ELTON Chinese Crested Dog & Chihuahua Mix Yakima, WA

AN ECCENTRIC LITTLE OLE MAN THAT REFUSES TO BE UNHAPPY

What a mess poor Elton was when we first got him. His life went from bad to worse, the way we understand it, when his senior owner passed away, who was estranged from her family. It took several days for her passing to be noted and a coroner to arrive. The coroner did not notice two little dogs and after having Elton for a few weeks now, we can understand why. When he sleeps, he sleeps the sleep of the dead and the world could come crashing down around him and he would never know. Living with Elton, was what was believed to be his Chinese Crested mother who apparently he inherited his sleeping skills from, so the coroner left without finding either of them.

Ten days later, the grandchildren arrived to go through grandmas things and that is when Elton and his Ma were discovered. Both dogs were in hideous condition and in desperate need of immediate medical help, which nobody in the family wanted to commit to. Rescues were called and given the expense on such senior dogs, many had to turn them away. That is when a Yakima rescue was reached out to and agreed to help but given the expense of what was needed, could only responsibly take on one, so they called us to take the other, which was Elton and we just couldn't say no to this dear old fella. Ma and son were soon on their way from Twisp WA to Yakima WA. A three and a half hour trip.

The grandchildren could provide little by way of history on the dogs, having been estranged from their grandma for over ten years. There were vague recollections of both but no recalling of names or ages. Only that they were probably mother and son. After spending some time with Elton, it is probable that he is half Chinese crested with his long wirey shoulder hair and his peach fuzz body hair and his long spindly hairs on his head that stick up after a nap but easily lay back down with a few good morning caresses to put them back in place.

The first order of business was a bath. Elton smelled like road kill and had eye buggers the size of gumballs. In truth, we thought they might be growths but were indeed just crusted balls of eye leakage that had stuck so completely to his nose, that even after softening, took the top layer of skin off when removed.

After his bath, his digestion needed to be addressed. He obviously had been eating whatever he could find and his poor little old man digestive track was a train wreck. Some probiotics, some easy on the tummy prescription food and clean, readily available fresh water did the trick for the old man and low and behold, he actually turned out to be housebroken. YAY

Next came his teeth. Nasty does not even begin to describe the decaying, abscessed, infected lot of stained ivory that inhabited his mouth. Dental number one found him losing all but three teeth, which were left behind because the dental was taking too long and he needed to be brought back out from under anesthesia. But BOY did that make Elton feels TONS better. Ever had an abscessed tooth? Hurts don't it? Imagine having 12 or more. Elton will go back in soon for the removal of the remaining teeth.

To say that Elton is a way healthier and happier old man now than he was in the last few years of his life, would be an understatement. He has a new purpose in life which is to explore his new backyard, sleep in clean comfort and enjoy meal time. He has gone from existing, to living again and even though he doesn't see so good and his running days are past him, he still struts around with old man swagger, with a big toothless grin on his face and a joyful spirit.
Once he is finished with all his medication to correct years of neglect, he will not need any type of regular pharmaceutical assistance. Maybe just some yummy senior recipe canned food and soft treats but don't let him fool you. If a loose kibble finds it's way in front of his nose during feeding time, from another dogs bowl, he snatches it up and gobbles it down without hesitation. He is such a game little guy.

So, if you were looking for a no-brainer, easy to care for, non-obtrusive, buddy to hang out with, why not think about Elton. He's just a neat little guy who needs the last chapters of his life to be the best ones. You can bring him into bed with you and he will sleep all night without a twitch until you wake him up in the morning and then he will hang out with you during the day, exploring here and there and everywhere with his nose and his fancy strut until meal or nap time. You will find our application at www.allmuttsgreatandsmall.org We would love for you to come and meet this champion little survivor. He may not look like much but that is part of his charm. We hope you think so too.

Elton is neutered, up to date on five way and rabies vaccinations, microchipped, fecal tested clean of parasitic infestation and will be done with all the dental work he will need. He will not need medications going forward and requires little by way special attention, except to love him and keep him safe and treat him special.

His adoption fee is $100