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 TO THE SUMMER PRESERVES!!

Written by CP's VP of Intakes


It's the time of year when the luscious fruits and vegetables are all in season and those people that are talented enough will can and preserve them for future enjoyment during the long, cold winter. Much like the fruits and vegetables, it seems Cairns have also come into season and are ripe for the pickin'!

While we don't want to can or preserve them, we do want to savor and enjoy them for a long time to come! Three little Cairns found themselves at a shelter in Missouri, seized by the Dept. of Agriculture from a bad situation and then delivered to the shelter for processing. This shelter is overwhelmed from a recent Puppy Mill shutdown of more than 60 dogs and needed all the help they could get. The more that they could get adopted or to rescue, the more time the others would have before being put to sleep. We have worked with this shelter in the past and I was the first one they called asking for assistance. Please help me Welcome the Summer Preserves:

Jam: female, 3.5 years old, wheaten - she's a little timid but likes attention once you get her in your arms



Jelly: female, 2 years old, wheaten - she comes right up to you to be picked up and loved on

Chutney: male, 5 years old, red wheaten with black ears - he's a little more shy and fearful, but once in your arms,he relaxes

My THANKS once again to our volunteers for making the trip to pick-up the Summer Preserves and for the photos. They are certainly a sweet treat and will long be enjoyed and loved into the winter and far beyond!

WELCOME COSETTE!!

Written by CP's VP of Intakes

Last week I was contacted by one of our rescue partners who was picking up a variety of breeds from a local Puppy Mill. Among the lucky ones to make it out was a young, female Cairn, if she could find a rescue for her. Could Col. Potter help? ABSOLUTELY, was my answer!

This past weekend, Stacey W. met our rescue partner and picked up the cutest, sweetest, friendliest little Puppy Mill girl we have seen in quite awhile! Stacey reports Cosette is very friendly, wagging her tail when you come close, comes out of her crate with little hesitation and my favorite, has already given Auntie Stacey kisses!!

My thanks to Stacey for picking up this sweet little girl today and providing her picture. Please help me welcome Cosette to CP!!

FATHER'S DAY ACTIVITIES ARRIVE IN CP!!

Written by CP's VP of Intakes

The Rescue Team searches many different internet sites for Cairns in need of rescue. It can be a thankless job, spending many long hours scouring the internet, finding nothing, or submitting possibilities that then have already been placed or there is no response when contacted by the Intakes Team. But for every 100 finds that produce nothing, there is that one find that rescues a Cairn. In this case, that find led to the rescue of SIX Cairns!!!

A miller in Arkansas was getting out of Cairns and placed an ad to dispose of them. Allison S. found that ad and passed it along to Intakes. I made contact with the miller and was able to strike a deal for the six Cairns. Now, how to get them out of Arkansas where we have limited volunteer help. Three volunteers really stepped up to the challenge to get these six out of the mill and deliver them into the loving arms of Col. Potter. Susan R. got up very early Saturday morning and drove several hours out of her way to pick them up before heading to a wedding herself. Susan then delivered them to Lori R. who provided them with a potty break and some water. IT REALLY DOES TAKE A VILLAGE!!!

In honor and memory of all dads, human and canine, these furkids are dedicated to some of the fun activities enjoyed on Father's Day:

Movie is a female, wheaten, 1 year old with an underbite

Sports is a male wheaten, 2-3 years old, missing the tip of his left ear

Camper is a blonde male, 2-3 years old, skinny but friendly

Garden is a 7 year old female wheaten and is the mother of Movie, Sports and Barbecue.

Hammock is a dark brindle male, 6 years old, and the father of Movie, Sports and Barbecue

Barbecue is a female wheaten, 2 years old and friendly

Please welcome these puppymill rescues to Col. Potter. We are happy to be able to provide them with a much happier outlook for their future!

YO CP! VINNY'S HERE!

Written by CP's VP of Intakes


This past weekend, Col. Potter attended an auction that had one male Cairn listed, no age, just one male Cairn. This is a "bad" auction house and usually the sellers who frequent this sale have older, health issue dogs they are unloading. Imagine our surprise when a bouncing 3 month old baby was brought out as the one male Cairn. Vinny joined the CP family in all his puppy glory! He's been at the H's for less than 24 hours, but K. has already shared two stories I have to share with you.


In the photo is a shot of Vinny with his very adorable belly band on. K. tells me that after she put the bellyband on Vinny, he wasn't quite sure what to make of it. He didn't know how to walk or move, then slowly got the hang of it until he came to the bed where he proceeded to take giant strides while trying to get in because of having the bellyband on. Then, being a puppy, BUT a Cairn puppy, he decided to hump his bed!!



In the morning, Vinny was out in the backyard and heard the neighbor's dog so went trotting over to the fence to investigate ... again Cairn puppy. The only thing he didn't figure on was trying to walk on water! Barney had filled the swimming pool for the resident furkids and that was directly in Vinny's path to the fence, so he just walked right on over the edge of the pool ... until he hit the water and sank up to his neck. Good thing K. was there to yank him out! Yes, he is a Cairn puppy!!


Vinny is named in memory of a beloved furkid of friends of Diane P. through our Name a Mill Kid Program. I'm sure that CP's Vinny is going to need all of the guidance from above that he can get! Now, before you all try offering to foster Vinny, the MM Team is looking for a Foster-to-Adopt home for him and he will be staying with them until then. Yo, help me welcome Vinny to the CP family!

REGAL LADIES GRACE COL. POTTER WITH THEIR PRESENCE!

Written by CP's VP of Intakes

When you think of Regal Ladies, those that have had a title bestowed on them, you think of privilege, class, wealth and honor. They have led a life of having things done for them, living in opulence with good food and all the comforts they could ever want.

CP's Regal Ladies' lives couldn't be farther from the above scenario. They have lived their entire lives "working" for a puppymill. Forced to have litter after litter of puppies, in filthy surroundings, lousy food and dirty water. They give all they have in their bodies to keep their puppies alive with little or nothing left for their own health. They are the poor, slave-like help that toil to provide the riches for their keepers.

That all changed yesterday when they found Col. Potter! They will now become Regal Ladies who will want for nothing. Their lives will now include comfort, quality food and water and plenty of it. They will be enveloped with medical care, learning about freedom and all it has to offer and most important -- love!

Please help me welcome CP's Regal Ladies:

Baroness

Countess

Duchess

Come Join Col. Potter at the 2nd Annual Bark Around the World on May 30th!

Rescues and Shelters Unite for the 2nd annual Bark Around the World taking place on May 30th.This event is being held to bring awareness to the plight of the puppymill dog.

If you have the day free and want to join us, we'll be manning a booth in Syracuse, NY at the New York State Fairgrounds in the Pepsi International Building.

Check out the links below to all the groups represented, including
Col. Potter Cairn Rescue http://www.cairnrescue.com/

Bark Around The World at the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse, NY
May 30, 2009 http://www.barkaroundtheworld.com/

Thank you for supporting this cause!

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!

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!

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!

Welcome a New Girl to CP!

Written by CP's VP of Intakes

One life ends ... and another one begins. One soul is no longer free to walk the earth ... while a different one gains her freedom. Such is the cycle of life. It always comes around full circle. For those whose life ends, they are not forgotten, but remembered warmly and with much joy celebrating their life and what they meant to all they touched.

I don't know about you, but I have a very special spot in my heart for the puppy mill kids. Those that have literally survived the worst conditions one could imagine. Never knowing love, comfort, care even simple basic things like food and water, much less shelter. These are the same furkids that show such joy when reaching freedom and getting that chance to start life anew as they learn all there is to know and enjoy in this new life called freedom.

Yesterday another one of our rescue angels attended an auction in Ohio. We had high hopes of rescuing several Cairns, but it was not to be. This auction was heavily attended as we found out there was a kennel in Minnesota that was being shutdown and going out of business and they had shipped most of their breeding stock to Ohio to this auction. The millers in Ohio were anxious to get fresh breeding lines in their stock and all the dogs were going very high and out of rescue price ranges. But our rescue angel hung in there until the Cairns came up very near the end of the auction. One by one the Cairns were sold to millers at very high prices. But, then a Cairn was put up for auction. She was a little bit larger than the others and was not from the miller in Minnesota. SOLD announced the auctioneer and our rescue angel had one little Cairn girl safely in the loving arms of CP!

This little Cairn's life had just begun anew and she would be able to enjoy freedom, love and caring for the rest of her life thanks to our rescue angel.

Someone very special and very close to someone I care about a great deal passed away a few weeks ago. She was someone who had never had children of her own and lived alone up until two weeks before her death when she no longer could care for herself. During the past few years, her niece had assumed a large portion of her care, visiting weekly, making sure her medications were set out in her weekly pill containers, taking her shopping, getting her hair done, taking her to family events, basically being the daughter that she never had. She had even told her niece that she considered her to be hers. Now she will probably kill me for telling everyone all of this, as she is a private person but I wanted to do something special for Maureen H. and her Aunt Fran and couldn't think of a better way than using the Name a PM Kid Program.

Please help me welcome Fran to the loving arms of CP! Maureen, I know your Aunt Fran is smiling down on you and this little girl today ... BIG HUGS my friend ...

ALERT! CP Infested With Two Bugs!

Written by CP's VP of Intakes

Now that I have your attention ... don't panic ... you won't need insect repellent and your computers don't have a new virus! The two bugs are new members of the family!

These two made their way to safety and freedom from an auction in Missouri Saturday. Normally, those that attend the auction get the honor to name the furkids they helped to get to freedom, but yesterday was different. When I received the phone call that we had gotten a "couple" - a male and a female - I had a surprise up my sleeve, or should I say a bug or two up my sleeve. You all know about the Name a PM Kid Program where you can donate to name a PM kid in memory or honor of someone, or just because. Well, I had a "couple" of bug names just waiting for the right time!

Please help me welcome our Bug Couple:

Katydid: F, DOB 1/5/06, wheaten with tipped ears - name donated by Jerusha H. - daughter of Kathy H. for Kathy's birthday. Kathy and Jerusha have been scheming for a bug themed group for some time.



Beetle: M, DOB 1/27/06, wheaten - name donated by a CP member who wishes to remain anonymous but wanted to honor and say Thank You for what Kathy and Barney H. do to help the furkids. I had told this person about Jerusha's gift and they decided to honor Barney with his own "bug" name.



These two are just "cute as two bugs in a rug" just like the two special people they are named in honor of. My thanks to Kathy and Barney H. for making the trip to the auction on short notice, sending in the pictures and bathing and grooming our little bugs before taking them to the vet. Also, my thanks to Jerusha and our anonymous donor for their generosity and helping to make freedom a possibility for Katydid and Beetle! Welcome Bug Couple ... we won't be swatting you away (sorry just couldn't resist)!

Welcome a Sweet Little Girl!

Written by a CP Intakes Coordinator

Here is Col. Potter's newest edition! Her name is Nayana (Hindu for beautiful, lovely eyes) and she was 4 years old March 2nd!! On her birthday, this little girl spent the day at the vet getting up to date on vaccinations and spayed (Ohhh, Poor Baby!) and will now be living the life of a princess.

Nayana's former life was that of a puppy mill girl. When she was shaved down to her skives last month and a large bald area appeared on her back, the millers knew it was time to dump. She was surrendered to another rescue but they were overwhelmed with their doggie load and asked if Col. Potter could PLEASE help out. And that we could, only because of the awesome volunteers we have!!! Thanks to everyone involved with bringing Nayana into the family. A special thanks to Julie R. for letting her hop in on a transport already in progress!

Welcome Nayana, we're glad you're here!

Announcing the "Rome Wasn't Built in a Day" Kids!

Written by CP's VP of Intakes

The saying is "Rome wasn't built in a day" and nothing could be more true than what it took for these furkids to reach CP. One of our rescue angels was scheduled to pick-up two females from a puppy mill in mid-January, but due to a bad snowstorm was unable to get them. When she tried again, she was told the Cairns weren't going to be released. Then the miller contacted her and upped the ante, but I refused the demands. End of story? Not at all. Those building blocks were already laid in a foundation and just waiting for the right time for the building to begin. Sometimes it takes a little longer than expected or hoped for the building to take place. Last week the puppy mill once again contacted our rescue angel. Apparently they had enough of having to feed and keep the Cairns and agreed to MY terms. But, then the best part, instead of releasing two females, we were now getting three females and one male! Our Roman Empire was not only once again being built, but was being enlarged!!

It is my pleasure to introduce you to the" Rome Wasn't Built in a Day Kids":

Maxmillian - M, estimated to be 6-8 years old, his left eye has been permanently damaged from lack of care and he has lost vision in it, however, he hasn't lost his zest for life and is ready to rule his own empire as the Holy Roman Emperor he's named after did between 1508 and 1519.



Margaret - F, estimated to be 4-5 years old, a petite little beauty named after the daughter of the Holy Roman Emperor Maximillian.



Bianca - F, estimated to be 5-6 years old, who's picture will melt your heart and is named after the Holy Roman Emperor Maximillian's second wife.



Leonor - F, estimated to be 5-6 years old, she's the matronly one of the group and likes to boss around Bianca, so it was only fitting that she be named after the Holy Roman Emperor Maximillian's maternal grandmother.



I would like to thank a couple of very special rescue angels, Deborah and Cindy, for not giving up on these Cairns and driving the miles and meeting at all hours of the night to finally get Rome built!

Welcome Kids and long may you rule your new empire called FREEDOM!

Introducing a "Fresh" Little Girl to Col. Potter!

Written by CP's VP of Intakes

A call from a miller wanting to release some breeding stock and the plea goes out to the rescue community for help. There isn't much time -- if you don't show up quickly enough, the dogs may no longer be there, disposed of in a manner you wouldn't want to know about. The rescue vehicle rolls into the dirt, filth and stench that is a puppy mill and leaves with 22 little souls that will never again be cold, hungry, or dirty.

Col. Potter answered the plea for two little Cairn females that made their way out ... however, one of the Cairns was immediately taken to the emergency vet by the local rescue with a ruptured rectum. She has had surgery and is at this point in critical condition. She will be staying with the local rescue group, at least for now, as she has a long road ahead of her. Please keep her in your thoughts and let's all hope that she does get to enjoy the freedom she has waited so long to achieve ...

The other little 2 year old female is a petite, little black brindle BEAUTY who is already giving little tail wags. Please help me welcome Fresca to the Col. Potter family! Fresca in Italian and Spanish means fresh and that's exactly what Fresca is enjoying, a fresh start to a life of freedom.

My thanks to Marlene T. for picking up Fresca today and sending pictures.

Please remember that CP is only able to help as many PM kids as we have the financial means to support and foster homes to care for them. We welcome donations in support of the PM kids and are always in need of more foster homes. I'm sure Fresca's little tail wags are saying THANK YOU for being there for her and she hopes CP will be able to help many other Cairns that get the chance at freedom like she and her Cairn kennel mate, who surely would have died if she had not gotten out of the PM when she did ...

To donate to Col. Potter please click the following link: Donate to Rescue

If you would like to volunteer with Col. Potter email our Director of Volunteerism by clicking here.

If you would like to become a Col. Potter Foster Home email our Director of Foster Homes by clicking here.

Columbus Voyages - The Final Voyageurs Arrive

Written by CP's VP of Intakes

These Voyages started last October when a miller in KS died, leaving her dogs to be rescued by some kindly associates who turned to rescue and others to find the dogs a home. A good portion of the adult Cairns have found their way to Col. Potter with several of them being heartworm positive and having to undergo treatment.

Today the final two Voyageurs arrived on CP's friendly shores - two females. It has been a long four months for them since these Voyages started and each one of them have had to endure additional hardship before embarking on today's journey.

Please meet:

Capitana: F, black brindle - who was adopted out last fall, but apparently the family was not equipped to deal with the baggage of a mill mama and was brought back. She will now get the time, patience and love she needs to trust and enjoy the new world of freedom.



Vizcaina: F, wheaten - tested positive for heartworm last October, and there was every intention to treat her, but money ran out and she was never treated. This little girl, who is reported to be very friendly, will now get the heartworm treatment she needs before finding her forever family on the friendly shores of freedom.



Please help me welcome our final two Columbus Voyage Kids and keep positive thoughts for Vizcaina as she undergoes heartworm treatment.

"Thanks for Having a Heart Kids" Get a Chance at FREEDOM!

Written by CP's VP of Intakes

Three little Cairns made their way out of a life in a puppy mill and into the loving arms of Col. Potter on Saturday. This would not have been possible without the generous donations that help support the work CP does in rescuing Cairns from the puppy mills. One very important program that supports our puppy mill efforts is our Name a PM Kid Program. As has been discussed many times, the vetting required for Cairns that come to us directly from a mill is costly and generally far exceeds the adoption donation. But these little furkids that have lived their entire lives in small, cramped, filthy cages with little food, water or shelter and withstood the abuse and torture from the humans they come in contact with, so deserve this chance at freedom and a happily ever after.

All three of these Cairns now proudly carry a Donated Name. Please help me welcome the "Thanks for Having a Heart Kids":

Schmaltz: F, DOB 5/7/05, cream - donated by Pat H. as a tribute to her mother and aunts with a nickname they used for each other.

Cheryl: F, DOB 4/24/05, wheaten - donated by Emily and Michael I. in honor of their Penny/Persephone's gotcha day and in memory of Emily's mother who passed away on December 30, 2007. Her mom was one of their references when they adopted Penny and they know she would have loved their little girl.

JakeE: M, DOB 3/2/05, wheaten - donated by Monica & Don K. in loving memory of Monica's sister's Jake who went to the Rainbow Bridge last fall.

Once again I would like to ask you to consider giving or getting the Valentine's Day Gift that truly has a heart - a beating heart - attached to a living, breathing Cairn. There are several options including the Name a PM Kid Program. Or if you would prefer, you can make a general donation to Col. Potter to help the furkids by clicking HERE. You have the option of using PayPal or mailing a donation for either the Name a PM Kid Program or the general donation.

Please "Have a Heart" this Valentine's Day and help a Cairn feel the warmth and safety of Col. Potter's arms just like these three little Cairns are now feeling.

Welcome Bowen!

Written by a CP Intakes Coordinator

Please help me welcome Col. Potter's newest boy, Bowen. Bowen is estimated to be one year old, found as a stray in Ohio. He bears a striking resemblance to quite a few other kids we've pulled from this shelter as 'intact strays'. We suspect a backyard breeder or miller, dumping their 'surplus stock'. How sad for Bowen, to be dumped in February in the Ohio cold. How lucky for him that he was found by the shelter and Col. Potter was contacted, knowing that when we have the room, we say yes to these kids.

Bowen was picked up on Saturday, and our volunteer reported:

He's a cute little guy and is very friendly. As we left the shelter, I was trying to let him potty, but he was mostly interested in running circles around me and seeing if he could completely wrap me up with the leash. He was a little whirling dervish --which I suspect is partly from being cooped up in a cage and partly puppy energy. Sweet as he is, he has no manners; he has no idea of any of the basic commands, not even "sit." I'm sure it won't take him long to catch on, but whoever had him first did not do much in the way of training.

Bowen means "reliable". Welcome, dear Bowen, we promise you that Col Potter will be RELIABLE and care for you, and find you a wonderful forever home where you will be cherished! We know you will be a RELIABLE cairn: loving, curious, funny, determined, feisty!

We are glad you are with us!

Rollin' Down The River - Missouri River Kids II Arrive

Written by CP's VP of Intakes

Last week was absolutely horrible weather for the central part of the country - coating everything in a thick, bone chilling layer of ice. The mill these kids come from was in the direct path of the storm and had parts of several sheds on the property brought down by the ice. Luckily for these Cairns, they managed to survive until help could arrive this weekend. Kathy & Barney H. made another trip to rescue these furkids. The roads were still so bad in this area, they had to park up on the highway and carry the dogs up to the vehicle, as they were unable to get down the driveway to the property. There will have to be one more trip made in about a month to rescue the remaining Cairns who had to be left behind until they whelp and wean their puppies. Keep them and the other dogs that remain at this mill in your thoughts ...

I'm very happy to introduce the Missouri River Kids II:

Big Piney: M, DOB 10/23/05, cream brindle

Huzzah: M, DOB 6/19/08, wheaten - brother of Gasconade

Gasconade: M, DOB 6/19/08, wheaten - brother of Huzzah

Bourbeuse: F, DOB 6/6/04, wheaten brindle

Loutre: F, DOB 12/4/06, red wheaten

Maries: F, DOB 6/3/04, wheaten

Meramec: F, DOB 8/28/08, wheaten

I would like to personally THANK all of you who over the past week or so have donated to Name a PM Kid or started off our new Sponsor a PM Kid Program with a bang. It is only through your support that these Missouri River Kids are able to come into the loving arms of Col. Potter. And, I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A REQUEST ... Valentine's Day is less than two weeks away. For everyone out there that gives OR receives roses, flower arrangements, candy or even a special dinner out from or to your loved ones ... WOULD YOU CONSIDER GIVING THE ULTIMATE GIFT OF LOVE ... LIFE FOR A PUPPY MILL KID???????? Instead of spending $25, $50 or even $100 on long stem roses, flowers, candy or dinner, give your loved one or ask to be given a CAIRN for Valentine's Day! Any amount of money can be specified to SPONSOR A PM KID, or $100 will Name a PM Kid. I can't think of a better gift of the heart ... can you?

Finally, I just can't conclude this introduction without one more bit of news ... yesterday as soon as Kathy and Barney had pulled away and had cell phone service they called me to report in, but to also ask if I knew of any rescues for the Cairn blond cousins, the Westies. Seems the miller had two female Westies she wanted to get rid of ASAP as they just weren't good producers and she had had it with them. Luckily, I was able to give Westie Rescue a call and get in touch with them. Kathy and Barney turned right around and went back and got those two little Westies out of there, one of which the miller pulled away from a nursing puppy to get rid of her. She didn't even want to wait for her to wean the pup ... This is just another example of PM mentality and what these furkids endure and live through ...

Please help me welcome the Missouri River Kids II and two bonus little Westie girls that found their way to freedom!!!