Elvis Has Left His Owner

Christine Sumner’s fiancé, Wade, had gone to a hunt club in Buckingham County, Virginia around Thanksgiving. There he saw a fairly healthy dog tied to an old truck nicknamed Elvis because of his howl.

But when he went back in January, Elvis didn’t howl. In fact, Elvis didn’t move. Alarmed, Wade called to the dog. Slowly, Elvis uncurled his body and rose to his feet. But instead of seeing a healthy, howling dog, a skeleton with defeated eyes stared back at him. He threw some peanut butter crackers to Elvis, which he quickly inhaled. Wade got into his vehicle and drove to a nearby store to buy a couple of cans of dog food with all the money he had on him.

When he returned from the store, Wade watched as the dog painfully struggled to stand and eat. A tenderhearted man, the suffering of this dog got to him.

Fortunately, Elvis’ owners decided to give the starving dog to Christine and her fiancé. When the couple arrived, Christine described the scene this way. “ I have seen many pictures of emaciated animals, but I was not ready for the sight in person. He uncurled his frail body and stumbled out from under the truck. I don’t believe I have ever seen more grateful eyes as we loaded him into the crate and onto the truck.”

That night, Christine’s family took Elvis to a foster home. He ate a nice meal, drank plenty of water and sprawled out on a nice warm floor to sleep—quite a difference from sleeping in a tightly curled ball under an old truck.

The Mosby Foundation has assisted with Elvis’ vet bills and we are placing his picture on our website. We’re glad to say that Elvis is gaining strength but he needs a good home. He has been neutered, is gentle, and as you can imagine, also quite loving. He does need to be housebroken.

Christine, Wade and The Mosby Foundation have provided Elvis with a second chance at life. Can you help us take Elvis the rest of the way? Elvis has a foster home but needs a permanent, loving home. Call us! We’re ready to give Elvis the rest of his life back.


UPDATE!

Many of you were outraged with Elvis’ story. But there is good news. Elvis is receiving treatment for hookworms and whipworms. Unfortunately, he also has L5 heartworms (stage 3). He does have some nerve damage due to the advanced parasitic condition. But Carrie, his new guardian, and her parents love him. Elvis is very gentle and grateful for his new life. He now weighs 58 lbs! Elvis was one of the featured dogs in our Winter 2006 issue.