Cailleach Collaborates with Col. Potter!

Written by a CP Intakes Coordinator

Cailleach, a sweet, 9 year old, Black Brindle Female

Please give a warm Col. Potter greeting to Cailleach, a wise and witty elder from the highlands who has packed up kit and parcel to come over to join our CP clan.

This lovely 9 year-old Black Brindle girl is a big cuddlebug, weighing in at a trim 26 lbs (!).  Thing weren't working out very well for Cailleach at her home, so now she needs a new home to call her own.  With the super spa treatment and excellent and loving care she'll receive here with Col. Potter, she is sure to find that new Forever home very soon!

Welcome, Cailleach!

Dacie hits a home run to CP!

Written by CP's VP of Intakes

What's a girl to do when life just keeps pitching her curve balls and she doesn't even like baseball??

This little adorable girl had a mom who was devoted to her and doted on her; she had the perfect game going. But then the curve balls started getting pitched. Her mom became very ill, was hospitalized and recently passed away. Not even knowing what ballpark her mom was located in, this little girl just figured three strikes and she was out.

But then a pinch hitter was called in, one that could handle all the curve balls life can throw at you. Col. Potter belted the ball right out of the ballpark clearing the bases and sending this little one scampering for home, well at least a great foster home with CP!

Please help me give a big, warm CP welcome to Dacie, a beautiful 9 year old who is no longer afraid of any curve balls that may be thrown her way. She has the big bats of Col. Potter to win the game for her!

Introducing Zeppo!

Written by a CP Intakes volunteer

This 9 yr old cairn boy was surrendered to a shelter by his owners because the husband was very ill and they were unable to care for him. When he was in danger of being PTS, the shelter reached out and Col. Potter answered the call.

While Zeppo looks quite forlorn in his photo, he is reported to be a very handsome, happy and friendly boy. In fact, he was so excited when he was being rescued he barked with joy!

Zeppo is currently at the vet for his spa treatment and will join his foster home next week.

Welcome GRUFFYN to the CP Family!!

Written by a CP Intakes volunteer



Gruffyn means "fierce lord"! Well, this 9 year old, 12 lb. cairn boy is all but fierce. He is said to be quiet, lazy, affectionate and likes his soft squeaky toys. He was an owner surrender to a shelter, he was surrender with another large dog and the shelter normally puts them in the same kennel when they come in together. Well, this did not work out well for Gruffyn as the other dog attached him and left some wounds to his head. He was taken to the vets for treatment and as luck would have it we were able to step in before he needed to go back to the shelter and so he came to Col. Potter. He also has some skin issues which he was started on medication for (you can see in the pictures that he has fur missing). They also have him on grain free food, no corn or wheat for this boy!

He will soon be on his way to his foster mom that will get him all healthy and ready for his forever home. He will soon be living the good life he deserves.

Thanks to all the volunteers that helped get Gruffyn into CP!

Diddie joins CP!

Written by a CP Intakes volunteer



Please give a warm welcome to our new girl, Diddie. This 9 year old black brindle girl was surrendered to a shelter when her owner claimed to be unable to care for her after recent surgery. Sadly, it seems from her physical state, the 'unable to care' part had been a long standing situation. She was so badly matted that upon intake the shelter had no choice but to shave her. The mats and feces were so thick and dragging the ground, that she was unable to defecate. While we don't ever want a cairn to have to be shaved, for poor Diddie, it really was the kindest relief for her. Underneath her coat, her skin was red, raw, inflamed and in some spots bleeding from the hair pulling and the ammonia and bacteria being trapped. I can only think that she must have felt like she hit the jackpot with all of that nasty crud off of her.

Given her age, and her physical condition, the shelter knew she would not be adopted easily. They contacted Col. Potter to see if we could help. They wanted her to have a chance for a good life!

Despite her age, and her condition, she is feisty, and high energy. Her tail wags non-stop when she is on the go, and she loves to walk. Her volunteer walker at the shelter said she seems house-trained and did not potty in her kennel.

Exuberant, inquisitive, and wiggly, Diddie is super happy to be a part of the CP family!

Welcome, Diddie.

Welcome Osborne

Written by a CP Intakes volunteer



Osborne, a senior gentleman, joined our family this weekend. He is a handsome black brindle nine year old cairn. He needed rescue help due to changes in his family, the only one he's ever known. He is a sweet boy, loving his people, and enjoying playing fetch. He's a bit confused now, not sure why he is away from home, where his family is, and what is going on in his life. But soon he will see he is safe and loved.

He will be a great companion for a very lucky family!

Welcome Osborne!

Montanna Returns

Written by a CP Intakes volunteer



Montanna’s life has been a series of owners. Over the past 9 years, poor Montanna has had several of them. She was in her latest home less than a month, returned for not getting along with the resident cat. This sweet girl will be going back to her previous foster mom, scared and lonely, but safe.

Let’s give Montanna a warm welcome back into Col. Potter's loving arms.

Welcome Mercy!

Written by a CP Intakes volunteer



Sweet little Mercy, so very loved and cherished by her Mom, found herself needing rescue. Mom could not keep her, due to factors beyond either of their control. Despite adoring each other, relying on each other, their paths had to separate. Their journey could no longer be shared. Mom reached out to Col. Potter knowing the good work we do, and gave the gift of a new life to her beloved girl.

None of us know what our future holds, what challenges we face. We can only hope to make the right choices for all involved. Mercy's Mom did that. Mercy now has a chance at finding another family to welcome her and give her love.

Mercy is a beautiful wheaten girl, around 9 years old. She is sweet, loving, and right now confused. Please welcome her as she takes her first steps alone in her new life.

Please give Cinnna a warm welcome!

Written by a CP volunteer



Cinna led a comfortable happy life with her owner for over 9 years. She was loved, pampered and taken on daily walks. For years these two were inseparable, finding comfort and companionship with each other. However, as the years passed by, Cinna’s owner was finding it more difficult to give her the care she needed. Doctor’s restrictions prevented Cinna’s owner from driving and taking her for walks. The difficult decision was made: Cinna needed a new home.

CP was right there to take in this cairn beauty in. Please give Cinna a warm CP welcome.

Please welcome Hamby to CP!

Written by a CP Intakes volunteer



This little 9 1/2 year old senior cairn recently became a CP boy when his family could no longer care for him. He is VERY handsome, even while wearing his less than fashionable lampshade (aka e-collar).

Hamby is a very sweet and somewhat mellow little guy. Once we get his itchies under control, he will be ready for his forever family.

Welcome to your new life, Hamby!

RETIRED COUPLE FINDS THE GOOD LIFE WITH CP!!

Written by CP's VP of Intakes

Now I know new research and studies have determined the old seven years in dog life equals one year in human life has been modified some recently, but the bottom line is still our beloved fur friends age at a much quicker rate than us humans. Imagine spending your WHOLE life
doing nothing but breeding right up until your retirement years and what would be considered your golden years. That's the situation these two little Cairns found themselves in.

We have little real history, as with most Puppy Mill kids, but supposedly these two started out as a breeding pair with what would be considered a backyard breeder and even enjoyed some home life. But then they were sold to a more hard core miller and have spent the past years as part of a kennel with more than 200 dogs. Despite their hard life, these two are both sweet and ready to put the past behind them and enjoy the GOOD LIFE with CP! And so, it is with great pleasure, I introduce our Retired Couple:

Wilhelmina: F, DOB 1999 (yes, she's 10 years old), red wheaten - very friendly, wants to be with people


Withrow: M, DOB 2000 (making him 9 years old), red wheaten - he's sweet, but a little more shy and reserved


My thanks to Molli C. for alerting the Intakes Team to these two, Lori and Mike R. for picking them up and the pictures and to our new foster mom Eileen T. who has agreed to foster the Retired Couple! Please help me WELCOME the Retired Couple and may their retirement years truly be golden!

Welcome Dudley, Amazing Cairn!

Written by a CP Intakes Coordinator

We've all heard and read the stories of animals who do heroic things, sense things human cannot, or have a special gift to touch the untouchable. The animal world is in tune with the universe in ways humans may not always understand. Yet we have become believers as these special animals do these incredible feats that amaze and bewilder us. Today I would like to introduce to you, Dudley - the amazing cairn!!

Dudley is 9 years young, a little overweight and a very handsome wheaten guy. He's housebroken, crate trained, obedience schooled, good with other dogs and children. On his resume Dudley has done some amazing things in his life. He is a diagnostician. He nudged a spot on a woman's leg, not once but many times, enough that she was concerned. Diagnosis: melanoma which was successfully treated. Dudley repeatedly put his head on a specific area on a man's abdomen. Diagnosis: colon polyp. Dudley also sensed oncoming abdominal issues and his person could prepare for the attacks ahead of time.

Dudley is a life guard, keeper of the rules. When around a pool, Dudley sounded an alert if children wandered too close to the edge.

Dudley has visited nursing homes and is comfortable around wheelchairs and walkers. Legend has it the Dudley jumped onto the lap of a stroke victim who hadn't spoke in almost 2 years. With Dudley's sweet smile and special look, the patient uttered his first sound since the stroke to Mr. Dudley.

So why would such an amazing cairn end up in rescue? Ironically, his owners will be moving to a retirement community and Dudley doesn't meet the size requirement. Col. Potter was able to step up and help Dudley find a new forever home for this amazing cairn. Dudley says thank you Col. Potter!!

Despair, Desperation and Hope - Jessica's Story

Written by a CP Intakes Coordinator

Jessica Lynch left Palestine, West Virginia on Sept. 19, 2001 for basic training. In January 2002 word came that she would be shipping out to Iraq. Who can forget the story of the terrible tragedy when a Humvee of the 507th Maintenance Company came under ambush, Jessica Lynch, broken and battered was captured and her comrades perished. For nine days Jessica lay in an Iraqi hospital not knowing what had happened, if anyone knew where she was or if she'd survive her injuries. Jessica's injuries were not only physical but emotional. An Iraqi doctor saved her life and a local nurse became her personal protector. After her rescue, Jessica entered Walter Reed for a 100 day rehabilitation. She learned to walk as her broken bones slowly healed. She also had neurological damage and emotional trauma to overcome. Her rehabilitation continued after she left Walter Reed. Slowly Jessica Lynch overcame the adversities that were not of her making. What tenacity and spirit!

Saturday, Col. Potter welcomed Jessica, a 9 year old, reddish wheaten girl who needed rescued from her tormentors and demons. Jessica's owner got her as a young puppy - six weeks old as the story goes. Fast forward. Five years ago Jessica's tail was nicked by a groomer, a small nick. It healed but something was wrong. Jessica kept digging at her tail. She received vet care and everything seemed to be on the mend until two years ago. Her tail became a source of pain and discomfort. Her owner took her to a vet again. She was convinced Jessica had OCD and was obsessed with her tail. The owner wanted the dog "fixed" or she was going to put her down. The vet refused and offered a plan of treatment. Instead of receiving treatment for physical problems, Jessica was given Prozac and Valium. Jessica was still broken so she was taken to another vet to get "fixed". Options were discussed for physical treatment but once again behavior drugs won out at the owner's insistence. After four vets refused to put Jessica down, a vet tech at yet another vet clinic asked if she could have Jessica. With the help of the vet tech, Jessica received some physical relief and her behavior improved. The pain and demons would return from time to time causing Jessica to attack her tail. Different options were discussed but a wait and see plan was chosen. DESPAIR was setting in.

In the few months the vet tech had Jessica, many treatments were tried, each with some degree of success. Jessica had acupuncture, deep massages, T-touch, as well as many holistic and herbal medicines. Animal communicators were consulted. The story of abuse and suffering emerged regarding Jessica's past. The pain and demons returned with a vengeance last week. Finally out of DESPERATION, Jessica did what no one would do for her - she amputated her own tail. The small town vet clinic that was treating her did not have the resources or equipment to handle the situation. Jessica came rushing into Col. Potter with the HOPE of erasing the pain and demons. In spite of her pain, Jessica is a sweet girl who knows how to dance. Please send positive thoughts and prayers for Jessica. She will be at the vet first thing Monday morning for evaluation and treatment to make her whole. May her rehab be pain free and sweet.

Please Welcome Col. Potter's Newest Puppy Mill Kids!

Written by a CP Intakes Volunteer

Intakes was contacted on Sunday by a woman who was rescuing three cairns from a puppymill. She could only take them if she could find a rescue group to accept them. The miller told her there were two females and one male, ages 9 and 11 YEARS old.

Col. Potter said yes!

Wednesday night, she met Kathy H. with the cairns. Kathy described these three kids as the biggest cairns she has ever seen, weighing in between 26 and 28 pounds! She doubts they have ever been groomed, and said they could only be described as yaks. They are friendly and vocal, letting Kathy and Barney know they wanted attention.

Each of these kids were named through the "Name a Mill Cairn" program, and I am proud to announce them! Please help me welcome:

Bubbles - Wheaton Female - friendly and vocal, dark tips on her ears and tail. She was named in honor of our own Sister Bubbles, Carol L. Kathy said her personality fits her name!

Shipwreck - Wheaton Male - friendly and sweet. He was named in honor of Joy W's beloved boy, who crossed the Rainbow Bridge in May.

Kenda - Wheaton Female - shyest of the bunch, on the quiet side. Her name means 'Child of clear, cool water'.

They will be ready to move to their foster homes the weekend of Sept 27. If you would like to foster one of these special kids and give them their first look at what life SHOULD be like, check out our Foster Facts!

If you would like to name a mill kid, you can find out more by visiting our website and clicking on the "Name a Mill Cairn" button on the home page. It’s a wonderful way to honor a loved one, and help a puppy mill survivor!