Say what you will about social media but if it wasn't for Facebook, Scotties Pixie and Dixie would not be where they are today. Two years ago, we shared a post from
Flathead County Animal Shelter in Kalispell, Montana on the Scottie Mom Facebook page. Within a short while, hundreds had commented and shared in hopes of finding a safe and loving home for this bonded pair who had been surrendered to the shelter along with a chocolate Labrador Retriever and Jack Russell Terrier.
That's when Scottie Mom Michele stepped forward.
"I didn’t belong to any Scottie rescue group pages, only
the Scottie Mom page," Michele told us in an email. "I saw the picture of Pixie and Dixie and felt so sorry for them, sitting in the shelter and waiting for a home. I began to wonder if it was a crazy idea to adopt them. Then, I Googled how far it was from Reno, Nevada to Kalispell - which is almost at the Canadian border. There were flights to Kalispell from Reno but because it was June, the summer animal travel embargo was in effect so they couldn’t fly home with me."
After getting a hold of the team at
Flathead County Animal Shelter who agreed to hold Pixie and Dixie long enough for her to make the journey north, Scottie Mom Michele booked a flight and made reservations to rent a car for the 1,028 mile (or 14.5 hour) journey home.
"When I landed in Montana, it was pouring rain," Scottie Mom Michele said. "I got my car, set the navigation system and headed for the shelter. The people there went back to get both the girls and brought them out to me but they were very skittish (and very overweight – they each weighed about 30 pounds and they are little dogs). I was so happy to meet them! They were just scared. I walked them to the car and they jumped into the back seat and off we went."
Remember Scotties Pixie and Dixie in Montana? They met their new Scottie Mom today! Hip-hip-ArRRoO for happy tales and happy tails!!
Posted by Scottie Mom on Wednesday, June 18, 2014
A quick stop at
Petsmart and the trio went to check in at a nearby hotel for the evening. That's when I received the following message from Scottie Mom Michele via Facebook.
"They are very timid, but I have already gotten a Scottie kiss from one of them," Scottie Mom Michele said. "These two little girls don't even respond to their names. They are extremely shy and are hanging out under the desk in the hotel room. They are great car riders, which will come in handy as we make the 1000 mile trek back to Reno."
The next morning, Scottie Mom Michele woke up to see both girls standing with their front paws on the bed - seemingly ready for the day's adventures! They journeyed eight hours to Twin Falls, Idaho where they spent their second night together in another hotel. That's when I received another Facebook message from Michele.
"A quick update on today's travels with Pixie and Dixie," Scottie Mom Michele wrote. "They are such good little travelers and so sweet, they sleep practically the entire time they are in the car but are ready to get out and walk as soon as I stop. They didn't eat anything last night, but today they are drinking plenty of water and have eaten a little. I can already see that they are warming up!"
At home in Reno, Pixie and Dixie finally got to meet the family including their new Scottie brother, Puck, known to be extremely social and very loving to other dogs.
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| Pixie smiling for the camera while Dixie says hello to Puck. |
"It was a leap of faith to adopt two dogs who I had not had a meet-and-greet with but I knew we could give them a forever home, lots of love, and that everything would turn out fine," Scottie Mom Michele said. "I love walking in the door at the end of the day, to be greeted by all three, with wagging tails and kisses."
Nearly two years later, Pixie and Dixie are down to 24 pounds each. They go for long walks twice per day with their Scottie Dad and love to play and run around with Puck. Their personalities have begun to shine through and they aren't afraid to snuggle up with the humans whenever they please. In December, Dixie had knee surgery requiring eight weeks of rehabilitation. She has recovered nicely.
“My advice would be to make sure that you give a rescue plenty of time to adjust; it doesn’t happen overnight," Scottie Mom Michele said. "It takes time to earn their trust and their love and they need you not to give up on them. You never know what they have been through. It is so worth it!”
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| Pixie today |
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| Dixie today |
