Call me crazy, but.....

[wheezie23]

I may be getting another dog!! Zoe's breeder called me and said that one of her littermates was returned this morning. Poor girl. The elderly couple who bought her couldn't keep her. The son brought her home to his family, but the wife resented the puppy and treated her unkindly. She told Cindy (the breeder) "if you don't pick her up by 8am I'm taking her to the pound." The thought of anyone being so cold and cruel to one of these babies breaks my heart. Anyway, Cindy has four dogs, five is just too many. She thought of me. The dog is Zoe's sister, and according to Cindy looks exactly like Zoe. She's 16 mos., very petite, too at 12 lbs. She comes free of charge, spayed, housebroken and crate-trained.

I haven't discussed it with my husband yet, but I'm hopeful. Is three too many?? (I know what Toomanypaws is going to say!) Is it a good idea to have a spayed female with two neutered males? Will they fight over her? IF it turns out I can't keep her, however, Cindy was agreeable to my putting her in the Col. Potter Rescue program. Keep your fingers crossed for me, friends!!

Thela

[CarCarDawn]

Hi! It is amazing that things have turned out the way they have - - first - - losing Zoe - - - and then - - - being able to raise one of her littermates. If your husband agrees to it and you are up to raising her, I think the rewards would be immeasurable. I know you miss her tremendously - - and although this little dog is not Zoe - - - she's just about as close as it gets. You could never substitute the two but what a joy to be able to raise her sister!!! Good luck in whatever happens!

[rubyandtazforever]

I may be getting another dog!!    Zoe's breeder called me and said that one of her littermates was returned this morning.  Poor girl.  The elderly couple who bought her couldn't keep her.  The son brought her home to his family, but the wife resented the puppy and treated her unkindly.  She told Cindy (the breeder) "if you don't pick her up by 8am I'm taking her to the pound."  The thought of anyone being so cold and cruel to one of these babies breaks my heart.    Anyway, Cindy has four dogs, five is just too many.  She thought of me.  The dog is Zoe's sister, and according to Cindy looks exactly like Zoe.  She's 16 mos., very petite, too at 12 lbs.  She comes free of charge, spayed, housebroken and crate-trained. 

I haven't discussed it with my husband yet, but I'm hopeful.  Is three too many??  (I know what Toomanypaws is going to say!)    Is it a good idea to have a spayed female with two neutered males?  Will they fight over her?  IF it turns out I can't keep her, however, Cindy was agreeable to my putting her in the Col. Potter Rescue program.  Keep your fingers crossed for me, friends!!

Thela

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hey Thela,

I hope it all works out for you to be able to get Zoe's littermate.

I have 3 dogs myself,and I think as long as you take care of your dogs and give each one the attention it needs,I feel that a person can make their own decison about how many to have.

Good Luck,and hopefully your husband will say you can have her!

As far as them fighting over her,I myself would think they shouldn't fight over her,if they are both fixed,and if she is fixed. But that is my oppinion.

Again Good Luck! Please keep us posted!

Thanks,

Sharon

P.S. I'll keep my fingers crossed!

[kayharley]

Three dogs????? Are you crazy?

I will admit there are times when I feel like pulling my hair out but I love my Cairns just so much. Fortunately if you do decide to get this little girl she will be older which will help with housetraining issues and the expense of vet visits. Between Winnie's eye surgery (going today to see if operation worked...Thursday Elliott goes for shots ) and puppy care, I would walk into my vets office and say, "We're home, Toto." For awhile it was 2X a week.

I reallly hope you and your hubby decide to give her a home. Your house will be a circus like mine is at times but when you look at the little faces so full of love you will be glad they're yours!

As far as a spayed female with 2 neutered males, I don't think there would be a big problem. Like said before, giving individual attention and care is a consideration with 3 dogs. Where Winnie is very aloof, Madison is constantly on my lap or around my feet and the pup wiggles in there too. I've given up wearing anything black because I look too furry!

Let us know what you decide and if all goes well, post pictures!!!

[wheezie23]

HE SAID YES!!!!! He thinks we're both crazy, but I think the deciding factor was that it's Zoe's sister. I'm going to see about picking her up this afternoon. I'm so excited!! Oh, they named her "Baby". ugh. (I immediately think of the movie "Dirty Dancin'" and Patrick Swayze saying, "Nobody puts Baby in a corner!" lol) We've decided to change that to Bailey. As soon as I can I will send out pictures. Thanks for the advice, everyone!!

Thela

::::doing a happy dance:::::

[Eliz222]

I'm sooooo happy for you! I can't wait to see pics of little Bailey. I asked my DH last night what he thought about getting another Cairn. It took him less than a second to say "no"! LOL! Well.....if we had the opportunity to adopt another little Cairn, especially one close to our hearts, he won't have the chance to say no...lol.

Good luck with little Bailey!

[Scully'sMom]

What great news!!!!!!!!

What a blessing to have it be one of Zoe's littermates. Nothing will ever replace Zoe but I'm thinking she had a "paw" in this to guide her to you.

I was when I saw "Baby" because I thought of Dirty Dancin' as well. Bailey is a great name.

Can't wait to see pics!

[wags]

Wow, great news, Thela. Everything has a way of working out!

Send pictures!!!

[bradl]

Will you consider renaming Tucker to Barnum? Welcome to the circus

[grillywarren]

First of all....Brad you are hysterical!

Second...Congratulations Thela! That is the most amazing story! Do you believe

in miracles? Sounds like one to me. What an unbelivable gift. As I was reading your

post ..I was thinking....hhhmmmm..I might take the little girl if your husband said no.

Please let us know how Bailey is!

Good luck!

Fondly,

Ellie

[MikeC]

Thela,

That is such great news! I am so happy for you. Would love to see a pictures!

MikeC

[toomanypaws]

Oh Thela, how exciting this must be for you to be getting Bailey. I think you'll do fine w/ 3 cairns. I think once you get adjusted to the 2nd cairn, getting a 3rd seems easier. My 2nd cairn Abbey was more work than Hannah has been. What a thrill for you to be getting Zoe's littermate. When I had to put my choc. lab down, I think what I would have given to have had an opportunity to have one of his littler mates. I think you're always going to see a little bit of Zoe in Bailey and because of Zoe, Bailey will always be twice as dear.

Our cairn girls are all spayed and get along fine w/ our 2 neutered males (lab & aussie). I do have to watch my oldest, Kiara w/ the larger dogs as she will play alpha dog and go after them. It's all in play, but I do have to yell at her to be nice. She will also tease my male lab. She'll stand next to him and dare him to run so that she can chase him. They have a stare down and then off he goes w/ her right on his heels. I'll be anxious to hear how Bailey does w/ your other two.

I can't wait to see your photo of the 3 of them posing.

[kayharley]

Wonderful news and I love the name Bailey. I'm so glad for you.

Pics, we want pics!!

[GIDGETSMOM]

Oh Thela...

I'm so happy that hubby agreed to getting Zoe's sister. I too frowned for a second when I saw the name "Baby" ....one of my co-workers has a min. daschaund named "Baby" and I keep thinking with all those cute names out there, couldn't you have come up with something other than Baby?

I love the name Bailey! Can't wait to see the pics!!! Please hurry

Give her lots of hugs and kisses for us!!!!

Cindy

[precious]

Thela,

Were you able to get Bailey yesterday? Update us!

I'm new here, btw. Hi Everyone!

[wheezie23]

Well, it's been an emotional 24 hours. I picked her up from Cindy and drove back with her. She was frightened and clingy and very nervous. I got her home and as soon as she saw my husband, she went beserk. She growled and barked and bared her teeth at him. Brought her in the house to meet the kids. She was very leery of them. I figured she had some adjusting to do. But she flinches every time there's a sudden move. She stiffens up whenever anyone other than me pets her. My gut tells me she's been abused, probably by the man in her previous home and possibly the kids. She's very protective of me. Last night, however, was the nail in her coffin, so to speak. I was sitting on the couch and she was next to me. My husband walked by and picked up a throw pillow off the floor. As soon as he came up, she went nuts again. Barking, growling, and this time she bit him on the hand. Broke the skin. I crated her immediately and there she stayed for the rest of the night.

I have been in contact with my friend from Col. Potter's Cairn Rescue and she's been helping me. They can't take her in right now because they are full. But they gave me some information to give to the breeder. I called her as well to let her know what's going on. The thing is my husband doesn't trust her at all and I don't blame him. He's concerned for our kids, and I am too. So I made arrangements to bring her back to Cindy today.

This morning, I let her out to potty and kept her leashed to me. I was in the kitchen fixing coffee when my husband came up to say good morning. I guess she was startled because I don't think she saw him coming. Anyway, she started snarling and growling again.

But then something interesting started happening. After my husband left, the boys got up. Bailey went over to greet them and let them pet her. (up til then she was at my side the whole time, stuck to me like glue) She actually gave me kisses. Then the most amazing thing ever. She started playing with my youngest son. She was chasing him (not aggressively) Then she started playing with me. She picked up a toy and wanted to play tug and then she fetched! She's a different dog now.

So now I'm torn. I called my husband and asked him for one more day with her. One more day. I'm hoping that the more comfortable she feels here the less threatened she will feel. I am realistic and know that if she came from an abusive situation, she is going to need time and work. My husband agreed and said that if I really feel like I can rehabilitate her without the boys getting hurt, then he'll agree. Am I making a mistake? Am I letting my emotions and feelings about Zoe cloud my judgement?

Thela

P.S. She's tiny. Tucker is bigger than her and he's 6mos. old. She's got a soft coat and hasn't been properly groomed. Her nails are very, very long. She seems unfamiliar with the outside world. But she's a beauty. She looks just like Zoe did.

[grillywarren]

Thela,

I am so sorry you have had such a hard time. I don't have children so I can't

speak as a parent, but I do think you are doing the right thing by trying. You and

your husband are amazing! It seems like a good sign that she is playing....please

keep us posted. I get so mad when animal abuse is expected. People who abuse animals

will have a special place in h - e - double toothpick.

Be well!

Ellie ~~ Grilly's Mom

[CarCarDawn]

Hi Thela - - - I have a lot of admiration for what you are trying to do with this little dog. It seems as if when the time comes for us to give up - - things turn around. Maybe a day or two more will make a world of difference for her and your family - - thinking of you and hoping for the best!!!

[Guest Guest]

Thela, I applaud what you are doing. I hope that Bailey can be given a day or two to see what happens. Poor little thing, God only knows what has happened to her.

Geez, between what's been done to Rito and to Bailey I could just scream!

Let's hope that things straighten out, hang in there.

[toomanypaws]

Oh, this makes me sad to read. I was hoping and hoping that Bailey would blend right into your family. That's a tough call, especially being you have children. I know I'd have to put my dd's safety first. I'd love to think you could rehabilitate but if it was me w/ my dh and dd, part of me would always be leary of leaving my child alone w/ her. You just don't know for sure what happened in her past and what it is that makes her snap. I've seen this happen before where the dog seems to be adjusting and enjoy being petted and then for some unknown reason bites. Please let us know how Bailey does tonight w/ your dh. I know how bad you want her so I'm hoping she'll warm up to him. It's such a shame how some pets get treated so well and others get kicked around.

[GIDGETSMOM]

Hi Thela!

Anymore word on how Bailey is doing today?

I wonder if your husband can try giving her some treats.. if that would help her to trust him a little more. Abused dogs are so hard to get comforted again, but with some work and a lot of patience I believe it can be done.

Please post a picture as soon as you can....I can't wait to see her. I can't get over how tiny she is.

Let us know, we're all hanging in the balance!

Cindy

[kayharley]

Hi....

I feel so bad that it didn't start out the way you hoped. It could be just a new environment for Bailey and her distrust of men....these Cairns all have such different personalities. My Madison is a nervous sort and gets scared of things but she's never been aggressive.

I hope all goes well and any decision you have to make comes easily. It's good you have an out if it doesn't seem likely Bailey will come around and be trusted with your children.