Yesterday

[Dempsy's Mom]

I had been looking at a dog on a rescue site. His name was Toto and he looked like a Cairn. But every time I tried to pull up info on him my computer would lock up. Yesterday I had an appointment in this town and I thought I would run by and see what Toto was all about. After all I had been watching him for about a week and he was still there. ? Hmmm. Looked just like Demps. Well, it turned out that Toto was not a Cairn and didn't look at all like his picture, so Dempsy didn't get a brother yesterday ... but some day. I have told myself - Not Yet - only two dogs at a time, but when a Cairn shows up I get the itch.

Dempsy wasn't to heart broken. I sat down my shopping bags and he immediately stuck his head in them looking for what mom had bought him. So cute. And yes mom bought him a new bully bone and a harness.

[hheldorfer]

Awww . . . so Demps will be ruler of the roost for a while longer. Heck, I'm even a little disappointed because it's always fun to welcome a new Cairn to the family.

[pindrop]

awww..poor Demps didn't get a sibling but he's probably just as happy being ignorant of the situation. I also would love to have been in on the next adventures of Dempsy and Mom and new pup. We'd have to warn the new one how dangerous Mom is with the lawnmower.

[utgaard]

Looked just like Demps. Well, it turned out that Toto was not a Cairn and didn't look at all like his picture, so Dempsy didn't get a brother yesterday ... but some day. I have told myself - Not Yet - only two dogs at a time, but when a Cairn shows up I get the itch.

We had similar experiences. We would keep an eye on the local humane society webpage and go over any weekend they had a Cairn listed. The dogs had always been adopted before we got there, but we did get to see other pictures that showed their non-Cairn traits - one had long legs, Loki would have been able to walk under her with room to spare. I believe that most shelters don't get enough Cairns to know the difference. If someone thinks they look like Toto, they get called a Cairn.

Don't get discouraged, your second Cairn is out there, somewhere, sometime. We gave the humane society one last chance and fell in love with Zeus. He was labeled as a Cairn, but has a Spitz tail and non-Cairn legs. What he does have is a Cairn's face and attitude. He has been a good companion for Loki and a great addition to our family. It was almost as if he was waiting for us.

[CarmineCairn]

I think every dog loves a bully bone. My Carmine loves chewing stuffs like those. I bought him a new toy bone every pay day.

[rtherapy60]

Dempsy wasn't to heart broken. I sat down my shopping bags and he immediately stuck his head in them looking for what mom had bought him. So cute. And yes mom bought him a new bully bone and a harness.

Both of ours are the same with the "bags". They sit right at our feet while we're putting things away, staring intently for what is comming out of that bag for ME! Cooper waits for new toys and Jezzy wants any type of treat. It was amazing how fast they related comming home bags with stuff for them. LOL

[janis]

I heard that the lady I got Kirby from ended up turning his brother over to the humane society. I wished she would have called me I would have taken him in a heartbeat! Her daughter gave hers up as well when she had a baby. Make me wonder what kind of commitment people think they are making when they take an animal into their home or decide to have a litter of pups. Of course some don't treat their kids any better . Sad.

[sanford]

I had been looking at a dog on a rescue site. His name was Toto and he looked like a Cairn...Well, it turned out that Toto was not a Cairn and didn't look at all like his picture...

I think it's a good idea for us to point out and share the pitfalls that may arise when looking to adopt a cairn terrier. I had a number of experiences similar to Dempsey's Mom during my search when I adopted Ruffy. It's tremendously hard not to build up hope on the basis of a description or photo. It's important to try and maintain objectivity and emotional distance (if possible!), until the dog is seen in person.

By now, most of us understand that cairns are not a breed that is commonly recognized by most people. What some call a cairn is not always so. When responding to an ad, don't assume it's a cairn until you see the dog for yourself. Photos are helpful, but even with no intention to mislead, pictures can inadvertently give a false impression due to cropping, angle, focus, etc. Appearances aside, even when descriptions and photos are accurate, it often comes down to how you and the cairn will relate, and how suitably its personality will fit with yours.

The search may take some twists and turns and frustration, but it may be necessary and it's worth the effort in order to find the right dog!

[Hawkeye]

Well Demps squeaked by of another tight situation. Don't know how much longer until he will have to share his pedestal with another cairn.

Sanford - Thank you for sharing your experiences on finding a rescue dog. I see where it can be a frustrating ride.

[MegsMom]

Well, don't forget to look under westies--afterall, I got a *ahem* "black westie" and a "yellow westie", too, the day I pulled them. Anyone want to guess what I really 'got'? )

[janis]

My neighbor asked yesterday if Kirby was a Westie. He's red/gray/silvery brindle. Since those guys got the Cesar ad's it's like they have taken over! Just kidding.