Feldspar

Repeated over a period of days, we finally got to the point where the kids no longer had to call Feldspar and he would hunt them down and begin to bark to earn his treat on command.

Born to Bark Stanley Coren 2010

I had always assumed that Mossy had taken Feldspar with her when she left Vancouver with the kids.

Born to Bark Stanley Coren 2010

Paper training Feldspar actually turned out to be easy.

Born to Bark Stanley Coren 2010

As she spoke, she would first point to the baby and then look back to Feldspar to make sure that he was listening.

Born to Bark Stanley Coren 2010

She then sat on one of them and had Feldspar sit on the other.

Born to Bark Stanley Coren 2010

Despite the fact that we now lived in a safe city and a quiet neighborhood, and even though we had a large backyard that was fenced and safe for a dog to be in, Mossy continued to put out papers for Feldspar.

Born to Bark Stanley Coren 2010

Feldspar seemed to recognize that something was wrong and came over to lick my face.

Born to Bark Stanley Coren 2010

Even before Feldspar, I had an emotional connection to Cairn terriers.

Born to Bark Stanley Coren 2010

But in my mind the pup that I was getting was to replace Feldspar, only this time the dog would be mine.

Born to Bark Stanley Coren 2010

No one was home that evening, which was how I had planned it, because I wanted to surprise my kids with a performance after Feldspar had learned the entire “dance routine.”

Born to Bark Stanley Coren 2010