The Scoop on the Poop

The other morning, I woke up to a horrible sight no Scottie Mom would want to see. Blood, feces and urine were scattered about the main floor of the Scottie House. Cleary, something was not right but both Heather and Mr. K seemed happy as could be, eager to go about their usual morning routine. Neither showed any signs of being sick. Even so, I knew we needed to get them into the V-E-T since there was blood involved. So I made an appointment and took the morning off work to accompany Heather and Mr. K to their not-so-favorite place on Earth: the V-E-T's office.

Since we didn't know who was responsible for the mess we found in the Scottie House earlier, it was important that the V-E-T got poop samples from both Heather and Mr. K. Heather produced a sample before we even made it into the office - right outside the V-E-T's front door! Embarrassed and yet, strangely relieved that it clearly wasn't Heather based on the sample she produced, I scooped it up in a baggie and held on to it until the V-E-T tested it to be sure. Then, they took Mr. K back to see if they could collect a sample but without luck.

Mr. K came back into the room and the V-E-T decided to take Heather back to check her out a little more closely. Almost as soon as they closed the door behind them, Mr. K turned around and left his sample right there on the exam room floor! At first, I was horrified but then I saw the sample he had left behind had blood in it. My heart sank. What did this mean? Those few minutes we were alone in the exam room were rough - and not just because of the smell although, in truth, that certainly was a factor. When the V-E-T came back and saw the sample, she laughed and teased Mr. K saying, "Was that a little too much stimulation for you, buddy?"

Tests came back shortly thereafter and luckily, all was clear. There were no parasites. It appears Mr. K just had a little bit of a stomach bug and was on his way to a full recovery, according to the V-E-T. She prescribed him Metronidazole (one pill a day for five days) and already, the consistency of his "samples" is returning to normal. Since we were already at the V-E-T, we went ahead and got their annual well-visits taken care of a month earlier than anticipated. Over $500 later, Heather and Mr. K were given clean bills of health, declared fully up-to-date on their vaccinations and given a six month supply of heartworm prevention. Now, it is time for Scottie Mom's nerves - and wallet - to recover from this most recent, albeit relatively mild, health scare!

5 things you should NEVER say to a Scottie Mom

Sometimes, things are better left unsaid. There are times, however, when people don't think before they speak or are just plain insensitive and go on to say something they simply should not. Below are five things I believe no Scottie Mom should ever be told. Sadly, I have heard every single one of these at least once in the years I've been a Scottie Mom. What are some of the most unusual things someone has told you about your Scottie that you wish you hadn't heard?

5. I know the black one is a Scottish Terrier but what kind of a dog is that one (points to the wheaten Scottie)? It looks so similar to your Scottie dog but surely, it is not one.

As Scottie Mom to Heather, I get this question all the time. It has become a somewhat laughable matter and doesn't usually bother me at this point. I just go into autopilot mode and explain that she is, in fact, a Scottie dog, but her color is rather rare. I go on to tell them there are black Scotties, brindle Scotties and wheaten Scotties - that Heather is considered a red wheaten Scottie. A look of bewilderment crosses the person's face and most of the time, they come back around to say how beautiful she is and that they had no idea. Some shake their head in disbelief, saying that she certainly is a mix. And that, my friends, is where they cross the line. Mixed breed or purebred, she is my sweet Heather Beather and I love her just the same so step aside, son!

4. Your dog is fat.

Heather hadn't been home for more than a day or two when people stopped by to meet her and that's when it all started. "Wow - she's overweight." Then, it was, "Man, she's BIG!" And my personal favorite: "Well, we know who would win if Mr. K ever put up a fight." Heather is the most lovable dog I've ever known and while she can bowl you over trying to soak up as much of the back scratching and head petting she can get, she is not fat. Heather came to me weighing 27 pounds. Today, she weighs an even 25 pounds and we're watching her to make sure she doesn't lose anymore weight because she is perfect the way she is. Calling a Scottie Mom's fur kid fat is no different than telling a mom her child is fat. It is rude and inconsiderate. Just don't say it.

3. I will never love your Scottie(s) or It's me or the Scottie(s).

Pack your bags, pal. Nothing and no one comes before Scottie Love and if you ask us to choose between you and the dog, I can tell you it won't be the dog I'll be giving up. He who loves a Scottie Mom must also love her Scottie dog(s). It is as plain and simple as that. Once you accept a Scottie dog into your life, it is a lifelong commitment until death do you part. I once dated a guy who thought people who posted pictures of their dogs on Facebook were "stupid." Needless to say, that relationship didn't go very far. Can you imagine what he'd say now with Heather and Mr. K stars of their very own Facebook page? It really doesn't matter. Heather and Mr. K are way cooler, anyway!

2. Your Scottie's a jerk!

Okay, let's be honest here. Scottish Terriers can be temperamental creatures who definitely possess an air of Scottie-tude about them and can come off as a little rough around the edges sometimes. Mr. K is no exception. However, just because he is selective with his friends (human and furry alike), does not mean he is a jerk. Like individual people, every Scottie is different. Mr. K is actually a sweetheart who protects his own like no other. He is proud and actually is quite sensitive - he just doesn't want everyone to know it. Gotta protect that Scottie pride!

1. You shouldn't rescue. Rescue Scotties come with all sorts of problems.

If you really want to get this Scottie Mom's blood boiling, tell me I shouldn't rescue another Scottie. No, I'm not talking about Scottie Dad not being ready to take in a third rescue yet. I'm talking about those who tell me that I should never rescue a Scottie...period. Not realizing both Heather and Mr. K are rescues, I let the foolish people give me their spiel about why one shouldn't rescue (they have mental problems, all sorts of bad behaviors, you just don't know what you're going to get...) before I look at them, smile politely and say, "It's funny you say that. Both of these Scotties are rescues." Then, I watch their jaws fall to the floor - as if that thought had not previously occurred to them beforehand. Someone actually said to me, "...but they're so well-behaved!" Yes. Heather and Mr. K are well-behaved but what makes you think other rescue Scotties are not? All it takes is a little patience and a lot of Scottie Love, people!

Scottie Staycation

Ok, Scottie Mom - let me out!

It didn't take us long to settle into our suite.

Playing with a new human friend before we go meet other puppers.

It was all fun and games...until some Scotties got a B-A-T-H.

We weren't upset too long...Scottie Mom arrived shortly thereafter to take us home!

Then, because it was Mother's Day, we took Scottie Mom to the nearest dog-friendly restaurant: Sonic Drive-In and I barked in her order. ArRRrOo!

I don't like to be away from Heather and Mr. K but when I have to be, it is good to know I have a place I can turn to and know that they will not only be safe but will enjoy themselves just as much as (if not more so than!) when they are with me. Initially, I was against boarding Heather and Mr. K at all costs. The only way I would vacation was if the Scotties came with us or someone I trusted could watch my precious pups. Now, thanks to a thorough (and somewhat neurotic) Scottie Mom hunt to find a place that met my standards, I have some peace of mind when I drop the fur kids off at Pet Paradise. With four weekend Scottie staycations behind us - all ending with smiling puppy faces - and round-the-clock access to a web cam, it is safe to say I am over any anxiety and reservations I had before I boarded them! An added and unexpected bonus? Mr. K seems to have lost his sometimes rough-around-the-edges nature around other dogs thanks to the consistent socialization! What do you look for in a place your pups can staycation while you're away?

Return to (Pet) Paradise

All packed and ready to go - let's hit the road!

New York, here we come (again)! Today, Scottie Dad and I venture north to meet and interview potential vendors for the Scottie Mom wedding. Heather, my maid of honor, has done a great job helping us narrow down the choices for a pawtographer and florist. Every night for some time now, she hops on the couch with me and props herself up on my lap to look over the pawtographer websites with me on the laptop. Our goal is to choose both the pawtographer and the florist by the time we return to The Scottie House so that Heather can make the announcement to all our friends when she updates everyone on the Scottie Mom wedding planning progress soon.

This time, the fur kids will stay in Atlanta at their favorite vacation spot Pet Paradise while we're in New York. Heather and Mr. K were a little bummed they wouldn't be returning to Central Park of Squirrels but as soon as I told them where they'd be going instead, they marched over to the kitchen, began packing their Scottie bag (made for them by a Scottie Mom reader!) and were ready to go in a flash. They truly love their time at Pet Paradise and I worry less and less each time they stay. You might recall the anxiety I had the first time I ever boarded them in January 2013 - if not, you can read about it here). It amazes me to think that how comfortable I am taking them there now. I know well that when I go to pick them up, they probably won't be ready to leave...

Wish us luck, friends! Paws crossed that we'll have some wedding news to report soon. Oh, and if you find any great ways to incorporate Scotties into the wedding like that fabulous wedding cake design we posted on our Facebook page yesterday, let us know! Much love, The Scottie Mom.