Sir Walter Mitty, Plus Collar

Thrifty with his actions, generous with his words
Geordie the Scaly Scot, Nov. 1994 to March 18, 2008

Illustration of Geordie by Gimlet Rose

Geordie the Scaly Scot left Saskatchewan yesterday on his longed-for move to perpetual warmth and leisure.

Will he be happy? Of course. Indolent? Naturally. Wry? Need you ask?

Everything about Geordie remains bemused. He will always be the Scottie Who Couldn't Help But Shoot Straight, The Dog Who Had Everything and The Dog Who Put Up With Nothing Less Than What He Wanted.

What a life. What a Scottie. What a dog.

What stories and what a fabled existence: The Geordie Myth, the recalcitrant, leisurely, gourmand Scottie who captivated and captured his "owner" Linda, and legions of Terrier-L readers. He cut a fine figure of a dog, walking a little ways, and then sitting down as if he were made of poured concrete. "No! I won't budge. We'll rest here a while and then we're turning around and going home. It's time for a snack or time for dinner. It doesn't matter, it's time to eat something. Let's go!"
From a wily puppy who indulged in cover-ups of his "mistakes" to the boisterous young dog who commanded Westies Fiona and McTavish, and then matured into the patriarchal dog who adored a charming Flossie,  Geordie was synonymous with "character." His main trait was charm, liberally dashed with guile and determination.

Were "The Geordie Stories" all true? Did he slay many a giant meat loaf and write the Great American/Canadian Novel? (Geordie was American by birth, Canadian by Golly.) Of course they are, and he did, he did. Geordie was a little bit of everything we love most about dogs, and life itself.

Enjoy your sandy beach, Geordie, and send us a card sometime.

--Nigel, Gimlet, Sammy and Joe the Cat

--In 2004, Geordie was gracious enough to give us his recipe for his very own Savoury Cheese Biscuits. Treat yourself to Geordie and his unispecies biscuits here.

--Also in 2004, Geordie graciously consented to an interview: not of himself, but of his little Flossie. Read Linda Winkler's take on what it's like to watch a young Scottie lass grow here. 

Comments

[Asta Marie, Dewey Dewster, and Toby]

My goodness,

You three and the spirit of Nigel can certainly pen a tribute fit for a King... Words that can create emotions that you don't realize are there and visions appear of a life that we are able to share for a fleeting moment. We wish we had a talent as creative as yours. I hope we remember to visit more often.... maybe we can learn something.

Love,
Asta Marie, Dewey Dewster and Toby

[Vivian]

This made me cry. I'm a long time reader on Terrier-L, my pup Trinket just turned 13 in January. Geordie was a family member to us, though we were glad he kept the best performance confined in Linda's house.

I want to put a link of your blog on mine, if you don't mind.