Two years ago Malcolm came into my home. I've mentioned before Malcolm was from a shelter. He was a one year old nasty vicious dog. Nobody wanted to go near his cage no less adopt him. To make a long story short I brought him home. We had to work through a few problems like his biting me and attacking and biting my neighbors. It took a while but we finally got those problems solved.

He is such a funny dog. When I bounce a ball he runs then pops straight up in the air while chasing it. His legs are spring loaded. He will growl at the ball when he runs behind it. Sometimes when the ball stops he pounces on it like a cat. Then he grabs the ball and shakes it so hard his whole body wiggles back and forth. My neighbor's lab will just fetch the ball and bring it back. Malcolm makes it a mission to first intimidate the ball then destroy it.

This last year he started to come in the house when I call him. I used to go and capture him with the leash or else he wouldn't come in. He is still stubborn though. I call him and he looks at me like "yeah I'm thinking about it". Then after about 10 or 15 seconds he comes running in the house. I only have to call once then wait. He gets a treat for being good.

We have our battles in the house. This dog likes to wrestle. He will jump on my chair and not get down. He does have his own chair in the kitchen but he doesn't want that one, he wants mine. So I have to pick him up and that's when the wrestling match begins. He will roll over, go limp, pretend to go in my arms then jump back in the chair and make some of the strangest noises I've ever heard come out of dog. I do eventually get my chair back, but not without a hard time first.

He is also a mighty hunter. He loves chasing the squirrels in the park. If he could he would run right up the trees. He also likes to pick on big dogs. I mentioned one time he was giving a Cane Corso (Italian Mastiff) a hard time. Everyone was laughing at this little dog yapping at the huge Mastiff, who was very good natured about the whole thing.

Malcolm is a good dog. He only destroys his toys, not the furniture or my clothes. He was getting the beef knuckle bones, but after reading what happened to Bailey I'm not sure about them now. Bully sticks would be good but they are too expensive in the store and I don't want things delivered. So for now he will have to destroy the pull ropes and tennis balls.

And like any other Cairn Malcolm likes to play mind games. If I scold him he turns upside down, folds the paws on his chest, gives you this innocent look and wants a belly rub. Now just how can you stay irate when looking at that? You can't and he knows it.

Here are some pictures, sorry about the size I have to go to a friend's house to upload them and we don't know how to resize. I have dial up so it takes forever for them to download to my pc. I had to use url, if I use img it resizes to 0.

http://i847.photobucket.com/albums/ab33/thecatdiditmalcom/PICT0062.jpg?t=1286676749

http://i847.photobucket.com/albums/ab33/thecatdiditmalcom/PICT0069.jpg?t=1286676749

And finally thanks for the people in this forum. They have helped me understand this breed. After living with a Cairn for two years I can tell you these dogs are not like any other dog. They are part dog, have the independence of a cat, part con artist, part fluffy little angel like a poodle and have the ferociousness of a junkyard dog.

Congratulations to Malcolm on his anniversary! You've been a great Cairn mommy, teaching him proper etiquette and showing him the love that he obviously needed. You both get a big thumbs up for two successful years!

congratulations and Happy Anniversary to you both, it's nice you found each other and have worked so well together.

Great story - thanks for sharing. Congratulations on two successful years! (and many more)

Congradulations.Loved reading it makes you feel good.Thanks for sharing.

people say cairns are not like other dogs, and it is not like everybody saying their breed is special --it's true. but it is both a blessing and a curse. for most of us, these dogs are challenging to raise --and when you adopt you have to raise the dog all over again. it goes on a long time, and it is frustrating because they will quickly catch on to any little advantage you think you have and turn it against you. but if you persevere, you always get rewarded. you end up not only with a breed that is unlike any other, but an individual who is unlike any other cairn. i love stories of adoption when the adopter goes into it determined to deal with whatever comes up, because the adopter is determined to live up the challenge. because dogs are the people they are, they always reward patience and loyalty, in the end. malcolm sounds like a great companion, especially with a little wrestling thrown in on the side.

I am glad you took a chance on Malcolm. He certainly doesn't look like a nasty dog in his pics .... pretty laid back. I wonder what made you take the plunge? Did you have Cairns before? Or just up for the challenge of loving a dog with a big attitude? At any rate, glad you worked with him. Happy Anniversary to you and Malcolm!! ... I know all about the look, Dempsy gave me that look last night when I ask him, politely!, to come in ... he thought about it and ran the other way. Little devil made me run after him in the cold and snow. .. it is funny how we still think it is adorable even though they make us jump through hoops.

best wishes on your anniversary! yes, they are very individual and challenging dogs! and how wonderful that you have managed to tame Malcolm!

Congratulations to Malcolm on his anniversary! You've been a great Cairn mommy, teaching him proper etiquette and showing him the love that he obviously needed. You both get a big thumbs up for two successful years!

This exactly! Happy Anniversary, Malcolm!

Thanks for sharing Malcolm's wonderful story. He has quite a personality! It sounds like your time, patience, and dedication have paid off big time! You and Malcolm are lucky to have found each other!

"I can tell you these dogs are not like any other dog. They are part dog, have the independence of a cat, part con artist, part fluffy little angel like a poodle and have the ferociousness of a junkyard dog."

That is a great description of the Cairn--fits my experience. Malcolm is certainly an handsome boy--he has lovely markings.

Thanks for you persistence in rescuing him from an uncertain fate. I wish more people would take in these abandoned Cairns and learn what what we know--that the Cairn you take out of the shelter is not the dog you are eventually going to have--these little guys can and will adapt to a loving environment. Good work.

Love conquers all!

Your description of Malcolm is spot on for the Cairn personality. So glad to hear a successful rescue story!

Happy anniversary and enjoy many more years with junkyard, angel dog.

Thanks for your replies.

Dempsy's Mom, I never had a Cairn before. This was surely a learning experience. I felt so sorry for him at the shelter. Like hheldorfer said he needed some love.

A friend called and said he couldn't see the pictures, they were all washed out. Seems the lcd displays are too bright. If you can see the pictures Malcolm is not a lap dog, he is a pillow dog. I have a bad back and lay on the couch. Malcolm will curl up beside my head or sometimes lay right on top of my head. I think its his way of saying "I own you and the pillow". He can be a sweetie. But he has gained a reputation for being the neighborhood bully. He chases the other dogs on my block back into their homes.

I'll have to get one of my friend's kids to fix the pictures. The kids know how to do all this stuff. As one gets older you find its easier to let the kids do it anyway.

i don't have any problems seeing them --except that i fall asleep while looking at them.

Thanks for sharing Malcolm's wonderful story. He has quite a personality! It sounds like your time, patience, and dedication have paid off big time! You and Malcolm are lucky to have found each other!

What a lovely testament to what can happen when a Cairn finds the right home. Smiles, congratulations, and thanks to both you and Malcolm!

happy anniversay..glad to hear Malcolm is doing so well in his forever home

Happy anniversary to both you and Malcolm! I truly enjoyed reading your story and am so pleased everything has worked out so well. Congrats!!!

Congratulations to you and Malcom! Sounds like it was a challenging but rewarding time.

We had to work through a few problems like his biting me and attacking and biting my neighbors

I am currently going through biting issues with my adoptee, Gavin. How did you manage to get the biting under control?

Happy Anniversary!!