In my animal house,shortbread is one of those irresistible items that beg to bedevoured in one sitting. Sitting … begging … devouring … these are all talents displayed by my five-pack whenever they catch a whiff. They begin the bow-wow begging ritual by sitting pretty, hoping that their impeccable good manners will score them a crumb or three. Of course, they are not wrong. Resistance is futile withmy canine crew.
Walkers Shortbread appreciates the unique way that dogs and people bond over buttery baked goods. Founded in 1898, Walkers is the leading brand of food exported from Scotland. Staying true to its roots, the family continues to operate its original retail shop in Aberlour in the Highlands. The company’s all-natural products including cookies,cakes, oatcakes, and puddings in addition to that peerless shortbread contain no artificial flavorings, colorings, or additives and are certified kosher.
But the Walkers item of special interest to Dogster readers is, without question, the Scottie Dog Cookie buttery deliciousness in the shape of a Scottish Terrier, one of five terrier breeds that originated in Scotland.(Helpful hint: This makes a wonderful Valentine’s Day gift.)
Recently, Walkersteamedup with the ASPCA, donatingten cents from all Scottie Dog product sales in 2012 to America’s first humane organization, to help raise funds for animal welfare initiatives.Next month, on March 15,Walkers will unleash a special-edition Scottie Dog Tin. The 7.8-oz tin is filled with 18 Scottie Dog-shaped shortbread cookies andadorned with black and white embossed Scottish terriers, set against a classic background of Walkers traditional tartan.
Thisbonny tin carries forth a proud tradition of Scottish terriercollectibles. Thanks to Franklin D. Roosevelt and his love for the famous Fala, the Scottie is apooch with a presidential pedigree,and First Dog among connoisseurs of canine collectibles.Mr. Fala of the White House, as FDR’s pup was calledin a series of cartoons, became an international celebrity in 1944. That year, the dyed-in-the-wool Democrat made a speech defending himself against accusations from Republican fiction-writers that hed left Fala behind on a trip to the Aleutian Islands, and sent a destroyer to retrieve the dog at taxpayers expense.
The scandal raised Falas profile immensely and internationally, resulting in a rage for all manner of Scottie-themed merchandise, from cocktail glasses to cookie jars to quilt patterns. These became instant collectors items. Even today, Scottiebilia items continue to be hot sellers on eBay and at antiques stores. So if youre scouring flea markets and yard sales and you happen upon anything shaped like a Scottie, do snap it up and dont be surprised if the price is nonnegotiable! (The photo below, incidentally, shows a cookie jar from my collection that I proudly repurposed as a vase for arazzle-dazzle rhapsody of red gerbera daisies by l’Olivier Floral Atelierof New York.)
Incidentally, the Scottie happens to be a breed with bi-pawtisan appeal; let’s not forget a couple ofRepublican residents at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue byname ofBarney and Mrs. Beasley, beloved Scotties of George W. and Laura Bush. No wonder political animals on both sides of the fence can agreeon thelittle chieftain’s charm author S.S. Van Dine extolled the Scottie spirit as an ever-blazing internal fire, both physical and temperamental, that shines forth from his eyes, vitalizes his expression, invigorates his body, and animates his activity.
In addition to substance, the dashing Scottie has style – and lots of it. A formidable dog in a compact body (dog lovers love to use the term multum in parvo, which is Latin for something big in a small package), his short legs, big head,bearded muzzle, bushy eyebrows, alert ears, and handlelike tailall conspire togivethis Caledonian caninean unmistakable silhouette.
Such is the Scottie mystique that contemporary manufacturers continue to churn out new items with antique flavor. Or, in the case of Walkers Shortbread, old-school buttery flavor. Race you to the cookie jar!
Editor’s Note: No, this post was not sponsored by Walkers in any way.
