Oreo and Elvis - two very committed dogs who love one another. They came to us from BARC, Houston's Animal Shelter. We think that Oreo is Elvis’ mom, but we can’t prove that. When they arrived at Smiling Dog Farms, Oreo had heartworms. We agreed to put her on the holistic heartworm treatment that we use to eliminate her heartworms so that she could move into a rescue. Elvis, the male, was heartworm negative and had been accepted by a rescue in New England. Our job was to get him to the vet so he could be neutered, and then get him to his transport to Vermont. But it didn't quite work out that way! When we took Elvis to the vet for his surgery, he had to stay overnight. As soon as he was out of their yard, Oreo began crying long, loud, sorrowful howls. At first, we thought she was hurt! But after checking her out thoroughly, and observing her howling, we realized she was just very sad that Elvis was gone! Oreo howled through that night. Her long, mournful cries could be heard throughout the farm. The other dogs, who sometimes play or bark at the cats at nighttime, were respectfully silent as Oreo's cries of desperate sorrow were broadcast throughout the farm. The next day, Elvis returned from the vet, to await his transport. And the happy reunion was beyond description. You just had to be there! It was  one giant celebration! They danced together! Yes. Literally. They danced! They embraced each other, up on their back two legs ... I promise I am not making this up! They danced and embraced and cried happy cries for nearly 30 minutes before they finally settled down together, laying side by side as they always do. And once again, all the dogs within earshot joined the happy celebration! There was no barking, just happy stares and smiles and tail wags from dogs all around their play yard! It was uncanny! That was when we knew that Elvis would not be catching the bus to Vermont. At least not without Oreo! We apologized for changing the plans for Elvis and explained that their deep commitment to one another meant that we just could not bring ourselves to separate these two. Oreo and Elvis were with us here at the farm for almost two years. Although we had potential adopters who were interested in them, we held out for a family who would take them both together because it would break their hearts (and ours) to separate them. And it was worth the wait! We now have an incredible family for these two special dogs. Oreo and Elvis left us the first week in July to travel to their new home and new life in Connecticut!  Their new dad is a History teacher, and has had flat coat retrievers in the past. He had decided it was time to get another one. And when he saw Oreo and Elvis and heard their story, he thought nothing of getting both of them so they could stay together.  He even fenced in his entire yard just for them. Things are going really well considering these two were at the sanctuary for so long.  Elvis has had to start from the beginning as being in a home is completely new to him - but he is smart and learns quickly.  Oreo is sooooo bonded to her new dad, and Elvis seems to be especially fond of his dad’s girlfriend.  These two are so beautiful, they get looks everywhere they go, for sure! A 501(c)3 Non-Profit Corporation                                                                                                          Smiling Dog Farms is Absolutely, Unequivocally NO-KILL!!! If you are interested in becoming an Adoption Partner or in Fostering adoptable dogs while they wait for their forever homes, please contact us at adoptions@smilingdogfarms.org  for more information. Return to Adopted Dogs page And in addition to having a wonderful new home, Oreo and Elvis have new names too! They’re known as Lady and Shaggy now! They have truly been given a totally new start in life! Smiling Dog Farms P.O. Box 743     Wharton, TX 77488 Giving hope to the forgotten, neglected & rejected Oreo & Elvis - Adopted 2012