
For example, a picture of Scarlett, an older Walker hound from the mountains of North Carolina, stole the hearts of an Ohio family with her soulful eyes. The captivated family that adopted her runs BarkPark (http://barkpark.org/), a wonderful fundraising organization for animal causes.
Shortly after Scarlett moved to her forever home, BarkPark held a very successful fund raising event for Coonhound Companions. Scarlett stole the show as the ambassador and greeter of the day.
If you’re not cautious, you’ll find out firsthand just how lovely a companion a mature hound can be.
The new poster highlights the advantages of an adopting an adult hound. While the “cute” factor of pups is undeniable, older dogs are easier to live with and are a better match for many hound lovers. The poster notes that “Coonhounds of a certain age are calmer and wiser.” Adults are past teething, past teenage rebellion, easier to housebreak, their voices have matured past that annoying puppy whine. They have longer attention spans. It’s easier to predict their ultimate personalities and physical characteristics. Those cute puppies pee on carpets, turn your best shoes into chew toys, dig holes in the lawn and the upholstered furniture, and usually destroy at least one remote control while growing up. Adults are far less inclined to such aggravating behavior!
Our poster illustrates that adult hounds often still enjoy being active without engaging in exhausting, frenetic behavior. They still like to go for a hike, play on the lawn, or loll on your couch without needing to run a marathon every day.
For those with unsettled life plans, adult hounds are a shorter-term commitment. Plus, there are so many adult hounds out there in need of permanent homes. Choosing to adopt a mature dog gives you a lot of choices and the chance to bypass puppy mills while saving the life of a hound with experience. When a hound is experienced at reading humans, its natural eagerness to please contributes to instant bonding.
Please check out "Long Ears + Maturity = Deep Bonds,” as well as our earlier posters," "Long Ears = Social Networking," "Long Ears & You = Soulmates," "Long Ears = Lotsa Cute," "Long Ears = Lotsa Fun," and "Long Ears = Lotsa Talent." Download them, post them, and hand them out. Help find homes for coonhounds and foxhounds in your local rescues and shelters.
Emily Plisher, December 2011