In October 2003, I was made aware of a group of 6-8 year old male beagles being used for biomedical research, and I was informed that they might be put up for adoption. I went to visit the dogs, and instantly wanted to adopt one, but when push came to shove, my mother's reasoning (and threat to no longer dogsit a "third") won out, and I had to accept not being able to adopt one of these beagles. As disappointed as I was, I stayed in contact with people from the facility to try to keep informed about the dogs, whether they would be adopted, etc. To make a long story short, we ended up assisting the facility by introducing them to a rescue organization for the adoption of 4 of those beagles in 2005, and then after founding the Laboratory Beagle Adoption Division of Cascade Beagle Rescue, we received the remainder of those beagles in 2006! Elmer was one of those beagles. I had fostered many of the beagles who had been released, but yet Elmer stayed...and he became the 4th (!!) and last addition to my pack of beagles. Pretty ironic that three years later, I ended up adopting one of those beagles anyway!
Elmer was "special" from the beginning. We thought he had a heart murmur, but that ended up not being the case. Elmer was pretty fearful - just hid behind the bushes in the backyard, took months to learn how to climb the stairs, and he struggled with his cratetraining and housetraining for many months (and still does). He does not know how to play with toys, but is learning to play with other dogs, and in all honesty, all he ever wants is for someone to hold him so that he may fall asleep in your arms.
I
call Elmer my Worrier since he always has a worried look on his face. I reassure him that
he is home now, and my adoption of him only strengthens my desire to grow our
Laboratory Beagle
Adoption Division of Cascade Beagle Rescue-East so that, through
cooperation and respect with the field of biomedical research, these animals can
find life and love in their retirement.
As you can see, Elmer had his first
Christmas picture taken in December 2006.
He
has gone for a(n) (accidental?) swim in my parents' pool, and here I am scooping
him out of the water.
He LOVES kids, and has adjusted better than I ever could have expected him to.
He
has an interesting new behavior in which he likes to roll on people - especially
if they are wearing cologne, perfume, or even scented deodorant or soap.
It's a bit embarrassing, but we're working on that one... His
housetraining still leaves a bit to be desired, but we will continue to work on
that, too. He is a sweet, gentle soul who deserves the attention and love
he so craves.
He is a wonderful little beagle who, even starting at the age of 6, can
learn how to have a new life as a loved pet.
Above, Elmer (almost 8 years old) with me and my nieces, Amanda
and Anna in December 2007.
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