The loss of a Scottish Terrier is a terrible feeling in any family. The home feels emptier. The sense that you might have done more to extend their happy lives. The desire to turn the clock back. For many of us we don’t lose a pet but a member of the family. We all grieve in different ways but the urges when we lose a pet are often the same as for loved humans whom we have lost.
In 2024, Scottie Club UK, formerly London Scottie Club, lost a record number of Very Important Pooches (VIPs). Do you remember 2014? People speculated that more celebrities seemed to die that year than before. It certainly seemed like that was the case for Scotties in 2024.
Although the losses appeared concentrated in October where we lost three Scotties (the same as for the whole of 2023), December has cruelly taken first place with four losses in the festive month. That brings the total for 2024 is nine Scotties, verified. We say verified because sometimes Members fail to inform the club, and some choose not to announce on the WhatsApp Convo.
Again, we all grieve in different ways. But it is very much appreciated if Members can share at least on the Convo what has happened. It allows other Members to extend their sympathies, to grieve with them, and many people have practical advice at a time when Members are most vulnerable.
It is also important for Scottie Club UK to know when there is a loss. We need to update our records. And this involves transferring the lost Scottie to a special In Memoriam section of the website. Here we offer a permanent resting spot for Scotties who crossed the rainbow bridge.
Such canine carnage as this year makes us all yearn for this year to pass as soon as it can. The high number of losses that we recorded in 2024 have also pointed to some common health issues, where Members have shared any details.
Scottie Club UK is always seeking ways we can improve our dogs’ lives and promote the breed. In the new year, we will be conducting a survey and inviting Members who lost their dogs in the past 5 years to complete a short interview which will be conducted by phone, not an impersonal form. We think that there may be common issues that can help us understand the breed a little better and avert some of the health issues or at least understand them better – sooner. Many of the dogs we lost this year left us quite suddenly. We know this from my own Pikush where hope was successively slammed out in our face time and again over a 3-day period. Mary, although not a VIP at the time of loss, inspired a podcast episode called Missing Mary you can hear here.
Following publication on 30 December of the email newsletter, we learned that two Scotties passed on 10 December, the latest verified is Buster.
You can view and pay respects to lost Scotties on our In Memoriam page at any time.
Meanwhile, we list below the recorded Scotties of the club who have passed in 2024. If you do not see a loss listed, please email us details at contact@scottieclub.uk We value your help and allowing us to grieve with you.
Scotties who departed in 2024
💔 Basil, 10 January 2024
💔 Darcey, 20 June 2024
💔 Pikush, 3 October 2024
💔 Hollie, 23 October 2024
💔 Pippa, 28 October 2024
💔 Hector, 9 December 2024
💔 Vic, 10 December 2024
💔 Buster, 10 December 2024
💔 Lulu, 27 Dec 2024
💔 Mary – not a Member at time of loss in summer 2024.
Rest In Peace, Never Forgotten by Scottie Club UK
Goodbye to our dear Scotties we leave in 2025.
From missing Mary to meet Maggie.
After losing our beloved Scottie Mary suddenly in August 2024 and after the initial shock my husband asked me if I would like another dog but as I only do rescue my response was Scottie’s rarely come up for rescue and I would only want a Scottie.
I was made aware of STECS which followed on by the then London Scottie Club.
My husband and I became members of STECS and we completed an application form to apply to rehome a Scottie.
After a lovely call from Cath Marchbank the wheels were put in motion and in December 2024 we adopted ‘Maggie’ an ex breeding Scottie who Cath picked up from the ferry travelling from France to Plymouth and driving back to her own home in the North West and we would collect a couple of days later in Chesterfield at the STECS Christmas Party.
We started our 3 hour drive to the Scottie Club Christmas party in high winds to collect Maggie which was an amazing experience. We had not seen a Scottie since losing Mary and as we drove It was very surreal It was like ‘Scottie Village’.
There were owners and their Scottie’s walking around the park adjacent to community centre.
Scottie’s coming and going then we entered the building with our two Labradors and BOOM! Scottie’s everywhere, some quite fiesty ones . . . it was hilarious . . . I loved it.
We watched the ‘Waggiest Tail’ competition and ‘Meet Santa Paws’’ before collecting our very pretty Scottie ‘Maggie’ and taking her off for a walk with our two Labrador’s then driving her to her new home.
We have been guardians of Maggie for 3 weeks now and she is settling in nicely. Although Mary will always be my first Scottie love my heart has grown to make room for another.
I cannot thank STECS and all at the UK Scottie Club for all your kindness and support for a bittersweet 2024 and looking forward to meeting you all in 2025.
Thank you for your account Louise.
I know the end of 2024 was difficult for those of us who lost a Scottie in 2024.
But we must look to a better year ahead. I’m glad Maggie is making an impression and comforting you.
As Maxine said on here, we never forget our lost Scotties. But it’s important to make space in our hearts for other needy Scotties seeking home and shelter.
I salute everyone who gives Rescue Scotties a Chance. X
I want to express my condolences to all the families who have lost Scottish terriers. I know what it’s like to have buried two Scottish dogs at the age of almost 14, 3 years apart. First it was the mother Ferry then her son Rudolf. They lived a happy life in Ukraine, in a house with a garden and walks along the river. They died of cancer and were put to sleep when I realized that these were their last hours of life. The memory of dogs remains forever, but we take new dogs and love them too, they become new members of our family. If we can give our love to others, we should do it. I want to thank George for a wonderful article, which is written so heartfelt and sincerely that it brings tears. Memory of all the departed Scottish dogs and gratitude to the club that unites people, dogs and preserves a wonderful breed!
Thank you Olga. I know from remarks shared by Olga to me earlier, she was referring to my tribute to Pikush. It’s very kind of you.
But I join her in expressing condolences to all Members who lost VIPs in 2024, and indeed in earlier years.
My G Buster passed last week. The vet had no staff on hand to do an ultrasound. Tragic. Vets in London need to step up.
So sorry to learn of the sad loss of dear Buster, HUGS to you Laurie.🐾🐾🐾
Hi Laura, so sorry to hear this sad news. There are no words but my thoughts are with you having such a shock. Be kind to yourself x
A Scottie loss is so very sad, we NEVER forget them, the joy they bring is precious.