Independence Day

Written by a CP Media Volunteer

Independence day for Americans is one day set aside to remember a singular event, the day that the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence, drafted largely by Thomas Jefferson, on July 4, 1776.

In 1777, the Articles of Confederation established a weak federal government that operated until 1789. A constitutional convention was organized in 1787 by those wishing to establish a strong national government, with powers of taxation. The United States Constitution was ratified in 1788, and the new republic's first Senate, House of Representatives, and president—George Washington—took office in 1789. The Bill of Rights, forbidding federal restriction of personal freedoms and guaranteeing a range of legal protections, was adopted in 1791.

That’s how people do it. But some of Man’s Best Friends need independence too and they don’t have stuff like a Continental Congress and the Constitutional Convention to lay the groundwork for their liberation. For most dogs, there isn’t a problem. They have protection provided by folks who care for them and they have the freedom to live healthy lives within the environment of a home that balances watchful concern with the ability to get exercise and enjoy creative play.

But what about the canines who need liberty but don’t have the means to achieve it without help? That’s where rescue groups like Col. Potter Cairn Rescue Network can be of revolutionary assistance. Too many Cairns, (and other breeds of dogs), live confined lives of desperation in breeding “facilities” that use the dog’s ability to sire and whelp more dogs against them. The dogs have no choice in the matter. And these are the same dogs that would, and hopefully will, make great family companions in a caring home. But life has provided them with a challenge that they can overcome only with the aid of organizations like CPCRN.

That challenge, of course, is that they have started life in a commercial breeding facility. They are bred early and often and kept in conditions that keep them alive for breeding but that offer no comfort, sanitation or health. The puppies are removed with no time for bonding to the mother or for her to them.

In the case of Cairns, the innate cheerfulness, alertness and intelligent playfulness of the Cairn breed is nowhere to be seen because they haven’t been given the opportunity to develop those traits. Every day is a struggle to survive and whatever Cairn behavior they can display is focused on instinctively providing what they can to the puppies that they are forced to repeatedly produce.

Dogs in those circumstances need to be liberated and given their independence but that opportunity will only be available when the breeder decides to let their captives go. And their best hope for moving away from their dire conditions quickly and completely is for a reputable rescue organization to be waiting for the signal that the dogs are available to be transitioned into new and more appropriate lives. It may be at an auction or result from the raid of a derelict “facility” or the dogs may be the stock of a breeder who is quitting. But whatever allows the possibility of the dog’s freedom, the rescue group appropriate to that breed is ready and waiting for the chance to give the scared and mistreated wretches the care, neutering and lifelong freedom from abuse that they deserve.

Cairns don’t know that they have a history of independence and liberation but they do. Col. Potter has provided both freedom and shelter to rescued Cairns every day of the year for more than 8 years. Literally thousands of dogs have benefitted from the efforts of Col. Potter as will thousands more in the future.

Those are Cairns who have reason to celebrate their independence day along with all of their fellow dogs who have watchful rescue organizations seeking them out. But there are more who need that same freedom and volunteers will be waiting to provide that as the opportunities arise. Please keep those Cairns and all of their furry, struggling friends in mind as we focus on the concept of independence during the coming week and ongoing after that. While we celebrate our freedom and independence this holiday weekend, start a new holiday tradition - make a donation to the rescue group of your choice and help liberate Man’s Best Friend!

Have a Happy 4th of July. Celebrate the day that represents freedom and which officially began America’s journey to freedom.

"Give me your tired, your poor,

Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,

The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.

Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,

I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

If you would like to donate to Col. Potter Cairn Rescue to help liberate puppy mill dogs please click the following link: Donate to Rescue