A Round Ap-Paws for Elvis
When it comes to a hound dog with burning love, Helen Flanagan says it’s time to unleash the ruff stuff.
In the late nineteenth century a proud Scotsman cross-bred flat-coated Retrievers with Tweed Water Spaniels, resulting in the medium-to-large Golden Retriever breed, characterised by a gentle and affectionate nature and a striking golden coat.
Golden Retrievers are commonly kept as a companion dog, compete in dog shows and obedience trials, and work as Guide Dogs. These days they are in varying colours from dark red, shades of russet to white as in English White retrievers – like Elvis, a local superstar.
“We have had retrievers before,” recalls doting ‘parents’ Lyndall and David Pitchford. “Gorgeous Bentley who looked remarkably like Elvis, was with us for 18 wonderful years when the children were young,” Lyndall says. “He was also very naughty and liked nothing better than escaping and wandering down the main street being fed by people in the cafés.
“It was a no brainer when it came to getting another retriever, a COVID puppy from a caring breeder in country NSW.
“As for the name? I don’t really know why but it suited him in a ‘nothing like Elvis’ way. He is a delight, everyone loves him and unusually for retrievers, he doesn’t steal shoes or socks.
“They are quiet dogs as in minimal barkers, except when being a watchdog, when someone appears at the gate. Then he sounds like a Rottweiler, catching the courier by surprise and then just quietly wandering off. So much for being a dutiful guard dog!”
Elvis has a beautiful temperament, loves babies and children, and shows it with an affectionate lick! Luckily, he doesn’t scoff food like many retrievers.
“Not saying he doesn’t like his food, he eats everything, but isn’t too keen on lettuce or tomato, more a meat and three veg type, with favourite treat a dried kangaroo tail,” Lyndall says.
“He has been on a diet to lose those extra kilos. The vet said ‘no pellets’, so he has a varying menu from cooked veg, homemade chicken stock, an egg, tinned tuna or salmon to rice and cooked chicken. He loves yoghurt on fruit in the mornings.
“His acute hearing means knowing the exact time of his dinner by the sound of wine being poured into our glasses, also the scent of Twisties which he adores as a tiny entree.”
Elvis has a knack of seeking out water holes, running straight to it, the muddier the better, even more so, just after a groom. His big passion is the beach and swimming in the ocean.
“He would stay in all day if he could, chasing birds, finding seaweed and fetching sticks,” Lyndall says. “Well, fetching can be okay but as for bringing it back – he has no idea, or maybe he’s tired after all the seaside action.”
When it comes to dreamtime and counting sheep, Elvis seems to be fussy with his choice of several beds and not really attached to any. Except when he’s on staycation at Aunty Kate and Uncle Tony’s house, where he has a beautiful bed and water bowl, special food, tussles and walkies.
At home he’s chosen a rug outside Lyndall and David’s bedroom, ostensibly protecting them. With winter upon us guess Elvis will surely be expecting a big fluffy bed as his good luck charm, and follow that dream, of one day wearing blue suede shoes. How Pawsome would that be!
