Vicki and I delivered a lot of puppies in the middle of the night!

Miss you Vicki! Delivering puppies in the middle of the night is a favorite memory. We had fun bringing the little champions into the world..

I am so very sorry for your loss.  She and I had a lengthy conversation about Cairn Terriers on November 2nd.  She was looking forward to an upcoming dog competition in Springfield and  invited me to come and see it and stop by and say hello to her.  She was also excited about a liter she was expecting at Christmas.  We were at the very beginning of our friendship and bonded over our love for Cairn Terriers.  She was so lovely.  I am so very sorry for your loss.    

Bill, sad to learn of Vickie’s passing. You and your family are in the thoughts of many of your Acacia Brothers. 

Fraternally, 

Roger Elliott 

Dear Bill and family,

Tim and I were so shocked and saddened by the news of Vickie’s death. We have very fond memories of meals and visits we shared with you both in connection with GECC, especially the dinner we most recently had at Del Pietro’s restaurant after event in 2020. I really enjoyed hearing about her work with animals and talking about Arkansas. She was a joy to spend time with and I cannot imagine the sorrow you are all experiencing at this time.

Know that we join the many who are thinking of you at this difficult time. Take good care. Anita (& Tim) Barker

Vickie was my friend.  Like most of my great friends, we shared a love of our Cairns, and met at a dog show, years ago.  We crossed paths so many times over the last decade, and I was blessed to have her visit me in Calgary, Canada (snow country) 3 times over the years.  Whenever I was coming to the USA to a show, Vickie was always there, to help make my organization easy, she always just wanted to help out.  We had so many great times together at dog shows, and I always loved checking out her dog "product bag", as she always had something new to share with me.   
It was a privilege to have had someone so special in my life, the good bye has been very difficult.   

Vickie and I have been friends for years sharing a common passion for showing and breeding Cairn Terriers. We often traveled together followed each other to cairn specialties and other dog shows.

On one of our trips to the National Specialty in Montgomery County Pennsylvania Chuck and I drove together and Vickie followed. After driving for about ten hours I stopped for the evening. Chuck became ill and we  decided to forget the show and return home. That morning, when I told Vickie she insisted on following us home in case we needed her help. She gave up her week, which had required much time and preparation to be there for us. She was there for others when they needed her.
Chuck and I will always remember her act of kindness.

Always her friend, Carol Ackerson 


Vickie and I grew up together as we were first cousins  and lived closer geographically than all our other cousins who all lived in Kentucky. Our parents would get together for dinners or special occasions.   We  would play riding bikes, listening to music or dressing up in her mother Gracies clothes and makeup. We put on fashion shows, plays and rock concerts. Vickie and I shared the true love of animals and being completely silly. 
Her younger brother David of course was a good sport and put up with all of it. 
When I was at the Tapp home I always felt at home. This was mainly due to her parents who were wonderful people. Her father Jessie had a laugh that could fill a room and your heart. I can still hear it to this day. Gracie her mom was a complete sweetheart with devilish quick wit and humour. She could always make us laugh. Vickie’s parents loved their children and would and did do anything for them that they could unselfishly.  This is how Vickie was raised. 
Life is about relationships and friendships and these two things create memories. I have so many fond ones of Vickie and our good times together.  We sometimes would laugh so hard we would pee our pants. That’s when you know you are having a really good time.! We had many!!
I for some reason always remember like it was yesterday.  Vickie and I laying out in the sun in her families back yard in our bikini’s listening to Alice Coopers song Schools Out. We thought we were so cool and owned the world. 
I think if animals and dogs had the ability to write and leave a memory here there would be hundreds. So on behalf of those dear beasts that she loved and cared for  they say  “Thank you for your love and caring”. 
Bill, Bob, Brandon and Emiliya I known you lost a part of your heart and you are in pain.  So please keep holding on to those memories until  someday you all  meet again maybe somewhere over that rainbow.  See ya round kid. 

I knew Vickie from the Cairn world, facebook, and I did her dog advertisements for her. She was pure sunshine and loved by all.  Sending healing light to humans and canines left behind.

My sincere condolences and prayers for Vickie's family.  I didn't know Vickie that well until I became her FB Friend.  I loved her sense of humor, and she had great compassion for everyone.  I knew Vickie through the Cairn Terriers, and she had great success with her Cairns.  

Dear Bill, Bob and Brandon,  we were saddened to hear of Vickie’s passing.  Please know we are thinking and praying for you as you go through your grief.  We remember the fun times at soccer games and school functions.  Thinking of you.🙏❤️

Sincerely, 
Mark and Cindy Grems

To the three men she adored and so lovingly cared for, you have my deepest sympathies. I met Vickie 9 years ago and boy did she make sure I was qualified to be entrusted with one of Izzy's last babies. I learned so much from her about integrity as a breeder but she and I learned we both loved to cook, drink wine, travel and laugh. When Taz and I needed her, she was there, she went out of her way to reach me almost weekly to check in on him - I just spoke to her a week ago when she was showing "Florida" Frolic - she just wanted to know how Taz was doing. She was a kind, loving and a giving woman and loved her family, friends and babies. She was smart, witty, sharp and she raised two wonderful sons whom she adored. And she could bake pies, oh the pies! She would ask for pictures and so I am including one I sent her about a month ago - it was our joke - she loved Taz (he looks just like Izzy) and she was my rock and I could not have made it this far without her. Vickie loved. She truly did...the way Jesus did. I will miss her more than most will know...see you in Paradise Vickie. 

Rest In Peace dear cousin, I have so many memories of you and your mom your dad and David.Here is one. Loved you so much.Joe and Linda 

I initially contacted Vickie based on the Carin Terrier Club of American breeder referral because I was interested in a "show" Cairn Terrier to learn more about the breed. I had, and still do, have a show Westie from which I learned so much about breed.  When I wrote the email, she was in Dallas at a dog show, and was so excited that "Holly Hunter", the actress had contacted her.  Oops, not her, just me.  She returned the call immediately and we agreed to meet.  We became friends on the spot.  I remember hugging her on leaving that day.  I helped her show Teddy and Zorro, travelled across the nation, and started sharing times together.  Dogs were our passion and we shared common dog beliefs, but cooking, gardening, holidays, crafts, and so many things became our true bond to for each other.  Scarlett came to me through Vickie and Jeanette Cromwell and I fully intended to show Scarlett myself. With me,  Scarlett wouldn't walk on four feet, sometimes backwards, in between my legs, barked, and was a mess in the ring.  Vickie took her in the ring and it was like an orchestrated plan!  Vickie was an incredible lady to show, groom, breed, knowledge of the Cairns, and known throughout the Cairn terrier world.  I am so proud to be Vickie's friend, not just because of Cairns, but because we loved each other  (although we had our spats) and I will miss her so much. Oh, and Vickie, I'll promise, I'll finish Scarlett to her GCH.  Love you so much!

I met Vickie 12 years ago at my first CTCA Montgomery National show with my first show Cairn. I was captivated by her sweetness and kindness, and though we only saw each other once or twice a year, we always kept in touch via private messenger.....I love snow and Christmas about as much as she did....RIP my beautiful friend, I already miss you so much 💕 💔 😢 
So glad we spent time together at Morris and Essex and I got to meet Bill

I have known Vickie for many years but only through our love of cairn terriers. Several years ago both Vickie and I attended the same dog show in Ann Arbor. I had brought my 12 year old grandaughter and her guide dog with me. Ava is hard of hearing. My granddaughter gave a small speech about what her hearing dog does for her and how she wants to pay back the organization that gave her dog to her. When she returned to her seat Vickie took a hundred dollar bill from her purse and gave it to my granddaughter to help pay for her dog. It was a wonderful gesture to a young girl . Bless you Vickie for your kindness.

Such a sad loss to the Cairn community and beyond Prayers for the family

For all of Vicki’s family and close friends. I remember the first time I met Vickie. I was showing my first Cairn. Becky Stamps, Lynn Nabors, Diane Gaines and A Clark Pennypacker were all there. I was warmly welcomed by this amazing group of women as a new Cairn owner. 
She was a wonderful woman with a beautiful smile on her face and the love for the Cairns shown a light whenever you saw her. She was a devoted wife, mother and friend. 
I’m so sorry that she has passed so suddenly   She will be greatly missed by all. 

It broke 💔 our hearts to lose you, but you did not go alone. A part of us went with you, the day God took you home.  Cuz Melvin and family 👪  from our family to yours our thoughts and prayers 🙏. 

OBITUARY

Vickie Ellen Shotwell

26 November, 1957 – 12 November, 2021

Rollins Funeral Home

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