Spotlight Scottie

[caption id="attachment_1001" align="aligncenter" width="500"] I'm so happy! My fellow Scotties sent me some fan mail!![/caption]

Guess who's back in the spotlight? Heather was so excited to have the opportunity to answer some of the questions that were submitted after her interview last week. So, without further ado, I present you the star of the Scottie Mom blog tonight: Heather.

Hello again, Miss Heather. How are you on this lovely Friday evening?

GREAT! So glad you're home again. You really should consider taking me wherever it is that you go all those long hours every day. I bet it would be a lot more fun, you and me hanging out!

Agreed. But what about Mr. K?

Oh yeah, I guess he can come, too. Hey! Did you hear? I had a few Scottie friends ask me some questions last week! Mr. K didn't get any questions asked of him...I think he's pouting about that under the hooman bed. He said something about me stealing his spotlight tonight but I told him that it was only fair since I got some fan mail and he didn't. I think me pointing that out only made it worse. That's when he ran under the hooman bed. What can I say? People love my charm! Maybe if he didn't have so much Scottie-tude all the time...

Don't worry about Mr. K. He'll get plenty of attention next time around. So which question would you like to address first?

I'd like to talk to Hootmon first because he's a fellow Wheaten and we wheaties gotta stick together! Poor Hootie seems bothered by the fact he doesn't ArRooOo. Well, Hootie, I've got a secret for you: I don't ArRooOo either! (And neither does Mr. K.) Like you, Mr. K barks from time to time but mostly, he does this weird whine/whimper whenever he thinks he hears a noise. Scottie Dad hates it. He shakes his head, tells Mr. K to try not to cry so much and that he should be more manly, hehe!

Hootie, neither you or your Scottie Mom should feel badly that you don't ArRooOo. In fact, I think you and I are doing the world a favor. You see, if too many people knew about the Scottie ArRooOo, there'd be nothing special about it. I'm sure we've both got it in us, deep down somewhere and should the time ever come when the Scottie world really needed an ArRooOo, we'd probably offer one up...unless we had a really bad day that day and Scottie-tude prevailed.

Plus, I really don't think it is necessary to ArRooOo anymore, except maybe to entertain those silly hoomans. I'm pretty sure the only reason we Scotties started ArRooOo-ing in the first place was to alert our hoomans when we'd hunted down a great meal for them. But, that was when we Scotties first roamed the Earth and we are much more civilized and too distinguished now to do something like that....unless it is a squirrel, of course. I could be wrong, though. After all, I'm only going on eight years old, you know. My last piece of advise, dear Hootie, is to tell that Scottie Mom of yours that ArRooOo's are patented by Scotties and should never be attempted by hoomans. End of story.

Oh, and I would love to take you up on your Scottie date proposal. Too bad you live so far away. There's nothing I like more than time outdoors with treats and fresh water!

Ok, onto the question from Maggie's Scottie Mom. She wants to know more about your recent health scare.

Oh, goodness. That's a loaded topic. First, I would have to recommend Maggie's mom read all about how my Scottie Mom noticed I was sick here. Then, I would also ask she check out Mr. K's evil sickness, too - though my liver values were a bit higher at the time I was taken to the hospital, Mr. K's pulse was barely there by the time he got help. The vet seems to believe I had the same problem as Mr. K (which remains a mystery, I might add, since neither of us were given a formal diagnosis), but the way I showed I was sick was very different. For instance, my only problem was that I couldn't hold my bladder and would pee massive puddles every few hours. Mr. K's problems advanced so suddenly and yes, he was extrememly lethargic. If you ever want to see my Scottie Mom panic, just have Mr. K act the way he did that night. I've never seen Scottie Mom cry so much in my life!

We both had plasma transfusions and stayed just shy of a week in the hospital during our respective stays. Mr. K's ultrasound showed internal bleeding of the abdomen and while there was some fluid in my tummy, there wasn't nearly as much as his. My gall bladder, on the other hand, remains enlarged to this day and one of my liver values has normalized (down from about 3,000) while the other has decreased to just above 600. Several medications helped me get back on track including denamarin, vitamin k, amoxicillin and metronidazole. Mr. K had a similar mix of meds. So yes, I've certainly come along way but the vet wants to keep an eye on something she calls sludge living in my gall bladder right now. Other than that, I'm one seemingly happy and healthy pup!

Yes, you are! You and your brother did so good, fighting your way back to good health. You certainly have one proud Scottie Mom here. Thanks so much for your time, sweet Heather. It was very nice of you to take time out of your busy Friday night.

Don't you be silly, Scottie Mom. This is so much fun and it is entirely my pleasure. I only wish I could share Scottie kisses with everyone who reads my blog, especially those that submitted questions last week. (Extra Scottie love goes out to Hootmon and Maggie's Mom tonight!) Well, I suppose I should be off. I've got one more walk to take and one final night to enjoy in the forbidden hooman's bedroom before Scottie Dad gets back. Night, night fellow Scotties and their pawsome hoomans! Keep the questions coming!

A Scottie Confessional

[caption id="attachment_988" align="aligncenter" width="500"]Mr. K Dear Scottie Dad, where do I start...?[/caption]

It is a well-known fact that when Scottie Dad is away, the puppies will play! And I, for one, can't say that's a bad thing. I've watched Heather and Mr. K have so much fun this week living without rules and I think they're all the happier for it. Besides, don't they always say it's better to act now and ask forgiveness later? Well, with Scottie Dad just two days away from returning home, Mr. K certainly had some things to get off his chest. Something tells me there are a few more naughty Scotties out there who have a few things to confess too...so, let's hear 'em!



Dear Scottie Dad,

It has been approximately 2o minutes since I last broke one of your rules. Specifically, the one about hanging out in the hoomans' bedroom. And you bet I feel bad about it but I've gotta admit: I loved every minute of it! (I think Scottie Mom did, too.) But I know that's not what you want to hear so I'd like to formally apologize by offering up my chewed up tug toy to you as a symbol of my regret and a token of my appreciation because, without you going away on business, I would have never had the chance to have so much fun...I mean, the chance to take away so much from this valuable life lesson of obedience.

I can assure you that never again will I play hide and seek under the bed; jump up and down on the couch without being invited; take out all my toys at once and never put them back; sleep in the hoomans' bed; wake mom up every morning at the time I desire; or drag my mom's undergarments out from the laundry bin and tear them to shreds. Okay...honestly, I can't promise I'll be able to refrain from them all at once but I can try extra hard this time. Scottie Mom says there are no more exceptions to that last one, though. Said something about thinking that I got over that habit long ago and how it really needs to stop because it's just gross. Who knew?

Anyway, I'm very sorry and I hope you will still be my play buddy upon your return. A good game of tug sounds like the perfect way for me to make this up to you. Not enough? Okay, I'll lie down on the floor and let you scratch my belly as long as you want. Then, we should be even. Oh, and in case I didn't say this earlier: you were certainly missed, Scottie Dad! It's just not the same - you know, only having one person to give you all the back scratchin's and loving that you need. So, you bet I'll greet you at the door with a big smile and some tail-wagging on Saturday.

P.S. Don't get mad but I may have accidentally, sort of, but probably not really, slept on your pillow while you were gone. And there may have been a Scottie gas situation at some point but you never can be sure with those kinds of things. No worries, I'm sure Scottie Mom has done the laundry by now and has fluffed and freshened up your pillows again. After all, we wouldn't want our Scottie Dad to come home complaining of dog smells in his bed and not knowing why those smells would be there. Or would we? Hahahaha...

Rainy Day Blues



Once again, we're participating in BlogPaws' Wordless Wednesday, a popular Internet practice of posting a photo on your blog that requires no explanation. In this photo, Mr. K's got the rainy day blues but he sure does look cute. What do you suppose he's thinking?

Sweet Scottie Treats

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For a Scottie Mom, what could be better than curling up with your pup and indulging in some sweets on a lazy afternoon? How about indulging in some sweet Scottie-themed treats! Whether they are traditional cakes, cookies, cupcakes or even cake poppers, the Scottie Mom logic applies throughout: if it has a Scottie on it, all the more reason to snatch it up!

Pictured above are some of my favorite sweet Scottie treats, many of which I found via Pinterest. (Isn't that site addicting?) Some of these inspired ideas to further incorporate my beloved pups in life's events down the road, i.e. on a wedding cake, as Valentine goodies for (future) kids to take to school, or even to attempt making a Scottie sweet treat at home (trust me: with my skills - or lack thereof - in the kitchen, baking sweet Scottie treats qualifies as a life event!). For those willing and brave enough to try, here's a great tutorial for the Scottie cupcake - be sure to share photos of how they come out and share any other sweet Scottie treat recipes with us on facebook.

Happy sweet Scottie treating from one Scottie Mom to another - indulge and enjoy!

Heather Speaks

[caption id="attachment_929" align="aligncenter" width="400"]Heather Heather says, "I love being center of attention. Go ahead, ask away!"[/caption]

It's Heather's turn for some time in the spotlight. Before we turned in for bed, I asked her a few questions and got some pretty entertaining responses. Silly, sweet Heather...

Hello,  Heather. How are you feeling on this fine Scottirday?

I feel good. My breakfast was good, my dinner was good and the walks were fun...oh, and Scottie Mom let us sleep under her bed last night (since Scottie Dad's away!). Scottirdays are the best! I don't know why that crazy vet lady says my liver value still isn't right. I feel just fine. Their machine is probably broken so don't you worry about that, Scottie Mom and friends!

We all know you'll get better, Heather Bether. Tell me: with Scottie Dad away, how would you like to spend the rest of your weekend?

Oooh...first, I would like unrestricted access to the couch.

Done.

Great! And permission to sleep under the bed?

If you don't tell, I won't.

Yea! How about longer and more frequent walks?

We can certainly do that as well.

A trip to a park. A visit to another doggie boutique, perhaps find a Halloween costume...you know, I'm sure there are few shops around here left to be explored. Maybe you can scope out some of my birthday presents!

I think we can do that. I'll see what new stores I can find.

How about treats for breakfast? And treats for dinner? Oh, can we please, please, please have some of that moist food again?

No to treats. Maybe for moist food one day in the coming weeks.

Well, I suppose I can't win them all. Things are a lot more fun when Scottie Dad's not around, hehe. Speaking of which, when will Scottie Dad's Peruvian friend come back? It's been weeks and I haven't seen him come around...

Scottie Dad's friend lives a few hours away, Heather. He can't visit as often as he'd like.

So, he's not coming back??

Oh, Heather. I'm sure he is but not soon. He invited you and Mr. K to come with Scottie Mom and Dad when we go see him in Charleston, S.C.

Ok, bye!

Where are you going, Heather?

To grab my things. Get the leash, Mom! I'm almost ready to go. Can you give me a quick brushing and maybe a doggie treat to freshen my breath? A girl's got to look her best!

Heather Bether, we can't go today. Scottie Dad isn't even home!

Oh, right. Well, we need to go soon. Tell Scottie Dad to get home faster.

I will. Tell me, Heather: how did you know to pick Peru for the Project: International Scottie Love win? A lot of Scotties from Peru submitted their photos this week!

Oh, call it a hunch. Peru did take the lead this week, didn't they? SO MANY SCOTTIES! South Africa is not far behind, though. Peru has submitted eight Scottie photos and South Africa has six. I mean, of course, I'm sure Peru will finish first. It's destiny.

Is that so? And what about the Stateside Scotties? You picked Tennessee.

Yes, and I think they'll eventually come around - I know for sure there are a lot of Scotties there. I lived with them for a good bit before I found you!

Very well, then. Well, Heather, I'm feeling pretty sleepy. You ready to turn in?

Not quite yet. I have an idea.

Oh?

Mr. K and I have done our best in these interviews to show our new friends who we really are (some of us have done a better job at it, just sayin'...). I was thinking maybe we haven't answered all our new friends' questions so I want to open it up for everyone to ask either myself or Mr. K a question at any time and we'll get back to you in our next interviews. This is very important, Scottie Mom, so please do this. You never know when a Scottie friend wants to know my advice or opinion on something, like how to catch a squirrel or persuade their Scottie Mom to do something. Or maybe another hooman has questions about what life is like as a Scottie or what to get their furry friend this holiday season.

Sounds good, Heather. I'm sure your new friends would like to ask you a few questions so how about we invite them to ask in the comment section below and then you and I will head to bed and get some beauty rest?

Oh, that's a really good idea. I have to make sure I get plenty of that. You never know when life might inspire an impromptu road trip to Charleston! And this girl's got someone special to impress! Night, Mom!!

Flashback Friday




Believe it or not, it wasn't Mr. K's charm that won me over the night I met him. No, in fact, that charm we all have come to know and love didn't come out until I brought him home. The night I found Mr. K at the shelter, I don't even think I knew he was a Scottie at first. I remember being surprised when I read his bio and it said he was a Scottish Terrier. His hair was so overgrown and he wouldn't lift his head from the ground or look at me - no matter how many times I came back to his little cage or how long I stayed with him. One things was certain: this boy was too sad and he deserved a chance at happiness!

The next night, I came back to pick him up. He seemed to recognize me but was cautious showing any hint of excitement. The minute that leash was on and we were walking to the car, though, it was like life had been infused into his little body. He sat in my lap the whole drive home, occasionally looking out the window. That first night, he slept in the kitchen with a baby gate up and in the morning, I took him to A Dog Eared Corner for a day of grooming and doggie daycare. When I returned to the shop and saw Mr. K again, I couldn't believe my eyes. I didn't even recognize him...in part due to his hair cut and in part due to his confident nature. My coworkers (who joined me at lunchtime to meet my new furry friend) laughed and cooed over my handsome puppy. Less than a day into his adoption trial period, it suddenly became very clear that a Scottie Mom was born.

Laughing Gas

Hehehe! No one knows it is me...


Not long after I started the Scottie Mom blog, someone commented on a post saying, "Scottie gas is the pits!" This made me laugh and sigh a bit of relief - I had begun to think my Scotties were a bit unique in their ability to stink up the place (while maintaining an innocent smile, I might add)!

One day, Scottie Dad and I were watching TV when I heard this horrendous noise. I looked at Scottie Dad and scowled. How could he be so rude and disgusting? Scottie Dad's eyebrows were raised and he had this look on his face that said, "What the heck was that?" I figured he was just feigning innocence but my eyes followed the direction his fingers were pointing...directly at Mr. K who was looking at his back side as if he was also wondering, "What the heck was that?"

Then, I look at my little girl who seemed to be having herself quite the little party in her corner of the apartment. She was all smiles, as per usual, but so much so that she seemed to be laughing at us, thinking we'd never catch on to her silly little deception. It didn't take long for the smell to temporarily permeate the apartment and, while I can't say for sure it was Heather (since both of my Scotties seem to take turns polluting the air from time to time), I can say that I've noticed a pattern to identify her in the future. You see, at first she takes on this normal, unsmiling look as if scanning the room to see who will be able to detect her. Then, once she's done the dirty deed, not a second goes by before the BIGGEST smile covers her face. Mr. K, on the other hand, puts his ears down and almost seems ashamed. Alas, that's the power of personality, I suppose. How many other Scottie Moms (and Dads!) have fallen victim to Scottie gas? If you haven't, let me tell you: whoever wrote me saying, "It's the pits" wasn't kidding!