What It Takes to Save Nine Lives

It is a tale of nine lives. Not of the feline persuasion, but of nine Scottish Terriers who found themselves in need of safe and loving homes after a terrible car accident took their Scottie Mom from this Earth. In two short days, Scottish Terrier Rescue of Brazil mobilized its members across the country for fundraising and other necessary preparations to carry out the biggest rescue effort the group had ever taken on at one time.

Max, Maya and Elisabeth right after they were taken into rescue

Four rescue members arrived at the home in which the Scottie dogs were kept in March 2016. Two of the pups went to a pet care center owned by a member of Scottish Terrier Rescue of Brazil, five more went with Ana Helena, rescue board member, to her home and the remaining two went to foster homes individually. There were no records of vaccinations and so all nine Scottish Terriers received updated shots and underwent medical evaluations that showed:

• Bella, age 6, had otitis, bite marks and scars on her body
• Elisabeth, age 6, also had otitis, bite marks and scars on her body
• Jordan, age 5, was in good health
• Maya, age 8, had otitis, a urinary tract infection and teeth needing treatment
• Alice, age 10, experience difficulty chewing as a result of tooth loss
• Max, age 3, had no fur on his body due to scabies plus otitis, conjunctivitis, an intestinal infection and anemia
• Pepper, age 2, was in good health
• Tata, age 7, had severe otitis, major arthrosis and back pain, infected mouth lesions, teeth needing urgent treatment and scars on her body as well
• Yoshi, age 10, was underweight and had an enlarged liver, compromised prostate, a nodule on his neck, severe intestinal infection and otitis

And so, the healing process for these nine Scottish Terriers began. Tata and Yoshi, now fostered by rescue member Dani, went through surgeries to treat their problems. The others were started on medications and had frequent visits with vets. Despite their conditions, all nine Scottie dogs are extremely affectionate, giving back the attention they receive, rescue members say.

Bella and her forever family

Elisabeth and her forever family

Jordan and his forever family

Maya

Alice

Pepper

Soon after they received positive evaluations from the vets, three of the dogs (Bella, Alice and Pepper) became what we lovingly refer to as "foster failures" and were adopted by the families that took them into their homes. Maya, Jordan and Elisabeth were adopted by applicants selected through the typical adoption process. Max, who underwent a long journey to recover, has since gained hair, weight and strength and no longer has infections. This Christmas, Ana Helena informed her fellow rescue members that she and her husband wanted to give Max his forever home.

Max today!

Tata

Yoshi

Today, Yoshi and Tata have found their forever homes with Dani. Yoshi has progressed well and is stronger, active and very affectionate toward those who take care of him. Tata underwent another surgery in December but it is clear both are on the right path thanks to Scottish Terrier Rescue of Brazil.

It truly takes a village to pull off rescue missions such as the one in this tale of nine lives. I want to thank Scottish Terrier Rescue of Brazil personally for the work they do, for saving these sweet pups and giving them each a chance at happily ever after. Stories like this are the reason I am so passionate about adopting Scottish Terriers (or any other animal, for that matter!). Want to join me in thanking Scottish Terrier Rescue of Brazil? Leave a comment for them in the space below or head over to their Facebook page to say hello...be sure to tell them Scottie Mom sent you!

Scottish Terriers of Instagram

What better way is there to start the New Year than by taking in a whole bunch of Scottie cuteness? I personally can't think of any. This week's Scottish Terriers of Instagram will give you all the feels, smiles and motivation you'll need to tackle those resolutions (at least for the next 7 days!). And if you've resolved to be the person your Scottie dog thinks you are, chances are you're already there but these cuties will be sure to keep you on track with their winning smiles.  

Still looking for more Scottie Love? Check out other Scottish Terriers of Instagram on Pinterest!

10 Things to Remember about 2016

I know many can relate when I say 2016 was not a great year for me. In fact, it was one of the worst I've experienced thus far in life. There are days I still struggle with the life-changing events that ultimately will help shape who I am to become. Yet, I know I have much to be thankful for and wanted to find a way to express gratitude for some of the events that took place these past 12 months. And so, here are some of the Scottie Mom community's most memorable moments of 2016.

Most popular #TooCuteTuesday pictures:

 

Scottie Mom's biggest moments on Facebook:

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Most viewed blog posts:

• The Rules of Scottie-tude
• And Then, There Were Three
• A Scottish Terrier Does Doga & Totally Nails It
• Return of the Evil "C"

Scottish Terriers of Instagram

With the holidays around the corner, it is clear the Scottish Terriers of Instagram are feeling pretty festive. You can find them burying their beards in the snow, snuggling up in tartan-patterned blankets and waiting patiently by the tree for Santa Paws to arrive so they can tear into gifts. Want to share your Scottish Terriers' festive photos? Post them to Instagram, tag @TheScottieMom and use #ScottishTerriersofInstagram. Be sure to follow these Scottish Terriers, too. Happy holidays!

5 Holiday Gifts That Give Back

I have a confession to make: I put off holiday shopping for too long. I'm not a fan of Black Friday shopping or aimlessly perusing retail stores (unless, of course, I'm on a mission to find Scottie stuff!). This year, I've been compelled more than ever to purchase holiday gifts that matter, especially those that give back. I have so much to be thankful for and I challenge myself daily to think hard about what I need versus what I want. If it is something I need, I buy it. If it is something I want, I resolve to purchase something someone else needs. It is simply a better way to live.

Knowing we Scottie Moms are animal lovers at heart, I set out to create a short list of holiday gifts that give back to help those of us who procrastinated a bit but still want to buy a gift that counts and for those of us who are determined to make a difference in the world in everything we do.

• Shop the Best Friends Store for anything from clothing and accessories to pet gear and gifts for the home. Best Friends Animal Society, a leader in the no-kill movement, works with rescue groups and shelters to end the unnecessary killing of cats and dogs in shelters. The Best Friends Store has a wide selection of gift options from which to choose and you also can make a symbolic gift or purchase a membership for your loved one.

• Pick up a copy of Susie's Senior Dogs (and if you don't already, follow them on Facebook). Thousands of people fell in love with Susie, her humans and now, the furry siblings she's left behind to keep her mission to find safe and loving homes for senior dogs everywhere alive. The book is a collection of heart-warming stories of just some of the dogs Susie and her humans matched with a forever home. Having purchased the book myself, I have nothing but positive things to say about this publication!

• For a gift that indulges and does good in the world, try Lush Charity Pot. With every purchase of the Charity Pot, Lush donates 100% of the price (excluding taxes) to organizations supporting environmental conservation, animal welfare and human rights efforts. As a recipient of this gift (thanks, Marcy!) and a regular Lush customer, I personally vouch for this one.

• Share the Scottie love by supporting fundraising efforts by Scottish Terrier rescue groups. Scottish Terrier Rescue of Tennessee has their annual calendar sale featuring a handful of Scottie rescue alumni who are now living happily ever after in safe and loving homes! Check with your local Scottish Terrier rescue group to see how you can support their efforts with a gift made in a loved one's honor.

• I personally love this next idea for the little ones (but animal-loving adults will like it as well!). By adopting a species through the World Wildlife Fund, you receive a plush, stuffed animal representative of the species you've adopted. I personally received this gift in years past and plan on continuing the tradition by adopting species in honor of my niece (and future Scottie Mom!) to teach her about wildlife preservation and why it is important to give back.

Tell us: what great gifts that give back have you purchased this year?

Scottish Terriers of Instagram

There's plenty to be festive about this holiday season and these Scottish Terriers of Instagram are here to add to your joy with their cute Scottie selves! Is it me or do they get cuter every week? Don't forget: if you want to share your Scotties' photos with us, use #ScottishTerriersofInstagram and tag @TheScottieMom. Be sure to follow us and this week's featured Scotties!

'Tis the Season of Giving the #BestofBLUE

Festivities are in full force at the Scottie House. As evidenced by the photos on Facebook, Mr. K, Nibbles and Pudley already have been parading around in their holiday best and I couldn't be more excited to introduce Nibbles and Pudley to one of my favorite family traditions. Once each year, the Scottie Mom crew puts aside their issues with friends of the feline persuasion to offer them gifts of love (aka treats and other goodies). With 5 feline cousins in the family, that's a lot of love for three Scottish Terriers who typically want nothing to do with C-A-T-S.

This post is sponsored by Blue Buffalo™ and the BlogPaws® Pet Influencer Network™. I am being compensated for helping spread the word about Blue Buffalo's extensive product offering for cats and dogs available at Petsmart®, but this Scottie Mom only shares information I feel is relevant to our readers. Blue Buffalo is not responsible for the content of this article.

To get the Scotties in the holiday spirit, I grabbed a few cans of BLUE Santa Stew® to add to their regular evening meal and topped each dish with one BLUE Santa Snacks® biscuit. The oatmeal and cinnamon natural treats had just the right spice to make everything nice and soon enough, the Scotties were ready to stuff stockings for their feline cousins with healthy treats and crinkle toys galore. Once again, Mr. K found himself scratching his beard wondering how so many C-A-T-S could make it on Santa's list labeled "nice" but I reminded him these rescue kitties are family. And as such, we should feed them like family. With six flavors from which to choose, each cat cousin received their very own special BLUE Kitty Yums® pack. The treats were quite the hit!

Five stockings stuffed with BLUE Kitty Yums® and crinkle toys.

Feline cousin Cruz dressed in his holiday best. Cruz chose the chicken-flavored cat treats.

Feline cousin Topsy dressed as Mrs. Claus was eager to try her savory seafood-flavored cat treats.

Pretty kitty Avis chose to feast on salmon treats.

Squeak, who often hides away while company's here to stay, made an appearance to claim the beef-flavored cat treats.

Ianto couldn't decide between the tender turkey and tempting tuna flavors so he appealed to the humans to give him both. 

Four of the five feline cousins circling the BLUE Buffalo goodies under the tree.

How will you be celebrating the holiday with your Scotties? If you're looking to give the #BestofBlue to a cat or dog in your life, visit Petsmart to check out the extensive line of BLUE Buffalo products. Not sure which product is right for you? Every weekend, BLUE sends their Pet Detectives to your local store to help you make the best decision for your family. Happy holidays!

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of BLUE. The opinions and text are all mine.