Cairn Claims World's Oldest Dog Title

Watching the news, a family in Wales saw a story saying the oldest dog in the world had died at the age of 20. Then they looked down at their dog and realized she was 21!

The O'Brian family rang up Guinness World Records and soon it'll be official: the world's oldest dog is a Cairn Terrier mix named Gracie.

The family adopted Gracie when she was 16, turned in to a shelter because her longtime owner could not afford the dental treatment she needed. Now, five years later, Gracie is on the verge of becoming a canine celebrity.

She even has her own Facebook page.

A Happy Tale: From Dog Lover To Dog Editor

For a decade I have shared news and information on the CTCSC website and blog about our club, taken and posted more than 3,000 photos of the shows and events we have enjoyed together, served as an officer of the club and together with all of you celebrated a love for our wonderful Cairns.

But this is a personal note, something I want to share with my fellow club members. This week the dog world and my everyday working world came together: I am the new editor of Dog Fancy magazine, the dogchannel.com website, and group editor directing Dog World magazine, and the annual publications, Dogs USA and Puppies USA.

It is exciting to be able to spend the workday doing something that is my passion. I have had a lifelong love for dogs, but only truly began to become an enlightened and capable dog owner when I came to the CTCSC and began showing dogs, learning about and loving Cairn terriers. Jack and Karen Smith were invaluable mentors to Vicki and me, and we also can thank many of you for what we know about dogs in general, and Cairns in particular.

We have been active in many facets of Cairn rescue, but what many of you may not know is that for years Vicki and I have also been active in greyhound rescue, volunteering each week at a shelter. In the past year we got ourselves and our younger Cairn terrier, Gordon, certified to do Therapy Dog work, and take him to Children's Hospital of Orange County every week. It is true therapy for these sick and injured children to have a loving dog calm their fears, inspire them to sit up in bed after back surgery, or take a first important walk after heart surgery. Dogs save and improve lives in so many amazing ways.

From the show ring to the shelter, I have a passion for dogs. To be able to share that passion in some of the world's most widely read dog magazines is indescribable. It is challenging and not all fun and games, but I have to say there is really nothing quite like spending a work morning getting your face licked by a 10-week-old dachshund at a puppy photo shoot.

Palm Springs Show This Weekend

One of the top dog shows of the year, the Palm Springs Kennel Club show, is being held this weekend, Jan. 9-10, 2010.

Not only is this a wonderful dog show, but it is a great event held in an absolutely beautiful spot at the nicest time of year, with awesome weather, views of the mountains and the wonderful high desert.

There are 14 Cairn terriers entered for both Saturday and Sunday.

Click here for the Saturday, Jan. 9, judging details and directions.

For the Sunday, Jan. 10 judging details and directions, click here.

Dog Theft Warning, Prevention Tips

The American Kennel Club is warning dog owners about an alarming rise in the theft of dogs across the nation.

"Each week I am reading about reports of pet theft from all around the country," said AKC spokesperson Lisa Peterson. "Some owners, desperate to find their beloved pets have contacted us, wanting to know what they can do to help get their ‘family’ members back. It’s not just about the financial value of the dog for any of these people. It’s an emotional attachment that can’t be replaced by getting another dog."

In response to this continuing trend, AKC offers the following advice to prevent your "best friend" from being the target of a crime.


PREVENTION

• Don’t let your dog off–leash – Keeping your dog close to you reduces the likelihood it will wander off and catch the attention of thieves.  
• Don’t leave your dog unattended in your yard – Dogs left outdoors for long periods of time are targets, especially if your fenced–in yard is visible from the street.  
• Be Cautious with information – If strangers approach you to admire your dog during walks, don’t answer questions about how much the dog cost or give details about where you live.

 On the Road 

• Never leave your dog in an unattended car, even if it’s locked – Besides the obvious health risks this poses to the dog, it’s also an invitation for thieves, even if you are gone for only a moment. Leaving expensive items in the car such as a GPS unit or laptop will only encourage break–ins and possibly allow the dog to escape, even if the thieves don’t decide to steal it too.  
• Don’t tie your dog outside a store – This popular practice among city–dwelling dog owners can be a recipe for disaster. If you need to go shopping, patronize only dog–friendly retailers or leave the dog at home.  

RECOVERY

• Protect your dog with microchip identification – Collars and tags can be removed so make sure you have permanent ID with a microchip. Thieves will not know the dog has a microchip until a veterinarian or shelter worker scans it so keep contact information current with your microchip recovery service provider. 
• If you suspect your dog has been stolen – Immediately call the police / animal control officer in the area your pet was last seen and file a police report. If your dog has a microchip, ask to have that unique serial number, along with the dog’s description, posted in the "stolen article" category on the National Crime Information Center. 
• Canvass the neighborhood – Talk to people in the immediate vicinity where your pet went missing for possible sightings of the actual theft. 
• Have fliers with a recent photo ready to go if your dog goes missing – Keep several current photos (profile and headshot) of your dog in your wallet or on an easily accessible web account so that you can distribute immediately if your pet goes missing. 
• Contact the media – Call the local TV station, radio station and newspaper and ask to have a web post put out about your missing pet.

 DON’T BUY STOLEN PETS

• Don’t buy dogs from the internet, flea markets, or roadside vans –There is simply no way to verify where an animal purchased from any of these outlets came from. Web sites and online classifieds are easily falsified, and with roadside or flea market purchases not only do you not know the pet’s origins but you will never be able to find or identify the seller in case of a problem.  
• Even newspaper ads may be suspect – Adult dogs offered for sale at reduced prices, for a "relocation" fee, or accompanied by requests for last minute shipping fees are red flags. Dog owners who truly love their animals and are unable to keep them will opt to find a loving home without compensation for re–homing the animal.  
• Seek out reputable breeders or rescue groups – Visit the home of the breeder, meet the puppy’s mother, and see the litter of puppies. Developing a good relationship with the breeder will bring you peace of mind when purchasing. Contacting breed rescue groups can also be a safe alternative if you are looking for an adult dog.  
• Demand proper papers on your purebred puppy – Ask for the AKC Litter Registration Number and contact AKC customer service at 919–233–9767 to verify registration authenticity of your purebred puppy.