Do you ever get that feeling of urgency - when you really have to act upon making a decision that will positively benefit someone or something? Last week I had one of those urgent feelings - a deep down tugging in my stomach, in my heart, in my soul, to do something to help a rescued Scottie dog.
Here's the story:
My Facebook friend, Cate, posted a photo of a Scottie that had been rescued and was in placement with a foster parent through a California Rescue Organization. She had been in an abusive environment AND had recently whelped puppies. She may have had several liters in the past, but who knows. Only she does.
There was something about her face, her story.
I needed to find out more.
So I did.
Cate was very instrumental (thank you Cate) for recommending me to the Rescue folks. Evidently, Cate has been reading this little blog of mine for years and never put the two-and-two together that her FB friend was one in the same as the author of Sweet Cottage Dreams blog. Small world we live in. I call it the Kevin Bacon rule of 7.
Many emails were exchanged with the Rescue director, Cate and the foster parent. It was decided that I was first in line to adopt. Evidently, there were many people who wanted to adopt her, so she would have had a home, one way or another. But God's grace was on me. He knows my heart.
I never thought that I would want to get another dog after having lost Fiona at such a young age. And then we are dealing with some health issues with our male Scottie, Duhgall. He is doing well, just dealing with keeping his liver enzymes healthy and treating skin issues.
The shelter Doctor did an assessment of the little Scottie girl and said she was healthy, despite her ordeal. (Some people should NEVER be able to own animals!) But because I am me and wanted more information on her, Cate traveled over to the city and picked up the wee lassie and took her to a different vet and had a blood work up done. Everything came back perfect! Cate knows our story about Fiona and her advanced liver disease and I wanted to make sure this little girl was ok.
Who could resist those eyes? Not me, not me. She kind of reminds me of a little rescue we had many years ago, too. She was part Scottie. And she had the same look in her face.
This little girl is 100 percent Scottie.
Her coat is thin, but I am sure with proper nutrition and vitamins, it will grow back in.
She has a gray beard, wisps of gray around her eyes - like a bandit mask - and the tiniest feet and crooked four-inch legs. Her brown eyes melt my heart. And she has a perfect Scottie tale, like a carrot.
Our dogs are family and therefore they are allowed on our furniture. We try to keep blankets spread out for them to lay on, but should another spot, or pillow, seem a better choice, then it's ok. I don't sweat the small stuff anymore.
As for Mr. Duhgall, he is being "tolerant" of her. Those of you who are familiar with Scotties, they can come off as being aloof. Kind of like when you had a crush on a boy in school and they didn't care that you existed? Well, that may be a bit of an exaggeration, but you get my drift. Duhgall was patient with her when she shared a corner of his pillow with him. She will be getting her own floor pillow. That's a no-brainer.
She is a bit shy, especially with men. I was surprised at how well she walks on her leash, goes potty outside when taken and really behaves well. Being a rescue, you just never know what you will get, but she is 2-4 years old and has been trained at some point in her life.
For now, we are getting to know each other and we are smitten. After these photos were taken, she got a bath and a little trim done on her ears, tail and face. She will soon have a proper Scottie cut when she goes in for her spa day.
She is home now, her forever home. She will be spoiled rotten, adored, loved and cherished.
So meet Kate, also known as Katie! Not her original name, but it is fitting to her. We adopted her on the day that would have been my Grandmother Katie's birthday, so I thought it fitting to name her after my short and sweet Grandmother. And she would have liked that, too. I can even hear her laugh of approval, that is after having told me three thousand times how to make a Chocolate Mayonnaise cake.
