_ Our big, boy Elvis. Last March I received an email from a woman in Wisconsin who was trying to help her neighbor’s eleven-year-old coonhound, Elvis. The family was moving and could only take two of their dogs to their new home. Elvis was dealt the bum card—they either had to find him a home or have him euthanized. After posting his picture and description on the Nose to the Ground to Help Hounds’ Facebook page and other sites, I saw negligible interest in poor Elvis. Every night I would talk to my husband, Bill, about how Elvis’ time was almost up and it did not look good. Bill slowly started asking questions: “Where does Elvis live”? “Is he housetrained, ”? “Crate trained”? Finally Bill said, “Set up an appointment. We will check Elvis out.“ Off to Wisconsin we go---mind you we were thinking of a 60 lb coonhound. Little did we know that Elvis was 105 lbs, full of lumps and warts, and a little unsteady on his legs. Boy, were we surprised when we met Elvis! However, he was also a big, absolutely lovable lug of a senior hound! He had the sweetest big face, droopy lips, and a bark that shook the windows in the house. We had brought our dog-reactive “Bagel” (Beagle/Basset), Elroy, to meet Elvis, so we took them for a walk together. They seemed to get along – a big plus. Bill looked at me and said, “Your decision.” Why did he even say that? He knew what my decision was._ Elvis and new friends at home. _So, we drove back home to Illinois with a big dog head poking between our front seats, I am sure it was a sight! We arrived home and introduced the rest of the Taney clan to Elvis. Our Beagle, Ricky, was fine but our normally accepting Basset, Ellie, and Chihuahua, Tippy, made it clear they did not approve, lunging and snapping at poor Elvis. Ever the good boy, Elvis, did not react to their rudeness. Whew! He was to stay. The first couple of months took some adjustment, but now all get along fine, including our parrot, Bob. Each day we learn something new about Elvis; he is house and crated trained, knows sit, down, high five, shake, catches treats in mid air, hates garden tractors, loves to ride in the car, loves to counter surf (proudly rearranging the kitchen counter), loves to boat and wade in the lake. My husband even sold his sports car so we could get a van, because Elvis, our other dogs and Bob the parrot just did not fit in our smaller car! Ah, a room with a view... We have adopted other senior dogs in the past, smaller in size, but their time in our household was just as rewarding and we cherished our time together. As I am finishing up this article, Elvis is lying in the middle of the floor, relaxed and happy, as are we. I know many people worry that senior dogs “won’t adjust.” Well, we know from experience that is not true. Seniors have so much to offer! Go ahead. Take a chance and see! Adopt a senior hound! By Susan Taney, from Nose to the Ground to Help Hounds Visit her website at: http://www.savethehounds.org/index.html And on Face Book at: http://www.facebook.com/nosetothegroundtohelphounds?ref=search&sid=1137528323.3648328271..1 _
Angela Faeth
1/12/2012 08:05:19 am
Great story! Susan and Bill, thank you for sharing your story about adopting a senior hound. I bet Elvis is VERY thankful. 1/12/2012 09:49:39 am
Susan and Bill~ So enjoyed your story!!! I actually laughed out loud when i saw Elvis enjoying the bay window with your 2 other dogs. Bless your hearts for seeing the potential love a senior dog can bring. Especially a hound...a breed very close to my heart. May you have a wonderful New Year! 1/12/2012 12:00:24 pm
We have a very sweet, handsome senior coonhound in the nearby shelter in Viroqua Wisconsin. His name is Julius. He does get some attention from potential adopters which is encouraging but he is still waiting after 6 months. He is probably the best dog in the shelter for busy families or first time adopters. But. He. Waits. 1/12/2012 12:51:53 pm
Unfortunately, Julius's story is more common than Elvis's. Senior hounds all too often wait and wait, until finally the shelter is too full or the dog gets depressed and simply goes downhill. Most seniors are like Elvis, a few bumps and warts, but already trained and much calmer than a young dog. Many families would be better off with a senior, but biases toward young dogs and against seniors continue. And Julius waits.
Sherrie Cluley
1/13/2012 12:38:08 am
Elvis is one lucky senior citizen. We just adopted a 10 year young beagle named Major. What a joy he is. House trained, friendly, lovable, gentle little man. Yes some health issues but who doesn't at that age. They need love and care,belly rubs, walks, and a lot of petting.You get so much in return.
Sharon Whalen Burt
1/14/2012 06:26:10 am
I didn't adopt a senior coonhound but a Chichuhau and she was the best of all my dogs. She was on earth until about 1 month ago when we put her dog, at the ripe old age of 15. She was the best dog and I'd do a senior dog again.
Angela Faeth
1/16/2012 01:10:49 am
All dogs need our attention, the senior dogs are right up there on our needs list - so we would include your Chichuhau - 15, wow!
Michelle Harrison
4/14/2012 08:37:31 am
I have a ten year old coonhound that I have had since she was 2 1/2. She has supported me through thick and thin; including the transition to a job with more stress and more hours! When I finally got some back up at work and I wanted to add to the coonie family. I went to the shelter and I saw a 13 1/2 year old coonhound curled up in a room with another dog. It ws crowded at the shelter on a Sunday and there families with young children everywhere. The coon looked up at me through the window but looked slowly away, as I was sure he had doone a thousand times that day. I knew no one in the room would want to adopt a thriteen and a half year old dog; no one wants to put their young children through potential loss. I went home and looked him up on the website for the shelter and thought I had seen him on the site before. The next day at lunch I went to meet him fell pretty much head over heals for him. after work I took my other coonie to meet him and they seemed fine. We spent some time and signed the papers. He bayed his good byes to a group of volunteers who had loved him and he bayed all the way home. When we got home he jumped out of the car and went right to my front door. This is remarkable since in my neighborhood all the houses are close and are right on the road; he had no way to know which one was ours, but he did! The neighbors love him and his sister drives him crazy, but he gazes at me and howls when I leave in the morning. He bays a lot and the neighbors say "I don't know if you like it but I love his bark!" When his sister was in the hospital for four days he stayed up all night pacing and looking for her. He adores both her and me! Sometimes his hips betray him and sometimes he already does not eat too much- but I like to think he is having a great time. Put the boy on a leash and he has no idea wht to do but he LOVES it- and off to the cemetary up the hill we go. he pulls me like a pup; no signs of being thirteen then and his nose never leaves the ground. I don't know how long I will have him to enjoy, but I can say he is fun and funny addition to the family and the neighborhood. Ironically-although I felt sorry that no one woul want him I am glad t hey didn't- because now he is my boy! Comments are closed.
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