September 1st, 2024 we finally decided we were ready for another dog. We lost our very loved Dexter earlier that summer and it took some time to be emotionally ready for another pup. Turns out, the timing could not have been more perfect. Scottie was at Dallas Animal Services (DAS) waiting for us!
I will say, walking into DAS can be a little overwhelming. Perhaps it was because it was a holiday weekend, but there were so many people (and animals) there – and hopefully lots of matches being made. As you continue to walk through the building, you see rows and rows (and rows) of dogs of all ages, breeds, temperaments, and health situations. I don’t know if it was because I was pregnant at the time, but it was very emotional. I wanted to take them all home.
Mark saw a 5 month old puppy on the Dallas Animal Services website, so we eventually made our way to that kennel to meet her. She had a roommate, so the volunteer suggested we go ahead and meet both of them. We met them one at a time in a little gated play area outside. Both were a bit uncertain of us at first, but one of them warmed up to us pretty quick (the treats definitely helped). Though it wasn’t the dog Mark saw online, we knew she was the dog for us.
Not without challenges, however. We had socializing, potty training, and trust building ahead of us. We don’t know what her life was like before DAS, she was very timid the first few hours, but slowly warmed up as she moved from the corner of the living room, to the dog bed, and finally up onto the couch. I like to think Dexter was somehow communicating with her, telling her where the good spots were and that she was home.
It took a few days to decide on her name. We needed it to be perfect. There might be just as much pressure on naming a dog as there is naming a baby. We ended up naming her after Scottie Scheffler. He had just won the FedEx Cup and it fit her well. She has racked up many nicknames over the last year. Scootie, Scooch, Scoochie Booch, Scottland, Scotch, Spooky, and Franklin.
Her potty training took a few months. Honestly, getting her in September was kind of ideal (hint hint if you’re thinking of adopting a dog soon). The weather was nice, so taking her out all the time was a treat for all of us. We started to socialize her with other dogs one at a time. At first, she was afraid of another dog or human, but with more gradual exposure, she now loves playing with other dogs and doesn’t shy away from people. She’s actually become quite the guard dog – keeping our home safe. The trust building came quick. She realized we were her people and the love feels mutual.
We could not have hoped for a better dog. She’s got her quirks, but who doesn’t? She has been amazing with our baby since the day we brought her home. She does like to sneak off with pacifiers, burp cloths, teething toys, etc. whenever she can get her mouth on them. I like to think it’s because she loves Olive so much. Or she’s in cahoots with Amazon. Either way, she’s made huge strides in the last year and she’s such a precious part of our family.
If you’re looking to adopt a cat or dog, take a look at Dallas Animal Services. They’re located at 1818 N Westmoreland Rd, Dallas, TX 75212. The employees and volunteers there are incredibly helpful and kind. There are so many animals there that need a good home. They also have opportunities available to foster (even for just a day) if you’re interesting in helping out. The shelters are almost always full of good boys and girls in need of a loving home, please consider adopting over shopping.