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Sadie, the rescued Scottish Terrier who survived a deadly coyote attack |
It was the week of Christmas 2001 when the coyotes attacked. A five-year-old Scottie female lay close to death in a veterinarian's clinic in the East Mountains above Albuquerque.
Her neck and throat were slashed, a forepaw and hind leg were lacerated, she had a deep puncture in her ribs and various wounds on her stomach and body. The doctors stitched up her throat as best they could inserting multiple plastic drain tubes that protruded from her septic wounds like mutant ganglia. Bad as that was, it wasn't all the strikes against Sadie that Christmas. They feared her internal injuries from the attack were perhaps worse than her slashed throat.
They said the next 48 hours would be decisive. We could bathe her wounds with a warm compress and express her drain tubes every four hours; we could administer copious antibiotics and pain medication. But her survival was mostly up to her; she had to be tough enough to live.
Pitiful Aberdeen
She was pitiful to behold.
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Sadie with protruding plastic drain tubes surgically inserted to drain septic throat wounds following her attack by coyotes in the mountains near Albuquerque, New Mexico. When rescued, Sadie was a pitiful Aberdeen. |
Robert and Marilyn Fugate, Albuquerque Scottie owners and partners in Scottie Rescue, picked Sadie up at the Veterinary clinic and brought her to our home. Even in her battered state, mute from throat surgery, stiff from savage wounds and drain tubes, she bore the insult to her dignity of an over-sized lamp-shade-protective-collar with magnificent stoicism. Watching her stiff movements on our backyard grass it was evident even small moves required great resolve.
She had the look of old-time Aberdeen-type Scotties. Stiff and sore and mute we had no idea what magnificent Scottie heart she also possessed within her battered form.
Beating The Odds
Those first 48 hours were tenuous. We nursed Sadie like a dying child: bathed her wounds around the clock, gave her medicines, and willed her to live.
At first she seemed to rally but by the day after Christmas her throat wounds took a dangerous relapse. The drain tubes were not working; infection was raging and Sadie was losing her will to live.
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Three plastic drain tubes were surgically inserted into Sadie's throat to help drain septic wounds. Subsequently another surgery was necessary to insert a fourth drain tube. |
She'd have to go under the doctor's knife for yet another inserted drain tube. One of the saddest images I'll carry for the rest of my days is that of Sadie sitting inside her holding cage at the emergency clinic awaiting surgery. Neck swollen and raw with septic fluids, listless, disheartened, sore and dying, she sat with her back to the door staring at the rear of the cage.
But somewhere in the synapses of her Caledonian brain a Highland piper sounded beyond that operating table and Sadie heard the skirl of those distant pipes. She beat the odds. She defied the natural predators who almost ate her alive; she defied her slashed throat and multiple wounds, defied raging infection, relapses, and surgeries. Sadie, the little die-hard Scottie with the giant heart, beat them all.
Spirit Intact
It was two weeks later Sadie let me know she had come through her ordeal intact. I worried that her spirit would be so traumatized by her many crises she might never regain her Scottie attitude.
I was in my GSM office at the computer when I became aware of her standing just inside the door watching me. She'd made no sounds since her attack and we all assumed her vocal chords were permanently damaged.
I can't adequately describe the sound I heard that day in my office. Sadie gathered her strength, lifted her head toward the ceiling and let out a sound I'll never forget. It was a rough cross between Louis Armstrong and a teenager whose voice is changing, and while pitiful as a bark, it was glorious as a declaration. It was half protest, half victory shout, and all triumph. In true Scottish Terrier fashion she needed to set the record straight. "I am somebody, and I will be heard!" her gravely voice seemed to assert. "I've been to hell and back, and I will not be silent."
I never before thought of gargling as music, but it was music to my ears that day. Listening to Sadie's voice, I knew she was back, body and spirit!
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Sadie gets the final "okay" from attending veterinarians. The diehard little Scottie beat all the odds! |
Hearing Sadie's Voice
Since that day in my office I've thought a lot about that unique communication. What was Sadie trying to say so emphatically? Certainly hers was a near-death experience. What lingers in a small dog's mind who beats the odds so dramatically? If she could write, what would she say to GSM readers?
Her voice has become to my mind a metaphor for our breed, a voice full of important truth vital to Scotties and their people everywhere. Let me tease out at least some of what I believe is the message in Sadie's voice.
Voice of Silence
The most elemental truth we must hear in Sadie's voice is that our Scotties have no voice at all without human intervention. Quite literally in Sadie's case, without Scottie Rescue, a great deal of money, expert veterinarians, and huge investments of time and attention, she would not be alive.
What is not so obvious until one thinks about it is that the same is true of our breed. Pure bred dogs do not exist in nature. They are not natural; they are unnatural. To put a fine point on it, Scottish Terriers have no voice at all—no existence—apart from human genetic engineering. Remove the human element from the breed equation and natural selection quickly obliterates the breed we love.
My point is that in the deepest existential sense Scotties are a human choice and a human responsibility. I cannot overemphasize this point. Sadie's voice on behalf of all our dogs is a plea for faithful stewardship by breeders and buyers alike.
In the larger scheme of things it is not Nature's fang and claw which threaten the Sadies among us; it is irresponsible breeders and ignorant buyers. Puppymills and backyard breeders cannot breed dogs that are genetically and temperamentally defective except by human choices. Pet store sales of puppymill dogs cannot occur except by consumer choices which make them profitable. And there cannot be abandoned or surrendered Scotties except by human decision.
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The Scottish Terrier's existence is in human hands. |
Quite literally the Scottish Terrier's existence is in human hands. When we breed in ignorance, or buy in ignorance, or choose to break the "for-better-or-for-worse" commitments of companionship because they are no longer convenient, we symbolically silence Sadie's voice.
That's why I quietly worry over Barney's popularity in the White House. Popularity raises demand which fuels unscrupulous breeders and buyers. Similarly, I worry over recent fixations on wheaten coated Scotties. Demands for coat color submarined our breed genetically in the 1930s when the rage was for black Scotties. Every trait selected for breeding has genetic consequences and when central criteria of health and temperament are eclipsed by trivialities such as coat color because that's what the public demands, then the consequences to the broader health of the breed can be disasterous.
Sadie's voice is addressed to every breeder and every buyer of Scottish Terriers. Her voice is a call to conscientious stewardship, a demand addressed to one and all that before we hazard the gene pool we do so only if we can authentically improve upon it. Ignorant breeding is a sin against our dogs. Ignorant buying is aiding and abetting those who afflict our breed. Both are complicit votes to silence the Scottish Terrier we love.
Voice of Uniqueness
I've already indicated that Sadie's voice, because of her throat injuries, was unlike any other.
In a deeper sense, though, her cry in my office that day to "see me; hear me!" echoes every Scottish Terrier's voice I've ever known. It is not just Sadie who has a unique voice. Every Scottie is an original in a world of generics.
I remember a contractor who visited our home in Albuquerque who was quite taken with our Scotties. He was Hispanic and had never been around Scottish Terriers and he could not get over their personality. "I like these dogs!" he kept saying. "They're like little people. You can relate to them. So much character. We have just dogs at our house."
What my contractor visitor didn't seem to realize is personality is a social construct, having more to do with how partners relate to each other in relationship than with biology. That's not to take away from the charm of our dogs, but it is to say they are characters because of the relational magic they share with those who dote on them. And because the person-ality is between unique partners and is non-transferable, personality cannot be cloned or replicated, no matter what profit-driven science claims. `Personality' in dogs as well as in humans is not a matter of DNA. It has everything to do with shared experiences and non-repeatable life-journeys. Change the experiences, change the memories, and you change the magic.
I say this not only to debunk profit-driven science now preying on bereaved pet owners but to confront the folly of consumers bent on replicating a lost canine relationship.
Such closet cloning occurs whenever we acquire a replacement dog to fill an irreplaceable love. This is a special disaster in the case of Scotties. Scots are not generic dogs and they are never one-size-fits-all. Like Sadie, they each have their own unique `voice' and they flourish where they are loved and respected for themselves, not held accountable for failure to be another.
But there is something sadder than closet cloning of Scottie personality. It is the wealth of unique communion Scottie lovers miss when they insist on recycling old relationships rather than opening up to new ones. Scotties are sent to us by Scottie Angels not to take someone else's place, but to make their own unique mark; to speak to us not in some other dog's voice or manner but with their own non-repeatable voice.
It is three years now since my Nati's death. My eyes tear up even now as I write this, remembering cradling her in my arms as Charlotte and I said our last `good-byes.' Neither Gus, now 12, nor Willie, nor young Albie can take Natie's place in my soul—and relationally I'd be infinitely poorer if I sought to make my other dogs in her image.
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The author receives 'thank you' kisses from Sadie. Scotties are not clones. Each is their own 'person.' |
Their joy in our home is not `filling Nati's place' but uniquely and gloriously filling their own.
Sadie's voice in my office, so full of importunity and royal demand to "see me; hear me!" is reminder to us all to treasure as gold the uniqueness of our breed and of each individual dog.
Voice of Paradox
There is a third truth in Sadie's voice which we as Scottie lovers must hear: the paradox of complete dependency coupled with inveterate independence.
The point about our dogs being completely dependent upon us for their welfare already has been made. Sadie's vulnerability and dependency on human intervention is dramatic but it differs only in form, not in force, from the breed as a whole. Scotties as a breed cannot survive without human intelligence and stewardship.
This truth of how vitally our breed depends on us has practical implications for every reader. These implications are summed up in words of wisdom from three wise women among us.
First are the words of Miss Doreen Blackstone, of Stamford, England, long-time Secretary of the Scottish Terrier Club of England, who worried privately to me in May of 2000 what will become of our breed when devotees coming into competitive Scottie circles are more driven by short-term personal ambition than by long-term dedication to the welfare of the breed? Closer to home, dog clubs and organizations around the country on whom our Scotties depend for voice and local advocacy are at times inhibited and even stymied in their work by personality conflicts among club members. The human fall-out from such bad blood among dog people is high enough; think what such negative influence means in the long run for the breed we serve who has no voice except ours!
Second are the words of a GSM writer, Barbara Lounsbury, of Canterbury, CT., whose motto was given her by her mentor in breeding years ago: "Do no harm!" Beyond fantasies of breeding the perfect Scottish Terrier, at the end of the road there is quiet pride and affirmation in being able to say with complete integrity of our years in the breed—we did no harm!
Third are the wise words of Linda Hill, of Midland, Texas. Years ago she and Carole Fry Owen were collaborating to launch an innovative regional dog club not based on competition but on mutual love of Scotties. Carole remembers there was discussion back and forth, pros and cons of various organizational schemes, but that Linda's response was consistent: "Let's do whatever is best for the dogs."
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Robert and Marilyn Fugate, of Albuquerque, NM, part of the local Scottie Rescue team that saved Sadie's life and re-homed her. Doing what is best for the dogs is what it is all about. |
These wise pearls go to the heart of the supplication in Sadie's voice. Because our dogs are the product of human choice and human responsibility they utterly depend on us to elevate the breed above our personal ambition, to do them no harm, and in all things to seek what is best for them. Whenever ambition or pettiness get in the way; whenever who-gets-the-credit? becomes more important among us than doing what is best for the dogs, we as human gatekeepers fail to hear Sadie's voice and betray the dogs who depend on us. Like deranged parents we smother our dependents as our egos silence the voice of a breed.
The paradox in all this, of course, is that while our breed is totally dependent upon us our Scotties are inveterately independent and self-directed.
Hidden within this phenomenon of Scottie self-possession lies the answer to why humans become so `owned' by these dogs. It was the late Betty Penn-Bull, British maven of our breed, who pointed this out to me in an interview in England in May, 2000. Knowing from her autobiography that her own family did not have dogs while she was young, and that her own canine first-love was not a Scottie but a Sealyham Terrier, I asked her how and why she came to choose a life devoted to Scottish Terriers.
"Well!" she replied after a thoughtful moment. "I rather think it isn't so much that I chose Scotties, but that they chose me."
Everyone who deeply knows this breed knows Betty was right. One does not choose a Scottie; one is chosen by the breed. Time and again I hear stories about the Scottie intended for one family member who exercises the canine prerogrative and bonds to another! The truth is, they are independent and stubborn and self-willed wee rascals who can be exasperating and down-right awkward to live with because they always have a mind of their own.
The rest of the truth is there is relational magic beyond telling for `Chosen Ones' who dwell in a Scottish Terrier's select inner circle. The very independence that defies efforts to turn them into clones of our will is also doorway leading to true relationship with an Other. Scotties are not clones; they are partners for life-journeys.
Once again, the implications of the paradox in Sadie's voice strike home. Here are equal parts of dependence and independence summoning us to walk the narrow ridge of responsibility that respects and nurtures our dogs' needs for both roots and wings.
Conclusion
Not everyone, of course, will hear Sadie's voice. There are those—perhaps even among us— who will continue to breed in genetic ignorance or indifference. Others of us by our purchases will continue to subsidize irresponsible breeding of Scotties. Yet others, who, because they will not prepare themselves for what is coming, will abandon Scotties to Humane Shelters or to Scottie Rescue because their dogs are inconvenient. Not everyone will hear Sadie's voice.
But those who truly love our breed will hear. We will listen to more than just her voice; we will listen to hear where her cry comes from so we may discern fully its meaning. Listening, we will hear the dreaded silence beyond her cry and we will know that her fate, and that of her noble breed, is entirely in our hands. Listening, we will hear rare and wonderful uniqueness, gift to us from the gods as antidote to our world of clones and mass culture. Listening, we will take to heart thechallenging paradox of her dependence and independence and embrace our breed's plea for both roots and wings.
Most of all, those who listen to Sadie's voice—deeply listen—will discover motivation for absurd and passionate embrace of all things Scottish Terrier. For when we hold our breath and listen to overhear the soul behind the voice we shall hear a call from deep unto deep which is the gift to Chosen Ones. Once heard, that call changes our choices and our roles and our responsibilities forever.
Sadie Post Script
I'm happy to say the Sadie story, so full of life-and-death drama, has a storybook ending. Sadie's voice is the voice of what Scottie Rescue is all about—re-homing Scotties in need into loving families.
Miss Sadie not only got her voice back, she now is a celebrity enjoying quite literally an admiring public worthy of her great-souled character. Her new owner co-manages Bow Wow Blues, a canine boutique, in Albuquerque, and Miss Sadie is the store mascot, royal ambassador, and object of sheer delight of every customer!
Nettie and Jerry White, the new owners, know and love Scotties, having lost their
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Nettie White nuzzles Sadie, welcoming her into the White's family. Sadie not only survived her scrape with death, because of Scottie Rescue she has triumphed! |
beloved Scottish Terrier just over a year ago. It was love at first sight for Nettie when she saw Sadie. No matter that Sadie's neck was shaved from surgery; no matter that her voice sounded more like a frog than a dog! When hearts touch, it doesn't matter.
Sadie joins the White's two other dogs, a Yorkie and a Jack Russell-mix. When we took Sadie for her first on-site visit it was like `old home' day at the White house. The dogs welcomed Sadie, and she appeared positively delighted to have `family.' Sadie shares everything—even the family bed!
Sadie's story is the story of the success of national Scottie Rescue. Thanks to the impressive generosity of Scottie lovers nationwide, Sadie's $1800.00 medical bills were paid. Robert Fugate put up a web site telling her story and a great-souled Scottie community rallied. Money poured in to help this little Scottie win her battle against all odds.
Sadie won her unlikely victory and Scottie Rescue demonstrated that individual good people do make a real difference.
©2002 Tartan Scottie. Reprinted from Great Scots Magazine Vol 7 No 3, May/June, 2002. |
