Molly Treeing Walker Coonhound & Bluetick Coonhound Mix Rockville, MD

Molly - coonhound (probably combination of Treeing Walker and Blue Tick) - female/spayed - young (3 and 1/2 years of age) - tri-color short coat - 50 pounds


Here at Hedgesville Hounds we have a saying: "There is a perfect home for every dog that makes that dog perfect."



Molly has given us the opportunity to remind ourselves of this wisdom, and to remember that breed stereotyping does not serve individual dogs. We are grateful for a chance to post Molly on our website for the second time, and for a chance to represent her more accurately, thanks to lessons we have learned.



Molly's history: Molly came to our group from a dog pound, to which she had been surrendered because her former family could not afford to treat her skin ailments. Hairless on a good portion of her body, Molly had skin that was red and inflamed, her eyes were swollen, and she slept little due to her discomfort. Thanks to our veterinarian, we learned that Molly's skin issues were easily resolved by providing her with non-meat and non-grain kibble, and an allergy shot every three weeks. Within weeks of this discovery, Molly was a beautiful, healthy dog with a full, shining coat and clear, sparkling eyes.



Molly's personality developed as her comfort level improved, and it was in our interpretation of her personality that we inadvertently failed her. Based on our experience with hounds, our prescription for Molly's ideal home was that it be active, have a large, safe, fenced yard in which Molly could romp and croon, afford her opportunity to travel - ideally in a truck with a bench seat, and provide access to other dogs and people as consistent sources of distraction, entertainment and exercise.



We found such a home, and yet, the more of these riches offered to Molly, the more inexhaustible, loud, and miserable she became. Her crooning began to sound more like a plaintive call for help, and she became so excitable when she met new people that she literally hurtled into their laps.



We are fortunate to have built partnerships with our adopters, and relationships with other trainers and advisors, from whom we sought information and advice.



We have now learned that Molly's ideal home was the polar opposite of what we had formerly sought. In her own best way, Molly was trying to communicate that she wants a very little life; one filled with routine, quiet, and plenty of rest. She wants an orderly, predictable leash walk on a quiet trail or route - an amble - and not a jog. She wishes to use her back yard for the purposes of hygiene, and not as a playground, and then get back inside again as soon as possible. She yearns for long, quiet spans of reflection with a human whom she perceives as loving, comfortable, well-meaning, and calm. Molly is a home body, and has already seen enough of the world to convince her that there is no place like home. And, while she is always kind and open to other dogs, playing with them is not appealing to her, and in fact, causes her to feel stress. Molly's art is in finding beauty and safety in that which is familiar.



Now that we understand what Molly was trying to tell us all along, we see a very earnest and sweet dog whose needs are not only simple, but modest. She is a beautiful, gentle, honest dog whose depth is to be found in her capacity to delight in what others might find predictable or dull, and to recede into the background happily rather than be in the spotlight. In that context she is truly a delightful companion, and one whose bond and affection are expressed profoundly, but simply, without huge, overt demonstrations of affection.



So, if you are an individual, or a partnership, who sees home life as a refuge from the madding crowd, and seeks a dog who shares that sentiment wholeheartedly, please contact us. We are proud of Molly for sticking with us, and letting us try and get it right this time.



Below are two versions of our application:


Email version of the HHapplication . Once it's completed, you'll be taken back to the HH home page.

OR

WORD FORMAT ADOPTION APPLICATION.

For more information about our adoption policies, please click here.