Gigi's Page

Portrait of Gigi

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Once upon a time, the creator commissioned one of his "sent" (i.e., an angel). Like every commission, this sending empowered. For, it endowed the agent with three uncommon virtues: faithfulness, devotion, and understanding. Lest it impair understanding, the sent one was not given the power to use words. The embodiment of this spirit was sent to us as a superior to serve us, needing nothing itself but food, shelter, and affection to be content.

I still miss you, sweetheart.

Back in 1988 when I bought Gigi, I lived in a town that does not outlaw the sale of dogs and cats in stores, and I had no idea that, by buying from a store, I was asking for trouble and rewarding inhumane practices in the puppy-mill industry. Not that I wouldn't go through it all again to have Gigi back, but in memory of her this Web site aims to help spare others what we went through.

Another thing I did not know was anything about Cairn Terriers. I bought The Jeej for the worst reason — her cute looks. Was I in for a surprise! Purebred Cairn Terriers are nothing like the dogs I knew while growing up! Fortunately, this part of the story ended happily for us, because I am well suited to having a Cairn, but many people are not.

In fact, my Pierre, an obviously well-bred Cairn rescued from a Humane Society shelter after apparent abandonment, belongs to a shockingly high percentage of purebred dogs that this happens to. Why? presumably because people pick a breed for its looks, have no idea what they're getting, and then can't handle the dog. Or, in the case of terriers, simply cannot teach a dog with a mind of its own. So this site also aims to let you know what Cairns are like.