ANNABELLA GOES HOME 27 OCTOBER 2008

Bob Shire writes: The planets were aligned during CRUSA's HOWLOWEEN CUTEST DOG IN COSTUME Fundraiser [which can be enjoyed HERE]. It was fun seeing the pictures of the dogs in their costumes and following the voting day by day, especially since our two Cairns, Kelly & Miss Moneypenny, were contestants. So our dogometers were registering very high. We had always wanted three Cairns, and a recent change in circumstances had made that more practical. Finally - talk about opportunity - six Cairn puppies had recently arrived at their foster home in New Jersey, less than an hour away. We went to see the puppies, who were all adorable. We had thought it would be nice to adopt a male, but a little girl named Annabella from the more recent litter charmed us. She was curious, playful, agreeable & affectionate, in addition to being cute as can be. What more could one want in a puppy? The Shire Family (Front L-R): Mardi Gras Kelly & that star of stage, (computer) screen & earthdogging, Miss Moneypenny (Middle): Maisie Annabella, the reluctant hot dog (Back): Rosemary & Bob, on adoption day at Violetta's. So we picked Annabella and renamed her Maisie in memory of a hometown friend, Maisie Campbell. Maisie had come to N.J. from Scotland as a young woman and was a Cairn lover who had owned multiple Cairns her entire adult life, even when in her late eighties and living alone. She had a room full of trophies & ribbons that she had won in obedience (you read it right, obedience) with her Cairns. When we asked her the secret of her training her answer was, "You just have to be more stubborn than they are." After we had adopted our first Cairn she told us that we should have two. Then we adopted our second and she told us, "Well, two's nice but three's even better." Well, Maisie, now we have our three, and the third's named after you. We've also decided to retain the name "Annabella" as Maisie's middle name as a tribute to her rescue. Hot dog! I've been rescued by CRUSA, and adopted by the Shires! Happiness is having someone to hold your bone for you. A puppy in a crate? No, a milestone: day three and the first time Maisie has gone in her crate on her own. The attack of the Halloween spider on the sleeping Cairn puppy Something tells me I'm going to like it around here. We Cairns like big toys to match our big personalities.

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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OCTOBER'S TREATS 2 HERE