you bought premium
dog food again?  grocery
store?  give it to me

Cairns smile all the time
even when they are sleeping
must be such a joy

put a bark collar
on me makes me so angry
cannot verbalize

you can walk across
the tile floor.  don't think so much
oops!  you had a thought

rescue angels in
our presence transport Cairns
to love families

tummy rub magic
soothes the soul calms the spirit
key to Cairn heaven

you feed Dumpling fine
food and me garbage.  I will
eat from sister's bowl

for Jackie and Sparkie and the girls:
Sparky Italian
Scottish lover Cairn so glad
you came home to us

you little sneak thief
stole my spot again  I was
not gone five seconds!

A hunk of cheese a
package of sausage and mom
playing at earthdog

mom stores rat urine
in the fridge.  it's for earthdog
it must be OK

people come and go
we will never leave you  Cairn
love is forever

You can find me on
the yellow brick road. lots of
us Cairns live in Oz

you screamed!  heart in my
throat pounding, hearing damaged
didn't get your way?

Ozzie's eyes so deep
I could fall through them for days
has me by the heart

soft growl, purr, chortle
so many ways to express
almost awake now

such a vicious snarl
lip curls up I see your teeth
what have I done now?

cry at the door your
heart is broken isn't it?
you just want a treat

I sit up like you
taught me I smile like crazy
now fork it over

walk my food around
the house before eating it
food sits happier

Granny loves us lots
cannot remember us now
good when we see her

terrible nightmares
wake up to hug my puppy
we're going to be fine

the Cairn position
belly flop, stretch legs behind
stretch tail between, rest

For Jean:
magical website
delights all who visit.  squeal
with glee, we're there too!

still have your puppy
reflexes.  I scratch
you kick and gurgle

I scratch your tummy
you kick me away with all
your big furry feet

why should I go down
that tunnel when the rats
are there with him?

whine at your open door.
why don't you come in?  you
want me to get up

Ozzie in crazy mode
don't go too near the food
bowl.  you'll get bitten

powerful fighter
tender baby feelings must
handle with great care

so sensitive, hard
on herself.  never scold my
sweet angel Dumpling

love peanut butter
treats, pills hide in, sticks to the
roof of our Cairn mouths

is that jar stuck on
your head?  mom will find out your
whiskers are sticky

the roof of my mouth
is black.  did you ever notice?
it's in Cairn standard

tag on my collar
tells the world that I have a
loving family

last Cairn food on earth
cover bowl with leaves, kleenex,
bath towel no one eats!

strip that winter fur
maybe we can find your eyes
so good to see you!

dark skin bright wheat fur
same color palate as the
Island Hawaii

if there is one spot
of sun in the yard it will
make me a warm place

I wait quietly
for hours for mom to wake up
see each others' eyes

mom loves me so much
she does not see my faults or
my faults don't matter

I look in her eyes
and stand on her foot.  she is
intimidated

we all sleep in the
same human bed, dream the same
dreams.  make mom's better

furry love bandage
Cairns make you laugh and bring joy
to your heart and soul

trust so deep I drape
myself over you in sleep
like a Cairn blanket

parents are so stressed
if it weren't for us home would
have broken long ago

born on Terrier
street, cute parents, happy Cairns
we are adopted

pet stores are not right
the little souls who live there
deserve your love, too

around and around
now the other way, my nest
is safe.  I can sleep

wearing your leaf suit
you've been in the compost heap
again.  delightful

please stop rolling on
the phone.  your calls are costing
me lots of money

mom never washes
dishes.  we lick them for her
don't ever tell dad

I like to push my
limits just like mom.  make sure
you really love me

Cairns can't see color
this can be bad with flowers
but good with people

For Jan, Emma, and their Furkids:
rules.  Cairns don't live by
rules.  maybe Auntie Jan can
find us a loophole

For Kathy, Maura and Spanky:
Spanky just rescued
bit rough around the edges
but a heart of gold

you like to sleep on
the remote control.  that puts
you in charge.  I knew

I don't care if you
have money, house.  is there room
for me in your heart?

bubble baths are great -
swim, snap at bubbles, poke at
drain, splash and make mess

I spit up.  don't touch
it.  it will stay down for the
second time around

we all sit on couch
backs.  I can't see from this place
move the furniture

a new grooming tool
run for your life.  does it hurt?
no, just principle

I lie in bed Cairn
each side.  together we have
higher consciousness

rash is terrible
you itch and hurt but still have
a sweet smile for me

Cairns come in every
color but white.  fine.  white
isn't a color

when I can't sleep you
keep me company even
though you are snoring

sleep little Cairns.  I
will take care of your every
need.  secure and warm

to Cairns everyday
is Saturday.  our work is
play.  all days are good

in dreams run after
that squirrel.  catch him at last
slippery devil!

brown hair with blond roots
something is backwards here.  who
is your hairdresser?

party color Cairn
most brown with deep red face, your
temper growing out

my brother taught me
everything, there when I was
born.  that explains it

you smell like dirty
feet but I must kiss your face
in spite of it all

my fate is sealed.  I
belong to two Cairns.  my life
is out of control

I have always wished
for a tail.  the puzzle is
exactly what kind

many to choose from
beautiful.  squirrel, skunk, cat,
raccoon, monkey, dog

tails serve so many
purposes.  show happy, hang
from, pull from burrows

tail up for happy
down for sad.  moves with eyes.
 good mood barometer

my tail would swish right
off every time I see you
want to play and love

family to me
means just three, Mother, Dad, me
Ozzie, Dumpling, me

we three alone for
so long, without you my soul
would have frozen hard

my furry shadows
ever present, if not in
person, in spirit

we want a whole pizza
not just the crust.  maybe on
your next special day

pizza great to eat!
stand in, roll in, smear.  we'll
have to have a bath

why don't you stand in
your dinner?  most efficient
way to eat it fast

thank you for being
so gentle today.  I can
use a little friend

green sky.  thunder, hail
we tremble with fear, bark so
loud the tile could crack

Ozzie resting in
a dark room.  I am shaking,
terrified.  Mom's here

a small skirmish, pink
pill swallowed.  shaking stops now,
stuporous vigil

hail passed.  safe.  wonder
if Ozzie got conked by a
big one, more normal?
.................................................................

two Cairns, Ozzie with
people always, Dumpling off
by herself playing

girls independent
they stay to care for puppies.
boys are free to leave

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