Melvin is a Big on Beagles dog who is permanently staying at Sheba’s Haven.
A re-cap on our marvelous but somewhat misunderstood Melvin:
Melvin came to us from Toronto Animal Services back in the spring. A sweet dog with a flawed future. Approximately 10-12 years old, Melvin had been sporting a large tumour on his chest at the time of rescue. One of the shelter vets kindly performed surgery to remove the mass which was ultimately deemed malignant.
It is expected the cancer will eventually return.
So Melvin made his way to us and we introduced him to Sheba’s Haven where most of our palliative care beagles are permanently loved while fulfilling their bucket lists on a beautiful expansive property in the countryside north of Kingston!
But not every dog digs such digs. No matter how awesome the place, some dogs prefer a quieter family setting with one or two siblings rather than a big group of tail-waggers. And in Melvin’s case, we soon learned he’s particularly unhappy with intact males like fellow resident Grandpa Louie who couldn’t be neutered for medical reasons. The tension between them is obvious. They’ve had a few altercations since Mel’s arrival but fortunately nothing too serious. Nevertheless, neither of the boys are happy in the circumstances and Louie has been there the longest and loves the Haven. From time to time, other dogs come to the Haven that cannot be neutered either. Mel’s aversion to intact males makes it a challenge for his caregivers and so we began our search for alternative arrangements for Melvin earlier this summer.
So that’s the initial reason behind our search. Another reason has been brought to light since then and it’s just as important. Melvin seems sad. Perhaps its because he’s constantly worrying over dogs with “appendages”. Perhaps he was attacked by one in his past that has left him traumatized by the experience. Clearly, he’s at his happiest when such dogs are not around and he can zoom about the property carefree with one of his favourite dog buddies. He’s also happy when he goes on his visits to the local nursing home. Maybe its because the residents can see just how lovely he truly is! Or maybe he just loves all the attention!
Yes, perhaps Melvin simply wants his Dream Home… We’ve got a pretty good idea what that would be, especially after his week long getaway to our Nation’s Capital with Odie’s foster mom Tracy. As you may recall, Odie passed away from Lymphoma over a year ago. So when Catherine & Bill were scheduled to go away for a few days (practically unheard of), Tracy cheerfully offered to look after Mel so the volunteers at the Haven wouldn’t be challenged with keeping the peace. While his stay wasn’t without its share of heart-stopping Melvin-style adventures (he may be eligible for Baddest Beagle this year!), Melvin returned from his great adventure safely and with fond memories of all that one-on-one attention he craves!
Heck, why don’t we just let Auntie Tracy tell you how things went – the good, the bad, and complete with pictures!!!
Hello Everyone!
So here is my week with Melvin…
Houndini Lives!
After a lovely visit with the residents of Sheba’s Haven, Melvin and I were off on a car ride home to Ottawa. But before we left, Catherine warned me that Melvin is a bit of an escape artist. I thought, how bad can that be? I would soon find out…
We were not even home five minutes when Melvin made his first escape while I was opening the back door of the SUV. I had to run after him, but thankfully he was caught within a minute. Later, at precisely4:33am, I took Melvin and Lady (the Lab I was dog sitting for part of his stay) out for a tinkle. This was to be a very important learning experience. Melvin scented a raccoon and with a howl that would make any beagle proud, didn’t the little guy slip his collar and was off in a flash! I ran back to my apartment, grabbed the car keys and started driving around the neighbourhood in my pjs. Fortunately I live on a closed off street that has only one exit and no thru traffic. One of my neighbours was getting ready to leave for work and Melvin jumped in his car ready for another fun road trip! I was making a second loop around the street when I spotted him. He gladly jumped into my car at the promise of a better ride. Disaster averted.
I’d like to think that after almost losing him twice it would have been the end of our excitement, but he had one more trick up his sleeve. My backyard is fenced and is hypothetically beagle proof. I found out there aren’t too many places where Melvin can’t escape from, a maximum security prison might be one of those places. We have tables, a BBQ and loungers in various spots in the yard making for a nice relaxing place to hang out. Melvin jumped onto one of the loungers. At this point the adults, myself included, watched in astounded silence as the little devil hopped from the lounger to the BBQ and would have made it over the 6ft fence if the BBQ had been closer. So, after moving all possible escape routes thus making the yard “Melvin-proof”, we got down to the business of having fun!
Howling Good Time!
Melvin in an excellent Communicator! He howls when he is happy. He howls when you ask him if he wants to go for a “W.A.L.K.” He howls when he’s in pursuit of wildlife at tinkle time in the wee small hours of the morning.
He’ll also let you know when he has to do his business. At first, he’ll try a low-key whine followed by a combination whine & paw-in-the-face, and if you still don’t clue in, he’ll howl. When the howling starts, you know he really has to go.
Other than that, the only other time he howls is when he is left alone without a dog buddy (at least until he falls asleep). He would do well in a home with another dog for company. Without a compatible companion, he will howl sorrowfully when left alone. He was clearly his best when he had Lady as company. He didn’t really play with her much outside, but in the house he was more settled and more relaxed having her with him. When I left them both alone, he didn’t howl until the key was in the door on my return or he spotted me through the window beforehand.
Melvin loves to mingle, hike the trails, hit the roads, & cuddle!
Melvin is a funny character that will follow what another dog is doing, like chewing on a toy or playing fetch.
And how he loves his WALKS! After a good long walk, he’ll come home and fall fast asleep. He is a bit of a puller on those walks though! The smells of the wild beckon him!
Car rides are just as beloved as Walkies. He especially loves sticking his ears out the window so they flap in the wind. (Rest assured, I held on to him tightly while wind surfing!)
When he’s hanging out with his human indoors, he likes nothing better than to walk on your body until he finds that perfect spot. I put up with it because the reward was him rubbing his face against mine for what seemed forever! Heaven!
Cuddle time, watching the world through the window, or playing a game of chase in the yard – Melvin will be missed in our little community by the river.
Seriously, despite the misdemeanours, Melvin is ONE SWEET BOY that deserves to be loved. He was a joy to take care of and I must admit, when Catherine emailed me to say she was home, there was a moment when I thought “I’M NOT LETTING HIM GO!”. If I had another dog to keep him company, Melvin would have stayed with me. There’s just something about a dog that keeps you on your toes. They leave a permanent mark on your heart.
FINAL BLURB:
Melvin is an active and incredibly smart boy who loves to explore parks and trails. If long walks or jogging is your thing, then Melvin is your man. He does need a secure yard though as he is a big fan of Houdini and tries to re-enact all of his greatest escapes. He is also great with other dogs (as long as they’re neutered!), so is a joy to take on social outings with friends and their dogs. He bonds incredibly strongly with his ‘special person’, so tends to become worried when he is left alone for too long. Melvin would love to be in a home where he has another dog as a companion to share tennis balls and the couch with. Melvin needs someone who has the time to work on his leash skills as he is on a constant quest to reach the next good smell which is always a few feet ahead of him and therefore sometimes forgets his leash manners in pursuit of his goal. He walks well with another dog and loves to share toys, food and will even give up his bath so his friend can go first! Melvin has no problems letting you know when he needs to take care of his business and is patient when training his people on his signals.
Melvin is a quirky but loveable fellow with a passion for snuggles, playing fetch and chin rubs! Lots to love about Melvin!
