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.
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!
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
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
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