Pam Simpson and hubby Steve live in Wisconsin along with a pack of critters - Sophie, Harley, Onyx and Molly.   When we contacted Pam to be our Who's Who all she wanted to talk about was the exciting news that she will be a Grandmother this week.  She has two children and her oldest son and daughter-in-law will be the proud parents of a baby.  Her daughter was married just last year and they all spent a year planning and preparing for a wonderful wedding.

 

Pam and her family have always had dogs.  They got involved with the terrier breed when they got Molly via the internet.  Pam realizes now what mistake this was but just loves Molly none the less.  

 

Shortly after getting Molly they realized that Molly needed a companion if they were going to tire her out enough to sleep at night.  They contacted someone on the Terrier Club site and in stepped Maggie May - another Westie.   After Maggie May, Pam and Steve offered their home to a shelter pull from NY, a Westie Pam named Mindy.  Mindy had breast cancer and with her bite history, Pam knew that she was not going to be adoptable but didn't care as she wanted Mindy to stay.   Maggie May became ill later that year and didn't make it past November.  However, Mindy lived until last year Westie Lung Disease took her too.  

 

Pam also has a kitty named Onyx Marie von Braunschweiger.  The cat was her daughter's while in college and Pam suspects that there was beer involved in it's naming.   Onyx helps get fosters use to cats before adoption.

 

All of Pam's dogs came to her as a fostering effort that failed!  Harley was Pam's attempt at starting her own rescue.  That idea quickly left her mind when she realized she couldn't let him go either.

 

Pam says that although they don't have a Cairn, they noticed a need for Cairn rescue support in her area and that's why she wanted to help.  She likes to work with the puppy mill releases and says Harley is the best help as he can "feel their pain" and teaches them to play.

 

Pam told us that she and Steve are celebrating their 40th anniversary this year.  She assures us she was a child bride and only 5 when she married Steve. 

 

Pam works for a company that makes cleaning supplies - the kind you buy at the grocery store.  She is a Secretary and keeps things running for her management. 

 

In her spare time (does anyone have spare time in rescue) she likes to read and has hundreds of books in her home.   She also likes to do cross stitch, sew, make cards and quilt.   She use to sing with Sweet Adelines (barbershop) but says she was never a soloist but is an excellent bender.

 

She and her husband recently made a big purchase - a 27 foot Dutchman Trailer with a slide out.  They have traveled to Door County, WI for years and love to camp there.   As they look toward retirement, they want to be more comfortable than they were in their old pop-up camper.  They can hardly wait to get up there for a relaxing vacation.  But of course the baby takes priority!

 

Pam is fairly new to CRUSA but has jumped in with both feet - crafting, working on computer projects as well as other much needed support.   We appreciate her and are happy to have her on our team!

 

 

Does your heart sink when you see a Missing Dog sign?  Have you ever had a beloved pet slip between your legs and dart out the door or not return from a romp in your fenced yard?   Just a few days ago we learned that little Captain, a recently adopted puppy mill survivor had escaped from his fenced yard with his sister Bonnie, also a CRUSA rescue (click here to see Captain's story along with other rescues).   Captain and Bonnie were both returned to their home safely.   Captain was away longer than Bonnie.  During that time, there was much discussion among the rescue staff about how to keep a dog safe.   We are therefore going to document some ideas for safeguarding your pet.

A tag on your pet is the first step in ensuring its return.  This tag should be worn at all times - not just while outside.  This will ensure that if the dog slips out the door unexpectedly, it will be tagged.   Tags should contain contact info and may include any/all of the following: Name, Address, Phone, Cell Phone, Email, Vet Contact, Alternate Responsible Party Contact Data, Text Message Address and Microchip Information.  If you frequent a vacation home, have a second tag made with the local information included on it.  Consider including the word "REWARD" on the tag which may hasten the dog's return.  Also, be sure to include "MEDS REQUIRED" if the dog requires medication of any kind on a regular basis.  This can also help get the dog back faster because people often take a dog into the vet when medications are required.   All adoptive homes will be receiving a tag from CRUSA with our information on it so that we can help get your lost cairn back to you. 

Microchip your dog.  A microchip is about the size of a grain of rice and is inserted under the skin of your pet usually between the shoulders.   It is fairly painless, about like getting a shot, and takes only a couple minutes.  It can be done during any vet visit.   Generally you can get the microchip for about 35 dollars.  To register your microchip, it cost about 15 dollars but it is a lifetime registration and the data can be updated as required.  You can also watch for special offers at your local shelter as they often offer free or discounted microchip services.  The important thing is to make sure the contact information on file with the registrar is current.  If a pet is lost, report it to the registrar immediately.  This will prevent someone else from being able to reregister your pet.  

Once your pet is identified, look around your environment to see if there are other steps you can take to prevent the loss of your dog.  If you have a fence, does it go all the way to the ground?   Walk the fence line every few months to make sure that wild animals or heavy rains have displaced the dirt.   If you have a known digger, walk the fence line more frequently.   Secure all gates with locks.  Curious kids, gardeners or strangers could open your gate and leave it ajar.  If you have a lawn service organize a specific date to leave the gate unlocked and then check the gate and relock it before allowing your dog out.  You could also consider installing a spring hinge that will automatically close the gate.  This prevents gates from being left ajar by mistake.

Take some preventative measures inside the house too.  If you have an escape artist or a runner, consider using a gate to block the dog from the door when guests arrive or when you are carrying in groceries.  This keeps the dog away from the open door and out of harms way. 

When walking your cairn, always use a well fitted harness.   Cairns are likely to tug on a leash and lurch at things they see and want to chase while on the walk.   Having a well fitted harness will ensure that your cairn remains safe and does not pull out  and away from your leash.   As an aside,  using a collar is not a good option for walking a cairn because the pulling can damage their throat.

Even the most careful family can lose a dog.  What steps should you take if you do lose a dog.  Immediately contact your microchip registrar, local shelters, local vets as well as any support groups like CRUSA.   Then get signs up in your area with a picture of your dog and an offer for a reward.   Keep something private - like a special feature about the dog that only you and someone who had the dog would know.  That way you can verify that the dog indeed with the caller and its not just a prank to get the reward.   For example, if your dog has a darker foot than the rest, you could ask the caller to tell you which foot was black instead of grey. 

Be sure to continually check with the local shelters.  Many have limited resources and are quite busy.  They often hold dogs for only a few days before releasing for adoption or worse euthanasia.  They may already know you are looking for a dog but the information may get lost.  Make a trip to the shelter often to look for your pet.

Don't limit your search to areas that you think your dog could travel to.  Remember that people often pick up stray dogs in an effort to help them.  They can travel a long distance by car and leave your local area.   Prevention and Awareness are two essential elements in keeping your dog save and getting it back quickly.