by Lee Juslin
Finnegan, a five-year-old Scottie, was living in an unstable home, which was not safe for this sweet Scottie. He spent time in a kennel with his housemate, a Cocker Spaniel, that was pulled from the kennel by Cocker Spaniel Rescue. Finnegan was then placed with a friend of the owner. The placement didn’t work out, so Finnegan went to Scottish Terrier Rescue of New York/New Jersey.
Finnegan
Although the rescue feels he may have been abused, even kicked at one point, Finnegan is a happy boy. He occasionally cowers, but in the capable hands of rescue, he is showing his happy, lovable side.
Finnegan is a purebred Scottie but not show quality. At twenty-nine pounds, he is a large Scottie. He is not fat, rather a solid, muscular boy. This big boy loves the outdoors. He enjoys sitting on the deck at his foster mom’s home and watching wildlife. He particularly enjoys keeping an eye on the sheep that live next door and the bunnies that run through the yard. Unlike most terriers, he does not have a strong prey drive. However, without a fenced-in yard, he will trot off looking for adventure.
Finnegan has a special talent. He learned on his own to alert when his former housemate, the Cocker Spaniel, was about to have a seizure. He has a special bark that he used to alert his owners even before the seizure occurred. He seemed to sense ahead of time, when a seizure was coming for his Cocker Spaniel buddy. Usually dogs go through specialized training lasting up to two years to become a seizure or epilepsy alert dog and generally these dogs are not Scotties. Dogs like Finnegan with an innate ability to sense oncoming seizures are the best candidates for seizure alert training. Once training is completed, these dogs are ready to be purchased by people with seizures and are registered service dogs that can go anywhere with their human. They provide a sense of ease and security allowing people with seizures to live a fuller life.
Scottie Rescue feels that Finnegan could be easily trained to become a certified seizure alert dog. Therefore, they are hoping to place him with an adopter who needs his seizure alert ability, and will perhaps provide further seizure alert training.
Finnegan’s only real problem is that he is terrified of grooming. He enjoys being brushed but turns into a “terrior” with a groomer. The only times he has bitten is during a grooming session. Therefore, his adopter would need terrier experience and would also need to be able to deal with and help Finnegan overcome this fear. They would need a groomer experienced in handling difficult dogs and would need to use a muzzle during grooming. However, at only five he may not have had a lot of experience with grooming, and with help may become more accepting of the process.
Aside from someone to help him deal with his grooming fear, Finnegan would like a fenced-in yard or someone willing to take him on regular walks. He does walk well on a leash and enjoys getting out and about. He would also like another dog to live with and a human experienced with terriers who can understand and accept his terrier-ness.
This sweet, personable boy gets along with other dogs, children, and cats. He is currently in a foster home with a number of other dogs and shows no aggression or fear of the other dogs.
Finnegan eats well without any special diet, and has no health problems. He is a very sweet boy who enjoys being with his person, cuddling, and he’s a talker who likes having regular conversations with his human.
You can learn more about seizure alert dogs and their training here: Seizure Alert.
Learn more about Finnegan and his pals in Scottie Rescue, volunteer, apply to adopt a rescue, or make a much needed donation. Visit the Greater NY/NJ Scottie Rescue on their Facebook page or their website:
Website: Scottie Rescue
Facebook: Scottie Rescue on FB
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Do u transport to MO pls? Cost for adoptions? I raised scottie as a breeder retired always had one for a pet. J have 2 now…fenced yard which my dogs don’t escape. Thanks!