Adopted
| Breed | Bluetick Coonhound |
| Color | |
| Age | Young |
| Gender | Male |
| Size | Medium |
| Coat Length | - |
| Adoption Fee | - |
Characteristics
Health
House-trained
Good in a home with
If you have any memories of a childhood spent sitting in front of your cereal box, wistfully studying the picture of Davey Crockett in a coonskin hat; if you protested every morning while being trundled off to the bus stop, because you knew that you belonged in the wilderness living your true life as a daring adventurer, and no one would listen - then your heart will go out to Striker.
Born and bred in the mountains of Tucker County, West Virginia, he was intended as a dog whose life would be dedicated to seasons of rugged bear tracking; the instrument of a voice which would sound wildly through the frosty forests, and echo as he thrashed through vine-crossed ravines. He was the possessor of a rough and ready life of danger and excitement. And he hated it.
Striker dreamed of your warm twin bed. He imagined himself eating the cereal you dropped from your bowl; he pictured you lacing your sneakers as he crawled into the cozy warm spot you left under the covers. He was not brave, and although he tried to focus on bear and raccoon, his nose longed for smells that were not offered in the wilderness, like pizza.
A failure in Tucker County, Striker was banished from his first home, a disgraced hunting dog. He found shelter and friendship with a family whose six-year old boy cried bitterly when Striker was turned into the dog catcher. Striker sat quietly in the back of the Tucker County Animal Warden truck, not realizing that he was on his way to a facility that had seen hundreds, perhaps thousands, of failed hunting dogs who also dreamed impossible dreams.
But on the way to the pound, something happened that changed the entire course of Striker's life, which was probably up until that point, getting a hole punched in his ticket to heaven. The truck passed Fox's Pizza Den, and the scent of pepperoni went straight to Striker's soul. He lifted his big head and he voiced for all he was worth.
Something happened that day to the Dog Catcher too. She went home and wrote a simple, but eloquent appeal for Striker. It ended "...... even though I'm the dog warden...my goal in this job is to save lives not destroy them. I will be more than willing to pay for vetting just to know this dog gets a second chance." (Please note that we did not take her up on this kind offer, but its generosity was a testimonial to her commitment to this wonderful guy.)
So Striker is on his way. He will devote all the shame of being a bad hunting dog into an effort to be a good family member. He will be gentle, kind, and learn the ways of a household with unfailing diligence. He will try to remember that the bed on the floor is his bed, but he will probably forget and use yours. He will rarely use his glorious outdoor voice unless it is entirely necessary. And although your own little adventurer is unlikely to keep all the promises typically made to parents in exchange for having a dog, Striker's love and companionship may help with the lesson that happiness can be found, completely, in your own back yard.
If you are interested in this dog, please fill out a non-binding application .
