Aesop: in remembrance

Aesop who came into our home to comfort Kate after she lost Fala, her dear companion; but Aesop was too young and Kate was still grieving. When Kate died, we waited until our little Emma was born at Great Scot Kennels in Saugerties New York. She was Aesop's sister: they had the same mom but two different dads. Once Emma grew out of her wild crazy puppyhood, the siblings became inseperable companions, but their personalities were different. Whereas Aesop enjoyed being outdoors and had several favorite sites, one at the fence where he could look out towards the street, Emma preferred staying indoors until late afternoon or dusk. Then she would sit on the patio and survey the garden. Aesop might sit alongside of her. Together they explored Tallman State Park in New York, walking up and down trails with eagerness and also Olana State park and even Mt Desert island, Maine. He loved to swim in sweet water; on a hike in Rockleigh State park, New York, we followed a trail and came upon a rushing stream. he jumped right into a pool and paddled about, happy as a clam. He was a dear sweet boy, but when he felt he had to protect his sister or us, he took a stand. Now he is doggie heaven along with his sisters Kate and Emma and with his brother Fala. Eden for them is like the farmland outsie Evora, Portugal-with beautiful fields and large old cork trees and babbling brooks. And when he wants us to sisit, he summons us with a Aesop bark, and we all sit together, telling stories.

For Aesop: May 8, 1997--September 21, 2009

Aesop in his prime, Aesop shortly before he died, Aesop keeping guard, while sister Emma sleeps, Aesop facing towards the Hudson River, Emma, facing towards the path at Tallman State Park, New York State, their most favored place.
in remembrance of our sweet-tempered, stalwart, loving Scottish Terrier, Aesop. Born at Great Scot Kennels, Saugerties , New York,he grew up with Kate, our first Scottie, who had lost her "brother" Fala in 1997. We felt that Kate, who was lonely, might perk up with a younger brother. Yes, to some degree it did help her, but the loss of Fala, of their wonderful deep relationship could never be replicated. And Aesop was really too young, a pup full of energy. Nontheless, he tried, but to suit his sister he toned down, but from her he learned sottish terrier etiquette and forest lore, such as how to chase chipmunks without catching them. When Kate died, we again faced the problem of a lonely pup. This time we found a sister, Emma, at Great Scot. They were true siblings: the same mom, but two different fathers. And their age difference was only one litter difference. At first Emma's puppy stage was too wild, and Aesop would run upstairs to escape her teeth. But once she lost her eye teeth, and matured, the two formed a fast loving bond. And they lived happily together. Aesop died first, and then Emma. Emma was bewildered when Aesop died but did the best she could under trying circumstances. We did not want to get a pup because it would have stressed her as she coped with illness. There was silence in the house after brother and sister died. Of course they are in doggy heaven, living in a pastoral world, an Eden, where they have joined with their elders, Kate and Fala, forming a happy pack. That gives us some solace. But nonetheless, we miss our physical Aesop, who always trusted us and gave us comfort and joy.

Welcome Bess: her first walk at Tallman State Park, NY

all of our Scottish Terriers have hiked the paths of Tallman Sate Park, NY. Now our little Bess, follows in the footsteps of her "sisters" and "brothers": Kate, Fala, Aesop, and Emma. Nature was a wonder but then too were people and vehicles. She had sensorial excitement today!

Fala: in memoriam, our handsome Scottish Terrier

June 3, 1987---January 3, 1997

Fala, named after FDR's dog, the first dog that I ever "knew," was Kate's "brother," and loving friend: tussling over a stick, running in fields chasing hares or one another or lying proximately in felicitous comfort or eating with enthusiasm, Fala, after he died, was sorely missed by Kate. Liver cancer was the disease that killed him. Today we know better about end of life and recognizing its signs; had we known what we now know, we would have intervened to prevent the suffering he experienced. We did not understand or recognize that his trembling was a sign of severe pain; no one did, not even his vet. And so when he when he trembled--his abdomen bloated (cancer which we did not recognize as such and fluids)--we would place him near a radiator in a thin "sweat suit" to alleviate his "coldness." The day before he died the weather suddenly warmed; it was in the seventies, and the sun was cheerful. Fala seemed to pick up and when he came home from a walk in a field he ate a bagel with enthusiasm. Again we missed the signals of oncoming death: before death an organism rallies and seems healthy. That night he curled up and slept. As best as I could [als ich kan] I quickly sketched him, showing his eye in particular still aware to that he was alive. No time for feet and other body parts and his beard, which was white in his later years, was emphasized. In fact there was some brownish hair in his beard by then, again a sign of his overwhelming illness. That night we slept: he in his bed, Kate in hers. About 4:oo am I felt pressure alongside the bed, as if one of our scotties was pushing it. I did not wake up until a fearsome howl, Kate's signal that Fala had died, woke us. That howl, which I written about before, was unique. I had never heard it before and never since then. Grief, the epitome of loss.
Fala was a peerless dog, sweet and faithful, who enjoyed his life but had many ills. He suffered greatly from flea bites, tearing his hair from his body. To assuage his pain, Kate would lick him, lick him on the flesh where he had pulled out his hair. Today, thanks to medication, no dog need experience this allergic reaction. Neither Aesop or Emma have had this awful experience.
Fala's nickname was/ is "Wiggy." His tail signaled friendship and love. However, if another dog, actually males only, approached, he became aggressive, barking to protect Kate, as well as us.
But this was not commonplace behavior.
Fala was almost killed by another dog in the field behind Tenafly High School. He met a Schnauzer and as the two were sniffing one another, the schnauzer grabbed Fala, who was much shorter, by the neck and began to shake him. This was a prelude to breaking his neck. When I realized what was happening, I intervened and separated the dogs--all others were onlookers. While saving Fala, I was inadvertently bitten on my right pinky by Fala. He was saved; the schnauzer was tested for rabies--and thankfully was found healthy, and I had to go to the emergency room. To this day I have a bump on that finger and it swells on occasion. A reminder forever for me of my Fala's close call. After that experience we were especially careful when the dogs played with others of their kind. In fact we stopped their play unless the dog was very well-known to us and to the doggies. Too bad, because Kate, for instance, socialized with adult dogs when she was a very small pup and enjoyed the experience, so it seemed to us. And she taught Fala. But it may well be that the behavior of male and female dogs are different
Fala is now in his doggy heaven with Kate and his younger brother Aesop. This "story" helps us with the sorrow we experience. Unlike mankind, "creatures" do not deliberately cause pain or perhaps more appropriately, they are not malicious and do not connive. Yes they do plan, yes they do think, and yes they do have emotions, and yes they have cultures. Genes can account for certain behaviors, violent and otherwise, but when I contemplate the deliberate harm that people visit on others (and of course on animals), I do not see the rational, planned violence or "mind games" people engage in.

Fala, now that your sensate life here has ended, we imagine that all pain has ceased and that you enjoy the joys of canine existence in a better world.

2009: the year that our Aesop died

our brave handsome Scottish Terrier, stoic it could be said in the face of fearsome adversity, who loved life, was "faithful", and possessed all the other virtues that a pet could possibly have