Westminister !

THE BIG SHOW was this week, and Sophie & Ernesto were #1 in our breed ! There sure was enough competition.   Mama met them two years ago when they came to the  dog show in Greensboro.  All the Scottie people knew they were coming  to that particular show so  there were only 3 Scotties showing  that year.  Ernesto and Sophie are both lovely…..Sophie is such a happy girl and has twinkly eyes, and Ernesto is very gracious and FOCUSED.  No other way to describe him.  He really knows how to do his job.   This year, they didn’t come to Greensboro and there were a lot of Scotties.

Looking at all that is involved other than breeding to be a show dog –  nobody could or should  ever grab me by the tail….mine doesn’t curve up….but as Mama says, it still wags, which is good enough for her.  And I don’t like just anybody looking at my teeth or feeling me up to ascertain my bone structure.  I think being a pet quality dog is just fine!

Our Scottie Community on Facebook reminded  itself of the official description of our breed –

“The Scottish Terrier’s character and personality reflect the bleak and lonely moors of his origin. Life to him is serious, to be met with dignity, reserve and stout heart. He is by nature aloof, but to the accepted few friends and family his devotion is deep and lifelong. A secure place in his home, understanding and companionship are essential to his happiness. In spite of his independent spirit, his strong desire for approval will win compliance with your wishes where harsh words and punishment will fail. To those who appreciate his unique character, the Scottish Terrier is a friend and companion, second to none.”

Now while I am  not especially serious, as soon as I have done something wrong (which is rarely), I apologize immediately, which is why most of the time Mama doesn’t correct me. Her biggest gripe is when I bark in our kitchen, which has a ceramic tile floor.  She says the acoustics of same really gives her a headache. I also bark when we have company and it turns out they haven’t come to pay homage to me. That really makes me bark, so Mama is either saying NO !, picking me up, or giving me cookies just to make me stop. All there rest of the time, unless she is out of the house or we are in the car, I am glued to her side…so much for being aloof. Dignified….hmmmmm a bit of a stretch.  I am way too friendly to people, and can be aggressive to other dogs.  Companionship….Check, check, check !  I guess I’ll do.

Mama has had three Scotties.  Josh, who was a gift from a dear friend who was also a Breeder,  and did not care for the ring. So, as my Aunt Leah says, “He did not and would not”.   And he certainly  was not aloof. A ghampion companion.  After Josh went to the Bridge, Noah came into Mama’s life.  He had finished most of his Championships, but his career came to a sudden end when another Scottie jumped him as they were going into the ring, drawing blood and  causing Noah to growl at the Judge.  So that was the end of that.  Noah was not aloof either.  He stayed by or on  Mama’s hospital bed after she came home until she could walk again, but shortly thereafter, presented with late stage bladder cancer.  We think he was waiting for her to be able to walk.  About six months after the heartbreak of Noah going to the Bridge,  Mama decided after visiting several shelters that she wanted another Scottish Terrier (our friend had retired as a Breeder)  AND,  she wanted to rescue.  The rest is  history.   I was a little aloof on the way home from Atlanta because I had a terrible ear infection, had been chipped and neutered,  and had been in quarantine for ten days for nipping a Vet Tech.  As we were finalizing my bill, the Vet said “He’s a biter.”  PawPaw said, “Who cares?”,  picked me up, put me in Noah’s old  kennel in the Tahoe, and away we went.  From the moment I got home, even with my ear infection, I was not aloof.  Mama did call me George until she came up with my name.  She wanted to get it just right, and I think she did.

NOTE TO MAMA:  My Gottcha Day is coming up.  Now would be a good time to stock up on some treats and such.  Just sayin’.

To my Scottie pals, how do you compare with that description?  I’ll be interested to hear what you think!