The Magnificent Cairn Terrier

                                     "There's a time to nap 
                                          and a time to play.
                                       And its all a part of
                                          the Cairn's day." 

                                                           F.B.
                                                      
    By Florida Bill                           
       
                   Why does watching a dog be a dog fill one with so much happiness and relaxation?
                    There is an old Missouri lawyer who has observed that in this selfish world, man has one absolutely unselfish friend who never deserts. And that friend has four legs.  And of course for me, I am speaking of the famous hunter from the Scottish Isles, the Cairn Terrier.                     
                         The Cairn is a native of Scotland, and its presence can be traced back to the commonwealth for hundreds of years.  Of course, the dog itself, part of the family of wolves, is said to have been prancing about the earth for thousands of years. In the cave man era, sketches of dogs have been discerned by archaeologists and geologists on the walls of caverns. The book of Genesis tells us of the creation of man and of all life, so that for sure is when the Cairn or its forefathers made their initial appearance on Planet Earth.  
                       The Cairn is a remarkable creature, an ineffable canine, you might say.  While all dogs are special in their way, it is the inquisitive Cairn which has captured our affection and approbation above all of the other four-footed friends. It gained great status from the 1939 movie, "The Wizard of Oz."  That film  was the best picture of that year and I think it won because of a black Cairn named "Toto," with Judy Garland as a part of the supporting cast.                            
                      Generally, the Cairn weighs in at around 12-16 pounds, black, brindle or wheaten in color.   They have been used, and still are I am told, by Scottish farmers and developers to root out any mice and other small critters who are unwelcome in the Scottish mounds known as cairns.  So if a Cairn terrier smells or spots a mouse or a mole; a palmetto bug or a lizard,  or any other small critter hanging about the rock and earth piles, they are toast.   The terrier will nose about the hidden passageways in the cairns and sometimes below earth for these intruders and when they find them, it is goodbye to the unwelcome critter, and a special conquest for the happy Cairn. 
                      And of course they've carried this special skill with them through the ages.  
                      Cairns are affectionate, even cuddly on occasions, but generally are not given to backing away, even when the smart thing would be to do so.  Such is the case in Florida with the cursed Bufo toad, an ugly dude that can get as big as a dessert plate.  The toad is not uncommon as it hops about the mud and muck and grass grabbing bugs and showing up most frequently after rain and when the air is muggy.  But when a Cairn spots one, he strikes and the toad exudes a residue which is poisonous to dogs.  So, if your dog nails a Bufo,  wash his mouth out with a rag  and hustle him off to the vet for a check up and treatment if necessary. Don't use a hose on his mouth as that can push the poison down his gullet, aggravating the situation. 
                     But in any case, little critters beware.  I remember when our male Cairn, Andrew, spotted a black garter snake slithering about our yard.  He pounced immediately, grabbed that fellow with powerful teeth and shook him so frantically that the snake gave up and left this world.  Andrew pranced about with the prize in his mouth for a bit, to the horror of my wife, Christine, before finally abandoning the limp carcass.
                   Have you ever wondered just what is tumbling about in the head of your four-footed pal who shares your home with you and your family?  He does not like it if you blow in his face, but he cannot wait to get his head out the window of the family auto.  And he always seems to know when there is a storm headed our way.
                     Whether or not they think, that is a question to which I have seen no definitive answer. But then, what is the definition of "think?"  Is it knowing what time the food bowl is supposed to hit the floor? Is it developing a vocabulary of words like "outside," and "suppertime," and "ball?" Is it learning to roll over, or sit up or getting excited when the leash comes out? Dog owners know the answer to that age old question and some even swear they can see the wheels turning in their dogs' heads as they calculate the best way to retrieve a toy that rolled out of reach.
                    Beware of the canine critics who believe that the affection and respect dog lovers show for their pets is way over the top.  They are just animals, pure and simple, they say; no big deal.  No ego; no feelings; no brain and no soul.  To that I say wrong, wrong, wrong and wrong again. As to a soul, at least two Popes have said that they will be in heaven with us.  But then,  as others have opined, "If dogs are not in heaven--then it isn't really heaven."
                     I say there is plenty in that little furry head,  but to really know, or kinda know, you will need to become familiar with bark, tail, ear, and smell language. You may be bilingual or trilingual in man's world,  but in canine circles, it is the body language of your fur-headed friend that is important in communicating.    

                     There are numerous books dealing with the minds of our four-footed friends, who hang around our homes and who gladly put up with us as the source of their next meal and treat.  For sure, even the smallest treat will elicit appreciation and satisfaction from our pets, who, let's admit it, tend to be a bit "food-centric." Perhaps it is a hangover from their ancestors' need to survive. When we dog parents go out to eat, a doggie bag is routine, yet essential, and there is super appreciation awaiting our return home.                 
                     There is no doubt cairns--and most breeds of dog--speak plenty. Ours certainly do more than their share of dog talking, otherwise known as nonstop yapping.  But when it comes to true communication, there is no doubt in any dog lover's mind that they can get their point across. Look at police and service dogs.

                   Dogs certainly have a memory. Our  smaller lady, Sammi, is dedicated to the tennis ball, and has incredible fascination and affection for that lime green bouncer.  She sets it down when she hits the hay for the night rest, but it is her first thought in the morning, after her breakfast, and backyard business, that is.  One of our dogs would from time to time bury a bone alongside a tree in the yard.  When she decided she wanted it, even a couple of days later, she would head to the burial grounds, retrieve her treasure and begin working it over.  Memory?  For sure.  Much more than instinct here. 
                     I have been fascinated with the book, "How to Speak to a Dog" by the outstanding professor of psychology, Stanley Coren. Its great reading, and if you like your Cairn, or any dog, take a look. 
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