Two-and-a-half-year-old Susie came along after Wesley and Lora Smith had been without a dog for a year. They decided a Scottish Terrier would be the best size, demeanor and personality for their family. They had been proud “Scottie” owners before, and decided to welcome another into their family.
Scotties were originally bred to hunt vermin on farms in the Scottish Highlands. They are one of five terrier breeds originating from this country. The other four are Skye, Cairn, Dandie Dinmont and West Highland White. They are called Abhag Albannach in Galeic.
The term “Wheaten” does not mean that they are a different breed of Scottish Terrier, nor are they a mix with the soft-coated Wheaten Terrier, rather the title is simply referring to their blond-colored variant of the standard Scottish Terrier coloring.
Known as a breed that can be a bit standoffish, businesslike and thought of as lacking in affection, this is not Susie. If she isn’t loving, she isn’t living.
Loved by several American presidents, including Franklin Delano Roosevelt and George W. Bush, it was the First Earl of Dumbarton who gave the breed the title “the diehard” in the 1600s. He was so enamored of their bravery, that he christened his regiment after them.
One thing Susie does do in typical Scottish Terrier fashion is she pretends not to hear when her family members call for her to come inside. She loves the outdoors. The Smith’s daughters make sure to keep Susie happy and active by playing soccer and fetch with her in their front yard, where there is plenty of space for her to chase balls and run around.
Named after a favorite television character, like all of the Smiths other pets, Susie’s moniker came from a character Elaine is forced to take on when a co-worker keeps calling her by that name on Seinfeld. IFKYK, it’s Susie, not Suze. However, her human family also calls her “Susie Elaine Smith” and “Susie Smith.”
Like her fellow Scottish Terriers, Susie is super smart. And she is a bit mischievous. She stares at a member of her human family when she wants to play. And if she needs to go outside? She rings a bell. Susie will also wait until someone leaves the room, and then she will steal their chair. The recliner is her favorite. Once, when Lora needed to reference notes for her podcast recording for the next day, she found them with a bite taken out of the paper by none other than, Miss Susie Elaine Smith!
Susie does not bark unless something alarms her or if she would like to eat, play or attend day camp at Safari Pet Resort. She attends day camp two or three times per week. She loves to visit with her canine buddies and be spoiled by the staff.