By Florida Bill Let's be honest; there is something about dogs which is very special, and that awesome quality strikes a chord deep within certain humans, who become known as "dog people." This is pretty much a lifelong affliction for those who succumb to it.
And inside this phenomenal canine kingdom is the incredible Cairn terrier, the little guy with the huge personality whose ancestors hailed from the Isle of Skye in Scotland. Characteristics that apply to the average canine seem to apply to the Cairn terrier tenfold.
He is a hunter extraordinaire; a "ratter" with a nose ten thousand times more sensitive than his human friends and mentors. He is very smart yet at times he "comes" at his own pace depending on what's in it for him.
Some say the Cairn, while affectionate, marches to the beat of his own drum, although a treat will usually raise the volume. As they always say at Westminster, the big dog show: "It's a terriers' world, they just let us live in it." This is especially true of our cairn friends.
Some dog owners think, "If only dogs could talk." Well, they do. Think of that loquacious relative who downs a few too many sherries at Thanksgiving and chews your ear off between courses: now look at your cairn standing by the window barking at falling leaves. Some similarities, you think?
Yet we probably don't even realize the extent of the average dog's vocabulary. (Cairns in particular are considered very "vocal.") There is no doubt that certain words, like walk, treat and suppertime, are in their dictionary. The word "no" is perhaps more debatable.
Delivering their message is accomplished through their ears, tail and body language. Yet the "bark"-- now there is communication worthy of a good translator. Noisy--yes, at times it can make you think about the dreaded shake can or squirt gun as a remedy.
Canine psychologists have studied "dog talk" for a good while and have determined that they communicate about three main topics: emotional states, social relations and the expression of wants and desires. Barking is in different pitches and tones, so listen carefully, quips Dr. Stanley Coren, a professor of psychology---a man who knows "dog talk."
The professor, who is the author of the book, "The Intelligence of Dogs," has done a good deal of research in carving out the interpretations of man's best friends. For example, the continuous rapid barking at mid range pitch translates into specific canine rhetoric: "Call the pack. There is a potential problem. Someone is coming into our territory." Our cairns, in particular, are especially good at alerting us to the arrival of the pool service...the handyman, the dry cleaner, the lawn guy.
But then, one or two sharp, short barks, at mid range pitch, is more welcoming, the doggie version of "Hello there." But change the pitch slightly upward, says Dr. Coren, and you have. "What's this?" In other words, "Is there a slight movement at the back of the yard?"
There are all sorts of growls. Some graduate into a bark, and some say, "Beware--back off." With a lower pitch, the growl/bark sends the warning, "I'm upset and ready to fight." Dr. Coren also identifies the "undulating growl with high pitch, as "if you come at me, I may fight or I may run." This latter translation probably does not apply to the average terrier, which has no idea how small it is and rarely backs down.
Understanding the language of your dog, and getting your dog to understand you, is a big part of canine ownership.
Of course there is unspoken communication too. There's that look of pure contentment as your cairn cuddles next to you on the couch at night, sprawled out like a contortionist sometimes, which says "I am at peace, all is well."
Many dog owners become especially loyal to a particular breed. This is usually most common with dogs with a lot of moxie, or, let's admit it, "attitude," like our beloved Cairns.
Perhaps that is part of the magic of the Cairn, be it he or she, black, brindle or wheaten. Ah, just to see him zipping about in his back yard or on the beach; or looking over the trees and bushes, or sniffing (or digging energetically) at the ground. Is there a busier breed? How about that moment when your Cairn attacks his squeak toy, resolved to rid that beast of all noise-making ability. Yes, that is a Cairn being a Cairn.
Do you ever wonder about the memory of a dog? Does he store something in that busy head and then recall it in subsequent days. Absolutely, observes Dr. Coren. And he has some first hand experience from his days with his Cairn, Feldspar, whom he praises for his vocabulary and ability to recall. Feldspar would always cower and hide upon hearing the word "Bath. " Conversely, said Coren, another of his dogs actually raced to the shower room upon hearing that word. Can your Cairn count? Try putting three dog cookies in your pocket and then give him only two.
At our Florida home, our Cairns, Sammi Smith, 9, named after a favorite country western singer, and Wendy, 7, have decided that they want nothing to do with our swimming pool. And when we are in and splashing around, those little heads are watching from a safe vantage point; ignoring any whistle or call lest they get dunked. I know that some Cairns like to swim and plunge when the sun and mood moves them, but each to their own.
In Florida, the grass and bushes are the home for those little lizards we call gekkos. There are trillions of them. The search for them is never ending for our Cairns. They will sniff and hunt relentlessly or until something else become more important, like maybe suppertime or a little ball chasing.
Put it all together and remember how he joins you when you are taking a nap, or accompanies you on that walk. He is, one writer has said, "the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself." A dog doesn't love us just because we do something for him like feed him food and water; let him sleep with us in bed; comb his fur and take him for a car ride. He just loves us anyway, and that's called "unconditional love."
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