The Collector's Corner

We all collect something in our lifetimes.  Some of us collect teacups, teapots and others collect friends.  Although I have a small collection of teacups, pots and some lovely loyal friends, I however collect Scottie dogs.  Actually to be exact, I collect antique Scottie dogs.  I am a Antique Scottie Rescue service!

I love antique stores, old things of value and roaming the aisles of the various stores, seeking Scotties who need a new home.   My friend Jane can attest to my obsession.  She was with me and actually found, the pen and ink drawing of a Scottie that currently hangs in my bedroom.  He's gorgeous and a friend once suggested it was a drawing of my Bonnie.  The table in the family room houses several Scotties as does a bookcase in my bedroom that is home to the Berwick and Buckingham Palace Scotties.  Sprinkled around the house, one can find a Scottie, sitting on a shelf, in the yard or sitting on the rug in front of the fireplace.

How did this obsession start one may ask?  As a child,  stories were told of the darling Scottie dog that "owned" my mother's family.  Legend has it, he came home in the sweater pocket of my Aunt Barbara's boyfriend.  The tiny little guy he was, morphed into a legend of his own making.  My mother and Aunt Helen named him Sammy and he lived with the family for many years.  Sammy roamed the streets, slept under the stove in the kitchen and was trained to do various tricks.  One trick of notability was the ladder trick.  Sammy could climb to the top of a ladder, seeking a treat but sadly couldn't climb back down.  Typical... I  have found a ton of pictures of the little guy in the old photo albums I inherited and I treasure every one.

Living with Scotties of the past was not good enough for me.  Before John died, he wanted another dog.  We had our sweet Westie Nicholas but John wanted another dog as he was never a "dog person" before Nicholas.  Since Scotties were so near and dear to my heart and knowing that dog would be my dog as John's time was so limited, we got our Bonnie Jean.  

Bonnie has turned out to be everything a Scottie dog could be.  Being owned by a Scottie is a special experience.  They are overly smart, highly opinionated little beings with a bark the size of a Bull Mastiff.  A more loyal dog could never, ever be found  As soon as Bonnie came home, she settled in as the Queen Bee, my shadow, my best friend.

Bonnie has been a great source of comfort to me over the years.  After we lost our Nicholas, she moved into first place in my heart and soul.  She sleeps next to me every night, unless she wants me to put her on HER chair (jumping is a lot of work and it's better to make mom get up and gently lift her).  After John and Mom died, she became my unregistered "therapy dog."  Over the last several months, she's let me cry buckets of tears on her back and sat with me as I've continually asked the proverbial questions.    She can't come up with an answer either but has sure tried.

Bonnie made the move to Boise and has settled in well.  She sat in the back seat of the car, all the way to the new house, just like the Queen she is.  Never once did she complain or whine.  She did bark but she is only a barker if stimulated.  We haven't started our morning walks yet as we don't want to wake the neighborhood if we encounter another dog.  We both miss those morning meditation walks, Bonnie leading the way on her leash while I try to keep pace.  She's been content with her new yard, running the width of it with a ball in her mouth for me to pick up.  You see, playing ball with Bonnie is me throwing the ball and Bonnie running to another side of the yard and dropping it.  I then run to pick it up, throwing it and the game resumes.  It's more a game of playing catch with the human.

Therefore, what is my fascination with Scottie dogs?  A greater and more true friend can not be found in human form.  A more devoted and loving companion, as close to God as one can find, is what one will find with a Scottie dog.  So keep following my occasional Facebook and Instagram posts as Bonnie will pop up when least expected.  I love my Bonnie girl and she definitely loves me.  She's my gift from God.