We had been wanting to adopt again for a long time, after all, three is a sacred number. ~;) But finances wouldn't allow, when I (Kym) got a new job we decided that we could soon get both a new horse (soon) and a new hound. And I just had a feeling that a black female would be at GPS when we were ready. There were several, the question was were any of them right? Then I checked and there was yet another, Hi Tech Lollipop, this one without "New" on her profile...I figured she was a return. Sure enough she was "life style changes and separation anxiety." She showed the crooked ear that Irony has. She turns out to be another Dutch Bahama granddaughter on her paternal side. And it turns out both ears do that! Scolaighe's pedigree

Scolaighe..GPS photo by Sarah the Bath Queen We changed her name to "Scolaighe," as we just couldn't live with "Lollipop" or even "Lolly" as she apparently was called at the kennel. This took a bit of work a friend had suggested "Sgeolan" ("Sceolain") to go with the name "Bran" which we considered, but then thought might be too pretentious. Besides, we thought maybe something ending in an "lly" sound would be easier for her to learn. And, no, "Molly" is a bit too "commonly Irish" for our tastes. So we discussed naming her "Sgeolan" and just calling her "Sgeoli. Well, the pronunciation didn't quite work and we ended up with something that sounded more like, er, "Scolaighe." We were hesitant at first as we don't like to give our hounds "pop culture" names (and I'm assuming those of you who have a bit of Irish or even Scottish Gaelic can figure out how the name is pronounced). But it was too quickly ingrained on us.

"Scolaighe" is an Irish name derived from the word for "scholar." And yes, it is a male given name. However, we figure it's fine for a female as today the Anglicized surname is mostly associated with a female television character (sadly, of the past now). Got it yet?

Scolaighe, who will turn 5 this summer, is settling in well and quickly. Irony has established her dominant position without much question. Scolaighe does gently dominate Bran, much as Irony does but without as much growling...she just cuddles on top of him a lot. She is very cuddly. She did display some separation Scolaigh and Bran anxiety, but mostly the "for show" stuff, you know, when we're leaving or returning. In fact, at first she followed us when we moved through the house and couldn't stand to have us out of site. We believe she was fussed on whenever she showed anxiety and developed it through "training" as it were. So we ignore her when she behaves this way and it is quickly fading. There apparently is no problem once we're out of earshot..no drooling, tearing bedding, tearing up her legs.... When she's not displaying Irony and Scolaighe anxiety, she is actually very mellow, especially compared to Irony and Bran who are both rather intense. She is fitting in perfectly.

Background modified from a graphic from the World of Celtic Art
Clipart from Clipart Castle
Top two pictures of Scolaighe from Greyhound Placement Service Web Page