In Memory of Scruff Hargis

 

2011 - May 17, 2024

 

Scruff Hargis was the ultimate rags to riches story.  He had a rough start to life, but that never slowed him down. When he was young, he was abandoned by his Stillwater owners and was left to fend for himself. He was abused by children and adults and was rescued by three OSU students in 2013. He was taken to the OSU Veterinary Medical Hospital where, among other things, it was discovered he had been shot and his front elbow was shattered. These creative and innovative OSU students used social media to raise enough money for surgery. With the expertise of OSU veterinarian, Dr. Lara Sypniewski, acupuncture and a water treadmill, Scruff fully recovered and from that moment on, lived his very best life.

 

He was adopted by then OSU President and First Cowgirl, Burns and Ann Hargis, and spent most of his days on the Stillwater campus as the Presidential Pet. He loved nothing more than giving back to the community that rescued him, and his days were spent greeting students, employees, and visitors.  He could play fetch for hours and he perfected the art of the “low rider”.  If Scruff had a fault, it was that he was not a fan of Pistol Pete. No matter how hard his parents, and Pete, tried. He was in the first class of Pete’s Pet Posse and his name is synonymous with the program.

 

In 2019, Scruff was honored by the OK Humane Society with the Hero Award for his work on campus. In January, 2022, Scruff was inducted into the Oklahoma Animal Hall of Fame, representing the Pete’s Pet Posse program.  He was a pet therapy pioneer who helped pave the way for many other therapy dogs on campus. When his parents retired, he did not!  He continued to serve the Stillwater campus and could also be seen at the OSU-OKC campus when time allowed.

 

“Scruff was a terrier mix with a funny personality and absolutely adored people,” says former OSU First Cowgirl, Ann Hargis. “Burns and I fell head over heels in love with the little guy and he enriched our lives beyond measure.”  

 

Scruff passed away after a very brief bout with an extremely aggressive form of cancer. He was a Canine Good Citizen and was nationally certified with Alliance of Therapy Dogs.

 

He will be missed by his many friends at OSU, but no one will miss him more than his parents.  Well done, Scruff.  You were a good and faithful pup.