by Lee Juslin

Liam was found on the streets. Fortunately, he was taken in by New York/New Jersey Scottie Rescue. Erica, head of the rescue, feels that he was bred by a backyard breeder, and then was thrown out when he was diagnosed with CA.

CA or Cerebellar Abiotrophy, is a genetic, neurological condition which causes the dog to walk awkwardly and bump into things. Erica judges Liam’s condition to be medium to strong. Sometimes, dogs grow out of CA and sometimes it gets worse as the dog ages. Liam does not take any medications and is otherwise quite healthy. Professional breeders, because they are more knowledgeable than backyard breeders, breed out genetic conditions like CA from their breed lines, and thus, are much more unlikely to produce puppies with genetic problems. Rescues rarely have puppies available, so for someone set on getting a puppy, it would be best to go to a professional breeder with a good reputation to avoid problems like CA and other genetic abnormalities too often found with backyard breeders.

Liam

Liam loves attention from his human. He is very sweet and loves to sit in a lap. He enjoys playing with toys although they were unfamiliar to him when he first came into rescue. He is also fond of shoes.

Despite the CA, Liam manages stairs well and loves having another dog to play with. He is quite active despite his condition.

Liam needs a home with another dog close in size and strength for him to play with. He also needs a human who is home most of the day. Someone with a part time job or someone who works at home would be ideal.

Liam would not do well with an older person who is unsteady on his feet or uses a cane or walker because his condition causes him to bump into things. Since he is rather strong, he might hurt an older person or child without meaning to do so. He would also not do well with cats, young children, or smaller, more fragile dogs, any of whom could be knocked down and possibly hurt by Liam’s awkwardness.

Erica says that in the thirty years she has worked in rescue, she has placed a number of dogs with CA. Most have gone on to live long lives. Liam needs an understanding adopter who is willing to put in the work to deal with Liam’s condition and to give him the life and love he deserves.

If you would like to learn more about CA, there are a number of sites on Google. Here is one site that provides information: wagwalking.com/condition/cerebellar-abiotrophy-

You can learn more about Liam and all the other Scotties in Scottie Rescue, volunteer, apply to adopt a rescue like Liam, or make a very needed donation by taking one of the links below. During this time of the Covid virus rescue organizations need even more help with financial donations and volunteers. If you want to volunteer, you can become a foster parent or help with transporting. Scottie Rescue of Great NY/NJ is a 501C3 entity so donations are tax deductible.

Visit the Greater NY/NJ Scottie Rescue on their Facebook page or their website:
Web: NY/NJ Scottie Rescue site
FB: NY/NJ Scottie Rescue

Check out more animal rescue stories in our Pet Perspective section & watch for more stories. You can also keep up with our pet articles by joining our KRL 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.