An excerpt from Holland’s Magazine in 1926 read:

“… that odd little chunk of canniness, merriment, sadness, joy, steadfast devotion, courage and rare powers of discrimination [is] the Scottish Terrier. The old Highland saying that “guid gear goes in mickle bundles,” might well have been framed specially to fit the Scottie or Diehard, as many of his friends delight to call him. Compact, quick as a cat, alert as only a real terrier can be, he possesses strength far beyond his apparent stature, and a spirit which, once he decides is just, knows no limit.” 

A few years later, noted New York columnist, author and humorist, Dorothy Parker wrote about the Scottie: “...they are so exceedingly sturdy that it is proverbial that the only thing fatal to them is being run over by an automobile – in which case the car itself knows that it has been in a fight.”

Dorothy Parker owned a variety of breeds, from a Dachshund, Dalmatian and Poodles to Bedlington Terriers, a Boxer, and Boston Terrier, but she was often seen walking the sidewalks of New York and Central Park with her beloved Scottish Terrier,  “Daisy.”

Parker was also a poet and wrote this about the breed:

Verse for a Certain Dog

Such glorious faith as fills your limpid eyes,
Dear little friend of mine, I never knew.
All-innocent are you, and yet all-wise.
(For Heaven’s sake, stop worrying that shoe!)
You look about, and all you see is fair;
This mighty globe was made for you alone.
Of all the thunderous ages, you’re the heir.
(Get off the pillow with that dirty bone!)

A skeptic world you face with steady gaze;
High in young pride you hold your noble head,
Gaily you meet the rush of roaring days.
(Must you eat puppy biscuit on the bed?)
Lancelike your courage, gleaming swift and strong,
Yours the white rapture of a winged soul,
Yours is a spirit like a Mayday song.
(God help you, if you break the goldfish bowl!)

“Whatever is, is good” – your gracious creed.
You wear your joy of living like a crown.
Love lights your simplest act, your every deed.
(Drop it, I tell you- put that kitten down!)
You are God’s kindliest gift of all – a friend.
Your shining loyalty unflecked by doubt,
You ask but leave to follow to the end.
(Couldn’t you wait until I took you out?)

One of Parker’s best loved quotes is one, we think, that can apply to the Scottie: “The cure for boredom is curiosity. There is no cure for curiosity.”

Our post title, “The Scotland Kid,” was a nickname we found attributed to the Scottish Terrier.

Our image: “Halo” by Mary Sparrow, HangingtheMoonShelby
www.marysparrowsmith.net
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