Thursday, April 30, 2009

Sebring's Puppies are One Week Old!

Written by a CP Foster Mom

The puppies have had a busy week of eating, sleeping, pooping, and getting dew claws removed. They have also been weighed many times and had many photo snaps taken! Enjoy! We sure are!!


Camie
Camie weighs in!


Champ Weighs in!


Champ


Ali weighs in!

Ali

Skye is Home Safe in Michigan!

Skye came home on her own late last night. Connie went out to call one more time before bed and Skye came running across the yard, tail wagging, and jumped right on her.

Skye’s family is ecstatic and they can't make coherent sentences now because they are so happy and relieved. Thank you so much for all of your thoughts and prayers.

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Lost Cairn in Ann Arbor, Michigan - Now FOUND!

A former Col. Potter Rescue, Chastity, now know as Skye, pulled away from her owner last night just before bedtime. The leash was apparently not hooked completely as it came off the harness loop. She is not wearing her Col. Potter tag, but does have a tag with the owner's name and phone number. She lives outside of the city in an area which is very wooded with lots of deer.

Skye's owner, Connie, could use assistance searching for and capturing the little social butterfly. If you or your friends or relatives would be able to assist in the search, or if Skye is spotted, please contact Connie on her cell phone, (734) 761-3715. Connie is located in Ann Arbor Michigan, zip code 48103. Perhaps something good and stinky (cheeseburger, sausage, fish, etc.) may entice the little wanderer. Skye is a gray brindle, mostly gray. Skye is wearing either a red or black harness, with her tag attached to the harness.

Please keep Skye and the people searching for her in your thoughts and prayers.

Wacky Wednesday!

Wednesday is the day to be WACKY! Each week we will showcase a terrierific cairn picture with an appropriate caption. If you have a terrierific cairn and would like us to consider YOUR picture and caption for an upcoming "Wacky Wednesday" send it to us at cpcrnblog@gmail.com! (All photo submissions become the property of CPCRN and may be used for fundraising, promotion and/or outreach purposes.)

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Hope Springs Eternal!

Written by a CP Intakes Coordinator

Hope springs eternal in the human breast;
Man never Is, but always To be blest:
The soul, uneasy and confin'd from home,
Rests and expatiates in a life to come.
“An Essay on Man,” by Alexander Pope


People always hope for the best, even in the face of adversity. I think puppy mill kids do, too. CP's newest additions spent their days in an Amish mill, facing adversity every minute. They hoped for better, for freedom, for love. They finally are getting those better days. They are now clean, dry, well fed and watered. They are getting loving, gentle attention. Better days are here!

Please help me welcome:

Mr. Salty - wheaten boy, estimated to be 6 years old. His name was donated by Mary N., In Memory of Sandy T's boy Salty.



Cokie - black brindle girl, estimated to be 2.5 years old. Her name was donated by dear friends of Maureen H. in Honor of her Aunt Fran; Cokie was her childhood family nickname.



Welcome, enjoy your freedom!

Would you like to honor a loved one and help a puppy mill dog at the same time? Check out our "Name a Mill Cairn" program by clicking the following link: Name a Mill Cairn

Monday, April 27, 2009

The Puppies have Names!

Written by a CP Foster Mom

The babies have finally been named! So please welcome Baby girl #1, now known as Cambridge (short name is Camie), Baby boy , now known as Champ (no short name for him!), and Baby girl #2 , now known as Alpine (short name Ali). It feels good to finally have names for them. Thank you for the great suggestions and helping us to name these little furballs!! Some of the suggested names had already been used so they could not be added to our list, but there were many that we wrote down for future use. In the end, the kids liked these best...my human kids that is. The puppies seem to like their new names too!

In the picture of them nursing Ali is first, then Camie and finally Champ (from left to right). This is the three little dumplings having a late night snack just tonight. In the next picture, Champ is on the bottom getting hugged by his sisters. Aren't they just adorable?

Sunday, April 26, 2009

MORE Puppy Pictures!

Everybody LOVES puppies! Here are some more pictures of Sebring's babies. :)

Saturday, April 25, 2009

Welcome Zander!

Written by a CP Intakes Coordinator

Please welcome another new CP kid, Zander. Poor Zander was a stray too, found in Alabama, also missing a lot of hair. This poor boy is estimated by the shelter to be between 7 and 10 years old. Due to his hair loss alone, he was considered unadoptable. Intakes was contacted by another local rescue group, offering help to get him out of the shelter and to safety before it was too late, which could be any day after his last day of 'stray hold'. He is reported to be very friendly, happy and mild mannered. He is currently getting his spa treatment and will be feeling much better soon!


We Have PUPPIES!

The Col. Potter family would like to welcome Sebring's puppies to the wonderful world of FREEDOM! Sebring whelped three precious puppies Wednesday, two little girls and a boy.

Puppy number one is a little dark girl that weighed in at just over 6 ounces. Puppy number two is a very dark baby boy and also weighed slightly over 6 ounces. Puppy number three is a dark black brindle girl that weighed in at 6 and 5/8 ounces.

Col. Potter would like to thank all the "aunties and uncles" that made this possible!

Say Hello to our newest CP kid, Dalton!

Written by a CP Intakes Coordinator

Please give a warm welcome to a new CP kid. Dalton found himself a stray in Connecticut, where he was picked up and brought to the local shelter. He was microchipped, but as we hear all too often, his chip was not registered so his owner could not be found. The chip was traced back to the petshop where Dalton was purchased and based on this we were able to know that he is about 3.5 years old.

Dalton has some skin issues including hair loss around his tail and on his back. We suspect that it is nothing that good food, and good care won't cure. He is boarding and getting his vet care brought up to date, and will head to Chris C. for fostering. Welcome Dalton!!

Friday, April 24, 2009

Take a Look at Me Now!

UPDATE: We are very pleased to announce that Colonel has found his forever family! Are you looking for a TERRIFIC TERRIER? Check out our available cairns! Look for Colonel and other "Happily Ever After" stories on our Post Adoption blog.



Written by a CP Media Volunteer

Colonel is back in the spotlight to ask you if your heart has room for a special guy. He loves his foster Mom in New Mexico but he is ready for a forever home of his own. Won't you take another look at him?


Dogs from commercial breeding facilities spend their lives in cramped cages with little exercise or loving interaction from humans. They live in their cages with little or no veterinary care or training. It is amazing how resilient they are when given the opportunity.

Colonel spent 6 years in a commercial breeding facility. He faced his new freedom with courage and determination. He has gone from stiff joints due to inactivity to exploring the yard with a cute lope as he investigates his new surroundings and chases and plays with his foster sister. She is a lot more fun than toys.

He likes to cozy up to his foster mom and moves her hand off the computer keyboard when is time to pay more attention to him and give him skritches. He loves to sit outdoors with the other dogs and his foster family. He is still shy around strangers but he warms up once he gets to know them.

Housetraining is proving to be one of his greatest challenges but he is making great strides. He wears a belly band and stays dry for 4 hours at a time. Foster Mom thinks that with a few extra trips outside and some consistency he could be very far along in a matter of a few weeks.

Colonel says:

I want to be your velcro dog. If you are home alot and have time to spend with me I will fill your heart with love and joy. I have one floppy ear so you can always spot me in a crowd. I would like to keep your girl dog company too- I love to play with girls and I would like to be the only boy dog. I need someone who likes to takes me outside and give me a special blueberry treat when I potty outside. Of course I may keep you busy at first! I would love the chance to join your "furmily"


If you would like to see the latest updates from my foster Mom, please click here.

Wait until you see how much progress I have made!

You can see me in action if you click on my video!





The second annual Bark around the World is coming in May! Bark is an event that brings awareness to the plight of the puppymill dog. Look for Col. Potter at Bark and network with local and national groups.

Be inspired by educational speakers and learn how to take action to bring an end to puppymills.

Please join us for a day full of education, music and fun!

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

More Sad News ...

Vega joined her brothers Corvair and Corvette at the Bridge this morning. All three were loved deeply by all of us in the Col. Potter family and felt human kindness till the end. Sweet little furkids play and have fun - suffer no more! (Click here to view the story of Rainbow Bridge set to music, have your kleenex ready.)

Vega is the 3rd of 5 siblings to go to the Bridge. The GOOD NEWS is Belair is doing GREAT and kept down her food and her meds yesterday! Looks like she is coming home to join her brother, Camaro, who has been home since yesterday morning. He is a handful and doing GREAT as well. Cutlass, Aurora and Camaro woke up at 1 am just having one heck of a play time. We are going to have 4 beautiful, healthy and happy puppies looking for warm and loving homes!

Thank you to the puppies Foster Mom, Pam M., for her tireless work on behalf of these little ones and thank you to all our volunteers and supporters that make this possible!

Monday, April 20, 2009

Please Light a Candle for Two of Our Little "Cars"

It is with great sadness that we report that two of our little "Cars", Corvette and Corvair, are now Col. Potter Angels. Things are still dicey for Vega and Belair so please, please keep praying for them. Don't forget prayers for Puppy Foster Mom Pam, her vet and all the staff that are working so hard to save these precious kids.

Please light a candle for Corvette's and Corvair's journey to Rainbow Bridge where they will be able to play and run free.

Held Captive!

Written by a CP Intakes Coordinator

Captive: One, such as a prisoner of war, who is forcibly confined, subjugated, or enslaved.

Friday was a very special day for a young cairn boy, Phillips, named in honor of Capt. Richard Phillips the ship captain held captive by and then rescued from Somali pirates.

Like Richard Phillips, young Phillips was held against his will, in horrible conditions.

Our Phillips was a victim not of pirates, but of millers. Pirates and millers, both with the same intent: to profit off of the control and capture of another with total disregard for the captive. In young cairn Phillips' case, the rescue was coordinated by a small group in LA, with the aid of Patti M., who notified the Intakes Team of this needy boy on Tuesday. Many emails and phone calls, plans and alternate plans were made, to get this boy to freedom. Devoted volunteers, all with the goal of helping a little cairn. By Friday, he was out. More plans and arrangements were made to get him moved to our vet in Dallas. By Saturday morning, he was handed over to a CP volunteer, and officially became a CP kid.

Phillips will be debriefed over the coming week at our vet in Dallas, and ready to move to his foster home on Saturday. We know that only good things are in his future!!

Thanks to everyone who had a part in helping him to freedom!

Saturday, April 18, 2009

Welcome Ryker

Written by a CP Intakes Coordinator

Ryker is a 1 ½ year old boy that was picked up as a stray and ended up in the shelter. He got adopted out but the family was not prepared for his high energy and chasing their cats non stop! He ended up back at the shelter and they contacted us because he was going to be hard to get adopted. Vicki R. was good enough to go pick him up and take him to the vet to be boarded until we can get him moved to a foster home. Ryker is in one of their atrium runs with a parrot that talks right in front of him.

He wants to play and be friends and probably would not have hurt the cat if he had caught it. He is very sweet, snuggled and sniffed her clothes and breath several times and was not barky when other dogs were around. He sat on request for a treat. He has been clipped like a schnauzer with a cropped tail, but that doesn’t stop him from wagging it like crazy. The staff really likes cairns, and the one who checked him in knows cairns. So he is being very well taken care of right now. Now that he is part of the CP family I’m sure it will not be long before he will have his own forever family. He’s a cutie!

Welcome Ryker!

Thanks Vickie for being there to help get him out of the shelter.


Friday, April 17, 2009

Friday's Foster

Written by a CP Media Editor

TGIF, Thank God it’s Friday because now you get to meet Kanya, a very special little girl who is our “Friday’s Foster” this week. And let me tell you, this little lady is all girl, thus the meaning of her Thai name; “Girl”, also meaning “Younger Daughter”! This black brindle beauty has the energy of a puppy when it comes to play time. Kanya is not lacking when it comes to cairn personality. Her house training is coming along and she is just so proud of herself after she goes outside. She has started learning beginner commands like “sit” and “no bark”. Looks and brains too, what a package!! One thing for sure, Kanya loves toys, especially the ones that make noise. But after all the playing is done, nap time is no problem for Kanya either. She loves the comfort of her crate so that she can catch up on her beauty sleep. A girl never has enough of that.

Kanya needs a loving family that will give her the home she deserves. She is very friendly; her wagging tail shows you how much love she has in her heart and it will never skip a beat. She wants to be that special “Girl” for you.

To apply to adopt Kanya fill out an adoption application.
To read more about Kanya visit our website.

A Funny for Friday!

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Welcome Digby

Written by a CP Intakes Coordinator

One of the jobs of the Rescue Team is to reach out to other rescue groups that have cairns to see if we can help them out by cross posting their Cairns on our Available Dogs page. We help by giving these cairns that are safe in rescue some additional exposure to people who are looking specifically to adopt a cairn. We have helped quite a few over the past years. Sometimes when we reach out to a rescue group, they let us know that while the cairn is very safe with them, he or she may not be doing well in their rescue for various reasons.

This was the case with Digby. He was picked up by a poodle rescue after being found as a stray in GA with two Doxie friends last December. When the Poodle rescue went to pull some Poodles, the shelter asked if they could help with a cairn ~ and they said YES! While they were all fond of Digby, he was not so happy. When we approached the group to cross post him, the Director wrote back letting us know that they would appreciate the cross posting, and if possible, they would release him to us. Apparently they were very concerned about his behavior. He sometimes gets very overexcited, to the point that he needs to be removed from the situation to calm down. He isn't overly fond of large dogs. He chews ~ a lot! I laughed, letting the Director know that she had a typical cairn!! She knew exactly what I was talking about, as she fields many calls for help on poodles, and she responds 'typical poodle'!

The Rescue Team cross posted this boy, hoping the exposure would get him adopted. We worked out a plan for a few weeks of cross posting, and if he wasn't adopted, we would take him into CP. This bought us time to find foster space, as he was safe (and a boy) and we hesitate to take in a safe cairn when using up a foster space might mean death to another less fortunate cairn.

Weeks passed with no wonderful adopters for Digby. There were a couple of interests that didn't meet the standards of the rescue so they were denied. A decision was made that we would take him into CP. Enter Janet R. who happened to be heading home to NS, and was asking for another foster. The timing really couldn't be more perfect!! Things so often work out for the best.

Wednesday, Janet picked up Digby. Janet and her husband say that he is a beauty and his conformation is really quite good.
Digby is estimated to be under two years old and is reported to be a friendly, happy boy who loves people.

Poodle Rescue did a great job pulling Digby, getting him to safety, and reaching out to breed rescue for help. It is always satisfying to make new connections with other rescues, and to know that we are all working toward a common goal, to help the dogs!

Welcome Digby, we are so glad you are here!

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Caring For Fido on the Cheap, Part 2

Col. Potter has seen an increase in owner surrenders due to the economy and that got us to thinking ... how can we provide great care for our furry friends and perhaps save some money at the same time? Below is a partial list provided by our volunteers with more to follow in the upcoming days. If you have a great pet tip, please share it with us by leaving a comment on our blog! (To read other tips, click the following link: Caring for Fido on the Cheap, Part 1)

  1. Every two weeks I make a small turkey. Lots of leftovers for us and the dogs. I buy chicken livers by the bulk and bake them in a cast iron skillet for the furkids. I boil a dozen eggs both for hubby and the furkids. I also buy fresh green beans by the bulk and cook a pot of them for the week.


  2. I've been trying to buy foods that are healthy for me and that I can share with them. So far I've found it is cheaper than buying canned dog food. Walmart always has marked down meat early in the morning. Cottage cheese is also a hit and they love Banana chips for treats!


  3. I buy the extra large bag of Great Value shredded cheese (freeze part of it) and use the rest to top kibble for their evening meals.


  4. Today, I had bought a cheap left over end of pork roast. Cooked it in the crock pot, divided some out and added rice, chopped pork roast and a spoon of pumpkin to their kibble - clean bowls - lickety split!


  5. I learned recently that there are Pet Food Banks out there for people who are really struggling right now to make ends meet and keep their pets. The one I first heard about is in Lawrenceville, GA, it is called Daffy's Pet Soup Kitchen (a non-profit group). I'm sure there are many more of these around the country. Area businesses are drop off sites for food, toys, and other pet needs and they are really helping a lot of people.


  6. Don't forget CRAIGS LIST and FREECYCLE, ask for items you need such as crates, x-pens, fabrics or yarn for sweaters or dog coats.


  7. Recycle your dogs toys that are still in good condition but for some reason your dogs don't play with them. SWAP with friends.


  8. We walk our dogs for potty breaks and therefore have to clean up after them. We always use the newspaper bags, but one a day is not enough. But the doggie waste bags are too expensive. So we use the Hefty Baggies sandwich bags (red box with alligator on box). These are old school - plain square bags with twist-ties to close. They are bigger than regular sandwich bags so even a man's hand easy fits inside for pick up purposes. They are a little hard to find, but we buy ours at Wal-Mart - box of 150 bags for less than $2 a box.

Remember, if you have a great tip to save money share it with us! Please feel free to post it in the comment section. Check back later for more "Caring for Fido on the Cheap" tips provided by our volunteers.

If you would like to volunteer with Col. Potter and join our dog friendly network where you can work with other cairn owners from all over North America, email our Director of Volunteerism by clicking here, or fill out the volunteer information form by clicking here.

Sunday, April 12, 2009

Happy Easter!

Wishing everyone a very happy Easter from the Col. Potter family to yours!


Saturday, April 11, 2009

Welcome the Easter Eggs!

Written by a CP Intakes Coordinator

Easter eggs are specially decorated eggs given to celebrate the Easter holiday or springtime. The egg was a symbol of the rebirth of the earth in Pagan celebrations of spring and was later adopted by early Christians.

Yesterday was the lucky day for three kids looking for their chance at rebirth. Looking for a soft place to lay their heads, for a friend to cozy up with for their naps. They are hoping to find out about living in a home, wrestling and playing, and being a constant companion to their family members. They came from a breeding situation, and they are done with that life forever. In their rebirth, the only thing asked of them is to love and be loved.

These three are doubly lucky. They are part of the "Name a Puppy Mill Kid Program", where you can donate to name a PM kid in memory or honor of someone, or just because. All three of these cairns will hold a very special place in the hearts of those who through their donation chose their new Col. Potter names.

Please meet:

Delight - Delight was named in memory of Shaggy, so named because one of the descriptions of a Cairn Terrier was "short Shaggy Scottish terrier" and she was a delight to have. Name donated by Pam & Bill E.



Saiorse - Saiorse - pronounced Seersha - was named in Honor of Aunt Fran. Saiorse is Irish Gaelic meaning Freedom. Name donated by JoAnn & Jim M.



Lord Randall Taylor - Randy was named for our rescue dog that was shown by a shelter at a local Lord and Taylor. Name donated by Carolyn & Carmen C.



These three kids are all estimated to be between four and six years old. They are in the loving arms of Col Potter now, ready for their new beginning.

Please join me in welcoming the Easter Eggs!

Special Delivery by the Easter Bunny!

Written by CP's VP of Intakes

Don't think there are puppy mills near you? Think again! I was just at one ... 15 miles from MY home!

I received word last weekend of a young, female Cairn that needed help. The story went something like this ... her owner had died, the family couldn't keep her and she had been given to a dog "broker" to re-home because he had a lot of contacts. On top of it all, the "broker" was located in the same town where I live!

This morning I drove out to pick-up this little girl and get her to safety and freedom. I turn off the main highway and head down a country road. The farther I drive down the country road, the farther apart the homes get, the farther back from the road they are set and the more rundown and shabby they become. After about 3 miles I see the address I'm looking for. A wire fence surrounds the front of the property with a gate across the driveway. The gate is partially open and has a sign on it that says "If you're not expected, DON'T ENTER!" I drive in and head up the driveway until I get to the buildings. I get out of my car and a man with a scruffy beard and dirty coveralls greets me by setting down a VERY pregnant DOXIE who comes running over to me. He has to jump on his 4-wheeler mule to retrieve the Cairn. I stay with the pregnant Doxie, all the while taking in what I can see - a small shed approximately 8' x 6' that must be the whelping shed, many small wire enclosures scattered around the main shed, house and the whelping shed with no dogs in any of them, and a little Cockapoo that is desperately trying to get back into the 8 x 6 shed. He then comes driving up with the Cairn. Once again he gives me the story of how she was a house pet, is UTD (Up To Date) on her shots and how happy the family will be that she has found a good home (NO, he doesn't know I'm rescue). I thank him profusely, all the while just wanting to get her settled in her crate and get the heck out of there!

I had a couple of hours before my appointment with my vet, so I take our new little girl home. I put all my furkids outside and bring her in the house for a look see, bath, grooming and nail trim. The first thing I notice is she has definitely had puppies from the length and size of her nipples. Then I see the claw hooks she has for nails and my suspicions are confirmed - she was a puppy mill breeder dog.

Those days are all over for her now! She has moved to the "other side of town" and there are no PMs over here! This little girl is absolutely precious! You can tell she did spend some time in a home and was treated with some kindness. When we arrived at my vet's office, she was dancing on her hind legs trying to entice anyone that walked in the door to pet her and all the dogs to play with her. She was very content at my house for me to hold her and for her to lay next to me.

Please help me welcome our Easter Special Delivery - Nani (na - nee) which is Hawaiian for beautiful and precious. Both of which she most definitely is!

Friday, April 10, 2009

American Car Models Drive Into CP and Freedom!

Written by CP's VP of Intakes

There used to be a slogan "See the USA in a Chevrolet".

Well not only will these kids be seeing the USA, but also FREEDOM and they aren't in a Chevrolet, but we have a Chevrolet family, an Oldsmobile family and soon a Chrysler family, along with an assortment that includes Ford, Buick, Pontiac, Cadillac and even AMC!

How did this car "show" come to be? A little luck and a great sales job by the Intakes Team. The Rescue Team found a classified ad reducing breeding stock mainly featuring different breeds, but in small print at the end, it mentioned Cairns. Usually we don't have much success with these ads as they are already sold or are too expensive for us to even consider. Intakes called the number, found out what he had, what he was asking and then said we would get back to him. The miller also said he had an Amish "breeder" that was interested in them and was going to be coming out the next day, so if we were interested, we would have to get back to him before the Amish "breeder" arrived. This miller talked a "good" story, he would rather see his dogs go to rescue and not be used for breeding again, but of course, money was still the central issue. We told him about how Col. Potter works, how they would be vetted and how they would find the perfect forever homes and most important, that they wouldn't be bred again. He had a group of 8 adults; 7 females, 1 male who is 11 YEARS old and 7 puppies under the age of 7 weeks. We told him that chances are that the 11 year old male who had been so good to him producing puppies would probably never even make it onto the Amish "breeders" land alive. That from our experience, the Amish breeders do not take very good of care of their animals and they would probably be in small, wire runs where this miller had them in runs. We made our pitch and held our breath. He thanked us but said that he had to get more for them than what we were able to offer. We asked him if something changed, to please contact us, or at the very least, to let us have the 11 year old male. This was last Saturday ...

Monday night the phone rings ... it's the miller. Could we make a deal? He didn't like what the Amish "breeder" said and had to offer. He wanted them to come to rescue!

This has been one hectic week, but between Tuesday and Wednesday all 15 of these Cairns were seeing the USA and on the road to freedom!! We have one pregnant mama whose car family will be expanding within the next two weeks with more models!

How many of you have had one or more of these car models in your lives?

Sebring: 2.5 year old, F - our PREGNANT mama




Fairlane: 2.5 year old, F




Bonneville: 2 year old, F




Catera: 2.5 year old, F




Electra: 2 year old, F




Impala: 3.5 year old, F - mother to the Chevrolet family born 2/20/09





Chevrolet Family:

  • Camaro: M

  • Corvair: M

  • Corvette: M

  • Belair: F

  • Vega: F




Alero: 2 year old, F - mother to the Oldsmobile family born 2/17/09




Oldsmobile Family:

  • Cutlass: M



  • Aurora: F



Rambler: 11 year old, M - proud papa of not only these puppies and Sebring's, but to MANY others




I know this is getting very long, but I have to THANK several people: Allison S. for finding the classified ad, Maureen H. for the great Intakes assistance, Marlene T. for making two trips to pick everyone up, Pam M. for B&B ALL 7 puppies and Kay H. for fostering ALL 7 puppies, the Board of Directors for giving Intakes the green light to "chase these cars" and last, but certainly not least, Tina W. for volunteering to foster Sebring and whelp her FIRST litter ever!!!

While Sebring, Rambler and ALL of the puppies are set with foster homes, a couple of the other girls are still in need of a foster home. If you are interested in "taking one of these models for a "test drive", please email our Director of Foster Homes by clicking here, or fill out the foster home agreement by clicking here.

Please help me WELCOME the American Car Models - may the road ahead of them be long without any bumps along the way!