I have shared my life with a Scottish Terrier since I purchased my first one when I was 26 years old. That was over 40 years ago and it was a male I named Shaw's Angus MacDuff. He was a pistol and he was a challenge. He shared my home for 14 years, dying in my arms of cancer. I cried and cried when I let him go. Mac was the love of my life.
In 1998 I purchased a Scottie from a breeder in my home area. Shaw's Roddy MacDuff was a wonder. He had 'the chip' - meaning that he had a natural need to perform and get applause and compete. I competed him in AKC Obedience Trials and for a short time - life 3 days - he was the number one Obedience Dog in the State. That was remarkable. The Scottish Terrier is not known for Obedience stuff. In fact, my Dad once told me that I would never be able to train 'that dog' in Obedience without taking a two-by-four to its head (and I am not sure he was kidding). Later, when he saw how amazing Roddy was in the Ring, he did a total Dad and took credit for it. "I taught my girl everything she knows and look what she did with that dog!". If Roddy didn't win, he would threaten to report the judge to the AKC.
I lost Roddy at the age of 8. In 2006 he died of Lymphoma and it broke my heart. He was more than my companion; he was my partner in the ring and the grief was so deep.
Two years later, I bought Shaw's William Wallace MacDuff from a breeder here in the area. Duffy was all Scottie. While he learned basic obedience he had absolutely no desire to compete in anything. His attitude was that we, human beings, were lucky he wanted to hang out with us at all. I was his person but he had no problem scolding me if he thought I had overstepped my bounds - like maybe I was 30 minutes late getting home from work which delayed his dinner. What was I thinking?
When he was 7, Duffy died from Cirrhosis of the Liver. I was 23 years without any alcohol or drugs and having to accept the fact that my DOG had an illness than normally killed people like me who keep drinking and using was both ironic and sad. I cried and cried....I felt like I had let him down somehow because I had tried to save him, subjecting him to transfusions and treatments he didn't want. He died at the Vets before I could get to him and that haunted me for years.
I knew I could not afford another dog. I didn't want anything other than a Scottish Terrier. That is my breed. I love everything about them - their sassy look, their attitude, their intelligence.....their willfulness. I have often said St Thomas Aquinas would have rethought his theology of Free Will if he had lived with a Scottie.
My mentor suggested I put my name on the list for Scottie Rescue. I read up on it and submitted an application. My journey began with the local club as the wait for a Scottie to rescue began. I kept being turned down for a variety of reasons. I became very discouraged and shared with my mentor that I was going to take my name off the list. "Don't quit - let God handled this", she advised and so, reluctantly, I agreed.
One night, very late (after 9pm - for me? That's late), I received a phone call from Nancy, one of the women with Scottie Rescue. A little guy had shown up at the Stockton Animal Shelter. He was very beat up - broken hip, broken paw, skin raw in places where he had been attacked while on the street - and the rumor was that he had been tossed out of a car during a domestic violence incident. I told her that I was not sure I could take him. I didn't have any excess income and wouldn't be able to provide the medical care he needed. "Oh no", she said. "We would have you adopt through the shelter and then UC Davis ( the premiere teaching university for veterinary science) will provide all the medical treatment." This sounded promising....and then she said, "They do not usually name their strays brought in but he is so darn cute they have been calling him (wait for it) MACDUFF".
I went to my Mom's room to tell her and she said, "Oh we have to go get our dog".
Shaw's RobRoy MacDuff came to us that summer. He's been with me every since. We chose his birthday to be in September which is just an estimate of his age. I did a DNA test when I first got him and he is a purebred Scottie but we do not know his line. His dna/blood sample is now with the Health Trust Database so maybe some day we will find out what his lineage it. All I know is he is a love bug and very tolerant....I know because.......
Two years ago into his life came a ball of fire known as Shaw's Lilas MacDuff of McPhee. Lola, the Showgirl has been my introduction to AKC Conformation and all the ins and outs of that sport. Right now we are waiting to breed her for the first time - that makes her a Maiden Bitch - because I have the chance to become a real Scottish Terrier Breeder. I have the chance to introduce a line of dogs into this valley that are healthy and strong and the perfect companion for a family that wants a protector and someone to boss them around.
This breed is NOT for everyone. If you have a bunch of little humans who have never had a dog, you might not want a Scottie. If, however, you have the time and patience for a puppy and the household that will respect the breed while loving its personality this is the breed for you. A Scottie is tough, loving, smart, funny and not afraid. They are not stupid and they will not tolerate stupidity from their humans.....yes, you can hurt their feelings but they will forgive you. Yes, you must be the Alpha in your home but they will challenge you. Yes, they will look at you sometimes like you are an English Spy and they are a Scottish Revolutionary Terrorist but they are the best damn dog on the planet.
My hope is that Lola will give birth sometime in April (there is a 60 day gestation period). My hope is I will get to keep a puppy and then sell the rest to people who will fall in love with this breed like I am in love with this breed.
The MacDuff Line begins!
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