Welcome to Lena

[cairnrescueleague]

Back in Aug, we were contacted by an all breed rescue in PA. Last fall, they got a cairn from a woman who rescues dogs from the Amish puppy mills. She had rescued Lena last fall and shortly after arriving at the rescue, she escaped in the barn where they keep some of their dogs. It literally took them months to catch her, she was loose in the barn all that time. After that, they kept her at a boarding facility.

They contacted us because the kennel was going to need the space, and they felt Lena would be better in cairn rescue. They described her as feral, and I have to say that I do think this is the first time I've encountered a dog that could be termed feral. Not from having been born in the wild, but because of extreme lack of socialization at the mill.

Janice, our Reference Check Coordinator, had been fostering Lena ever since, but it was decided that I would take over because it's become clear that it's going to take a LONG time for Lena to come around, if she ever does, and I'm better equipped to keep her forever if need be than Janice is.

Lena's first night - I picked Lena up in NJ when she first came into rescue, and she does not shake the way she did that first day, but her little heart beats so hard and fast when I pick her up.

I don't have things set up quite the way I'd like yet, but I have her in a very large-sized open wire crate until Sunday, when I'm going to RI to get an ex-pen. But I think the crate is good for her for now (in my bedroom) so she can feel safe and observe what's going on. Cubby, Larry, and Scruffleberry are all being very good with her, altho Larry would love to get at her food and stuffed toys (she hasn't eaten or drunk water yet, but I'm hoping she will once I turn out the lights).

When we got home, I took her into the dog pen and put her down, and she peed. I just let everyone out for their last potty, so I carried her down to the dog pen again, and she peed again. When she's done though, she scrunches up against the wall of the house. But at least she wasn't too afraid to pee, and she got gentle praise.

She has managed to relax and nap in her crate (Janice sent along a comfortable pillow and familiar bedding). I do think it will be helpful to tether her to me, something Janice wasn't really able to do (I'm a little harder to pull over than Janice!). I would say so far so good, but it's hard to see an animal that's as frightened as Lena is.

I'm not convinced that she's a purebred cairn. I think she's either a poorly bred purebred or a mix. My guess would be part Jack Russell.

[Hawkeye]

Lena is a very lucky girl to have found her way to your home. It's so sad to think of how some animals live, it just makes me want to hug mine and cry. I know we have all said it in before, but thank you for all of your hard work with the rescue league.

Keep us posted on her progress.

[pkcrossley]

welcome lena! i would guess that after a month with you some of that worried look will disappear.

is it her size or coat texture or behavior that makes you doubt she is full cairn? she looks like she could be full, but with a strange grooming job just now. she sounds completely salvageable, once she finds out that living with people is not all bad.

[josie&holly]

Poor Lena - she does look worried and sad! I am sure in a while she will realise that humans are OK to be with!

I think she has quite a sharp face and ears for a Cairn so perhaps there is some Jack Russell there too.

[Napi'smom]

Awwwww!! poor baby, I'm so glad she has been rescued!!! I m crying just reading how frightened she is... I hope she comes around and realizes that not all humans are the same. Best of luck with her and keep us posted.

[sanford]

Keep us posted with progress reports on Lena. A lot of folks here are pulling for you both. Thanks again for your efforts... You are a gem!!!

[Debknits]

The poor little thing!

When I was a kid we took in a Schnauzer that had been kicked pretty much for the first year of it's life. It took months of us just sitting with the dog near us and talking softly for her to trust enough to come close. And being consistent about routine.

You are special to take her into your home!

[shergry]

You are such a good person, with a lot of patience! Lena looks like our first Cairn...from a puppy mill..long slender head. But, still looks like a cairn from the pic. With having your furry crews help, she should bond with at least one (one would hope) to help with the process of socialization. Our prayers go to Lena and you as you have a journey ahead. Please keep us posted. :-)

[oscar's mom]

Sounds like Lena is starting to make her needs known . So sorry this has been such a long hard journey for her.

Responded to this thread cause the other thread was closed.