by Lee Juslin

Found on the mean streets of New York City and absolutely terrified, Jasper was put in a busy, noisy New York City shelter where he became even more terrified.

City shelters are often overcrowded and short staffed. The New York City shelters are no exception, so when it became obvious that the shelter workers couldn’t get past Jasper’s sheer terror so they could handle him, they rated him as not adoptable. He was put on the euthanasia list. A group that keeps an eye on the euthanasia list at the shelter, contacted Erica of New York/New Jersey Scottish Terrier Rescue hoping she could take Jasper. It turned out he was a Cairn, but there were no Cairn rescue volunteers available, so Erica brought him in to Scottie rescue.

Jasper

Now in foster care, Jasper, who weighs in at about fifteen pounds and is estimated to be ten-years old, has begun to relax from the frightened, stressed out dog he had showed the shelter volunteers.

It’s clear that Jasper’s early life was not a happy or easy one. In fact, he may have been abused and dumped on the street as he was a knotted mess and had very few teeth when he came into the shelter. Once in rescue, the remaining teeth had to be pulled as they were in very bad shape. In addition, he has had a thorough vet checkup, vaccinations, and a chip. Now, with the bad teeth gone, he has no health issues.

Despite not having teeth, Jasper does not have a problem eating wet food and kibble that is pre-soaked in warm water. In fact, he enjoys his meals and has lost his scrawny look. He is not on any meds and does not need a special diet.

Jasper likes other dogs unless they are aggressive alphas and get in his face. He enjoys playing with toys. Jasper did well at the vet, but becomes very scared at the groomer. In fact, foster mom had to have him groomed in several sessions. However, at home he is cuddly and not at all aggressive.

A good home for Jasper, who at ten has a number of good years left as Cairns can live well into their teens, would be one where he is an only dog or has a doggy companion that is not aggressive. It is unknown how he is with cats, but young children would not work as they would most likely scare him.

Jasper needs a person dedicated to giving him the second chance at life that he deserves. A middle-aged person or couple with terrier experience and who are active enough to play with him and take him on walks would be ideal. Most important of all, Jasper needs people who have the patience to help him continue to develop into the relaxed, playful, loving Cairn he can be. When he is comfortable with a person, he comes for head rubs, cuddling, and attention. In the right home, he will be a wonderful companion.

If you would like to learn more about Jasper, the Toto-like Cairn, or any of his pals in rescue or if you would like to donate or volunteer, check out the rescue’s Facebook page or their website.

Facebook: facebook.com/Scottish-Terrier-Club-of-Greater-New-York-Rescue
Website: stcgny.com/scottierescue

Check out more animal rescue & therapy animal stories in our Pets section and we would love to have you join our KRL Pets Facebook group.

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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.