Here is a story that makes rescue so very worthwhile
By Curt Whall.

Pepper was to be put to sleep even though she was young and healthy and had a wonderful temperament. Pepper's owner had to be placed in an assisted living center that didn't allow dogs and the owner's daughter didn't want to be bothered with her.

So Pepper was taken to the vet for euthanasia. The vet, however, was reluctant to put down such a dog and contacted a client of his, a Bernese Mountain Dog breeder, for help. The Bernese breeder, in turn, contacted us. It was quickly arranged that we would rescue Pepper.

Pepper was delivered to us via ferryboat as shown in the accompanying pictures. She was easily placed with a retired surgeon and his wife who live on a mule ranch. Her new owners were thrilled with her. At last word, they were all very happy together.

Judy and Toto -- Best Little Pals In The World
By Karen Smith

I received a phone call this week (March, 2004) from Mrs. Jennifer Jordan in the San Fernando Valley, an area of Los Angeles, CA. She related the following story:

They have two daughters, one of which is an 11-year old named Judy who recently underwent shunt surgery for spina bifida. Often with the type of spina bifida Judy has, hydrocephalus occurs and in this instance, without the help of Children's Hospital in Los Angeles, the Jordan's would have lost Judy.

Needless to say, Judy returned home from the hospital, a happy little 11-year old who had only one wish... to have a dog like Toto from the Wizard of Oz to sit with her and be her "best friend."

Judy now has a new friend... you guessed it, "Toto," a lovely little three-year old who was in need of a new home. Judy's mother, Jennifer, related that when "Toto" came into the house, it was like she'd been here all her life. She jumped into Judy's lap and was definitely "the best little pal in the world."

Thanks to everyone in the Cairn Terrier Club of So. California, especially, Judy Steinberg, Linda Heiner and Dennis Broderick for bringing these "best friends" together.

Dear Lynda,

I got Jinks in July. His short-term owner had had a devastating accident and couldn't keep him. She had just received him from his first family, who had given him up in a move. Linda and Herb picked him up at the Gaithersburg Animal Hospital and dropped him at Harris' work in Accokeek, Maryland, near their house. When Harris received him and put him in the car he was afraid to handle him. Jinks was so thin and fragile feeling, that Harris was afraid he was hurting the dog just by holding him. Jinks was depressed, sick, and appeared to know no commands. He appeared completely unhousebroken. He came with a diagnosis of Lyme Disease, and had to be on antibiotics for three weeks before we could even schedule a vet appointment for a recheck. He weighed 12 pounds, and though he is quite small, it was not nearly enough. The poor guy was on his third home in three weeks, and was miserable. As I recall, we had no health history, and his poor owner could not give us many details about him, except, of course, he was not housebroken. So there he was, in my kitchen, small, red (of course), and wretched.

By the time Jinks was neutered it was October. He was fatter, happier, and nearly housebroken. I was also getting very fond of him. I try to maintain a distance from these little guys. I want them to be happy to move on to their real homes, but he was a real cutie. He had a rough time with the neutering and ended up with an infection. He also ended up with the biggest Elizabethan collar I have ever seen on a little dog. He would fall over his own head trying to smell things outside, but it was the only way to keep him from irritating himself. He moved on to Pam Ross and her lovely husband, and his new canine sister, just about Halloween. He very quickly seemed to know that he was in his own home now. He missed Pam's dog Halloween party (his new Australian Cattle Dog sister went as a biker), but I know that next year he will be ready. In fact, I think Jinks, now Gus, is a resilientlittle cairn who will be ready for anything.

Darby was only with me a few weeks. He came in late November and was gone by December 12 so that he could be in his new family for Christmas. Darby is a pretty little blond guy, straight backed and cairny. He was also scared to ride in cars, scared of other dogs, scared to death of the vet, so scared they couldn't get a heartbeat, scared to be groomed, and, of course, not reliably toilet trained. However, Darby is a very healthy boy, neutered, and up to date on all his shots. We also had good health records for him. He is smart, dear and affectionate, he made good housebreaking progress. His new owners are gentle people with one older daughter still at home, and the biggest, most self-confident (aggressive?) cat you have ever seen. Darby was initially both revolted by and frightened of the cat, who walked in and sniffed poor Darby from nose to tail, not leaving anything out. Now I am told they are sometimes caught napping together. Darby moved into their house pretty happily, and quickly seemed adjusted.

Love, Ann Gates