Let Freedom Ring

Somewhere today in this free country, a prisoner sits in a small cell. Her cramped quarters are freezing in the winter and sweltering in the summer. In this small space are other prisoners, some of whom threaten and intimidate her, stealing her water and gobbling up all of her meager meal. Her ear is mutilated from the fight that taught her not to try to protect her rations from the scavengers. While she lives, her only name is her number, and when she dies, nobody will care.

Her wardens are indifferent to her plight. One swears at her for crying and the others pretend not to hear. She is always in pain. Her feet are sore from walking on the wire mesh that constitutes her floor. Her body is weak from producing countless litters of puppies. Her skin is itchy from its constant contact with her soiled and matted coat. Her mouth is sore because of the lack of dental care and poor quality food which has caused infection. It's not uncommon for these prisoners to lose their teeth during their incarceration due to them rotting away. She is hungry and cold, afraid and unloved.

To her, life is a frightening thing, filled with hunger and discomfort. She has somehow managed to survive another winter, though she was always numb with cold, and always suffering from starvation pangs. Her normal weight should be 18 pounds, but she now weighs only 8. She knows with a dog's unerring instinct that there will be no puppies for her this year. If she had ever seen flowers, ever seen anything except the dingy interior of the shed where dozens of prison crates are stacked three and four high, she would believe that she will live to see the hyacinths bloom, but will be gone before the lavender buds. She understands that she will soon be relieved of the burden of waking up to another day of misery. The thought of dying doesn't sadden her because it offers her the only hope she has ever known: the hope of freedom from her misery.

But freedom came to her in a form she hadn't anticipated. In April 2006, this nameless girl, and several of her fellow inmates, got an unexpected pardon and found their way into the loving arms of Col Potter. Because flowers were in full bloom in the world outside her prison, she and the other newly-free Cairns were dubbed The Spring Flowers and each received an appropriate name. Hers is Hyacinth. Released with her were Tulip, Daffodil, Crocus, Iris, and Primrose, all female wheaten cairns. Jonquil, a 10-year-old male wheaten cairn, also received his freedom.

Hyacinth is now being fostered in a loving home where she is trying to regain some much-needed weight. She is terrified, food aggressive and has a long way to go before she will be able to realize that she is safe, loved and free. Although she will always bear the scars of her ordeal, including the missing ear tip, in time, and with much love, gentleness and patience, she will learn to adjust to the good life. She will discover that people can be kind, that food is not a rare commodity, and that the warm and comfortable way she feels now is not just a wonderful dream, but is her new reality. Then she will discover toys and scritches and love. And she will live to see the hyacinths bloom for many Springs to come.

Freedom rang in another puppymill for a little 4 year old wheaten Cairn suffering from severe hair loss on his face and body due to Sarcoptic Mange. Underweight and filthy, Jordan was brought into Col Potter's arms and taken to the vet for the first medical care he has ever received. While at the vet, Jordan exhibited a beautiful forgiving spirit toward mankind, eager for attention and wagging his tail whenever anyone passed by his cage.

Although he lost most of his entire coat to Mange, Jordan's face suffered the most damage. His early pictures show a truly pathetic example of neglected puppymill "stock." Jordan's face was excruciatingly itchy, and even now that he is much improved, he continues to keep shaking his head and trying to rub his face on anything he can reach. Mange left much of his skin scarred and caused some most-likely permanent discoloration of the skin on his face and ears.

Because he has spent most of his life in a kennel, Jordan's legs have almost no muscle tone and he tires easily. However, even when he is tired, his foster mom does not often pick him up because this makes him afraid. This most likely means that he, like so many other mill dogs, has had bad experiences with being picked up by people. Despite the abuse he has faced in his past life, Jordan still gives kisses and smiles and loves to cuddle up with his foster family for some affection.

At first glance, Brooke appeared to be a typical senior Cairn, but when the shelter got a better look, they realized that she had conjunctivitis and was infested with ticks. Not just one or two ticks. Not a dozen. They removed literally hundreds of ticks. And then they treated her with Frontline to try to kill the several dozen they hadn't yet had time to remove. And also her fleas.

Before contacting Col Potter, the shelter had scheduled her for spaying, but then cancelled the procedure, as her health condition was deemed too poor for surgery. She had lateral luxating patellas in both hind legs, severe dry eye, and a very bad case of seborrhea. Her coat and skin were unusually oily. Brooke's teeth were in terrible condition and many needed to be extracted. The only good news, it seemed, was that Brooke was heartworm negative and that despite earlier concerns about possible blindness, Brooke had not completely lost her sight.

Upon arriving at Col Potter, Brooke was taken to the vet to have yet more ticks removed and to get a thorough exam. One of the biggest concerns was the long list of possible diseases Brooke could have been given by the ticks, so she was put on doxycillin to eliminate that threat. It was determined that she would need a series of medicated baths, extensive bloodwork, and x-rays to check on her heart and other internal organs. When her health improves, she will also need a spay and a dental and extractions, at the very least.

Because of the extraordinary neglect she has suffered, Brooke is in need of some guardian angels to help pay the medical bills that will continue to be amassed in order to restore her to health. Her foster mom reports that despite everything, Brooke is full of spunk and is "not an 'old' 11 year old but is 'just' 11 and waiting to be reborn into a loving forever home, where, thanks to Col. Potter, she can once again perform her Cairn antics, steal someone's heart, and be their spoiled baby."

Recently, a Cairn was ruthlessly attacked by a pair of Pit Bulls. Although severely wounded, he received no medical attention. His owners allowed five days of misery to pass before they decided that he would probably not survive his ordeal. And so they dropped him off at the local animal shelter.

The shelter vet took one look at him and decreed that unless a rescue group came forward to get him immediate medical care, he would have to be put down. Col Potter's dedicated Intakes Team rescued the Cairn and got him directly to a vet. Diagnosis was difficult because his wounds were filthy and covered by maggots. One of the wounds was a gaping hole three inches in diameter on his front left leg. Seeing the extent of his injuries, the vet paused in her exam to ask whether she should continue or just put the dog to sleep. CP chose to give him the chance to make a full recovery. Knowing what that would take, he was named Miracle.

The vet put Miracle on a heavy dose of antibiotics and painkillers. He was shaved and the staff cleaned and treated the numerous injuries on his head, chest, back and legs. Many wounds had to be left open so that they could drain and start to heal with less chance of further infection. When he is strong enough to be put under again, some of the larger wounds will be sutured. Miracle has suffered nerve damage in his front legs, and it is hoped that he will regain the use of them.

Miracle is only alive today thanks to Col. Potter and the wonderful and generous people that support these little furkids. While Miracle is struggling to survive, his medical expenses continue to grow daily and he is in need of guardian angels. Miracle isn't able to say the words, but if he were, he'd say a BIG THANK YOU to everyone for helping to save his life!

Mancuso (Meeka to us), was thought to be expecting at least two pups when she came into the care of Col. Potter. This was not the case. Thankfully, she was not pregnant at all. Meeka has been spayed, so her puppy-production-for-profits days are history!

Meeka did have horrible and long-untreated eye infections. While she is currently under treatment, it is now known that Meeka has much compromised vision, and in her ongoing care, we are working to save all she presently has.

Even with such a rocky start, Meeka has grabbed her chance at the Good Life with gusto. She is spunky yet shy; social but sometimes skittery.. this tiny Texas red-head is a charming enigma. ...oh yes, Meeka, who came into the Col's care, much overweight and in poor condition; is now tiny and svelte; energetic and exuberant in her new lease on life. She loves the playful company of other Cairns, but most especially seeks the comfort and companionship of her people.

As Davis nears his 11th birthday, he is experiencing a full range of things for a mature dog. He is simply thrilled to be alive and loose. He jumps around like a newborn foal whenever he goes outside, and nags my setter with his barking.

Davis remains very skittish about actually interacting with people. While he enjoys my touch, he will avoid being touched and hates to be picked up. We are hoping that the "power of cheese" will continue to melt his barriers. Davis continues to have health issues, having a new lesion removed from his mouth last week and going back in this week for a suspicious area on his belly.

So, Davis is enjoying life and slowly taking on more challenges each day, but is a long way from the healthy, well-adjusted dog we hope for.