I just got a Cairn. She had been abandoned, so obviously, I have no "official papers". But there is no doubt whatsoever as to what breed she is. Is she still eligible to be a member?

An eligible member of what? If you are talking this forum then of course! If you are talking AKC than I am not sure. But welcome and we love pictures...

If your dog is obviously a Cairn (or any recognized breed for that matter) and for one reason or other you do not have any AKC documentation you can still register them with the AKC under the ILP/PAL program.

To do this you simply fill out a registration form, submit two photographs (on of the full face, and one of the dog viewed from the side {Please make sure follow guidelines AKC gives for photos as this is what the decision will be based on), submit proof that the dog has been spayed or neutered and the application fee of $35. AKC will look at the photos and your application and if they determine that she is a Cairn they will issue you the ILP number.

An ILP'd dog is not eligable for confirmation events as the intent of that is to evaluate breeding stock against the breed standard. What this registration will do for you is allow you to compete in AKC performance (i.e. Earthdog) or companion (i.e. Obedience, Rally, Agility etc) events and earn AKC titles with your dog. See link for more information:

http://www.akc.org/reg/ilpex.cfm

By the way...if you have a mixed breed don't feel like you can't play there are other organizations other than AKC that also sponser companian events (NAMBR, MBDCA) in which you can earn titles in Obedience and Rally too. Although it depends on you area as to how common these events are.

I'd just like to add my welcome to our group and that you are MOST welcome here. We'd love to hear about your pup and I'd like to add a thank you for bringing this Cairn into your home.

I got this e-mail from the lady who found her: OK, the whole thing went like this. We're driving & the dog jets into traffic. My husband stops short nearly running her over. She looks confused for a second then continues to cross the street and begings sniffing at peoples trash. I get out of the car to grab her, but she continues on, not letting me get too close. I remember i have a granola bar in my car, so i go back to the car to get it. I break it into pieces, tossing it at the dog, drawing her closer to me. When she got close enough, I grabbed her. As I am walking back to my car, with the dog under my arm like a football, I see a woman walking her own dog. Figuring she must live around there, I ask if she knows who this dog belongs to & I proceed to tell her what had jsut transpired. She thought she saw the dog before, but wasn't sure. I gave her my cell #. Within 10 minutes, literally, I wasnt even out of the area yet, she called me to tell me she just remembered where she had seen the dog. She had gone to the ladys house to see if she lost her dog & the woman said she was "fed up" with the dog & didn't want her. She said the dog ran off & she let her go, not bothering to chase her. The passerby told me that if i want, "the lady" offered me her cage, leash & whatever dog food she had left, to which I declined. That's how it all happened. In fact today, just for kicks, I took her to the local vet to see if she was micro-chiped. Not surprisingly, there was no chip. I seriously doubt that you'd run into the problem of anyone claiming her.

Me again- it's been three weeks. We've been through a heat (obviously wasn't spayed), and I can say I see absolutely nothing that would make me "fed up". Can you imagine?

Wow- that little gal is so lucky you found her! Have you checked with the previous owner to see if she was registered? I know you probably want nothing to do with her, but nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Hi, what a lucky dog to find a loving home. Don't worry about fitting in on forums as I am on a shih tzsu forum as well. I can't help with the AKC.

This is my girl!

You are both so lucky to have found each other. That is a fine looking pup! Looks just like our Emmy. How in the @#$% can anyone discard something like that? I just don't understand. Personally I don't think I could risk contact with the "person" who threw her out. I'd probably end up in jail.

Congratulations on your new beauty! The "Lady's" cruelty is actually a blessing to both you and Maggie. Glad she got out of there when she did!

What a doll!

If you do make contact with the woman, I would draft a simple contract establishing that she is giving up the dog. You never know if she might change her mind, and suddenly want the dog back. If she could prove to the authorities that she owned the dog, I would bet you would stand little chance keeping her. I'm sure it's not a common thing to happen is situations like this, but it is something to think about.

I agree on two counts...one you don't want to risk contact with the woman since she obviously didn't care for the dog (I mean I would be a wreck if my Lily or Bogart ran away!!), but you also don't want to get attached and months down the road have her taken away. It's a tough call-does she know your name or how to get in touch with you? If not maybe get a phone number for her and feel her out before you give her any of your contact info...just a thought.

And yes she is adorable..have you named her yet?

Hopefully the *&^% of an owner hasn't treated her too poorly, and you don't have any behavioral issues because of the *&%$@! - but if you do we are here for ya to offer any advice!

hi, wanted to say , what a pretty girl she is!!!! I hope all goes well , and i hope you can offically adopt her. That way you wont have any worrys. I just hope they dont try and take her from you, cause it sounds like you can give her a better life. Good luck, let us know how it turns out.

pammy,Rocky,peanut,Duncan, and nova

You are very lucky to have her and she is very lucky to have found a loving home. Good all the way around!3

Congratulations and welcome!

I personally haven't made contact with this woman. I don't know how I'd act towards her. The woman who found her (running across a busy street and finally coralling her did. The woman told her, "I'm fed up with her, come get her crate, her leash, her bowls....."

She has no microchip, I also am a member of another forum where I now have some 20-30 "witnesses to this dogs story (dogster.com and a local one). I highly doubt we'll ever see this woman, and if we do, she is in for the fight of her life.

We named her Maggie. Well, it's "officially" Margaret Heather Wallace in a nod to her Scots heritage.

So far, three and a half weeks. Not a single behavioral issue worth mentioning. She pees a little when all three of us get home at the same time. No chewing, only barks when someone is around the door. And her barks last about 12 seconds. She is energetic, high spirited, but I like that in a dog. When it's time to cuddle and nap and watch tv with me, she's right there, belly up......

I hope to have more pictures soon- but my 15 year old stepdaughter comandeered the camera for the Jonas Brothers and I haven't seen it since......