by Lee Juslin

When Calamity Jane (CJ) was picked up by an area shelter, her coat was very overgrown, but the shelter staff was sure she was at least part Cairn. They contacted Col. Potter Cairn Rescue Network and sent pictures of the little shaggy girl. Looking at the photos, CP volunteers also thought she was a Cairn mix and made arrangements to take her.

Once CJ was trimmed, the Col. Potter volunteers doubted she was even a Cairn mix, but they agreed to foster her and try to find her a forever home. A DNA test showed the petite little girl was mostly Schnauzer. In addition, CJ had only one eye and was heartworm positive. She would not be an easy placement for the Cairn rescue group.

Calamity Jane

During the heartworm treatment CJ suffered a setback when the heartworm medication caused a reaction and she contracted pancreatitis. CJ had to stay at the vet clinic for several days with an IV, but Col. Potter stood by her. Once her heartworm medication was changed, she recovered to full health.

Knowing that a non Cairn would be more difficult to place, Col. Potter took CJ to a veterinary ophthalmologist with hopes that an eye implant would make her more adoptable. The vet advised against the implant, which would be largely cosmetic, because it could lead to complications. Despite having only one eye, this petite little twelve pound girl is beautiful inside and out, and at only six years old has a lot of life ahead of her.

CJ’s foster mom, Mary, says she is a loving, cuddly girl who is now heartworm negative and in good health. She loves people but, with other dogs, she is an alpha girl. In Mary’s home she tends to bully Mary’s female Cairn but does not bother male Cairns. Consequently, a home with no other dogs or only a male dog would be the right placement for CJ.

CJ knows her name, walks nicely on a leash and comes when called. She does not need a fenced in yard. Like most Schnauzers she is a bit noisy and does bark to raise an alarm when she sees things. Sometimes she even arooos. She enjoys walks, has a very sweet disposition and would make a great companion. CJ is a lap girl who wants nothing more than her own person to snuggle with.

If you would like to apply to adopt this sweet, loving girl or learn more about how to support Col. Potter, visit their website: COL. POTTER

Check out more animal rescue & therapy animal stories in our Pets section.

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Lee Juslin is a free lance copywriter living in North Carolina with her husband, Scott, and her band of misfits: Tarquin, a Wheaten Scottish Terrier, and three handicapped cats. They can be seen on their website: Hampshire Hooligans. She owns I B Dog Gone, a small embroidery business and is the author of the Nurse Frosty books for children and Frosty’s Story: Tales of a Therapy Dog. She supports a number of national and regional terrier rescue organizations.