Some of you Gentle Readers may have seen Petfinder's latest e-mail. Shelters are filllng up! Record numbers of pets were adopted during the COVID panic, and record numbers of lonely extroverts are dumping those animals back on the shelters as they get back to what they consider normal life.
I saw a horrible specimen in a store last week. "Maintain distance," I said, and repeated. Horrorcow's yap-hole kept flapping as she ran right up behind me. Literally breathing down my neck.
I think we need to stand firm on this. Stores, offices, even churches need to remind extroverts to make sure they don't get closer than handshaking distance, always ask before they reach out hands to shake, and deal with the fact that people may not want to shake their hands. At least little gates or chains can be locked to keep impulsive extroverts behind counters in a store
Unfortunately nothing can make these people take care of their dogs, because despite all the behavioral tendencies extroverts have in common with dogs, a really severely afflicted extrovert is not competent to care for a dog and probably shouldn't be allowed to own one. Or to go out without supervision. Actually, for the ones that run up to invade people's personal space, slip chains that form choke collars would be an excellent idea.
Two kinds of dogs are appallingly overrepresented in shelters: large, energetic, adventurous dogs, that remind people of Lassie or Barkley or Rin Tin Tin or Marley or Big Red, but then after living with the dogs for a while the people realize that they are neither energetic nor adventurous; and terriers, because they are energetic too, and were bred for a love of digging in any available ground...and some people are afraid of the short-haired, square-jawed ones.
Funnily enough Scotch and other long-haired terriers don't evoke the same panic their short-haired cousins do. They have the same basic temperament as the short-haired terriers. Bouncy, fast-moving, friendly, fun-loving, loyal, protective family pets if they're treated right. "Doggedly" determined, incredibly strong, fast, and tough for their size, and quite dangerous if they get into violent confrontations with humans. Most terriers, short-haired or long-haired, never attack a person. But "Scotties" are seen as adorable little mops because their square jaws are concealed by extra-long hair.
The majority of the terriers in shelters are short-haired. Here, however, is a celebration of the long-haired ones. If the prices and terms on their web pages seem unreasonable, consider whether you could be happy with the same sort of cute, wiggly, energetic small dog without all the exra hair to comb, de-tangle, and de-flea every day.
Here, in honor of The Scottie Chronicles, are some of America's most photogenic dogs with the long-haired terrier look. Shelters can rarely guarantee that a dog really belongs to a specific breed but Petfinder can find close matches for the look of almost any breed.
Zipcode 10101: Liberty from Brooklyn
Her web site: https://www.petfinder.com/dog/liberty-71735017/ny/brooklyn/hearts-bones-rescue-ny-ny1463/
This somewhat shy little dog (3 years old and just 11 pounds at the time she was photographed) is described as not a native New Yorker, still adjusting. She is said to be lovable and soak up human attention, at least when not overwhelmed by noise and crowds.
Zipcode 20202, Washington: Jones from South Carolina
On the lanky side for a terrier, Jones is probably still growing into his feet. He is thought to be about a year old, and weighed 28 pounds when photographed. Though in and of South Carolina, Jones can be adopted or fostered through a DC shelter. The adoption fee is $480 but includes a large vet bill his foster or permanent humans won't have to pay.
Zipcode 30303: Flower Potts from Atlanta
Typical long-haired terrier story: Someone brought her to the county shelter. "Can we find her a foster home?" asked the shelter manager. "Me, me, pick me!" the staff chorussed. Nobody took the time to post anything about what a wonderful pet she is, except that goofy Scottie face. Flower Potts is in foster care. She may be difficult to adopt. Some people who "foster" animals really would rather own the animals, and will find everyone unsuitable, discourage everyone, as long as they can possibly keep their unofficial pet.
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