Ella was formerly called Bella, but we dropped the "B" to name her after Ella Fitzgerald, one of my favorite jazz singers.
Ella is a 10-year-old beagle who was surrendered by her owners to our county shelter around six weeks ago, along with her 3-day-old puppies. That's right, Ella was a late-in-life mama. Because the puppies were so young, Ella and her litter were put into foster care with a loving and generous shelter volunteer until the pups were weaned. This week, mama and her four little ones all became available for adoption.
We learned about Ella when we were at the shelter looking at another dog, an adorable 10-month-old chihuahua/terrier mix. However, since we have two older dogs -- Henry, who's around 6, and Phoebe, who is almost 14 -- we knew a senior dog would be a better fit than a 10-month-old puppy. Phoebe and Henry agreed. The volunteer who was fostering Ella told us about her, and a couple of weeks later we visited her house with Phoebe and Henry in tow. They got along just fine, and we knew Ella would be a great fit.
It seems our house is becoming the retirement home for dogs. And that's okay with me. There's something really sweet about older dogs. They tend to be calm, housebroken (a plus) and very loving. Older dogs don't get adopted as quickly as puppies or younger adult dogs, so I feel it's our calling to adopt older dogs.
Ella came home with me Thursday evening. She is incredibly sweet-natured and affectionate, and both Henry and Phoebe accepted her with open arms. I took yesterday off from work to spend time with her and to make sure everyone got along well. No worries there. On her first night home, all three were content in their beds!
Oh she's ADORABLE Claudia!! What a sweet addition to your family :) I hope Ella settles in well xx
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on being the best kind of pet owner, Claudia! Lucky Ella!
ReplyDeleteI love her namesake too, have listened to Ella Fitzgerald since college and have most of her music. Hopefully Ella will not have the strong Beagle instinct- " must follow the scent" . My cousin's had a male growing up and we were forever chasing that dog! Being an older female, she will probably be mellow and happy to hang out with her new family! I love her face. I wonder if she is missing her puppies?
Cindy, so far Ella is following me everywhere I go. She's very attached to me already. I had to run an errand yesterday, leaving her alone with our other two dogs for an hour before my husband came home. He said Ella wouldn't leave the front door, waiting for me to get home. When I arrived, she greeted me with lots of baying, that typical beagle bark. She's a hoot. I think she may be missing her pups a little. Two of them have already been adopted (one by the foster mom who's been caring for them and the other by her friend). The other two pups will be at an adoption fair today at the shelter. I'll be taking Ella to be microchipped today, so she may get to see them!
DeleteOur other dog, Henry, has a lot of beagle in him and we have to be careful not to let him off leash, or else he would take off after a scent without hesitation. My husband is convinced Henry was used for rabbit hunting. He knows how to sniff out and flush a rabbit better than any dog we've seen!
Claudia
Oh what a sweet precious Ella! She looks very happy there with you and her new siblings. I'm so glad there are folks like you guys who take in the older dogs.
ReplyDeleteOh, my. She's so special. You are all very lucky to have each other.
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xo
Wow, you're really good to take on another dog. It seems like a lot of work and apparently floor space for dog beds. They look so cute all lined up in their beds. And what a sweet face Ella has (although I think she needs a good bra)! It's not wonder you fell for her.
ReplyDeleteOh, Steve, you don't know just how badly Ella needs a good bra! LOL! Poor girl. We took her on her first hike with us today through some fields and the grasses were scraping her belly. She has just weaned her pups, so hopefully before long her milk will dry up and she'll lose that belly. Her foster mother said that she had been dragging the floor so she's made some improvement already.
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I absolutely adore you Claudia. You and your husband are true puppy angels. I am all teary looking at sweet, sweet Ella and all of your photos of your puppies all together. (No matter the age they are always puppies!) I don't think I have even ever heard of a 10 year old giving birth... bless her precious heart. Ella is absolutely beautiful. She has such a sweet face and those eyes... such love. I know this sounds like a silly thing to say, but I am just SO grateful to you both for adopting her. You have a perfect little (okay, big;) pack there. Your must feel a huge wave of love when you open your front door. So happy for all of you... Please give each of them a big kiss for me!
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Joan, I knew you'd like this! You and I are cut from the same cloth. Thank you for your touching and heart-felt comment. I appreciate it greatly. We do have quite a nice pack going. Sadly, Phoebe's tumor is growing and even though she is in good shape otherwise, I'm afraid that awful tumor will be the reason we will have to put her to sleep. I just hope we have plenty of time with her still. Phoebe is an amazing dog. She and Henry are both so accepting and tolerant. I'm proud of the way they've welcomed Ella.
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P.S. Please give YOUR Ella a big kiss from me too!
Bless your heart for taking Ella. Hug her for me!
ReplyDeleteThis is wonderful!! She is just darling and will no doubt bring you much joy over time. I have two dogs.. English Springers .. and they are always making an appearance on my blog posts. Our dogs are like children:) We love them so much!
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Hi Leslie, thanks for your comment. Your Springers are beautiful! I've seen them on your lovely blog. I love their coloring. And such great names, Layla and Ginger. Dogs are wonderful!
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Welcome Home, Ella! You are the luckiest senior citizen in the world. There is so much love in that little bungalow, and you've just increased it by a hundred. I can't wait to come by and give you some sugar.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Sheila
Ella is such a cute little thing! I just can't imagine someone surrendering a dog they've had for ten years old...that's so sad. She's so lucky that you found her :)
ReplyDeleteFirst time I've commented here, but I had to say a big "Thank You" for taking Ella in. I am with you on the sweetness of older dogs... but, unfortunately they don't get adopted as often as their younger counterparts. She is a beauty - but then I am a sucker for Beagles!
ReplyDeleteLeigh
Thank you, Leigh, for your sweet comment. And thanks for visiting My Little Bungalow!
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Dear Claudia,
ReplyDeleteI'm catching up from being out of the country. This post, and more importantly, what you've done really touched me. Thank you for opening your home to beautiful Ella. I'm going to share this with my friend, Debra, who is part of a beagle rescue group. Hugs to you all!
Warm greetings,
Loi
PS - I love that photo with the three of them together!!
PS - Perhaps you can do monthly updates on Ella, Phoebe, and Henry for us doggie lovers?
ReplyDeleteLoi, that's a great suggestion. I will have to do that! How are things with your sweet dog, Mocha?
DeleteClaudia
Both doggies have problems, but fine for now. Thanks for asking, Claudia! :)
DeleteShe is so pretty! I adore old dogs. I always say...there is only one thing better than a puppy and that's a dog and one thing better than a dog and that's an OLD dog. My Violet is now 12 but she doesn't act old. Somehow you love more and more the older they get. I had a dachshund that lived to 17 and oh...I loved her soooo much. I don't know how I've been missing out on your blog. I'm adding it to my blog list so I won't from now on.
ReplyDeleteNita, thank you so much for your sweet comment. I look forward to exploring your blog, and have added you to my sidebar. Your dogs are precious. I love taking in older dogs, but I have to say that having a dog from puppyhood all the way to old age is such a wonderful experience. We've had Phoebe since she was 4 months old; she's now 14. There's an incredible bond between us. Thanks for visiting My Little Bungalow!
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Claudia -
ReplyDeleteI just found out tonight that I am taking in an old dog for a little while. My aunt is in the hospital and her little 12 year old dachshund is going to come stay with me till she is better. That will be five weenies in this house! I do love having dogs from puppies to old age. Yes....such a strong bond. I've had Violet since she was 7 weeks...Harvey too. Sally I got at about 1 year and Franklin at 10 months. One day I will have another puppy...but it is going to be awhile.
I just happened onto your blog today and i love it! Its so nice to read about someone taking in an older dog and appreciating them. I run my own senior dog rescue in Los Angeles. I take in seniors from the LA high kill shelters on the euth list. Some are special needs and others just come to live out the rest of their days with us for whatever time they have left.
ReplyDeleteThank you for rescuing and i'm looking forward to exploring your blog!
Thank you, Heidi, for this sweet comment. It's so nice to hear from fellow dog lovers. How wonderful that you run a rescue group for senior dogs -- good for you! They are lucky to have found you. Keep up the great work!
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