - great dog, great owners who had no idea raisins could be a toxin. Please alert everyone you know who has a dog of this very serious risk. Poison control said as few as 7 raisins or grapes could be toxic. Many people I know give their dogs grapes or raisins as treats including our ex-handler's. Any exposure should give rise to immediate concern.

Even if you don't have a dog, you might have friends who do. This is worth passing on to them.

Confirmation from Snopes: http://www.snopes.com/critters/crusader/raisins.asp

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Two Week Update on GiGi From Her Foster Mom!

It's been two weeks since GiGi's eye surgery and she continues to improve every day. She is much more full of life than I've ever seen her. It's amazing how much younger she's been acting since the surgery. She practically runs down the stairs in the morning (wanting to be the first one in the kitchen for breakfast). She's really quite a character, and likes to have conversations with me. Since she can see again, she's so excited in the mornings to get to eating breakfast that she gives me what for when I don't move fast enough, and does this little dance around the kitchen. She can be very vocal in her demands, but it's quite endearing. When she goes up to bed in the evening without "the cone" on, she actually bounds up the stairs like she's wearing a pair of wings. She beats her Cairn buddy every time, and he's at least four years her junior.

The doc said she would most likely have some blurriness with her up close vision and it does show at times. She can't really tell where the last step is on the landing, but nothing stops this determined little girl. We haven't been walking much since the doc said to wait a few weeks before exercising again. It'll be nice to walk her now, and not have to worry about her falling off curbs, or tripping over newspapers, or having to use the handicap ramps (but they were a blessing when we needed them).

When she's ready for a nap she likes to snuggle on the quilt that some of the Col. Potter volunteers make for all the foster Cairns. She has her favorite chair with her quilt on it. Now that she can see, instead of going upstairs to her bed and feeling depressed, she jumps up on her "throne" and watches over all the activity in the house. It truly is heartwarming to see her so full of life again. Thanks to everyone for making this happen for her.


Tuesday, March 11, 2008

From A Pauper To A Princess - The Journey of a Puppy Mill Dog

Karen, one of CPCRN's foster mentors, has graciously allowed us access to her diary documenting the journey of Flopsy, also known as Rusty, from the puppy mill to her forever home. The diary will be broken up into short sections and posted. Check back for new entries in the series entitled "From A Pauper To A Princess - The Journey of a Puppy Mill Dog".

4/14/07
Today, we picked up our new foster Flopsy aka Rusty, in San Diego. She flew in from Missouri. She is nearly paralyzed with fear. I think we are going to have a long haul ahead of us with Rusty and getting her ready for her adoptive home. She has absolutely no facial or body expressions. We haven’t even seen a slight wag of the tail. Those D^%* Puppy Millers have literally stripped the life out of this girl! I am hopeful that over the next several weeks, we can teach her to trust and enjoy her new life.

4/17/07
5:30 a.m. Took Rusty outside for potty. She does her business. Frantically paces around the yard. Stops on occasion to see what I am doing. We go back into the house, Rusty reluctantly comes in. Tony helps me catch Rusty to put in her x-pen for breakfast. Rusty has a good appetite and finishes her meal in no time, however, she will not eat in front of me.

I take her back outside for potty. She paces around the perimeter of the yard.

I put Rusty in the x-pen while I am at work; no more crates for this girl during the daytime hours!

3:00 p.m. Come home from work; there are no accidents in the x-pen! Take Rusty outside for potty and she frantically paces the backyard. You can literally see the fear in her eyes. I take a towel out onto the grass and sit there. Rusty runs circles around me, over and over again. I have Tony help me catch her and we sit on the towel and pet her. She stands there frozen, unsure what to do. She eventually walks away and begins doing her pacing around the yard. She ventures close by us, but not too close, so we can’t touch her.

Inside, Rusty does continuous circles around the kitchen island. She is so scared and unsure of herself, it is breaking my heart. I hate what those D^%* millers have done to her!

We brought a large crate into the living room, so Rusty could be close and watch us interact w/ our fur kids. She started to relax and eventually fell asleep.

At bedtime, when Rusty was in her crate, she started to whine when I left the room!! This is the first we have heard from her. Funny, she doesn’t want to be near us, but doesn’t like when she isn’t near us! Rusty still won’t take treats from my hands.


To Be Continued ...

Sunday, March 9, 2008

A Winter Tail by Deirdre B.

It is "Spring Forward" time again: time to change the clocks. But as I sit at my computer with my toothless little cairn Lovie on my lap, watching the thermometer plunge into the single digits while snow flakes fall from a sky the color of dirty grey hair, my mind wanders – not to thoughts of spring, but to another winter, a winter when I unwittingly became a killer of innocents.

In the mid 1990's, our family was living in Illinois. Just a few months previously, my son Scott & I had gone garage sale shopping and come home with a cairn terrier. She was a 4 year old strawberry blonde with imps of mischief in her eyes, a lopsided grin, and a prey instinct the likes of which only a Terrier could ever have.

My daughter Laura named her “Sassy,” after the cat in the Homeward Bound movie and because that’s what she was: Sassy! She waltzed into our home, our lives, and my heart with the attitude that said, "I am Cairn! Hear me roar!"

As fall had turned to winter, she guarded our home and yard from the fearsome onslaught of squirrels and birds, and the dreaded UPS truck, with tireless tenacity. Sassy, who weighed in at a mighty thirteen pounds, would stand guard at the bay window in the kitchen. Her sisters Gypsy & Zelda (both of indeterminate pedigree and outweighing her by about sixty pounds each) could be anywhere in the house doing their own thing, which was usually sleeping.

But when Sassy the sentry gave the call to arms, it was a rousing racket that even we mere humans recognized as saying, "We’re under Squirrel Attack! All troops report to battle stations for immediate action!"

The thunder of racing feet could be heard all over the house with the clickity clack of nails fighting for purchase on the white tile floor, as Zelda and Gypsy took the corner so fast they skidded around the staircase and into the mud room. By the time I had walked as far as the back door, three noses would be pressed against the crack, making it clear that no nanosecond should be lost before joining the forthcoming fray.

So, in other words, we were well defended.


That winter had been cold – cold even for the upper Midwest. It was a winter made for hot cider, fuzzy sweaters, and crackling fires. But the end was in sight: Spring was around the corner, and Punxsutawney Phil had promised us only six more weeks of winter.

One particular Saturday, we were all – five humans, three dogs and two cats – spending a quiet relaxing family day at home. Then she started.

Sassy was trying to dig up the tiles on kitchen floor, right in front of the oven. Like Jules Verne, she was intent on reaching the center of the earth.

“No! Sassy! Stop it!” I said as I picked her up and moved her away from the stove.

“Mom!” Adam called. “She’s doing it again!” And she was.

We aren’t talking play digging here; this was a serious attempt at excavation. Both front feet were going like miniature jackhammers. This dog meant business.

“NO! Sassy!” I said again (this time more firmly) and I picked her up. I hadn’t straightened my back until she was jumping back down onto the floor and going at it full force again.

By now she had gathered a large audience. Kenneth had come in from the garage. Laura, Scott and Adam had arrived, and Gypsy and Zelda had come to investigate the ruckus. You couldn’t get near the stove for fur and feet. Scott suggested we open the utility drawer at the bottom of the oven, to show Sassy there was nothing in there.

I pulled the drawer out, and before I could even move the cookie sheets Sassy jumped into the drawer, determined to dig right through. We pulled out the whole drawer and she dove into the hollow space. She whined. We dragged her out. She jumped back in. This was getting ridiculous.

I picked her up again, and this time she took a flying leap out of my arms and landed right on top of the stove, sending burner rings flying as she dug at the burners in frustration and determination.
We put her outside. NO WAY was she staying out there! There was something in the stove that she recognized as a danger, and there was no way she was not going to do her job and protect her family!

This was ludicrous. There was nothing in the oven, nothing on the stove, nothing in the drawer. But try telling that to a Cairn on a mission…

Then I had a brilliant idea. If I ran the "CLEAN" cycle on the oven it would eliminate whatever scent Sassy must be smelling. “Great thinking, Mom!”

So that is what I did, I took the roasting pan out of the oven, pushed over the "lock" mechanism and, clicked the stove into CLEAN mode. Now I don’t know how many of you have self cleaning ovens, but for those of you who don’t, let me explain a little something. The CLEAN cycle cleans by making things very very hot and by turning any leftover cooking debris into a fine ashy powder. And to protect the homeowner and his or her family from harm, once the oven reaches the "clean" temperature (which, although a bit cooler than the surface of the sun, is still mighty hot!) the oven door locks and cannot be opened. And, at least on the model that I had at the time, the CLEAN cycle cannot be stopped and has to run its full… well, its full cycle.

As the temperature in the oven rose, Sassy quieted down. “Ah!” thought I. “Brilliant!”

Then it started.

At first there was just a slight aroma … which turned into a smell … a kind of a burning smell... which became a full fledged reek … which grew stronger.

The children arrived back into the kitchen. “Mom! What is that stink?”

Mom looked blankly at Dad, who shrugged.

Then the smoke came ...

Did you know that the grill kind of thing at the back of an oven is called a “chimney?” Do you know why?

Until that day I had heard the term “billows of smoke," but I had never actually seen a real billow. However, as the CLEAN cycle continued inexorably onward, billows poured from that little chimney in the back of my stove.

And I knew – I knew in my deepest heart – that Sassy had been right. There really was something hiding somewhere in my stove, and I was murdering it.

But I could not stop the heat and I could not stop the smell (which I now subliminally recognized as burning flesh) and I for sure could not stop the smoke!

Nor could I seem to stop the smoke detectors from howling. I sent the boys upstairs to whack at them with the broom until their father could get to them. Kenneth ran around, jumping on and off of chairs, and yanking out batteries like some circus clown, trying to shut up the incessant bleating.

Finally, quiet descended. We paused briefly, savoring the silence. And then the choking, coughing, and gagging started, as the smoke continued to pour out of the stove vents. Everyone ran to windows and flung them open as quickly as you can open windows that have been carefully hermetically sealed with plastic and weather-stripping for an Illinois winter. Every ceiling fan was turned on, and I stood there looking at my soot blackening kitchen walls with tears running down my face – not for the mess, but because I had incinerated innocent mice. Poor homeless mice had looked for warmth somewhere within the confines of my stove, and I had just cremated them.

I was crying. The children were looking at me accusingly. And we were all gagging on the smell and freezing to death with the windows wide open.

Kenneth gave Laura the car keys and some money, and sent her and her brothers out to go to a movie and then to get something to eat. We figured that by the time the movie was over the house could be closed up & warm again.

Kenneth and I put on our winter coats and hats. We wound woolly scarves around our necks and noses, wrapped afghans around our knees, and spent a freezing February afternoon in the office with the ceiling fans on full blast and all the doors and windows wide open. Meanwhile, the oven continued the CLEAN cycle, and the pall of my crime slowly dissipated.

The children arrived home, warm and pink and excited after a pleasant afternoon’s adventure without Mom & Dad. The smoke was gone. The smell was bearable. We closed the windows and I got out the Pine-sol and the bucket and rags, and set about the job of washing walls and furniture!

“I’m cold and I’m hungry,” announced my husband, giving me the full force of his expressive hazel eyes.

“Yes,”, I said. “So?”

“So,” he said. “So when are you going to start cooking dinner?”

My mouth fell open. I turned and looked at him. “Are you out of your mind?” I asked. “Are you crazy?”

“I don’t understand,” he replied with a hapless expression on his face. “I am hungry. This is a kitchen. You are a good cook. What’s for dinner?”

I burst into tears. “You really expect me to cook on this stove? This stove where I barbecued a family of innocent mice?”

“This stove is a murder weapon!” I am never cooking in this stove again!! Never!”

“Well, the oven is clean,” offered my barbarian of a husband. “I really don’t see the problem.”
I walked over to the drawer, opened it and handed him a “take-out” menu. “Here!” I said. “Have at it!” And I went back to scrubbing walls.

The man who delivered the new stove listened to my story. Apparently it is quite common for mice to come into the house and to make a nest in the insulation between the outer and inner walls of an oven. He didn’t make me feel any better when he explained that it was probably when the baby mice were born that the smell or sound triggered the hunting instinct in Sassy.

Great! Not only did I kill some mice, but I burned up a whole family with tiny baby mice!

Sassy was with us for ten more years, and had many more adventures, but those are tails for some other winter’s afternoon…

The Foster Spotlight - Nala

UPDATE: We are very pleased to announce that Nala has found her forever family!

Are you looking for a TERRIFIC TERRIER? Check out our available cairns! Look for Nala and other "Happily Ever After" stories on our Post Adoption blog.


Nala was introduced by Col. Potter in February 2007 and it is time to find this little girl a forever home! Nala was named after the brave lion in the movie “Lion King” and brave she is! Nala has diabetes and receives two insulin injections each day but they only take a second and they keep her diabetes in control. Nala is a true trooper and doesn’t mind her shots because she knows she gets some extra lovin’ once shot time is over. Nala’s diabetes has been in perfect control for the past year and she has not had any weight problems or episodes related to her diabetes during this time.

Nala is a very sweet girl, approximately 7 years old that LOVES people, young and old. She has wonderful manners, is a dream to take on walks and has a very cute personality. She also loves to cuddle and to give little kisses. She is just an all around great dog. Please don’t let her diabetes hold you back from adopting her. She certainly doesn’t let her diabetes hold her back!

If you would like to give this perfect cairn girl the perfect forever home, fill out the Adoption Application and fill your home with sweetness and love!

For more information on dogs and diabetes visit the following websites:

Public Service Announcement For Women


There is more than one kind of breast cancer.
We have been taught and are reminded frequently by public service announcements and by the medical community that when a woman discovers a lump on her breast she should go to the doctor immediately. Inflammatory breast cancer usually grows in nests or sheets, rather than as a confined, solid tumor and therefore can be diffuse throughout the breast with no palpable mass. The cancer cells clog the lymphatic system just below the skin. Lymph node involvement is assumed. Increased breast density compared to prior mammograms should be considered suspicious.

You Don’t Have to Have a Lump to Have Breast Cancer.
Some women who have inflammatory breast cancer may remain undiagnosed for long periods, even while seeing their doctor to learn the cause of her symptoms. The symptoms are similar to mastitis, a breast infection and some doctors, not recognizing IBC, will prescribe antibiotics. If a response to antibiotics is not apparent after a week, a biopsy should be performed or a referral to a breast specialist is warranted.

Age 52: Median age at time of diagnosis of IBC … versus,

Age 62: Median age at time of diagnosis of Breast Cancer.

A surprising portion of young women with IBC had their first symptoms during pregnancy or lactation. The misconception that these young women are at lower risk for breast cancer and the fact that IBC is the most aggressive form of breast cancer may result in metastases when the diagnosis is made.

For more information please visit the IBC Research Foundation's Website.

Saturday, March 8, 2008

Welcome Derry Muir!

Derry Muir escaped the shelter today!! He's an adorable 4 year old owner surrender that is full of life and your typical cairn boy. He is neutered, but was jealous when a new dog was added to the family, so he started to mark in the house (although previously he had been housetrained). He had been with his family all of his four years, but their loss is Col. Potter’s gain! Derry was brought up to date on all vaccines while at the shelter and just has to wait out his week of boarding. Derry won't be with CP long, as he is so cute and adorable. He has a great personality and just needs a family that understands cairns.

Derry Muir is going to need a foster home, so please check out the foster facts if you are interested in being a foster home. You may not get this cutie to foster, but there are several that need to find a foster home NOW. These poor babies can't be saved to get adopted if we don't have more foster homes.

Derry is currently in TX and is waiting for another jail break next week. Please join me in welcoming and loving this sweet boy who now has a second chance at life!!!

HUGE thanks and HOORAY for Intakes for making this possible!!! Thank you to all of you who do what you can for the many cairns in need!!!

Reminders On The Dangers Of Anti-Freeze


Pets for Life: Anti-freeze Dangers produced by The Humane Society of the United States


Dogs Getting Sick at Dog Park
SARASOTA - Some disturbing news for dog owners; A Sarasota woman says her dog died after going to the dog park on 17th Street. Three others say their dog got sick.

Veterinarians confirmed the dogs ingested anti-freeze.

People walking into Sarasota's Paw Park on 17th Street near Honore come to a complete stop...staring in almost disbelief at what they're seeing. Posted on the fence: three signs warning there's poison in the park. Three dogs have become ill. One dog, belonging to Tina Ratonyi, died.

Ratonyi says her schnauzer Shanti was the child she never had. Every other weekend, she brought Shanti here Saturday afternoon. "He ran over to that water and drank some water."

That night, Shanti became violently ill...shaking, vomiting. Over the next three days, Ratonyi saw eight veterinarians from Sarasota to Tampa to Fort Lauderdale. No one could tell her what was wrong with Shanti, until finally a test for anti-freeze was done. "It came back positive. By that time, it was too late."

Tuesday afternoon, Shanti was put to sleep. "He was my baby. The fact is we would have done anything for him."

It's tough to know exactly how the anti-freeze would have gotten into this park, but many who were here on Saturday report seeing the same thing: "a white station wagon changing fluids in the parking lot." And someone dumping the fluid near the fence.

"Now we're all paranoid our dogs are going to be poisoned. We don't know to come to the park or not to come, and to not let our dogs up near the front, which I won't do anymore," says dog owner Maryann McNemar.

Deputies told ABC 7 that if someone did dump anti-freeze near Paw Park, he would face charges.

But Ratonyi says it's too late. She's already lost her best friend. "It was horrible. They put him to sleep in my arms."

We called Sarasota County Parks and Recreation to tell them what was going on here. They told us they would look into immediately.

We also talked to local vet Dr. Dave Smith. He told us anti-freeze is sweet, like Kool-Aid almost, so dogs are attracted to it. But it is very, very toxic. Dr. Smith says if your dog drinks it, you might think your dog looked drunk, staggering, disoriented, drooling. He says rush to a vet's office. There is a small window of time before it's too late.

Friday, March 7, 2008

GiGi Update #3 From Her Foster Mom!

GiGi went to see the eye specialist for her second follow-up visit today. After the doc checked her eyes (which look beautiful, by the way), he said she was doing a great job of healing, and I was doing a great job with the eye drops. He is truly a man of few words, but seemed really pleased at the outcome of her surgery and her recovery. He thanked me for doing such a good job (Yeah!), and I thanked him for giving GiGi her sight back and making her a happy dog again (Yeah!).

I was advised that there are potential complications of cataract surgery which can be glaucoma, retinal detachment, and corneal ulcerations. Compared to humans, dogs seem to be more sensitive to eye surgery and will have a lot more post-op inflammation. This is why eye drops and ointments are administered 4 times a day... to try to lessen the chance of these complications occurring. So far it seems as though we're doing a great job. No ulcerations or irritations were seen during the docs exam today. In another week she can stop wearing "the cone" so much. Thank goodness...I don't know how she can sleep with that thing on, but she does.

The doc wants GiGi to come in for follow-up visits over the next 6 months so that he can check her eye pressure. (High eye pressure can be a sign of glaucoma.) Her pressure checks so far have been in the normal range (Yeah!). At this point, even with her diabetes, the doctor seemed happily surprised at how well she's recovering. I'm thinking all those thoughts and prayers that were sent GiGi's way by everyone have certainly paid off. Thanks for sending them!

Wednesday, March 5, 2008

If Cats, Dogs and CAIRNS Could Blog!

Click on the pictures to enlarge.


Meet The Presidential Candidates!

While some of these candidates are already out of the race for President, all of Col. Potter's Presidential Candidates are WINNERS for finding their way to Col. Potter and FREEDOM!

This took a lot of dedication by some very special rescue angels and volunteers as CP was only alerted to these Cairns on Friday. Originally, there was to be 5 Cairns, then Saturday afternoon, it became 6 Cairns and by late Saturday night it was 9 Cairns all from Amish PMs.

Thanks to rescue angels Deborah and Cindy for getting these furkids, Bonnie for providing the pictures, the transporters who moved 6 of them to Oz Project on Sunday, Kathy for taking on another group of furkids and for our wonderful vet outside of Cleveland for taking in the other 3 furkids on a Sunday.

CP DESPERATELY needs foster homes! If you can foster one of these kids please check out our Foster Facts!