The camera came home from vacation. Got a few update pis of the new girl Kat and Gus.

[montdoug]

The kids came home from their trip and the camera came with them (intact no less, so what a pleasant surprise). We have weather on the way so I thought I'd quick try to get a few pics as requested on our new addition. Photography is about my weakest suit next to two finger typing but here goes anyway.

First a photo together for a size comparison. Gus is 21 lbs and in spite of looking like a tank he's actually just larger than standard for sure and I quit stripping undercoat quite a while back in preparation for sub zero temps and our runs and hikes in the mountains, my wife says he is in his "big hair" mode. Kat on the other hand has "no" undercoat and is stripped for the ring. She has very straight and bristly top hair only. Depending on how fast the weather comes in comparison to how fast she develops her insulation coat I might actually have to buy the first jacket I will have ever purchased for a dog to keep her warm, she weighs 13.5 LBS and doesn't have much body mass so we'll play it by ear. She has discovered that getting wrapped inside my sweatshirt and carried is really to her liking when it's down to 20 outside and Gus and I are going for our run.

Here is my little thief of hearts by herself. The sun was hitting them directly and she looks more gray than she really is, she's a lot more brindle in person.

As I posted years back when I first got Gus he was my first small dog. Been an Airedale addict roughly since birth. These guys haven't erased my fondness for Airedales as well as a number of other breeds but it's fair to say they have certainly broadened my horizons in a most wonderful way. Kat is much like a 50 pound Airedale in a 13 pound package only cuter. What a heart throb!

Lastly is the Man of the house Gus. Bruiser Cairn that he is it's becoming increasingly obvious that "There's a new Sheriff in town and her name isn't Gus". Gus being the well mannered gentleman that he is however he doesn't seem to mind at all. It's like he innately knows, "I could thump her anytime I want to but what the heck, she's a lotta fun to play with" (it's never ending now).

When the opportunity arose to add Kat to the family it took about 15 minutes to decide whether I should or not. After just this short period I can't for the life of me figure out why it took so long to make that decision.

As a former Marine in his 60's who grew up in ranching country It's really nice to have the folks on this site to share the excitement of feeling this way over our new little girl without having someone local say, "Geeze, why didn't ya get a Lab?" (Oh ye the uninformed masses.) Thanks guys, sincerely!

[Tuesday]

Kat is such a beautiful addition, and Gus, well,he definitely looks like the pup of a Marine (former Navy Corpsman here). Both great looking dogs!!!

You can send Kat to the Sunshine State so she won't have to wear a coat!

[montdoug]

Thanks Doc, both for the compliment on the dogs and the offer of a warm winter vacation for the little girl. Afraid I'll have to pass on the last half cause the wife and I have to much to do to go with her and she'd leave to big a hole in the place if she went by herself. Doesn't take long to get get real attached at our house and she's already done it I fear. Do thank ya for the offer though, a corpsman's saved my bacon more than once back when and while I certainly appreciate it her request for transfer has been denied.

[pkcrossley]

what impressive dogs. i would say adorable in the case of kat, but i sense that gus would not want to be called adorable. here we would call him wicked. as in wicked good, wicked handsome or wicked wicked.

[bradl]

No wonder you called her Thief of Hearts. Oh my. Together they look like the very best sort of trouble.

[hheldorfer]

Beautiful, beautiful dogs. Thanks so much for the pics!

[Dempsy's Mom]

What a great looking pair! Kat is wonderful and Gus looks happy to have a playmate. Great pics. Thanks.

[remltr]

Montdoug,

Cute, very cute, pups. And your photo skills are not as bad as you think.

Tuesday,

Aren't Navy corpsmen just Marines without rifles?

Semper Fi - Now both of you drop and give me twenty 4 count pushups.

Remltr

[Idaho Cairns]

Yes, thanks so much for the pictures, I really like the looks of both of these dogs and I wouldn't worry too much about that little new little girl getting cold--as you know these Cairns handle harsh weather about as well as any dogs I have been around with the exception of retrievers--well, Labs and Chessies. I'll bet she'll be a bundle of fire for you. I am not surprised the two dogs are getting along, as I said when you first rang on with the question about "should I?" that Cairns really do well with Cairn companions because those active little minds need the kind of stimulation only another Cairn can provide. Ours seem to need each other daily for entertainment, whether it is gang growling at squirrels or sounds or wrestling each other two and three times a day. I'll bet your entertainment factor has gone up substantially with this addition to the home. Like you, when anyone mentions "little" dogs in reference to my Cairns, I just smile because I know they are just not familiar with the breed--there isn't a thing "little" about a Cairn Terrier.

[montdoug]

remltr, How about 4, twenty count push ups?

Semper Fi back at ya.

[josie&holly]

They are both good looking dogs! But agree that Kat is very pretty.

[remltr]

remltr, How about 4, twenty count push ups?

one, two, three, one sir, one, two, three, two sir....

[pindrop]

Finally got the camera back and yes - all in one piece I see. I tell ya, kids? Your photography skills are excellent and can see why your heart has been stolen with such a beautiful face. No doubt Gus is in seventh heaven with having a companion and one as pretty as she. (He's no slouch either I might add - quite the handsome man)

Looking forward to further updates and of course tons of more pictures.

[Kathryn]

Two dogs equals more than twice as much fun -- and the twinkle in Kat's eyes tells me it will probably be more than twice the mischief too! Great that they are settling in to be such good friends.

DO the cats still rule the roost, though, or has Kat taken over?

[beccadiane374]

Beautiful pictures, beautiful dogs!

[jo_]

Now that's what I call a great looking couple! Glad to hear it's going so well. Isn't it great having two?

If only I could get mine to sit still long enough to snap some pics.

[Hawkeye]

Kat and Gus make a perfect pair, I can see why it took you all of 15 mins to make your decision. Both equally as beautiful & handsome!

[Lynn in TN]

Well we all know how I fell about pictures. Beautiful, Beautiful, Both of them. Thank you so much for sharing the pictures it brightened my day.

[janis]

I think your pics are just great! You dogs are beauties!

[Meggie]

Between his little teeth and her little tongue sticking out...I cannot tell who is more charming!

[Luke Bizzy]

Gus looks much like our Titan. But Kat may be the darkest Cairn I've seen! Both qualify as eye candy. Thanks for sharing.

[Rohnda]

Love your pictures. Kat is adorable. Such a petite thing next to Gus. My husband and I so understand the comments like you mentioned..."why don't you get a lab or something" My husband is retired K-9 and we only had dogs that could do great damage/bodily harm if given the correct command. And now we have our first Cairn and he has just reached in, grabbed our heart and squeezes it on a daily basis. They are waaaay too much fun. Thanks for the photos.