by Courtney Harris
My husband and I both grew up with family pets. One of the things we found ourselves dreaming about before getting married was our future four-pawed family. By the time we hit our first anniversary, we had adopted two cats. We loved dogs but had decided to “cool our jets” before we turned into a proper zoo by Year Two.
Fast forward to late, muggy August of 2016.
One of my friends was ready to add a dog to her family. We bonded strongly over animals, and she graciously let me tag along when she went to check out a small, rural animal shelter in the neighboring county. We navigated the gravel road and barely put the car in park before hopping out and hustling to the door. We checked out the first few inside kennels first. There were adorable Lab mixes that stopped Katie in her tracks. Every pup was cute, but we’d only seen one side. I rounded the corner and a dog instantly caught my eye. In the second kennel, there was an orange and white dog with floppy ears watching me. I started talking to him. I forgot about the dogs immediately to my right and left. In fact, I may forget many things over the course of my lifetime, but I will never EVER forget this moment I’m chronicling right now. Although he started towards the wall of his cage, he was quick to come to the front to interact with me. Do you know how you feel after watching a two hour film that fills you with more emotions than you can recount? Well, this dog had eyes like the end of a good movie. He looked tired, hungry for affection, and melancholy. But more than that, he looked relentlessly hopeful. My new floppy-eared friend ran his face against the cage wire so that I could squeeze in a few pets.
So, I trust that your deduction skills will help you figure out what happened next. The following day, my husband met the dog of our dreams. After we decided “Howard” aged this six-year-old pup, we dubbed him “Basil” and made him a Harris.
Are you considering adding a dog to your pack? I beg you to go check out a hound. That’s right—I’m begging you, stranger. Basil made me crazy for the breed, but he’s not the only wonderful hound I know. I volunteer with a few animal rescues, and I have engaged dozens of coonhounds and foxhounds. Although every dog has its flaws, the love of a hound is infectious. I hope that you’ll take a chance and visit one at your local shelter. I have a pretty good feeling that the floppy-eared canine on the inside of the kennel will be all the convincing you need.
The opinions expressed in this guest blog are those of the author and are not necessarily endorsed by Coonhound and Foxhound Companions.