And so it begins...

Jock, Lady and the Tramp
Jock, the Scottie from Disney's Lady and the Tramp.
When people ask why I chose a Scottish Terrier as my first dog, they often assume it was because I had one growing up. Truth is: I wasn’t around dogs very much as a child but I always remembered Jock. He is the first thing that comes to mind when the question arises and I can’t help but think Jock is behind my becoming a Scottie Mom not once, but FOUR times (so far).

My intention was never to adopt a purebred (gotta love those mutts!) but then again, my intention was never to adopt a dog in the first place. Growing up, we had cats in the house but around the time I was living on my own and ready to adopt, a dog best suited my lifestyle which included frequent road trips. And so, I accompanied a friend to PETS, Inc. one night to pick out her new pup. Guess which one of us chose a forever friend that night? Hint: it wasn't her!

Mr. K and me in 2010.

There he was. Sad as could be. He wouldn't even lift his head to look at me at first. He was raggedy and you barely could see his eyes through all that hair! Accompanying him was a blanket, some food and a tennis ball, all seemingly untouched. His family had given him up, having tied him up outside for days before finally surrendering him to PETS, Inc. Seventeen days later, there I was.

And so, enter Kenzie (aka Mr. K) into my life. The volunteers at the shelter warned me a Scottie might be “a bit of a challenge” for this first-time dog owner but that didn't stop me. Mr. K didn't really care for other dogs at first and still isn't a fan of cats, but this little guy has a fiercely loyal heart and has served as my constant companion since the day we met.

Tell us about your first Scottish Terrier companion. When did you know that little guy or gal stole your heart and, as a result, embraced your destiny as a Scottie Mom (or Dad!) for life?

12 comments:

  1. I had a dog as a child...a mutt but so loveable. When my children were little they always wanted a dog but we rented and weren't allowed. When we got our own house my children were grown and had lives of their own and had their own pets. I NEVER thought in a million years the I would want a dog. My daughter works in a local pet store and we went in to visit and there he was..the cutest scottie ever...She bought him for me and that is when my love affair began...from the first lick on my neck. He's a fickle boy is my Mac "Dubh" but I love him from his chubby little feet, to his short legs to his round solid body to his cute little butt...I don't think I will ever not own a Scottie now for the rest of my life. Thank you so much for sharing your stories!

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  2. I love my Scottie, Bentley . This is the 4th scottie that I have lived with.

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    1. I am on my fourth Scottie as well, Travis is my first Wheaten Scottie.

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  3. Oh, look at that happy rescued Scottie! You sound like me - I chose a Cairn Terrier because the first dog I always thought of was Toto from the Wizard of Oz. So glad you two found each other!

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  4. I had dogs as a child, but I always wanted a Scottie. Like you, I probably wanted a Scottie because of Jock in Lady and the Tramp. When I met my husband in 1978, I had a German Shepard, and he had a black Scottie. He liked my dog, and I liked his dog. He moved in with me, and we got married a year later in 1979. I really loved that Scottie. Since then, we have had three more Scotties including our current Scottie, Fala, who,is 2-1/2 years old. We also have a Westie and a Boston Terrier.

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  5. That story brought tears to my eyes. Looks like you both were "rescued" that fateful night.

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  6. It was my husband's family that had Scottish Terriers and I got hooked. We have had 5 Scotties - 4 were Black / Brindle and out latest girl is a Wheaton Scottie. Can not imagine our life without our Scotties!

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  7. I had a scottiehuahua (scottie/chihuahua mix) and he was my little love, my best bud, my constant companion & my fiercest protecter. I had my beloved Maxie for 14 years before I had to say goodbye to him. I wanted another Scottie so my husband bought me Sadie Sue, our brindle. Her breeder came over with a wheaten male 6 months later telling us that no one wanted him because he was a big scot so Happy came into our lives. There is something about a Scottie that takes your heart & never lets it go.

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  8. I blame K9 from DrWho for starting my life long Scottie obsession

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  9. Jock is why I fell in love with Scotties when I saw it when it first came out.

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  10. My first Scottie was a Scottiehuahua as we called him - a Scottie Chihuahua mix named Max. A couple of local kids brought me Max when he was tiny & they told me he'd been down at the river for two days - alone. My husband was saying "no, no, no" when I walked with them to their car but when I walked in carrying that little black guy, he said "oh he's cute" and Maxie came home with us. He was my best bud, my constant companion, my little love, my protector, and my bed partner. He loved me as no other dog has loved me and when he developed liver disease, I fought like a wild women to save him. It's been a very long time since he crossed the Rainbow Bridge but I will miss him forever. We have two Scotties now, a basset hound & a bearded collie.

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  11. The first time I remember seeing a real live scottie was during a family vacation to Greers Ferry Arkansas. My Dad was pulling into the cabin area and I saw a family playing ball with their little dog. It was the cutest black scottie chasing after his red ball and I wanted a scottie from that time on. I've now been owned by 5 scotties. Three have passed on but I still have Wally and Stanley. I love, love, love the breed.

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