Anyone who has loved and lost a Scottie knows how crushing this can feel. That loss doesn’t go away as days pass to months, pass to years, although you might rationalise as you try to cope. That is only natural.

The worst moments are when you revisit a favourite spot for you and your Scottie, or find their favourite toy, or are reminded by someone without sensitivity of your departed dog.

So imagine what it is like when you get an email from someone reminding you to check your microchip details are correct long after your dog and their microchip are gone? At least for Mother’s Day emails most retailers offer a quick way to be removed from mailing lists and a reasonable apology is included.

Yet that opt-out wasn’t what accompanied my email – and the timing could not have been worse. And that it should be sent from the lofty Kennel Club of Great Britain only reminds me why Scottie Club UK, founded by my departed Scottie, serves a vital purpose and must carry on.

Petlog, a database proudly managed by the Kennel Club, wrote this morning to ask me to ensure that microchipping for Pikush, my black Scottie, is up to date and that since 2016 it is an offence not to chip your dog.

5 July would have been my Scottie’s 11th birthday. But as many club Members know, we lost Pikush last October.

I did not hesitate to email back:

I’m totally surprised to receive this email. And at a very insensitive time from you.

Pikush passed away last October and 5 July would have been his 11th birthday.

Yet you failed to send a reminder email related to my second Scottie 9 months younger.

This underlines how uninformed KC has become and why it’s important that Scottie Club UK which we founded fills a vital role you simply cannot.

I do not expect to get any apology from KC, but there is a honest truth about what I had to harshly remind KC. Once a Scottie has been registered from the litter by the kennel that reared them with Kennel Club of Great Britain, the puppies are out of sight for the KC. Of course, not all Scotties are registered with KC, but Pikush and my wheaten Pudding both were. This long-standing body has received criticism from various quarters recently, resulting in plans to create a rival KC. We don’t doubt that more than 100 years’ service has helped promote canine breeds, but KC does need to improve to remain relevant.

Pikush birthday 5 July 2022

There is no doubt that KC is clueless where Scotties end up or where their owners might resettle them. Some Scotties move home, some sadly move family. But KC does not have a reliable record. Microchipping is supposed to help the authorities. Yet how come KC offers a patchy service, reminding me about my departed Scottie and ignoring my surviving one?

Petlog were quick to hard sell a premium service at £20 they offer in addition to their basic package. But if they cannot get the basics right why should I pay them £20 just to have the luxury of updating my dogs’ details myself? Seems daft and I would prefer to channel that cash into dog food.

That is why as my family remembers Pikush at this difficult time, we also celebrate the club that he inspired and which never turns its back on its Members. Even if a Member decides they must leave us (some Members emigrate for example) they are actually welcome to remain honorary Members.

And if you are new to Scottie Club UK and live anywhere between the Shetlands to the north or the Scilly Isles to the south, you are just as welcome to join Scottie Club UK. And that includes half-Scotties! We know our Members and we maintain a key database via our Members, to help everyone know where our Scotties are, targetting assistance to familtes who need support as well as socially engaging with them, alongside our friends over at charity STECS.