Elvis and Cas on their second day home…

It was clear that Elvis and Casino had a special relationship. They lived in the run at the vet office and over the years, Elvis had become Casino’s guardian and protector. He lovingly watched over her until she went to the Bridge due to Osteo 4 months after coming home…just a couple weeks after turning 13. After Casino passed, Elvis mourned for several weeks. And then, he started relaxing. He started doing things a dog should do. Sniff the breeze. Roll in the grass. Doze in the sunshine. His favorite spot was just in front of the kennel building that gets full sun all morning long. He would lay out there as long as we’d let him. He also loved to watch the goats and the donkeys in the pasture just beyond our back fence or wander among the trees sniffing squirrel trails in the natural area. His favorite game was to hang out down by the kennel building and turn a deaf ear to my calls…I’d walk all the way down there from the house and as soon as I’d reach him, he’d take off running toward the house. He’d slow down until I almost caught up with him and then take off running again, making sure he always won the race. He’d stand at the stairs with the most tickled expression on his face as if to say “What took you so long? I’ve been waiting.” It was a game he played with Ken and I almost daily.

We ran our last race together yesterday. It wasn’t fast, but he still won.

Such a sweet, gentle soul. He sacrified his youth so that countless pets could receive his life-giving blood and go home to their families. And when he finally had his chance to be a pet, he took nothing for granted and seemed forever grateful. I only hope I was able to give him enough in his last couple years. He deserved so much and asked for so little.

The simple things in life gave him the greatest pleasure. A ray of sunshine. A soft bed. A face rub.

We miss our boy.

Godspeed, Elvis. You earned your angel wings here on earth. I hope you are racing the wind with Casino by your side…

When I read their names I was taken aback: Elvis and Casino. Since Ken and I were married in Las Vegas their names seemed to be a sign! So I read further…Elvis was 9 and Casino was 13. Both were retired racers who’d left the track and started a second career living at a vet office and saving the lives of other dogs by donating their blood. When I saw their pictures my heart skipped a couple beats and I knew they were meant to be a part of our family. So I emailed the adoption rep that was placing them and started the process. It seems that there had been a few inquiries on Elvis and Casino, but their adoption angel was holding out for a very special home. A home that would appreciate them and love them…and she decided that that home was with us.

And here is where their stories part. Because while they were blood donors at the same clinic, they are two very unique dogs that each have their own special loveable personalities. We aren’t really sure what Elvis’ racing name was. His left ear tattoo just isn’t clearly legible.  But I could clearly read his right ear, which told me that he’s actually a year older than we thought…a perfect 10! But age and racing names aren’t important. What is important is how perfectly Elvis fit into our family. No one had to tell this boy that he was retired and was now home…he just knew it. He walked in like he’d always lived here and had always been our dog. He absolutely loves roaming the yard and standing under the trees. He loves snuggling with his mom and dad and sneaking anything off the counters that we leave within his reach. As the tallest and biggest dog in the pack, his counter-surfing abilities are second to none. And he may be 10, but he is FAST!