The Wood Duck & Everything: Silky Terriers

I've been thinking about getting a puppy for over ten years -- ever since I lost contact with the only dog I've ever known. That is, Farley the crazy chocolate lab. Of course she was crazy because she lived in a home with two adults in a really bad relationship. But I've missed her.

I first thought I'd get a Cairn Terrier like Grannie had in Scotland. Her dog was named Carlo and was given to her by the Duke of Argyle. I know nothing more than that. I can guess that it was a gift to the kids after their father died when Grannie was three. I know that Inverary Castle is where the Duke lives and that it's just around Loch Fyne from Cairndow.

I started to get the idea that Cairns are quite a handful as all terriers are. So more recently I've thought about Yorkshire Terriers. Yorkies are much smaller and can pretty much live inside if that's what you want. But they have all that hair! And they're quite delicate.

Last week I bought the Puppy Annual for 2011 where I found a breeder in Huntsville. Their place is called Kingcreek Kennel though there is no kennel -- the dogs all live with them. They breed toy dogs only -- Yorkies and Shih Tzus and Silky Terriers. I'd never heard of Silky Terriers. Silkies were originally bred in Australia. They're a bit bigger when grown -- 10 pounds to the 7 of the Yorkie -- and hardier. And so cute!

So I think I've found the place where my dog might come from. Huntsville, Ontario. But do I dare do it? And why not? Fear, of course. Not the terror of cats but the terror of not being able to care for a creature that needs my help completely. Can I handle the needs of a tiny living body -- cutting nails, clearing goop from eyes, trimming hair around the behind and all the things that come out? I wish I'd done a lot better with Farley but I seem to want to try again.

Here's a picture I took from the Kingcreek website of a Silky Terrier puppy.