Shell reports: Debbie & Owen Goodmonson live in Illinois, outside of Joliet. They have a wonderfully warm & welcome home and a backyard that any Cairn would give its right paw for. Lots of trees & squirrels & chipmunks galore! Debbie & Owen are renaming Ruby "Gracie" which means "gift from god" because they truly believe that is what she is! Debbie has previously owned Cairns, but this is Owen's first dog since he was a young boy. Gracie instantly took to both of them and showed her appreciation for her wonderful new home by leaving a hefty "present" in the downstairs rec room. Owen & Debbie had prepared well for Gracie's arrival by purchasing a harness, leash, collar, x-pen, crate & a hot pink fur coat to help Gracie get through the Chicago winter in style! [Oh, please . . . send pictures of that! -ad] Debbie is a special ed teacher on leave until January of 2007; she is looking forward to spending lots of time with Gracie and volunteering for CRUSA. Thanks to CRUSA for another successful Cairn Rescue! Now that I'm home, bathed, settled and fed, All nicely tucked in my warm new bed. I'd like to open my baggage Lest I forget, There is so much to carry - So much to regret. Hmm . . . Yes there it is, right on the top - Let's unpack Loneliness, Heartache and Loss, And there by my leash hides Fear and Shame. As I look on these things I tried so hard to leave - I still have to unpack my baggage called Pain. I loved them, the others, the ones who left me, But I wasn't good enough - for they didn't want me. Will you add to my baggage? Will you help me unpack? Or will you just look at my things And take me right back? Do you have the time to help me unpack? To put away my baggage, To never re-pack? I pray that you do - I'm so tired you see, But I do come with baggage - Will you still want me? -- Evelyn Colbath

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