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Annie Smith
September 24 at 00:18
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Westie/Cairn Rescue
Just wondering since I have a cat would it be better to try to rescue a Westie or Cairn puppy and do puppies come up that often? I also have a Border Collie Mix, not sure how he'd take to another dog, we are just thinking about this right now, we are in NE PA and it would be great to have a dog come visit to see how it would work out but I'm sure that can't happen. I did have a Westie for 121/2 yrs, best and smartest dog I ever had [although I LOVE my Noah and he'd be upset if I said Mandy was smart!] and we also had a cat she was best friends with but I don't want to risk my cat's life for another dog so just wondering if other people have had problems with their Westies or Cairns going after cats? Thank you.
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Lynda and the Minkies
 
September 24 at 04:36
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Re: Westie/Cairn Rescue
The best way may perhaps be fostering to try the breed out ? Saying that, there are many Westie and Cairn owners here that own cats as well.
Good luck, Annie.
XXX.
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Corinne
 
September 24 at 06:33
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Re: Westie/Cairn Rescue
maybe a slightly older puppy..say a year or so.. that already likes cats..and other dogs..
Having both, Cairns and Westies really have similar temperments.. it just depends on the color you want...
corinne
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Annie Smith
September 24 at 07:49
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Re: Westie/Cairn Rescue
Thank you for your help! If I fostered I'd have to keep, I get attached in seconds, when we got Noah a shelter was set up in a pet store and my husband really wanted him and I was still in shock after loosing our other dog not knowing if I should get another dog since the loss is just so much when they die and the shelter lady asked me if I wanted to hold him and I was saying no and shaking my head yes, crying like an idiot, he came home with us that night, he was and is SO CUTE but was a hard puppy to raise, we had planned on if we ever got one dog again we'd get 2 so they could play together but he had me worn out so then we decided to wait and now my husband isn't sure he wants 2. We're just in the talking stages now but when I went looking at Westie rescue awhile back all the dogs had that had been turned in was because of killing cats and that freaked me out a bit since I wouldn't want anything to happen to my Misty but Mandy was 7 when we got Muffy as a teeny tiny little kitten and they LOVED each other, when we lost Mandy suddenly my heart was crushed, that is why I don't have another Westie since I couldn't even look at one I'd break into sobbing, even seeing one on TV and then cut to 13 yrs later [That's how long it took!]we were on vacation and a couple was walking a pair of Westies and those two went after a huge German Shepherd and the guy said to us "They could have taken him" and I told him I know, I had a Westie and she thought she could take on anything and anyone [She was a biter and she HATED kids, we don't have any, good thing] but those two dogs ran over and I was petting them and crying and then told my husband I HAVE to have another some day [Or a Cairn since I love them too] and this started because his friend just got his wife another dog even though he doesn't want another dog so I told my husband we need to get our Westie or Cairn but I'm not sure how Noah would take it since he's my boy, never leaves my side ever and is very protective so that is why I wondered if I had one visit, he loved the dogs at Puppy Kindergarten but then when a dog comes into the yard he has a major fit but he is fine with cats, we took in a stray and he was so gentle with her, unfortunately we lost her to heart disease and she wasn't even 5 but anyway as I said we're just thinking and when I was reading about he cat thing that never entered my head since Mandy loved all cats, sort of liked other dogs just didn't like kids. Noah loves People, kids too, cats just not other dogs so much so we'll probably end up not getting one but I just wanted to ask about people having trouble with Westies/Cairns with cats since I would hope that a puppy growing up with a cat would be OK, my cat is so cute but very strange, she doesn't like change, it took her 6 months to go near Noah then she licked his head, laid on the floor, he layed on top of her and started licking her head and they do that a few times a day! Silly kids!!!!Thanks again!
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Kayla and Annies' Mom
September 24 at 13:48
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Re: Westie/Cairn Rescue
I have both a Cairn and Westie. Kayla, my Cairn, loves to chase the cat. She doesn't really like him, although, they have become somewhat used to each other.
Annie, my Westie, is fine with the cat unless he is on my lap. Then, she will chase him off. Otherwise, she doesn't care.
It would really depend on the dog's temperment and personality. Some are really anti-cat and others don't mind.
So, either would do, you'd just have to test them out.
Mary Ann
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Annie Smith
September 24 at 14:49
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Re: Westie/Cairn Rescue
Thank you Mary Ann, that is why I am thinking of a puppy if we ever do it which looks doubtful since this a.m. I mentioned the rescue group to my husband and he was not amused his exact words were NO WAY but anyway if a puppy was used to misty it would probably be better than bringing in an older dog you don't know how they'd react even if they were used to cats, Misty is very strange so you just don't know. I WISH they could talk and tell us what they want!
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Pam and pups
 
September 24 at 14:16
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Re: Westie/Cairn Rescue
We have 2 Westies, a JRT/Rat Terrier Mix and a Black Lab mix and they are all fine with kitties; especially the youngest Westie. She thinks he is great!
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Annie Smith
September 24 at 14:56
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Re: Westie/Cairn Rescue
Thanks Pam & Pups, that is encouraging, when I was looking at another site every dog I had seen that had been turned in it was because they were cat killers and we can't have that! As I mentioned Mandy had been an only child for 7 yrs then we got the tiny kitten and she was fine with her, she loved having a play mate, she wanted a horse, we knew that since she LOVED horses, if one came to visit she'd follow it and if she saw one on TV she'd put her front paws on the TV and watch it...we have our horse now, I always wish Mandy lived long enough to play with him but of course the horse likes dogs but he also likes to bite them so don't know how it would have worked out! Noah is fine with the cats, he won't let my husband or anyone else near me but will let Misty sit on me but then he wants to be petted too, he is very jealous and that is why we don't know about another dog....time will tell I guess but my husband was NOT encouraging this a.m. when he said NO WAY so I guess I'll have to drop the subject for awhile!!!! Thanks again. Annie
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Sue
September 24 at 16:29
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Re: Westie/Cairn Rescue
I adopted my Westie, Booker, at age 6 when my cat was 15. I had been told that Booker was okay with cats, so that helped. They were never best friends - probably due to the age difference - but they got along okay - Booker wanted to play, but Millie was just too old for that. When Hobart the Cat (age 3) came to live with us, he was a tiny kitten and Booker fell in love instantly. I never feared he would hurt the kitten aggressively, but he was quite exhuberant so I needed to make sure he wouldn't hurt the kitty accidentally. I kept a short leash on him for 3 days constantly saying "be nice to the kitty" (They were separated during the day for 3 weeks). Now they are inseparable - and Hobie often instigates the zooming.
I think each dog is different - some have a stronger prey drive than others.
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Annie Smith
September 24 at 17:01
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Re: Westie/Cairn Rescue
Thank You Sue, I appreciate all the help, it's so hard to know what to do, Mandy always chased squirrels [Never caught one] but when we were getting the kitten I guess I was even too stupid to think they wouldn't get along since she had been with other cats and dogs and never got nasty with them and I just put Muffy on the floor never thinking she could be lunch and Mandy just followed her where ever she went and they were best friends from day one, we have the cutest pictures of them together on that first day. I think I'd probably be better off with a puppy if I got one just so it would be used to Misty and maybe Noah would like a puppy over an older dog, so far there's no convincing my husband though, probably the only way is if someone left one on the doorstep like that would really happen!!!!!!! On that note they are all lined up for supper. Thanks again. Annie
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Corinne
September 24 at 17:00
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Re: Westie/Cairn Rescue
Well.. CPCRN seems to have quite a few puppies lately.. have your husband look at our site...
http://www.cairnrescue.com
and have him check
http://mall.cairnrescue.com/yb_2004.htm that is Faces of Rescue - a listing of ALL the dogs we've taken in so far in 2004...
we may be getting some more pups very soon... cant really say more right now
corinne
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Annie Smith
September 24 at 17:40
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Re: Westie/Cairn Rescue
Hi Corinne, I just checked the sites, I can't believe all these dogs that need homes, why would anyone go out and buy a dog when there are so many great dogs who need homes where they will be loved and treasured? Boggles my mind, When my husband comes in I have to show him all the dogs, I have totally fallen for Huey, I am sure he won't be around long before adoption, who could not love that little face and he's a puppy too. I know my husband will say NO and maybe you have to adopt from the state you live in but he sure is precious and I know he'll find a home very soon, wish it could be mine, that face is unbelievably beautiful! All the dogs are, but since he's the baby of the group he's the one I was drawn to. I know the answer will be a big NO but I have the picture printed out and ready for him. I think Huey is in Virginia, that's quite a ways from here for someone to leave him on my doorstep!!!!! Thanks for the sites, I have them bookmarked. Annie
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Corinne
September 25 at 00:01
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Re: Westie/Cairn Rescue
Not sure what state you are in.. but we just got some more puppies in Ohio last weekend (go to Faces, bottom of page) and we MIGHT be getting some more in soon.. not a sure thing
you dont have to get a dog in 'your' state.. we do help transport.. but you may need to drive some too..
oh, and check out the Stevie and Tommy page (I think they are in August)
Here's a pic of Rachel
corinne
Faces of Rescue
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Annie Smith
September 25 at 07:45
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Re: Westie/Cairn Rescue
Thanks Corinne, all of the dogs are just so cute, don't know how anyone could not want one or how anyone could abuse them. We are in PA and I wouldn't mind traveling but even seeing all the ones that need homes didn't bend my husband's thinking so I guess that's it for now, He said Huey was adorable, it's not that he doesn't love them and want the best for them but he doesn't want to live in a kennel, I don't think 2 dogs is a kennel but he doesn't think they'd get along and he's worried about Misty, I keep telling him chances of getting a puppy are good and a puppy would be more likely to like her but he won't say yes so I guess I'll be staying off of here since it just breaks my heart, I thought for sure once he saw them he'd say OK but so far no luck, if he ever changes his mind I'll be back since I will want a rescue dog, we're even building on to our house, I said the puppy can stay in the new room 'til everyone got used to each other....You are allowed to crate rescue dogs right? I don't mean for long periods just at night time or when you go shopping, we HAD to crate Noah or we'd have no house left now the crate is gone, he hated it so once we could trust him we gave his big crate away but still have a small one terrier sized! Thanks for everything, I have it all bookmarked and am keeping my fingers crosssed. Last night all's I did was dream of little terriers! Thanks again. Annie
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McTavish, SGirls and Becky
 
September 25 at 10:10
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Re: Westie/Cairn Rescue
Annie, I sent you an e-mail.
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Annie Smith
September 25 at 10:23
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Re: Westie/Cairn Rescue
Thanks Becky, I got it just a few minutes ago and replied, THANKS SO MUCH, you are an encouragement, we can only hope, I know why he's being stubborn I just wish he'd change his mind, he worries about the welfare of the other two and so do I and then he worries about me, I'm GREAT when they are healthy but when they get sick I totally fall apart and end up getting sick myself, I have so much respect for the people who go in and save these dogs and can handle it they are so brave and caring and wonderful, I'd be in the assylum, just looking at the pictures and hearing the stories I'm crying like an idiot!!!!!!!! I loved your pictures! THANK YOU AGAIN
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Annie Smith
September 24 at 17:05
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Re: Westie/Cairn Rescue
Good Idea, I'll have to have him look, you never know but he's always been more of a cat person than dog, when we lost our kitty Livvy with no warning he was all for getting another kitten but when we had the 2 cats they hated each other so I said no more cats with Misty since she's so much happier now, Noah might be the same way and not want another dog around but I always imagined myself living in a kennel! I'm off to check that site. Thanks! Annie
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Annie & E Gang
September 24 at 17:13
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Re: Westie/Cairn Rescue
We have 2 cairns and a Border collie and we did have a kitty but she died about 2 yrs ago,my puppers tolerated her and where we used to live our neighbors had cats,they were fine when they got used to each other but Emma the BC would chase if they ran from her.Let us know how you get on with getting another dog.
Love and kisses xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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Annie Smith
September 24 at 17:45
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Re: Westie/Cairn Rescue
Thanks Annie & Gang, that is funny since that is how I sign all of our cards or letters, Ralph, Annie & Gang [Or Gang Members depending on how bad they all were that day!] When we first got Noah the BC Mix he did chase Misty and she didn't like it but now they are best friends. I just checked the dogs up for adoption and have totally fallen for Huey, that face is unbelievably beautiful so I have his picture printed out to show the man but I'm sure he'll still say NO but it doesn't hurt to try to wear him down!!!! Take care and thanks again! Annie
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The Oregon Girlies...
September 24 at 18:03
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Re: Westie/Cairn Rescue
I have three Westie girls and two cats. They all get along just fine. They will chase Huckle if he allows them to, but they are very respectful to our 14 year old crabby old lady cat, Suzette
xxxBetty and the Girlies...
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Annie Smith
September 24 at 18:33
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Re: Westie/Cairn Rescue
Thank you Suzette, guess it just depends on the dog, I know Border Collies are sometimes cat chasers too, Noah chased when we first got him but then stopped and they are fine now, hope it stays that way!
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Terrier Club Rescue Forum
