Cairn Community

hear hear

Years ago, I adopted Carrington when he was at the (advanced) age of 10. He lived to almost 17, in good health until his last year. I never felt I had an "old" dog. He always kept me on my toes... and on the run. Somehow the word "senior" never seemed to apply to him. I've told his story here before: His original owner died and her adult sons did not want him and kept him isolated and confined to an enclosed porch until they decided to have the vet euthanize him. The vet took Carrington and contacted Col. Potter Cairn Rescue, which is how I came to find him. It's not overstating it to say that Carrington changed my life. We became joined at the hip as he went everywhere with me. He was my first-ever dog and taught me everything there was to know about the breed. He happened to be an excellent example of "Cairn", both physically and temperamentally and it's thanks to what I learned from this "old" dog that I was later up to the challenge of taking on 3-year old Ruffy, who became joined to my other hip! On the shelf of my dog books is one titled "Old Dogs Are the Best Dogs."... (I knew that)!😍

Thank you, pkcrossley and Hillscreek.  Charlie is a charming little scamp, which is good because he is certainly not perfect.  He does mark in the house, and he's started a fight with his toothless older brother, which I had to break up, and then he went for me, but he was certainly shocked to find out I was not an easy mark, not with 35+ years of Scottie ownership and more than a decade of rescue fostering the same under my belt.  I do think he'd be happier as the only boy dog in a house, or maybe even as an only dog, but I'm FOR SURE not going to take him back to the shelter, he'll just have to accept that he has to live by the rules, which include no picking on the toothless one, and "if you pee on a dog bed, out it goes, and eventually you sleep on the cold, hard floor".  I am sure Colonel Potter Rescue could find him a better home, but I hope I don't have to ask them to, I do love the little brat-boy.

People taking care of older needy cairns and others, like you are doing are to be praised. Thank you for being one of them.

these stories of older, unfortunate dogs finding love, understanding and support give me such hope for humanity. thank you somuch for taking good care of this handsome, deserving guy.