HI PET LADY!
RE: your Sept. 20 column on the Cairn terrier. I know this may seem a bit peculiar but I also own a Cairn terrier and understand the breed and it’s quirky personality, wholeheartedly. My dog is almost 3 years of age and has been nothing short of adorable yet mischievous. Anyhow, the person who wrote you is probably on point concluding their Cairn is depressed. Cairns are extremely playful and feisty . . . meaning they love to play rough by nature. They’re, also, extremely hardy dogs. When they don’t get that kind of exercise, they can hit a slump.
If that owner would like to arrange a “doggie playdate” between their dog and mine that’s not a problem on my end. If they’re not open to that idea that’s all right too. There aren’t many Cairns in the Northwest. I’ve only seen one other since I moved here with mine from Boston and that dog was named Winston and is owned by a couple in Fremont. I agree that Cairn’s do love to play with large aggressive dogs as well as other terriers. Mine also loves to swim so this owner could acquire a little kiddie pool if that’s something their dog would find entertaining. Mine also loves his soccer ball and just to throw the ball around for 30 minutes a day expels quite a bit of energy in a breed that loves to run about. Cairn’s are not the best breed for someone who is inactive but they are very loving and full of character. OK, enough of my love and affinity for the Cairn! Hope this alleviates some of their worry.
Take care and continued success with your column.
Muddy’s Person
DEAR M.P.,
It is very kind of you to write with such a wealth of information, anecdotes, generous offers, and charmingly unorthodox deployment of apostrophes and commas. The Pet Lady also appreciates your heartening wish for her “continued success,” particularly in the wake of a certain swipe by a certain letter writer too cowardly to confront the Pet Lady herself who yet feels bold enough to censure the Pet Lady’s remarks on Politics and Our World in a Letter to the Editor [Eds. note: For the curious, said letter may be found in this week’s Letters column]. And further, this gentleman sees fit to also denigrate the Girl of Date, the Pet Lady’s esteemed colleague, provider of important advice and information about dates of all kinds—well, before too many exclamation marks are exerted, to you, cheeky letter writer, the Pet Lady says: “Feh!” If the Pet Lady and/or the Girl of Date wish to make sweeping statements about our more than dubious chief of state and the dangers of jingoism and warmongering, why then such statements shall be made. The mimeograph the Pet Secretary brought of the offending missive has been duly dropped behind the radiator, but not before it intensified the Pet Lady’s pre-existing Vapours.
But back to the matter at hand; it does seem like a fine idea to bring together the Cairn terriers of the area, and the Pet Lady shall have the Pet Secretary forward your information, dear M.P., to Beasley’s people as well as look into the whereabouts of the storied Winston. The Pet Lady certainly hopes to receive the honor of an invitation to view these small, excitable dogs cavort about should such a thing come to pass. Meanwhile, the dispellation of the Vapours will be undertaken by concentrating on peace and imbibing a restorative adult beverage. Cheers, M.P.
The Pet Lady
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