March 4, 1999 was a day that changed three lives for the better!
We celebrate the anniversary of our wonderful Scooch's "Gotcha Day" each year by posting a web page in her honor. Thanks for visiting and sharing our special day.
March 4, 1999 in the hotel in Springfield.
We had no idea what we were in for when we packed our car and drove from our home near Knoxville, Tennessee to Springfield, Illinois to meet and adopt a supposed Bearded Collie mix who had been found as a stray about two weeks before. We found a fawn-colored, shaved-down, skinny, shaggy dog with a black nose and a purple tongue - obviously not a Beardie, but we didn't care. On the drive back, we named her "Scooch" and she immediately set about taking over our hearts and our home.
After her first bath at our home in Tennessee
As her coat grew back in, it quickly became apparent that she was not even a Beardie mix - she didn't have the right coat or personality. As we traveled the country that summer, it wasn't long before people began asking us where we found the Wheaten with a tail. After a lot of research and several contacts with owners and breeders of Soft-Coated Wheaten Terriers, we became convinced that our Scooch was indeed a Wheaten or, at least, mostly a Wheaten. In hopes of participating in agility and obedience with her in the future, we registered her as an ILP Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier with the AKC, and gave her the name "Scooch's Life's a Dance".
May 1999
We took pictures to submit for the Beardies of the World Calendar.
We could not have asked for a better companion for ourselves or the Beardie we were fortunate enough to adopt a few months later. Scooch is an intelligent, entertaining, and well-behaved companion who we can take into virtually any situation without worry. She loves all people and is especially wonderful with children. She has all but completely gotten over her initial skittishness around other dogs, although we're still careful to make introductions in a very controlled manner.
From time to time, but especially on March 4 of each year, I wonder about Scooch's original owners . . . how did this beautiful, wonderful animal end up with us? She was obviously someone's pampered pet, well-trained and well-behaved, and already spoiled rotten. As grateful as we are to have her, I wish there was a way to let the people who must still miss her know that she is healthy, happy, and very much loved.
Here are some favorite pictures of Scooch:
Scooch's first meeting with sheep during our
RV trip the summer of 1999.
She passed her herding instinct test at Beardie Camp in June 2000.
Scooch's lovely tongue in all it's glory!
Scooch's Life's a Dance - REALLY!
Sharing nap-time with Reanne.
Scooch is amazingly tolerant.
Scooch and Boogie both love their new home
in Colorado.
Two shaggy dogs couldn't ask for better weather!
And Scooch finds the snow especially refreshing!
Dedicated to Scooch with love on her 3rd "Gotcha Day".
Diane, Bill & Boogie,
and Reanne