Excerpt from the Rescue Coordinator's Report to the STCA Board:
Following are the final results for the 2004 Rescue Survey. Although there were several groups that did not report figures, we had a better response than last year. I think our true total would be over 600, if everyone had responded.

Even though there seems to be several other independent groups representing themselves as all breed or Scottie rescues, it seems the public has "found" us and begun to recognize us for the committed group we are. I can't say enough good about this fine group of dedicated volunteers!!

Pat Gruda
STCA Rescue Coordinator

More details from the annual Rescue Report for 2004:
Of those reporting, there were 552 purebred Scotties taken into the various Scottie rescue programs represented on the STCA Rescue contacts webpage. These figures do not include any Scotties from independent Scottie rescue groups that are not associated with STCA. There were 408 reported in 2003, or an increase of about 25%.

There were 317 males, and 235 females.

Age breakdown:

• 0-3 months       13 *
• 3-6 months         8
• 6-12 months     45
• 1-3 years        101
• 3-6 years        191
• 6-9 years        109
• 9-12 years        65
• Over 12 years   20

Notes:
*) Five of these 13 dogs were from a single a litter.
**) 18 were reported euthanized for health reasons and 3 for temperament.

There were 13 dogs awaiting placement at the end of 2004. Rescue contacts or foster homes reported that they had kept a small number of the dogs, there were a few dogs in the system at the beginning of 2004 that were placed during the year, so the number of purebred Scotties reported placed was 530.

On-Line Rescue Applications:
In November 2004 we started keeping track of how many On-Line Applications are processed by the STCA web server.  Although we do not have records for a complete year as yet, the initial statistics suggest that we are receiving about 200 applications per month.  The peak was about 250 applications just after Christmas, but almost 900 applications have been received in the last 4 months.

Scottie Mixes:
10 groups reported that they did not take Scottie mixes.
Most of the rest reported that they would take predominant Scottie mixes.
The number of these was 40;
              25 males, and 15 females. All were placed.

• 6-12 months   2
• 1-3 years      25
• 3-6 years        9
• 6-9 years        2
• 9-12 years      2

Other breeds rescued on a regular basis --
Westies, Cairns, Soft Coated Wheatens, Giant Schnauzers, Cockers, Schipperkes, and Sealyham Terriers. There were a few other ones or twos that were taken in due to circumstances.

Placements by Club:
STC Greater New York placed the largest number at 44,
North Texas Scottie Rescue at        39,
Southern California reported           33,
STC Chicago reported                   32,
ST Rescue of Tennessee reported   24;
Memory of Monroe reported          24;
STC Michigan reported                  24;
STC Washington DC reported        23;
St. Louis Scottie Rescue reported   20; and
Washington State STC reported      20.

Turn-in Sources:
At least 75% of the dogs come from owner turn-ins. The most outrageous excuse reported for 2004 was submitted by STC Chicago Rescue,

"He’s just not as cute as Barney Bush…".

Central Alabama Scottie and Westie Rescue reported a case where the husband threatened to kill the Scottie. The rest were the usual excuses of not enough time, owner illness, dog illness, new baby, moving, aggression (usually not substantiated once Scottie was in rescue), etc.

Medically, problems reported are the same ones as in previous years - skin and ear problems associated with neglect and allergy problems headed the list, with heartworm, dental disease, cancers of various types, parasites, Cushings, CA, irritable bowel syndrome, luxating patellas, heart murmur, etc. being reported.

The average expenditure per dog was about $200, with one contact stating they had put $4,000 into a young Scottie that had to be euthanized when it was determined that she could not survive. Several sited cases where they expended $500-$800 in medical expenses for individual Scotties before they were ready for placement.

Placement Fees:
The majority seem to use a sliding scale for placement donations/fee, based on age of Scottie or amount invested in the individual dog or a combination thereof. Donation/fees stated ranged from $50 (which is probably too low) to a high of $400 (for a young, healthy Scottie), with the majority being around $200.

Observations:
It seems that about half of you have some type outside support and about half are totally independent. Several of you independents are fantastic fundraisers!!

Again, thank you for your help in putting this survey together.

Pat Gruda
STCA Rescue Coordinator

"[I'll put him] outside and let the Coyotes get him."

Hearing this we went into action as quickly as possible. With a couple of calls to rescue committee members, Denise Gossett made arrangements to pick Hawk up quickly. They found Hawk living in a beautiful new log home in a small suburb. The two bitches that Hawk had been living with and kept pregnant were well cared for and impeccably groomed. She was amazed to see how extremely grown out and very matted this boy was. We found out that Hawk had not seen a vet in over 7 years yet doing his part in producing over 120 puppies without any testing.

While bathing and grooming, a six inch long piece of wire was found matted in his coat between his back legs. This was obviously why he was walking very funny and possibly grouchy as it had started to penetrate both legs, causing a red irritation. We all found him to be a very gentle, playful dog. In addition, after grooming we found him to be a really beautiful overweight 30 lb. Scotty.

Hawk, with his foster home parents, Harry and Florence Hicks.

On Monday morning he went to the vet for his general exam, shots, and neutering. During that examination, the vet found a 4-inch growth above and behind his bladder. After much concern, a sample taken and an ultrasound, it was determined to be an enlarged prostate, which would definitely be the reason for the sudden, peeing in the house. His teeth also were found to be in terrible condition and we chose to have them cleaned, which led to three badly needed extractions. He was also neutered at the same time, which made a long difficult day for poor Hawk. He recuperated very fast and moved on to his very playful, loving demeanor.

We finished the reference checks and the home visit with his perspective new home and found them to be a wonderful match. Unfortunately, sometimes things change for the applicants that we choose to place a dog with and we only hope that they will call us. This was the case in late February of this year, from Hawk’s new owners. Their jobs had changed, unexpectedly, and for the last month, Hawk had been back to living in a crate most of the day. They asked if I knew what they could do and I, of course, said “Bring him back to me and we will find him another home.”

Back to Top

One day, a big truck pulled up to her house. It had Moving Van (whatever that means) written on the side, and strange people began to bring all the belongings out of the big house, and load them in the truck. She saw many interesting things emerge from the house, from her viewpoint, tied outside under a tree. Although never allowed inside, she knew that these things must be important to her owner and she put up a big fuss about these men taking everything away. But what could a girl do, tied like this away from the action?

This was not her first home, she really could not tell anyone how many families she had lived with, but she had been at this home for awhile and although no one paid much attention to her, she still loved them, and really looked forward to someone coming out to feed and pet her.  “GET DOWN NELLIE, YOU'LL GET ME DIRTY” was what they said mostly, but that is okay, at least they came out sometimes.

That night and the next night, the house remained dark, no one came out to feed her, or pet her. She accidentally turned her water over but no one noticed. She tried to find some scraps of food left on the ground from last week, but those had long since been licked up. She was worried about her family, what could have happened to them after that big truck took all their stuff? If only she could get loose, she would try to find them. She hoped nothing bad had happened to them.

After a few days, Nellie saw a nice lady from next door, notice that she was still tied out under that tree. It was getting colder at night and she sure would have loved a warm blanket. This lady took Nellie some food and gave her some water. She must be an angel, Nellie thought. Every evening when this lovely angel got home from work, she would come see Nellie, bring her something to eat, and make sure she had water. One evening, lo and behold, her owner came back. “Oh boy.” Nellie yapped, she ran out to the length of the chain and jumped up and down, up and down, yap, yap, yap. She was so excited, now, at last, the family is coming home, or else he is coming to get me and take me to wherever they have gone. But that was not to be, the man brought her some food and patted her on the head, with the usually “Get down, Nellie.” But she couldn't help it, she was so glad to see him. But then, like a dream, he was gone again. “Never mind, Nellie,” the lovely angel lady said, I will find someone that will help you.

The angel lady searched and found something called Scottie Rescue, and the nicest man in the world, came to see Nellie. He brought her some food, and treats, he petted her all over, and never once told her to get down. Then he talked to the angel lady, and loved on Nellie some more, then told her that he would have to locate her owner, and make sure he no longer wanted her, but that as soon as he could, he would come back and get her.

For Nellie, that night seemed to go on forever. She watched every car that passed, hoping that it was the nice man. Finally, the next day, he came back. He put her in his car and away they went. She was so happy. After a stop at the vet, the nice man took her home and told her that she was at a “Foster Home.” She had no idea what that meant, but there were some other dogs there that looked a lot like her. Except she needed a bath and a haircut. The nice man, also had a nice lady who helped care for Nellie in the next few weeks. When it came time to begin to look for a forever home for Nellie, the nice man, and nice lady, told the Rescue Coordinator, “Never mind, we think Nellie is in her forever home.”

After rescuing her from the back yard and fostering her for a few weeks, they decided to keep Nellie, and she has become one of their family. At last Nellie has her forever home, and someone to love her for who she is.

Ginger McAfee
Tennessee Scottish Terrier Rescue

"...she was worried because he lived out in the back yard."

In February we got a call from a woman who said she wanted to turn in her Scottie because it was really cold outside and she was worried because he lived out in the backyard. Upon questioning her further, we found out that he'd been living outside for the last 7 years, since he was 1, after nipping her then 1 year old son on the hand during a birthday party. They'd hoped to have the time to work with him over all that time, but never managed to get around to it. His only crime was that every time he got near his family, he followed them around wanting to be near them all the time and they interpreted that as him not liking them.

A few days later, he came into our Scottie Rescue program as a foster, where he was groomed and taken for veterinary care. He was in great health for an 8 year old Scottie, with the exception of having Lyme Disease, which we caught before he became symptomatic and which he's being treated for. When the long and matted hair came off, a great looking dog emerged from underneath! His sweet personality and strong desire to be with people broke our hearts as we imagined him essentially alone for so many years.

We located and screened a great home for him in PA with 3 other adopted rescues and set up a meeting to make sure everyone got along. The new mom got down on the ground during this first meeting to share some toys she bought for him and cried when she saw him. He was unsure what to do with the toys, but he was really sure he wanted to ride on their laps on the way home and have some love.

Duffy is very well loved in his new home and working on his relationships with his new brothers and sister. He has a doggy door to a huge and fenced area, which he learned to use within only a few days. This was important, as nobody ever took the time to housetrain him. Duffy will never be lonely or neglected again.

Erica Cerny
STC of Greater NY Scottie Rescue

Snapping Sara The Rescue That Wasn't Submitted by: Kaleen McWilliams

The phone rang over the weekend about a rescue outside of Walla Walla. There was a four-year-old Scottie girl named Sara who had begun biting her owners. She had broken the skin on her master twice.

... had begun biting her owners.
She had broken the skin on her master twice.

The owners were concerned and had taken her to their vet who had found nothing wrong. Now they were wondering what to do since they had relatives with children coming for the holidays. Sara had always loved anyone she met. They were wondering had their loving Sara turned psycho?

After talking with them at length I learned several pieces to the puzzle. Recently there have been two horrible incidents where dogs have attacked and severely injured people posted in the paper. Sara has been working in agility and loves it. Their vet is good but does not specialize in small animals.

With this information I asked them to describe when Sara snaps. It turned out to be 80% while she was being petted on her back on the couch. I thought about a back or hip injury and asked them to heat a dish towel in the microwave. I told them when Sara was on the couch to place the heated towel on her back, wait a minute before petting her. I also wanted to get a second opinion from another vet. The couple agreed. I found a vet in Tri-Cities who could do a neurological evaluation. The couple willingly took Sara to the examination

They called me right after the veterinary appointment with happy news. As an active agility dog Sara had pulled some back and leg muscles that were painful to the point of spasm. They reported that the heat had helped. Sara is now getting massages and acupuncture therapy.

... called after the vet appointment with happy news.
Sara had pulled some back and leg muscles ... painful to the point of spasm.

Sara’s owners are relieved that the snapping has stopped and she is getting relief for her discomfort. Sara’s owners were distressed about the prospect of giving her up for adoption. Offering alternatives they had not thought of was all they needed to help their beloved Scottie. Sara will be back on the agility course soon.

[Ed Note: The really important point in this story is that horses kick and dogs bite when they are in pain.  They can't speak, so they try to use the limited language skills that they have to let you know that something is wrong.  Other sources of pain besides a pulled muscle include internal injuries, hidden skin wounds, bladder and bowel issues.  Any sudden change in temperament, mood or energy levels should be investigated immediately for a possible cause.  Most Scotties are very stoic and will hide pain until it becomes quite severe.  Please see your veterinarian if you have any questions.]