GIVING ROSIE A SECOND LIFE

Meet Rosie, a 16 pound, 3 year old Scottie who has the makings of a wonderful little companion. Due to her previous life in a cage, Rosie's behavior is just a a bit unusual as she seems to have no interest in things like squirrels or cats or toys. She is fearful of life out of a cage and runs from hiding spot to hiding spot throughout the house. To this point we have seen no response on her part to anything we say. I am pretty sure her hearing is fine, but she just doesn't seem to pay attention to anything we say, even her name. Part of that is just from being a Scottie, and part may be from her being a bit overwhelmed in a totally new environment. She has shown some jealousy when other dogs approach us in her presence.

Rosie was undernourished with a case of tapeworms, a problem that exaggerated the size of her head in proportion to the rest of her body. She now seems to show a lot of excitement about meals and is not a picky eater. With proper exercise and nutrition she will fill out to a proper 20 pound Scottie. Rosie is not completely housebroken and we are working on getting her to let us know when she needs to go out.

Last week Rosie went to the veterinarian for a general examination and received all the necessary vaccinations. In early December, after she has had an opportunity to put on some weight, she will be spayed and have her teeth cleaned. She should be available for adoption soon after that.

After watching Rosie interact with our own dogs, we are developing the opinion that she would probably fit best with a family that has no other dogs and are familiar with the Scottie personality. We believe the adoptive family will have to spend considerable time training her as she did not develop the behavior of a normal Scottie in her early life. She is a charming little dog that is truly in need of a constant, life-long companion.

ABERDEEN SCOTTISH TERRIER RESCUE....IN ACTION

Yesterday afternoon we received word that Earlene Holmstrom, the coordinator of Aberdeen Scottish Terrier Rescue, was about an hour away from Vancouver with a carload of very dirty little Scottish Terriers. Earlene had been working with other rescue groups in an attempt to give assistance to some Scottish Terriers that had been recovered from the operator of a puppy mill. It was time to activate the ASTR volunteers for an afternoon of washing little terriers at the local dogwash. At 2:30 that afternoon all the volunteers were assembled and ready to work when Earlene arrived with four very cute, but very dirty, little terriers.

Everyone took a Scottie straight to a bath tub. Once you got a smell of one there was absolutely no delay. Each Scottie was scrubbed not once, not twice, but at least three times, in an effort to remove months of dirt and caked excrement from the very skinny and strangely quiet terriers. Months of life in cages had caused each of the Scotties to develop a nasty stench that just wouldn't completely go away. We were all wondering if that smell would be a permanent feature to Earlene's new car. One of the dogs was barely able to walk.

The Scotties were amazingly well-behaved. We had expected a bunch of unsocialized little terrors, but nothing could have been further from the truth. They did seem wary in the strange circumstances of the dogwash, but none of them barked or growled about anything. And, as you would expect of neglected dogs, they seemed almost dazed and emotionless. But after a good scrubbing and drying each dog was perfectly happy to be held by a volunteer and go to sleep while wrapped in a towel. Each of us left the dogwash with the feeling that we had made a big difference in the lives of some small new friends.

Today each Scottie will have a complete examination at our local veterinary hospital. We know that most have eye infections and problems with worms and malnutrition. Hopefully their awkward movements will simply be the result of too little exercise and that, in time, they will act like other frisky terriers. Each will get a thorough examination and each probably scheduled for dental cleaning.

For the indefinite future each Scottie will be fostered in a healthy, social environment along with other Scotties belonging to the foster families. The goal is that each little rescue, with time, will learn how to live like a normal Scottish Terrier. They may have been through hell in the past, but things are looking better for them now.

If you think you would be interested in working as a volunteer with ASTR, contact Coordinator Earlene Holmstrom through the CONTACT US link at our web site. There are so many dogs that can be helped in so many ways.

We are happy to receive letters from new adoptive parents telling us how their Scottie has changed their lives. This is a letter from the family of Franklin, an ASTR Scottie that warmed the hearts of his foster family, John and Earlene Holmstrom:


This is Franklin. I don't know if you remember Brigitte and I but we have adopted a Scottie that goes by the name of Franklin. We got him about two years ago from a foster Earlene and John in Vancouver Washington and I would like to e-mail her to let her know how Franklin is doing (maybe she won't remember him, however, I noticed she was tearful when we took him).

Franklin was extremely anxious. He would lunge at people when taken on walks. He demonstrated scottie cramp every time he got excited (even when we first met him and just walked around the block at his foster home). No one could pet him until a good 15 mins passed and even then it was iffy. When we first met him, I remember he had a partial hair cut because he couldn't tolerate the grooming.

Today, Franklin has not shown signs of Scottie cramp for nearly a year (we've had him for 2 years). He does not lunge at people when being walked. He even lets strangers pet him. He is very good at the groomers and has really turned out to be a sweet, sweet dog. He is a bit comical; sort of an odd bird. He is still stand offish to strangers as scotties can tend to be but we are very glad we have him. He is my shadow. Even Wesley, our Westie, tolerates him better and on rare occasion will play with him. My 80 year old father lives with us and he gets the biggest kick out of him. We get constant comments from strangers almost on every walk about his appearance and how he carries himself. If they don't say anything, they at least smile at him.

If you happen to know the woman in Vancouver Wa that is linked with scottie rescue, could you please take a moment and foreword this message to her and let me know.

Thank you,

Franklin's new Family

Reba's Rescue Story

Reba came into rescue February 22, 2008 from the Blue Mt. Humane Association in La Grand, OR. Reba's owner was involved in a fatal traffic accident. She left behind a grandson with special needs and Reba.

I called the shelter & talked to 2 sweet girls, & was told that Reba was a Scottie... a 52 lbs. Scottie. We were sent a picture that was so vague we actually could not tell what we were seeing so John Moreno decided to make the run for rescue.

John arrived late in the evening where I was waiting to foster this big girl. Reba was one of the largest Scots we had ever seen. However, it was too late at night for guessing about what else was in her genes other than Scottie so Reba became my foster rescue and so the story begins.

Reba was Vet checked by Dr. Cleveland and found to have Cushings disease. After some trials with another medication, Reba was put on Trilostane twice day. Reba is now on her way to being a normal dog again. She is losing weight, has a good step to her gate now, and can get up and move at a faster pace.

Reba was a very sad dog when she came to our home. She was in mourning for 2 1/2 months for her previous family. She missed her people so much. Subsequently, as we worked with her care and health issues, she started to feel better and is now a happy girl with a big heart and a great wag in her tail.

Reba will have to stay on Trilostane all her life. One bottle is $121.50 and lasts about 50 days. Reba also has skin issues, that are all cleared up now, but she may have to be on an antibiotic. Reba will have to have blood test's every few months to check on her cortisol levels to make sure she is getting the right amount of Trilostane each day.

Reba has been in Rescue for 19 months and is doing wonderfully well. She is sweet natured and kind, has her very funny moments when she rolls over huffing and puffing for belly rubs, and she does a little jig at the door to go for her walk that she enjoys each day. She walks slowly, and has a bit of trouble with her back hips and it is hard for her to climb or descend more than 2 or 3 steps at a time but as of yet this does not slowed her down. Reba has a brave and true heart and is a true love and lover. She loyally gives her love and affection and wants so little in return.

Reba's weight is an on going struggle. It goes up & down, & she is always on the look for food. Having Cushings, Reba may never achieve her normal weight but we keep trying.

Reba needs sponsors to help with her continuing medical issues. Please find it in your heart to help dear Reba stay well for what ever time she has left. She so deserves it.

Thank you all.
Ilene Vogel, Reba’s Foster Mom
Aberdeen Scottish Terrier Rescue.

POTTOMUS GOES CRUISING

Another example of a rescued Scotty-made-good, here we have a photograph of Pottomus maintaining a watchful eye on the Roche Harbor Marina in the San Juan Islands. His adoptive parents, Phil and Leslie Oaks, say Pottomus spends the day sitting on a rug over the hatch cover at the bow of their boat, making certain life at the marina is proper and within reason. Pottomus is probably a celebrity at the resort, no doubt the center of attention where ever he goes.

Pottomus came to ASTR several years ago from the state of Utah with a reputation of being 'ungroomable'. At that time he refused to tolerate brushes or clippers or the hands that hold them. Time and thoughtful training has since turned that problem around, allowing Potto to cut a striking figure while wearing a spiffy international orange flotation device at the bow of the boat. One lucky dog!

BLUE-EYED TWINS EMMA AND TRIXY

Last summer ASTR got a call about three Scotties needing to be rescued from a home in southern Oregon. I was lucky enough to get the assignment so I immediately jumped in the car and started driving. On arrival I learned that one of the females was pregnant and soon to have pups. By the time I was back in the Portland area, I had seven Scotties in the car, four of them less than an hour old. Had ASTR delayed in responding to the call about Scotties in need, the entire episode might have gone very differently.

Please meet Emma (on the right) and Trixy, two beautiful little Scotties that, I am told, have beautiful personalities to match. The photo is courtesy of Kai and Misty, the new adoptive parents.

QUEENIE, A PACK LEADER WITH A BITE!

I am very saddened to announce the passing of our alpha-pack leader "Queenie" last week after a long struggle with renal failure. Despite extensive testing and many medications (and her voracious appetite), Queenie just couldn't keep food or water down anymore. Eventually, she let us know.

Queenie came to us from a senior rescue organization in central Oregon. Abused and neglected, Queenie survived her previous owner though her brother did not. She was missing one ear and deaf, and essentially blinded by cataracts, but Queenie never failed to let our other five Scotties know who was boss. We never really knew how old Queenie was, but being mostly Corgi with a strong dose of Scotty, she lived way beyond 15 years.

Club members followed the story of Queenie, making inquiries about her progress and bringing her toys. Not many dogs survive the existence she had prior to coming to Aberdeen Scottish Terrier Rescue. We want you to know she seemed to appreciate all that was done for her. Even during some of her last days she seemed to smile and play like a puppy. For us, Queenie is what rescue is all about.