First Scottie, Sophie’s Story

07 Thursday May 2015

Posted by in General

≈ 16 Comments

Tags

This is the first Scottie, Sophie.  She was born September 24, 2001 and was given to Mom by our human Sissy.  Sophie actually started out as someone else’s Scottie.  She was sold by her breeder at too young an age to a girl and her family.  It was not a good match.  Sissy worked with the girl, was aware of the problem so she was able to buy Sophie for Mom that December.  Thus began Mom’s love affair with Scotties.  Within the first year, Mom realized that Sophie had a disorder in the breed known as ‘Scottie cramp’.  Cramp is a hereditary neuromuscular condition, usually induced by excitement and exercise, which causes contraction and stiffness of muscles.  Most of the time it was controlled by eliminating the onset of the symptoms leading to cramping episode so Sophie was able to lead a wonderful life.  Sophie crossed the Bridge in November, 2011.  She died of cancer which Mom believes was originally TCC that had metastasized to her lungs.  She died three weeks after diagnosis.  She was a great Scottie. ~ Indy and Lucy

Special Effects

04 Monday May 2015

Posted by in General

≈ 12 Comments

Tags

imageSpecial effect techniques have been around since the early 1900s.  “Star Wars” dramatically increased the use of them.  Now CGI (computer generated imagery) has come to the forefront in films like “Toy Story” and “Jurassic Park.”  Main event companies provide lasers, light shows, pyrotechnics and are multi million dollar businesses.  With every  new smart phone, there is a camera improvement.  Photography apps are updated daily.  Why are special effects popular?  They are magical.

imageWhile phone apps will not replace a DSLR camera and top line photo editor, they are, nonetheless, so much fun.  You can edit, add filters, text, make a collage or create any number of effects.imageThese are all done with a photo app for IPhone called Mobile Monet.

imageSame image different app.  See how much fun.  Enough, Mom.  You need to quit this and pay attention to us. 🙂 ~ Indy and Lucy

The Joy of Jumping

03 Sunday May 2015

Posted by in General

≈ 14 Comments

Tags

imageJumping is a behavior that can be traced back to our wolf brothers and is continued with current day dogs.  Dogs jump for different reasons: a treat, a toy, a closer look but we are definitely sending a message.  For me, I jump for joy.  On the other hand, Sister does a ‘Me, Me’ jump.  She wants the attention focused on her.  “Ignore, Brother.  Put the book down.  Say hi to me first.  Give me the treat,” you see what I mean.

imageMost of my jumping is exploration oriented.  I have been known to get on the dining table but that is actually climbing because I had to use a chair.  Bathtubs hold an attraction for me so I jump in them when given opportunity.

imageJumping from place to place is just plain fun.  I don’t suppose you’ve ever done anything like this. ~ Indy

Squirrel Season in Oklahoma

02 Saturday May 2015

Posted by in General

≈ 11 Comments

Tags

imageSister, come quick!  I see a squirrel.

imageAre those Scotties nuts?  Of course I mean that in the nicest possible way.  After all, this is my tree.

image  Noooooo, he is making a jump for another tree….one giant leap for squirrelkind.  I heard him say as he jumped out of sight: ” A squirrel’s gotta do what a squirrel’s gotta do.”  What kind of trash talk is that? ~ Indy

image

Knot Another Dog Toy

01 Friday May 2015

Posted by in General

≈ 17 Comments

Tags

imageMom has been knotting me some new fleece dog toys today.  She makes big ones for tug games and sends to our Scottie friends.  The ones she made today are smaller and perfect for what I like best: playing fetch.  She said they were just right for throwing in the house.

imageSee, perfect.

imageGoodness…what teefs.

imageThis is a cool one too.  I can’t play with it till we get to Door County though.  These, something that squeaks and balls are my favorite toys. ~ Lucy

The Pipes Are Calling

30 Thursday Apr 2015

Posted by in General

≈ 10 Comments

Tags

image A Scottish kilt has a tartan pattern associated with Scottish clans and families. Many families can be traced back as far as the 16th century. Now tartans can represent not only families but districts, regiments,  corporations, and  universal ones.  Absolutely anyone can wear a universal tartan. I am wearing the Stewart tartan. I hope it still fits this year.  I might have put on a little weight. 🙂

imageBrother, slim as ever, wears the Black Watch pattern adopted by many regiments. His only problem is that he hates anything to touch his tail so he wears it a little short.  Our favorite kilts are these made by our good friend, Colleen Lambretcht, mom of MacDuff and Roosevelt. We will be wearing them in the parade this year. ~ Lucy

image

AROOOOO…

29 Wednesday Apr 2015

Posted by in General

≈ 11 Comments

Tags

image

Scotties have a wide vocal repertoire.  We bark, growl, and whine depending on what we see or what we want but we also howl.  Howling is our evolutionary gift from our brothers, the wolves.  It’s our way of communicating, our audible text message.  We howl when we hear certain sounds outside to let our location be known.  We howl when we see our parents in the yard and didn’t take us with them.  Calibrated to travel distance, our howls have a variety of pitches which identify who we are. We like to harmonize when we howl; Mom calls it vocal bonding.  If I am starting to howl, Sister runs from another room to join in.  ~ Indy and Lucy

The Eyes Have It

28 Tuesday Apr 2015

Posted by in General

≈ 5 Comments

imageMy Mom loves my big brown eyes.  They can look golden or dark depending how the light catches them.  It is my best feature, I confess, and the first thing you will notice about me. There are so many inspirational sayings about eyes but I really liked  this one fact sheet about brown eyes in particular because it described what Scotties are all about.  Here is a list of characteristics associated with brown eyes; see if you don’t agree: 1.) Attractive, 2.) Adorable, 3.) Trustworthy, 4.) Will do anything for the people who are special in their lives, 5.) Kind, 6.) Love to cheer people up, 7.) Great kissers, 8.) Very close to nature, 9.) Independent, and 10.) Mentally tough.  Yep, it’s us! ~ Indy