Second dog

[MyPemCharlie]

Thank you! I think I got lucky too. The breeder posted her on craigslist, and could care less where she ended up. She posted the ad at mid-afternoon and wanted the dog gone that same evening. In the past, when I have seen young-adult AKC registered dogs on CL, I have sent the advertiser the link to their breed-club rescue group and urged them to sign the dog over instead of rehome it on craigslist for a small fee...not knowing where it would end up. I expect that backyard breeders swoop down like vultures on unspayed AKC dogs on CL, so the dog doesn't really end up in a great home...just gets bred even more for profit.

This time I was wanting a dog, but figured if she weren't a good match for my home that I could at least pay the rehoming fee, get her spayed and healthy, then get her to the Cairn Rescue Group. But no....she's a keeper! So I did get lucky.

[LaRogue]

Congratulations Chris! She is a cutie that will look great with the ever handsome Charlie! I can't wait to see pics of her transformation. I'm really glad you were able to find her after the disappointment of not being able to adopt Betina. Congratulations and have fun!

[Moviesnob]

She's gorgeous! Congrats! I can kind of see eyeballs in the last pic.

[thestig]

Simply beautiful dog. Cairn is easiest to care except for the glooming. Great dog and loyal too.

[Vannette]

She's so cute!! Congratulations Chris!! I have a friend who has 2 carins...one she gets clipped like a schnauzer and the other like a lion. It's funny when she tells people they are the same breed. They never believe her. LOL They are such sweet dogs.

[MyPemCharlie]

LOL thestig - I know you meant "grooming", but "glooming" sounds like a much better word! We finally had cloudcover today and only 90 degrees instead of 105, so I set up a table outside where I could go to town plucking fur. I just spent 1 hour 45 minutes "glooming" Desta. I think we may be 30% finished...doesn't seem like much of a dent.

Vanette - I've seen photos of clipped/shaved Cairns. They are cute! I did find a Cairn forum to get some grooming advice, and they practically begged me to learn how to hand strip and not touch Desta with clippers/shavers. Apparently clipping can ruin their coat texture...just like Corgis or most double-coated breeds. You may or may not want to tell your friends that though.

[thestig]

Lol, yup, I mean grooming. I get lazy sometimes with two dogs. That's why I have a dyson around the house.

[MyPemCharlie]

Well I will never complain about Charlie shedding now that I have a dog that needs "plucking". LOL Five minutes of brushing on the patio after our walk and Charlie is good to go. Today I spent 5 minutes on Charlie and 2 hours on Desta. Once I get her into a good coat, I think maintenance will be 5 minutes of brushing a day, and only one hour of plucking per week. Shouldn't be too bad after I get rid of her current dead coat.

Anyway, they are adjusting to each other well. Until 20 minutes ago, Charlie would not let Desta in "his" recliner. She could lie on "his" floor or sit in my office chair or lap but not in "his" recliner. Now look at them:

[glencorgi]

Good boy Charlie!

I can already see a difference in Desta with just the time you have put into her. She's looking good.

Debbie

[Louwants]

You need to put a before and after picture of Desta. That way we can really see the big difference.

Also, Charlie and Desta look so sweet laying together. Duncan and Chloe don't do that I guess I can blame Chloe on that, she's pretty standoffish at times; the chow-chow in her

[MyPemCharlie]

I will do a before and after in a few days. I think most of her coat is dead, and a member of the Cairn forum suggested I should totally strip her topcoat down to the undercoat. Unfortunately, she does not appear to have any undercoat except around her neck and head. If I follow the advice, her "after" picture may show her bald, naked and ugly. LOL She is supposed to grow a new coat in 8-12 weeks time, so a brief ugly period might be worth it to encourage a thicker new coat.

[fogebotom]

Congratulations! She really is a doll. I almost came home with an adorable mini pit the other day. Hardest thing I could do was leave her at the shelter-I was walking dogs as a volunteer for the flooded shelter in our area. I was happy to hear that she already had an application pending. My hubby would have killed me!

Anyway, if you want help with stripping-ugh, email me private. I have a rough brussels griffon and know all about stripping for a show coat. Thumbs hurt, wrists hurt, and its not always the most enjoyable with a dog that is wiggly like mine. That's why I told the handler/breeder--no more roughs, only send smooth's my way!

Looks like she's a keeper and Charlie thinks so too.

[MyPemCharlie]

Thank you Cindy. I appreciate that! And don't say "stripping-ugh"...you're supposed to encourage me that it will be easier when this dead coat is out and I have a new, healthy coat to maintain. LOL

Right now, I think I am comfortable with the technique of just taking small sections and pulling only the longest loose hairs in the direction the coat grows. Since her coat is all dead, it's all pretty loose so she is starting to look more like a rat than a dog. I think I'm going to just strip her down to where she has enough coat not to sunburn, instead of taking it all off. Poor thing has no fluffy undercoat for protection like she if supposed to have.

I may take you up on your offer when she has a healthy coat and I'm trying to figure out how to shape her to look like a Cairn instead of a rat. I will be trying to roll her coat weekly instead of stripping her completely twice a year. Seems easier to me.

Thanks again!

[LaRogue]

I see a difference already, too. Desta looks more shinny and smoother! What an improvement a loving and caring home makes! I think Charlie and Desta are well on their way to becoming inseparable.

[MyPemCharlie]

Alright. I took some pictures today and tried to get similar lighting for before/after shots...which most of you know just trying to get a dog not to run out of frame is enough challenge. I'm not sure after the hours of work I've done that I can see "hours" of difference, but a lady on our walk today said, "Oh did you take her to the beauty parlor?"