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Eleven years ago, while visiting friends in Oregon, we happened upon a mall pet store.  My friend mentioned there had been a scottie puppy for sale; we went in for a look (not heeding the mall pet store reputation).  The puppy was no longer there.  We were about to exit when I asked the clerk if they would be getting more scotties.  She said they had just received one; would I like to see it?

He weighed 4 pounds, had a large pot belly (worms, we found out later), and, being a puppy, was indescribably cute.  I’m not sure why we gave ourselves a day to “think” it over…we could have saved a trip to the mall.

Here are two photos I found of Angus when we first brought him home.

Angus joined our other scottie, Duffy; and, as with all terriers, Angus had a very distinct personality.  He loved to chase, chew on, and destroy (sometimes by swallowing) anything capable of rolling.  A soccer ball could easily entertain Angus for a good hour.  Because of his questionable breeding, Angus’ teeth always had problems (later in life, he had 9 removed), but they did allow for one very unique ability – shooting racquetballs out of his mouth.  New racquetballs were his favorite as they are extra spongy and popped out of his mouth at higher (and deadlier) velocities.  Those of us who knew Angus well were smart enough to take cover when he came nearby chewing on a racquetball.  Some family and friends weren’t so lucky.

As you can see in the photo below, the “dog” yard was not well manicured, but as we had just recently moved in, we thought we would save some $ by putting this yard lower on the priority list. 

Angus moved it right up to the top when he ate 3 rocks.  Needless to say, said rocks clogged up his inner workings  After an expensive surgery, the vet handed us this bag

and he explained that Angus would most likely continue to ingest rocks; finding him a new yard would be most prudent.  By December of that year, all the rocks were gone and were replaced by grass.

Angus’ favorite place to be was the beach.  He loved to wade in the cool water, chase gulls, and investigate sea creatures. 

I love this photo taken last summer.  Angus is the one on the far right.

The photo below was taken Monday, just before Angus was driven to the vet.  It makes me cry because I miss him and because I know others miss him too.