Stories
about Scotties
Zach
(RB89) was a protective little beast. He liked most people, but on
his own terms. One of his friends was our next door neighbor,
Randy. Our house had a very elaborate alarm system. The
kids were away at college; we were at church. When we came home,
we noticed a ground floor bedroom window open that shouldn't have
been.
When we pulled
in the driveway, Our neighbor was sitting by the back door,
laughing. He was listed at the Police Station as having our
keys and the codes for turning off the burglar alarm. He said
the police had called him that our alarm was triggered. He
met the officers and opened the door to be greeted by an irate Scottie.
The officers insist on going in first, but Zach sure didn't know
that guy in the blue suit with the stick in his hand, and Randy's
introduction wouldn't suffice. They tried to ignore Zach when
Randy directed them toward our bedroom, where the alarm controls
were located. The closer they got to the bedroom, the more Zach
objected. Zach convinced Randy and the officer that one more
step, and one of the three would have to die. After
reviewing the facts, the officer was sure that if he and Randy couldn't
get in, no one else could either. The police left.
Randy told us the story. We unlocked the door to be
met by a very happy and excited Zach, who led us directly
to the open window to show it to us. He hopped up in the chair
by it and I saw:
(1) the screen was cut and the hook
forced open,
(2) the sash had been forced up, and
(3) a few drops of blood on the sill.
While Zach was in the chair his mouth was perfectly positioned
to meet any hand, face or other body part that was inserted
into the opened window. We all thought it quite clear what
had happened. The police agreed. That was the only time
Zach was "put to the test," but he sure passed it and
got lots of treats including his very own serving of ice cream.
George Wilson, Attorney who lives
in West Kentucky provided above story.
When I was a small boy in the 1940's, I was given a Scottie
as my first dog. He had been used as a show dog by a large kennel
and seemed cowed and distrustful of people. Gradually my Mother
brought him around to the point that even my Father admired his
courage and attitude.
Father took him to his office now and then and the dog (Tammy)
liked to sit under a couch in my Father's office. Various businessmen
would come in and discuss things with my Father. Tammy was indifferent
to most strangers but occasionally he showed a dislike to a certain
visitor. He would emit a low growl from beneath the couch.
Since he couild not be seen, my Father would look on with amusement
as the visitor tried to figure out where a dog might be. Father
said Tammy was a pretty good judge of people because he usually
agreed with him.
By John, Keeper of this page.
Auburn, Washington
A determined Scottie will not be
easily deterred...
Just after World War II began my father and mother thought
that I, a boy of eight, should have a dog. Rather accidentally they
chose to look at a large Scottie kennel kept by a very large corporation
in the food industry. In later years the company's Scotties would
become famous. And I would never have anything but terriers
during my life. Airedales, a Welshie and now I am the obedient servant
of two Scotties. Here is my best Scottie story showing how determined
the little devils can be.
He
sat alone watching people come and go, but aloof and cautious to
any advances people made to him. While the other thirty-five or
forty Scotties at the kennel ran around or barked, this year and
one-half old was obviously not part of the pack. With all of the
outgoing and gregarious Scots clamoring for her attention after
about two hours of inspection my mother chose Tam OShanter II,
an ex show dog. We would call him Tammy.
During the ride home from the kennel he sat beside me in
the back seat, subdued and anxious. In the weeks following we decided
he had been rather badly treated by the kennelmaster and had lost
his trust of people.
In the first few months he was with
us, Tammy obeyed but showed no liveliness or joy in life which is
so unlike the typical terrier personality. As determined to resist
any bonding as he was, he met his match in my mother. Day-by-day
mother would have short training sessions followed by play in the
garden. After three months Tammy began to respond with a tentative
wag of his tail and a little light had come into his eyes. In six
months he began to show enthusiasm and his real personality began
to emerge. After a year he was a different dog with all of the endearing
qualities of the breed. Courage, independence, curiosity,
loyalty and the self-appointed guardian of family and home. Although
aloof with strangers and rather spartan in his life-style, he hated
soft furniture and laps and did not want to be handled a great deal,
he enjoyed life immensely and greeted us with great joy after even
a short time away from the house. Tammy had gained complete confidence
in himself and in us, his family.
The following happened several years later, about 1945...
Tammy slept in my parents bedroom
under my mothers desk in one corner. He liked regular hours
and he liked dark and quiet when he slept. One night in late winter
my father was away on business. I was in boarding school and this
story was told to me by my mother and sister who never got over
it.
The time was well after 10:00 PM. My mother was in her bed
and my sister was sitting on my fathers bed with her legs dangling
over the side of the bed. They were discussing all sorts of things
and oblivious to the time. Several times Tammy had gotten up from
his place under my mothers desk in the corner and glare at the
women who were disturbing his sleep. Sometimes he grumbled and muttered
at them but still they ignored him.
After several of his complaints went unheeded, he got up
from his bed and came over to the side of my fathers bed. Firmly
but gently he took my sisters ankle in his mouth and pulled her
off the bed. He made it quite clear that she was to go to her room.
Marching her there, he waited until she got into bed and put out
her light. Then he trotted back into my parents room and faced
my mother with an intense look that plainly said, Turn off your
light and go to sleep! Thoroughly amazed at this performance, my
mother complied. With his task completed he returned to his bed,
settled into a comfortable position and let out a large sigh.
I suppose Scotties find us humans difficult to manage but
with enough determination it can be accomplished.
John Baillargeon. This story
is my own.
One day two women were in the shop and Katie met them at
the door with the usual greetings. They were overly nice to
her and as they were looking around Katie ran off to her house (Pet
Taxi) and came running out with something hanging out of her mouth.
The ladies started screaming......shes caught something......shes
got it in her mouth.....I came running to see and as I look at Katie
I see she had her favorite stuffed mouse in her jaws with only the
head hanging out!!!!!! Theres Katie proudly chasing
two screaming women around the shop and all I could do was
stand there and laugh. Finally I managed to get out its not
real just as Katie dropped it on one of the gals feet.
Can you imagine if that mouse had a squeeker in it??
Hello.... 911??
Linda Bugle, Katie and Bonnie
Cape Cod, Massachusetts
Hi Scotty Lovers,
I work for a hospice here on Long
Island. I care for people during their last walk of life.
This story is about a wonderful man and Ramsey my scotty.
When I first went to Don's house I
noticed he had many books on dogs.
He told me he missed his cocker spaniel.
He had to give the dog away when he was no longer able to care for
him because of his illness. I told him about Ramsey and he
asked if I could bring him the next day.I did. When we arrived
he was in his wheelchair waiting. Ramsey was all excited and
ran around the house sniffing everything. Finally he went
over to Don and made friends with him. Then he laid down at
his feet and rested his chin in his foot. Don asked me if I could
bring him every day. I did, 4 hours a day 5 days a week.
Don had a very large house.
So when I left the room Ramsey would follow. If Don called
him he would run to him and lick his hand.This went on for many
months. Ramsey made him smile and brought him much comfort.
As Don illness progressed, Ramsey would follow me less and less.
The last 2 weeks Ramsey laid under his bed and would not come out.
I knew his wee soul knew.
I am lucky that I can bring my dogs
to work with me. Most of the time it is only for a day.
Muffy my westie visits with my woman patients and Ramsey with the
men. They are used to oxygen machines, wheelchairs and hospital
beds. Muffy loves to sit in laps and get petted.
Pat Gaffney, Muffy & Ramsey
Email to John,
the keeper of this Web Site
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