I really had not intended on doing another blog on my son’s triathlon successes but he competed and did well in the recent Arizona Ironman held at Tempe, Arizona. Scott finished first overall in the age group competition over 2,400 other triathletes. His time was 9 Hours and 1 second. We tease him he should not have stopped so many times in the porta potty and he would have been under 9 hours. Also congratulations to his wife Mary, who had a great race and finished high in her age group category. You can read more about all this if you check his link on the side bar. Also hail to the Green Bay Packer's now America's team. I've been a Packer fan since I was a kid.
Like any year this is been a year highs and lows. My wife and I celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary in June. We had a fairly successful summer in business. I published my first novel on Kindle and actually am selling some copies of it and I’m having continued success with my niche business book” Everything You Wanted to Know about the Food Concession Biz.” That particular book never ceases to amaze me as it continues to be the top bestseller in its category on eBay.
My wife and I were able to go on some great trips this past year spending time in Florida and the Caribbean. We also had some sorrow losing two dear uncles to old age and losing our beloved Miniature Schnauzer, Hans and his Scottish Terrier brother, Kosmo to cancer within a short period of time. That brings us to the highlight of the year, actually two highlights. First and foremost, our daughter Amy got married and we welcome Amy’s husband, our new son, Travis into the family. Secondly, we welcome the new arrival of a Scottish Terrier puppy, named Eli.
It was just 17 days ago that we came home to find our 11-year-old Scottie, Kosmo very sick. The next day we got the bad news. Testing showed he was already in an advanced stage of several different types of cancer and the end was near. I would be less than honest if I didn’t admit my wife and I were very torn up over the situation, especially since we had lost our schnauzer, Hans, about 12 weeks before this.
We had been enjoying 40 years of marriage and 40 years living with dogs. Our children have been long gone and we both realized the thought of a completely empty house was unbearable. We contacted the breeder that we had gotten our first Scotty from and discovered she was retiring and had one 12 week old puppy from her last litter that she had not found a home for. The next day I went to meet with her and I brought home baby puppy, Eli. A few days later we put our Kosmo to rest. He went that fast.
It’s been a few years since we’ve had a puppy around the house and to say the least the tyke is entertaining. He’s actually been one of the better puppies we’ve ever had and I am wondering if it is not a characteristic of the Scottish Terrier, a little gentleman. My wife and I bred and showed dogs for many years. Our home was shared with numerous old English Sheepdogs, a Beagle, an Irish Water Spaniel, Otter hound’s, Maltese, Miniature Schnauzers and now Eli, our third Scottish terrier. The Scotties’ certainly have a reserved, regal bearing and are absolutely loyal & fearless.
Housebreaking is been going very well, perhaps or the pup being chemically be persuaded and aided by” puppy pads.” Certainly having a new puppy has taken the sting out of our loss with the other canine family members passing away so recently, but it will never completely heal the loss of the faithful companions we have been privileged to have had as a part of our family over the years.
I believe having a pet is especially beneficial when raising one’s children. My son and daughter came to know what it was like to be responsible for the welfare and safety of living things by taking care of our pets. They also came to know and understand the unconditional love and loyalty the animals had for them that came with caring and feeding them. My children in return responded by loving their animals back. These turned out to be very real lessons in life that has carried through into their adult lives.
