Howie, Nessie & Friends

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Our Story

Howie and Nessie are two little Scottish Terriers who love each other and do everything together. Nessie is the black one, Howie is the wheaten one. They eat together, sleep together, play together. In December 2015, they even had puppies together! But on Friday, Dec. 9, 2016, they did something very bad, together. In the dark, at 6:30 a.m., they were let out into their fenced, chained area to do their quick early morning business. But they found a gate had been opened, by someone unknown, and they ran out of their pen into the dark, as a snow storm picked up strength. For the next 8 hours they were out in sub-freezing temperatures, in snow that fell deeper and deeper, while their desperate humans searched door to door, back yard to back yard, for them. Hundreds of people on Facebook saw, shared and reposted Howie and Nessie's pictures. Volunteers roamed acres of woods and fields, flyers were circulated , phone calls made to all animal control and protection organizations and veterinary hospitals. The dogs were no where to be found. Finally, mid-afternoon, a veterinarian's office received a call. Witnesses reported two terriers had been on a train track, miles away from home, and one was hit by train. It was Howie. Nessie appeared to be ok after a fall or leap down a steep embankment. The witnesses had picked them up and, thinking quickly, had improvised and used first aid skills to help control Howie's bleeding. He was bleeding from two paws and had head wounds.The veterinarian's office called Howie & Nessie's parents and told them where the dogs were. The snow storm was in full fury by that time, there was a white out and almost impossible to see the roads, but their Mom and a friend drove through the darkness to pick them up and drive them to the only open animal clinic within 30 miles. Nessie was briefly examined as Howe underwent triage. His left hind leg was very seriously wounded and his front left leg also. They didn't have technicians available for MRIs or other diagnostic tools, so the next morning we moved Howie to Cornell University Veterinary hospital in Ithaca. Howie was immediately placed in the Intensive Care Unit. He was diagnosed with a bruised lung. His left back foot was so mangled, the doctors said it will need to be amputated. We were told he might need several surgical procedures to repair his front left foot, which had severe lacerations, but no broken bones. His head injuries seemed to be mainly lacerations, but he was going to be monitored for concussion and other symptoms. The doctors were concerned about infection and about possible worsening of his lung situation, but his vital signs were reasonable as of Saturday night. The hospital had to be paid in full before Howie could come home, assuming all went well with the surgeries and his internal organs. Nessie was examined by her regular vet and was diagnosed with a sore back that might need further investigation. She was exhausted and depressed when we brought her home. Two days later she was in better spirits, but she missed Howie, and kept checking around the house to try to find him. Our hearts were touched by the tremendous efforts of so many people helped to bring home two small dogs, and still others who donated to our Go Fund Me account to help us pay for his medical costs. We were and are glad beyond belief to have Howie & Nessie back, in whatever shape they're in. If you scroll down to the very first posts, you will follow Howie through his ordeal, medical treatment and recovery, and updates on his and Nessie's lives today. Yes he did survive being hit by a freight train. They don't call Scottish Terriers the "die hards" for nothing! I hope you enjoy reading about them and seeing their pictures and videos.