Get the Pawty Started

Are you ready for the Howl-o-ween pawty?

Looking sweet as pumpkin pie!

Practicing my froggy fly-slurping maneuver. Ribbit!

Ribbit? How about a pretty little rabbit?!

It's not easy being green. Gotta find a more natural habitat for a froggy like me.

It's here, fur-riends. It's finally here: the great Howl-o-ween Pawty of 2013! Join us for a virtual parade of costumes, a treat recipe swap and a showcase of trickery...Come dressed in your best, furry friends! We can't wait to see your costumes.

Here’s how it works: Have your hooman post photos of you in costume and videos of your very best tricks on any of Scottie Mom’s social networks. Be sure to tag @TheScottieMom and use hashtag #HowlOweenPawty. Not on facebook, twitter or instagram? Send your picture to thescottiemom(at)gmail(dot)com and we’ll make sure everyone sees it in our virtual parade of costumes. Then, join us for a twitter chat from 8-10 p.m. for a treat recipe swap and Howl-O-ween Pawty meet-and-greet with participating pups!

Birthday Scots

Today, Heather and Mr. K celebrate an adventurous year gone by and embark on another 365-day journey living the good, fun-filled Scottie life before they add another candle to their doggie birthday cakes! And though they may be a year older, they (and consequently, we) are another year better because of all we accomplished, persevered through and experienced together in the last 365 days. When I think over the last year, I remember Heather kicking cancer to the curb, Mr. K assisting Scottie Dad in the ultimate marriage proposal, moving the pups into The Scottie House and, of course, the ever-increasing number of friends we've made through ScottieMom.com. So, Heather and Mr. K, here's to you for making our lives that much more fulfilling! May all your birthday wishes of sweet treats and belly rubs galore come true (in fact, I'm fairly certain they will) and may the next year be filled with new adventures, good health and lots more fur friends. Happy Birthday, my loves. Much love, your Scottie Mom.

Scottie Selfies

Mr. K was feeling so good after the last Scottie Spa Day, he decided to ask Heather to pose for a selfie with him. These are the results. Not bad for a first try, huh? Wordless Wednesday!

Why I Eat Worms

Heather Beather here. I'm taking over the blog so I might be able to plead my case before Scottie Mom can complain publicly about a perfectly resourceful habit of mine that she thinks is unusual and just plain gross. Every morning, afternoon and night, Scottie Mom takes us out for walks around The Scottie House neighborhood. We follow a path of light grey concrete blocks to the back of the house and all the way up to the front of the neighborhood and then back to The Scottie House. In between each block is a small crack, in which the juiciest snacks find their way through after it rains heavily - which, here in Atlanta, has happened a lot this year.

These snacks from the cracks are thin and only an inch or two in length. They look (and taste!) like noodles. Sometimes, these snacks are a bit slimy, having just been washed out in the rain. Other times, they are nice and crisp after toasting in the sun a bit. Either way, I find these snacks that come from the cracks just scrumptious! I keep my nose pressed to the ground on days after a good rainfall. You never know what kind of snacks you might miss out on if you don't stay vigilant about these things. I've noticed Scottie Mom is on the lookout for them now, too, because I hear her say, "Nooo!" every time I beat her to finding the snacks and she can't stop me from gobbling it up for myself.

Scottie Mom claims she says, "No" because she doesn't want me eating these snacks from the cracks. I know, I tell her, you want them all to yourself. They're yummy and I understand. That's why I work hard to make sure I find them first. Scottie Mom laughs when I tell her this and she insists she does not want to eat them herself but is only concerned for my well-being (as if eating these snacks from the cracks is unhealthy!). Are you falling for it, friends? 'Coz I'm not. I'm pretty sure the snacks from the cracks that Scottie Mom calls worms are a good source of protein. Don't our bird friends feed off them? If so, then why can't we Scotties?

Return from Paradise

Scottie Mom, we missed you and all but do we have to go home today? We made LOTS of new friends and don't want to say goodbye.







Ok, we will go home but only if we get to go outside again...right away!







To do a little this...





... and that!





Then, of course, we'll beg for treats once we are back inside (after all, you did abandon us for a whole weekend - don't we deserve something special?).





C'mon, Scottie Mom. You know you want to give us a treat or two. Pretty please?





Just because we left Pet Paradise, that doesn't mean the extra playtime has to stop. How about a game of tug?





And, after you're done fooling around, we can catch up on some much needed Scottie cuddle time. Being a pawty animal at Pet Paradise this weekend sure takes a lot of energy!

Words of the Wise

I've always heard that the older you get, the wiser you become. And the last time I saw my Grandpa Bill, in July 2013, I realized just how true this was (although I never really thought of him as "old!") as he spoke the wisest words I've heard yet. We were talking about his great grandpuppies - Heather and Mr. K - and he asked when Scottie Dad and I were going to expand the family and welcome a third Scottie to the clan. Naturally, I thought the idea (and the man who came up with it) was brilliant!

What was even wiser than the initial family expansion idea was his response to my claim that I would gladly give him another great grandpuppy or two... but Scottie Dad refused to let me. Grandpa Bill's eyebrows raised and he said, "Sounds like a compromise. If you gotta give up having two more Scotties, what's he gotta give up?" I smiled ear to ear all the while trying not to jump out of my chair and yell, "YEAH!"

Do you see the wisdom here? Grandpas are so smart and they know just what logic to use to make sure the grandkids get what they want. Yesterday, we got word that Grandpa Bill wouldn't live to see the day Scottie Dad breaks down his guard and lets us rescue another pup. And so, tomorrow we venture to lay to rest another beloved family member and with him, those loving words of wisdom. Rest assured, Grandpa Bill, when I do convince Scottie Dad to rescue a third, I will be thankful for and thinking of you.

Scottie Spa Day

It was that time again. That time when Scottie Mom got us psyched up for a ride in the Scottie Mobile. That time we were pumped to embark on our next big adventure. And that time when we realized too late that we had been duped. It isn't even Howl-o-ween yet and Scottie Mom is already pulling out the tricks!

So there we were...happily trotting into a new building when suddenly, Scottie Mom passed our leash over to the person behind the counter. What's this? Scottie Mom wasn't coming with us? The horror! We dug our paws into the floor in protest but it was no use. We were doomed, destined to spend the afternoon in a bath tub filled with lots of bubbles.

Alas, truth be told, the visit wasn't all bad. We met three fellow Scotties during our stay with the groomer and we traded ArRroOos. We did catch Scottie Mom giving those other Scotties some love (so not cool) but we eventually walked out of that place looking like rock stars. Scottie Mom even gave us treats...to go along with those tricks, we guess.

The real treat will be for all our friends when they get to see us with these rockin' haircuts underneath our spiffy Howl-o-ween costumes. Oh, and you might see us sporting our good looks in the company of birthday hats next week. That's right...our special day is just around the corner. But we don't look a day older, do we?! Much love, Heather and Mr. K.

Howl-o-ween Pawty!

Forget lions, tigers and bears...there is a lot more to say, "Oh my!" about this Howl-o-ween. Think creepy crawlers, witches' brews, lonely ghosts and terrible goblins. Scotties everywhere will take on another character, channeling their alter egos, the super cute and cuddly, or even the fierce and ferocious when selecting the perfect costume for the spooky occasion.

Not only will there be tricks (isn't it in every Scottie's nature to create some mischief?) but surely there also will be treats. And we are inviting all our furry friends to take part in an extra special Howl-o-ween Pawty on Oct. 31. Join us for a virtual parade of costumes, a treat recipe swap and a showcase of trickery...Come dressed in your best, furry friends!

Here's how it works: Have your human post photos of you in costume and videos of your very best tricks on any of Scottie Mom's social networks. Be sure to tag @TheScottieMom and use hashtag #HowlOweenPawty. Not on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram? Send your picture to thescottiemom(at)gmail(dot)com and we'll make sure everyone sees it. ArRRrOo! 

Be Inspired by a Scottie: Hamish

Hamish (left) and his brother Duncan.

At less than a year old, Scotties Hamish and Duncan learned what it meant to fight for your life as they watched their Scottie Mom battle the disease that is expected to kill nearly 40,000 American women this year alone: breast cancer. Though they were young, Hamish and Duncan watched over their Scottie Mom and doted on her with unconditional Scottie Love to help her through this difficult time. They were there to greet her at the door each time she came home from her chemotherapy and radiation treatments and they were always happy to do what Scotties do best: make their hoomans happy!

Thanks to Hamish and Duncan's support (and to medical treatments, a little perseverance, and a strong will to live!), their Scottie Mom kicked the evil "C" to the curb and is still thriving eight years later. Little Hamish, who obviously learned a thing or two about being a fighter and how to beat the odds from his Scottie Mom, has since been diagnosed with canine diabetes. For over four years now, he has had to rely on his Scottie Mom to give him two insulin injections every day. He's on a special diet and has chosen carrots as his treat of choice these days. Each morning and night, instead of running away from the insulin needle, he trots over to his Scottie Mom like a little trooper to get his shot and, of course, a carrot or two.

Canine diabetes isn't Hamish's only issue. He also suffers from ear problems, skin infections and dry eyes. With all the trips to the V-E-T his conditions must require, one would think Hamish might be ready to throw in the towel but such is not the case. In fact, Hamish has taken every curve ball life has thrown him in stride and continues to live his best life with his Scottie brother Duncan by his side. Again, having learned a thing or two from his brave Scottie Mom and her battle with the evil "C," it is no wonder Hamish continues to inspire those around him to look past the circumstances given, make the most of the situation and when a loved one is going through a difficult time, be there for them with a smile on your face and tail-a-wagging!

Many thanks to Hamish and Duncan's Scottie Mom for sharing her precious pup's story and much love goes out to you from the Scottie Mom community during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. I'm sure Hamish and Duncan will join me in my plea for women everywhere to get yearly mammograms in an effort to detect - and ultimately defeat - breast cancer earlier. For those interested in submitting your Scottie’s story for consideration as a Be Inspired by a Scottie piece, please send an email to thescottiemom(at)gmail(dot)com.

Fashionable Fall

It is that time of year again, friends. Time for Scottie fall fashion! Time for a fresh color palette. Time for the super cute sweaters that come with the weather cooling. And time, of course, for Howl-o-ween and other fun holiday costumes! Scottie Mom started the fall fashion frenzy by switching out the baby blue collars for these grey argyle ones. A bold move, considering they have a dash of pink here and there but Mr. K says he doesn't mind. After all, real men wear pink...especially during the month of October in support of breast cancer awareness! ArRroOo!!