8/3/14 We are so sad to have to update with the news that Elvis’s pain from his back could no longer be controlled and he has had to be put to sleep to prevent him suffering. He had proved himself to be a very special old chap and his foster carers are so upset to have lost him. Our thoughts and best wishes are with them.
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Elvis is the King, not a Hound Dog, or so he tells us! He’s an 11 year old Crossbreed (about whippet height), with fabulous pointy ears, who came into Oldies Club care after his owners were evicted. Elvis is in an Oldies Club foster home in Street, Somerset, waiting for someone to offer him a permanent home.
Doing well in foster: Elvis settled at his foster home straight away and is enjoying the facilities.
Could live with part-time workers: Elvis is fine to be left for a few hours. He always wants to go out with you but he does settle quite quickly when left. He is very glad to see you when you come home. He would be fine to live with a part-time worker but is a very sociable dog and wouldn’t want to be on his own for full-time hours.
Good with dogs but needs to be an only dog: Elvis is good with other dogs, but is quite pushy when it comes to attention etc. so he needs a home where he is the only dog. Elvis plays well with dogs he meets in the park. He likes to greet any dog he sees, but backs off if the other dog grumbles at him.
Good with cats: Elvis ignores cats when out. He is living with his fosterer’s two cats and ignores them unless food is around. He is happy to share his space with the cats when snoozing.
Good with older children: Elvis is currently living with a 13 and 17 year old. He would be best in a home where children are aged 12+ due to having a sensitive back and being uncomfortable if patted in the lumbar area.
Enjoys regular gentle walks: Elvis is having 3 to 4 walks per day, consisting of about 20 minutes gentle walk/potter around the park. He usually goes out with his fosterer’s dog, but sometimes has short (10 minute) solo walks if his arthritis is playing up. He pulls slightly on the lead, but not to the extent that he chokes. He might benefit from a harness if his new owner found the pulling troublesome. His recall is generally good with firm commands, but he doesn’t always come back if there are lots of dogs in the park. He wanders off if not frequently kept in check with recall and the odd treat.
This photo makes Elvis look huge, but he isn’t!
Must be harnessed or crated in the car: Elvis doesn’t settle in the car and must be either harnessed or crated. His fosterer is getting him used to a harness at present. If loose in the car he will try to jump from the back to front seat. He doesn’t sit even with a passenger holding or sitting with him, and managed to open the car window with his paw on one occasion. He has also climbed over the travel hammock fitted to the rear seats.
Elvis’s favourite pastimes: Cuddling up on the sofa, gentle walks, schmakos.
Elvis’s dislikes: Elvis doesn’t like loud noises, such as hairdryers. He is also wary of squeaky toys and seems unsure what to do with toys once he has one. He will let you gently help him into the car, but his foster carer hasn’t picked him up any other time in case of hurting his back.
Elvis’s ideal home: He would suit a home where somebody is in for a lot of the day, with no young children. He is very affectionate and likes to be cuddled up on the sofa as often as possible. He has been allowed the run of the fosterer’s home and is allowed to sleep in any room. He definitely needs somewhere he can be allowed on furniture, but he also uses a dog cushion to sleep on if his arthritis is troubling him. He would be happy with someone who could take him on 3 or 4 short walks a day.
Health notes: Elvis is neutered, vaccinated, microchipped, wormed and flea treated. He has fused lumbar vertebrae and arthritic spurs to thoracic spine, diagnosed by X-ray. Elvis will be on long term daily doses of Metacam, which he has with food in the morning. He has a supply of Tramadol for when his pain is particularly bad. He has a undefined skin allergy to his rump and tail and some hair loss in these areas. Elvis has had intermittent steroid sprays for the allergy and regular flea treatment.
Foster carer’s summary of Elvis: “Affectionate, silky-soft, inquisitive, cuddly. Despite his arthritis, Elvis is very alert when out walking and needs to be put on his lead when younger dogs are around in case he over-exerts himself. He seems to have most discomfort in the mornings, but this settles with Metacam. He tends to guard his food and treats, but is generally respectful of other animals’ food when they are eating. I have been feeding him separately from my dog and the cats. He is quite pushy when it comes to attention, but not aggressive. ”
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If you would like to offer Elvis a permanent home, please refer to our Adoption Procedures for information about the adoption process. You can then contact an Oldies Club rehoming co-ordinator as follows:
Email: rehome@oldies.org.uk
Telephone: 0844 586 8656
Elvis can be rehomed anywhere in the UK, subject to a satisfactory home visit, but note that you will be required to travel to the foster home to meet him.
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If you would love to offer a home to an oldie but your circumstances aren’t suitable, perhaps you would be kind enough to sponsor one of the special oldies we are caring for that, due to health problems, are unlikely to be offered a permanent home.