Saturday, June 30, 2012

Preparing your Dog for the 4th of July is very important!



by Stacy Braslau-Schneck, CPDT

Fireworks

Many dogs are afraid of fireworks and other loud noises. Please do not bring your dog to fireworks displays - they will not appreciate the colors, and the noise will likely scare them or at least stress them out.

If you go to see fireworks and leave your canine friend at home, make sure he is very secure. Dogs have been known to break through screens, fences, even glass windows when terrified and trying to escape the sound of fireworks. The days after the Fourth of July weekend are the busiest ones of the year for most shelters - many dogs get "lost" after running in fear from fireworks.

Plan now. Make sure your dog has tags on. Check to see that the tags are visible (sometimes the engraving gets worn off) and that your phone number is current (has your area code changed recently?). If you take your dog out of town for the weekend, get a "vacation tag". I got one for Flip that says, "I'm staying with...." and lists his host's name and phone number. Also, make sure you have current photo of your dog, and note any distinguishing marks (is that spot on his left hind foot or his right?). If you need to provide a description of your lost dog for the humane society or for posters, it's helpful to have it accurate and current.

If you're home with your dog and you hear fireworks, make sure your dog feels calm and safe. Put on music or TV to mask the noise (one student recommends watching a "war movie", since most dogs have learned to ignore the sounds from your TV and the fireworks will fit right in with the crash of the movie's bombs; another student plays mellow classical music and "reads" to her dogs instead!). Act calm or even jolly, yawn, smile, and engage your dog in some fun activity if he or she seems alarmed. Go ahead and reassure your dog by saying, "It’s Okay!", and show him or her that you are not bothered.

Long before you expect fireworks, you can prepare with desensitization and counter conditioning. You can get a recording of fireworks (see www.dogsandfireworks.com for example), and start playing it back at a VERY low volume while you engage your dogs in their favorite games or activities, and/or give them treats. If they seem completely unaffected by the sound, raise the volume a tiny bit. At no time do you want the sound loud enough to actually scare her - her acting "concerned" is OK as long as she seems to recover pretty quickly. Start by playing the sounds at a volume where Fido shows NO signs of anxiety. Play the CD while she is eating a meal, getting a relaxing massage, and also while you are practicing basic command she knows such as sit, down, and stay. Do this for several days, gradually raise the volume but turn it back down if you see any signs of anxiety.

Here's how you can help your dog deal with the stress that night:

DAP

You may wish to consider a product called "Comfort Zone with DAP", which releases a chemical which is supposed to be a dog comforting hormone. It often helps to calm stressed or exited dogs down (I have been using it with my own dog since the birth of our child disrupted our routine). See petcomfortzone.com for more information. For some "anxious dogs" it seems to really help take the edge off of their anxiety or intensity. You would want to use it for a week or two before fireworks are expected. You can read about how some trainers are reporting success with it here. In the SF Bay Area, it is available at Pet Food Express.

Melatonin

You might also want to give your dog some melatonin. Check with your vet, but the approximate doses are 1.5 mg for a dog under 25 lbs, 3 mg for a dog 25-100 lbs, and 6 mg for a dog over 100 lbs. Read about Helix Fairweather's experience with melatonin and fireworks here. There is also a doggy "tranquility herbal blend" from Tails By The Bay.

Anxiety Wrap

Finally, many dogs do very well with the Anxiety Wrap, a sort of "maintained pressure" vest that helps calm dogs down. It is available through SitStay. NEW! Also available, with a similar idea: ThunderShirts.

Barbeques

Remember that cooked bones are dangerous and can splinter! If you let your dog enjoy part of a summer barbeque, make sure he or she gets boneless meat or raw bones only!

Other dangers include corn cobs and wooden shish-ka-bob skewers, which can be choking hazards; and onions, alcohol, and chocolate, which can be toxic for dogs. (Please bring any excess chocolate to your favorite dog trainer for safe disposal!)

Friday, June 29, 2012

Friday's Funnies



from Lovadog

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

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.

 A big shout out to Brodie for being our Wacky Wednesday model this week!

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

PLEASE ME JOIN ME IN A BIG ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR UNDER THE BIG TOP!

Written by CP's VP of Intakes


When I was a kid, I always begged my parents to go to the circus when it came to town. I loved the majestic beauty of the animals, the silly antics of the clowns, jugglers and acrobats, and the death defying feats of the tightrope and trapeze artists. There was always a carnival atmosphere, lots of yummy treats and your face lit up immediately as you approached the Big Top in anticipation of "The Greatest Show on Earth". To this day, just hearing that the circus is coming to town conjures up many happy and special memories for me.

Last week we were contacted about a group of Cairns that needed rescue or were going to die. They're all young and should have been enjoying many happy days with a family of their own doing silly clown like antics earning them special treats. I hope now that they have found themselves "Under The Big Top" of Col. Potter, they will learn what fun, laughter and silliness is all about and find their true inner Cairn. They all look so scared and sad in their pictures, but I'll bet soon they will all have big clown smiles on their faces!

Ringling - Male, wheaten, estimated 18 months old


Barnum - Male, black brindle, estimated 2-3 years old



Trapeze - Male, red, estimated 12 months



Stilts - Female, red brindle, estimated 18 months old



Acrobat - Male, black brindle, estimated 18 months old



Juggler - Female, red brindle, estimated 3 years old



Clown - Female, red brindle, estimated 2-3 years old



Just like a three ring circus, Under the Big Top has moved from the first ring, into the second ring which is Col. Potter's loving arms and will be awaiting ring three, which will be their happily ever after in a loving forever home. Let's give them a big round applause -- Welcome Under the Big Top!

Sunday, June 24, 2012

Sunday Sweets

Sunday is full of SWEETS! Each week we will showcase the sweeter side of Cairns. If you have a sweet filled cairn and would like us to consider YOUR picture for an upcoming "Sunday Sweets" 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.)

 Tess (fka Belair) and Chance (fka Jambo)

 Nanny (Gina)

Rocket Man and Mandy

Friday, June 22, 2012

Friday's Funnies



from  Lovadog

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

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.

 A big shout out to Gabby for being our Wacky Wednesday model this week!

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

TAKE A LOOK AT CP'S VACATION MEMORIES

Written by CP's VP of Intakes

There's nothing better than letting your mind drift back to special memories of vacations past. Or finding a long lost box with pictures of long ago travels and journeys you recall like it was just yesterday. Such a sweet release and escape from our everyday lives...

Recently, two little Cairns are embarking on their own travel and journey to freedom, making new, positive memories along their way. Both of their names were donated by one of our members as she was rediscovering some vacation memories one day. Thanks Claire M. for dusting off those old photo albums and deciding to help these two little Cairns be the subject of some new photo albums and memories.

Introducing CP's Vacation Memories:

Dublin - Male, red wheaten with dark ears, estimated to be 5 years old. He's a little shy, but will warm up quickly with a little TLC.

Jumby - Female, golden wheaten with dark ears, estimated to be 6-8 years old, she needs a little help from a weight loss program, but is super sweet and friendly and ready to grab her new found freedom with all 4 paws. She is still available for adoption and she is being fostered in Pennsylvania, you can learn more about here by clicking  here .

Our Name a Cairn Program is a wonderful way to celebrate or remember someone special in your life, but can also be a great way to recall special events like Claire did and still help the little Cairns we all love so much. I would like to thank Claire for her donation, but also thank a couple of rescue angels who are helping to make Jumby and Dublin's first trips possible--Lisa B. and Kim and Donald.

I know Dublin and Jumby are going to enjoy the journey of a lifetime and fill many a photo album on their way to a happily every after. Please help me welcome them to the CP family and wish them a Bon Voyage!

Sunday, June 17, 2012

Sunday Sweets - Happy Father's Day!

Sunday is full of SWEETS! Each week we will showcase the sweeter side of Cairns. If you have a sweet filled cairn and would like us to consider YOUR picture for an upcoming "Sunday Sweets" 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.)

 Zac and Bill

Gem and Jeff

 Laura, Sarut and Michael, riding in style

Wrigley and Dad
Neha, Zander, Dwight and Bea

Saturday, June 16, 2012

Please welcome Cherianne

Written by a CP Intakes volunteer



Cherianne came to us as an owner surrender. She's known to be sweet and loving but also loves to dig.

The owner surrendered her to Col. Potter because Cherianne did not get along with the other female alpha in the house. She knew Cherianne needed a home that did not have an alpha, and knew we could give her a better life than she could provide for her.

Please welcome Cherianne to CP. She is one and a half years old and is being fostered in South Carolina. She is available for adoption. You can learn more about her by clicking here.

WELCOME TWO NEW CP FAMILY MEMBERS!

Written by CP's VP of Intakes

Two little Cairns have not enjoyed freedom up until they became part of the Col. Potter family. They are older, which is always more heartbreaking, but also endearing that they will finally get to enjoy being a spoiled and pampered Cairn and learn about freedom.

Fate

Fate - Female, wheaten, born 10/16/04 - donated name by Geri P. to thank Kathy and Barney H. for all they do for the furkids

R. J. Fisherman

R. J. Fisherman - Male, dark brindle, born 5/30/02 - donated name by Mary N. in honor and memory of Richard J.

Please give a warm welcome to both Fate and R. J. Fisherman into the CP Family!

Friday, June 15, 2012

Friday's Funnies!

from Lovadog

Thursday, June 14, 2012

Caruso joins the CP show!

Written by a CP Intakes volunteer



Please welcome a new young dude to the CP family. Caruso, an eligible 2-year-old bachelor, is sporting a wheaten jacket and a close-cropped cool-guy summer haircut for the season. When things started getting a bit crowded at his house, he soon found himself singing tenor with the village pupple, "It's no fun to STAY at the S-P-C-A!" So, he came on over to CP.

Caruso likes moonlight walks and playing squeaky toy in the summer sun, but he's never turned down a good round of tennis ball. And it shows! You look at this well-trimmed guy and you just have to ask, "Hey, do you workout?"

His favorite color is lime green and his favorite music is bagpipes.

Please give a hearty highland welcome to our new red-headed boy, Caruso.

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Welcome Ritzy!

Written by a CP Intakes volunteer



This darling little 3 year old cairn became a CP kid today! Her family loved her very much and spent lots of time to make sure she was a wonderful little companion – well socialized and well trained. When the family started growing, Ritzy was having a difficult time adjusting to the new little members in the household, so her mom contacted us for help in finding her a new family.

Ritzy’s name was chosen to honor and thank another Ritzy’s mom – Monika - for her many years of volunteering with Col Potter and helping countless little cairns on their journey to a new and better life.

Welcome Ritzy!

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Introducing Squire

Written by a CP Intakes volunteer



Squire was taken from his owners due to neglect. Poor baby was severely under weight; the shelter personnel estimated his weight at 9 lbs when he came to them. With two decent meals a day, he gained almost 2 pounds while he was in their care. The shelter held him in case his owners wanted to reclaim him, but didn’t expect them to due to all the fines they faced.

They were right, the owners did not want him, and Squire was put up for adoption. The shelter even made him pet of the week in an attempt to save him as he had been at the shelter the longest of all the dogs. However, the shelter had too many nice small dogs and Squire did not get adopted. Col. Potter was called, and last week Squire became our newest intake.

Let’s all give Squire a big CP welcome.

Monday, June 11, 2012

Introducing Kristen

Written by a CP Intakes volunteer



Kirstin came to us as an owner surrender who's children had moved back home with her. They had a 6 yr old daughter who did not understand how to treat a little cairn. The owner decided to turn Kirstin over to Col. Potter for a better life.

Kirstin is very sweet and wags her tail at everyone she meets. She's a little over weight at 3 yrs of age, but with great care from her foster mom she will get back to a healthy weight.

Please give Kirstin a warm welcome. She is now with her foster mom and seems to be doing great.

Sunday, June 10, 2012

COL. POTTER SAVES A LIFE : can you chip -in?

Written by CP's VP of Intakes



Memorial Day Weekend 2012 was time to say thanks and salute those that have served and especially those that have given their lives in the line of duty. I would like to take that one step further and include those have served to help rescue the Cairns that we all love.

One special man passed away earlier this year. Richard J, who along with his wonderful wife, Kaaren, have been foster home to more Cairns than anyone else in Col. Potter--well over 100! In Richard's memory, a name was donated to the Name A Cairn Program. While I don't know if Richard served his country in the military, I do know that he served the Cairns through Col. Potter. It is my distinct privilege to introduce Jonesy.

Let's all give a welcome salute to Jonesy! He has some special medical needs and a chip in has been set up on his behalf. Please follow this link if you can donate and help with his medical expenses.

Sunday Sweets

Sunday is full of SWEETS! Each week we will showcase the sweeter side of Cairns. If you have a sweet filled cairn and would like us to consider YOUR picture for an upcoming "Sunday Sweets" 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.)

Cindel

Kashtuk

Nanny (Gina)

Tootsie and Tasha

Wicket

Friday, June 8, 2012

Friday's Funnies!

Stu's Views

Thursday, June 7, 2012

Please welcome CP's newest addition - Momo

Written by a CP Intakes volunteer



What do you do when you have the opportunity of a lifetime to pursue your chosen career but it requires extensive travel abroad? What do you do when you learn you must leave everything behind--including your beloved cairn terrier?

Of course, you seek out a wonderful rescue that will ensure that your cairn will continue to be loved and appreciated. That is exactly the decision made by the former owner of Col. Potter's Momo. Please welcome this adorable 7 yr old black brindle boy. This little guy is sure to find an adoring home quickly. He is friendly, affectionate, and knows numerous commands and tricks.

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

WELCOME CP'S CALIFORNIA GIRL!

Written by CP's VP of Intakes



Literally millions of dogs are euthanized each and every year at shelters through no fault of their own ... or the shelter's. Ultimately, it is society, ourselves, our friends, neighbors, coworkers, who must take responsibility for the killing of these helpless animals. Simply put, there are too many puppies born each and every year. Some are the result of breeding operations, but many of these puppies are born because people do not spay and neuter their dogs. The end result from the dog overpopulation in this country is overflowing shelters that have very few options and little other choice than to euthanize large amounts of dogs. What's the answer you ask? Education and enactment of pet laws requiring spay/neuter of household pets will help. And remembering when you take a dog into your home, it should be for life ...

Metropolitan areas are especially hard hit with their massive human population which translates into massive dog population. What many people don't realize is that if a dog is picked up as a stray, a shelter is required to hold them for a "stray period" to see if their owner comes looking for them. However, if an owner voluntarily surrenders a dog to a shelter, they do not have to hold that dog at all. It can be immediately euthanized. So, when a shelter is pressed for space, what do you think happens to the owner surrender dogs???

Meet Thalia, a little girl, who was surrendered to a shelter in Southern California because they didn't have time for her. From the looks of her, she hasn't been well cared for in quite awhile. Knowing that with the way she looks and being very shy and frightened at the shelter, they didn't even schedule her for a spay appointment which meant certain death for her. Luckily, CP has ONE rescue angel in S. CA -- Charlene M. -- who once again spent an entire day driving to this shelter yesterday to save Thalia in the nick of time.

I cannot reiterate enough times how CP cannot rescue these precious furkids if we don't have volunteers to help! Don't think that someone else will do it, don't think the furkid will be safe, don't think the furkid will be rescued ... there is no coming back from death ... PLEASE be pro-active, PLEASE be willing to help if possible when asked whether it be help with an intake, Home Safety Visit, transport or volunteering to be an active member of a CP working team.

Thalia would be dead today if not for Charlene M ... Make a difference in a Cairn's life - GET INVOLVED!

Welcome Thalia to the CP family ... we're glad you are one of the lucky ones ...

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.

 A big shout out to Kayla and Sadie for being our Wacky Wednesday models this week!

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Please welcome MacNaughton!

Written by a CP Intakes volunteer



It is a great day when royalty graces Col. Potter! MacNaughton, a 3 year old owner surrender, is joining the CP family in search of a new castle to call his own. The MacNaugton clan is very old, perhaps the oldest in Scotland, and is full of stoic, strong individuals. This clan always stood their ground in the face of adversity.

Sir MacNaughton enjoys walks on the moors and affection from kind people with gentle hands. Our MacNaughton has faced some rough seas in his life but has risen above it all with his cairn spirit. And speaking of spirits, MacNaughton is also known for a fine whiskey. So let's raise our glasses in a toast to MacNaughton! May better times and a bright future be yours!

Monday, June 4, 2012

Pippa pops into CP

Written by a CP Intakes volunteer



The Col. Potter family welcomes cairns from a variety of situations. Some cairns are rescued from dire circumstances while others come from loving environments.

The newest addition to the Col. Potter family has taken all her life changes in stride. CP's Pippa stepped out of her travel crate with her tail wagging and eager to greet everyone. The name Pippa means Lover of Horses. This 6 year old girl is a lover of all: adults, children, dogs. Well, maybe not birds and squirrels which she chases with delight.

Pippa charms everyone with her happy personality and her big brown doe eyes. Her foster family was completely smitten within 24 hours of her arrival. Pippa fit in as though she had always been a part of the family.

Please give a warm welcome to dear little Pippa.

Sunday, June 3, 2012

Sunday Sweets

Sunday is full of SWEETS! Each week we will showcase the sweeter side of Cairns. If you have a sweet filled cairn and would like us to consider YOUR picture for an upcoming "Sunday Sweets" 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.)

 Fiona & friend

Merry

Friday, June 1, 2012

Friday's Funnies




originally shared by Rescued is my favorite breed