Our kennel is called SANCTUM Educated Elkhounds because we educate our dogs, we teach them how to get along with us, how to get along with people in general, and how to make their way in the world. We firmly believe a working dog is a happy dog, so all of our dogs "work for a living." Bob currently works as a search and rescue (SAR) dog. Bob has also finished his AKC championship and he is working as a service dog for Ed (he can detect by scent whether Ed's blood sugar is too low or too high) and he is learning to be a service dog for me. April is working at learning to get along with everybody and trying to discover what we expect of her and what she can give us. And June is just STARTING to find her place as she begins to learn to fit in!
Before you go on, check out Zoe and Gracie one spring day in the flowers. Which do you think are more beautiful, the flowers or the elkhounds? I know what I think.
Currently, our family currently includes my husband, me, a four-year-old male Norwegian elkhound and two little girl elkhounds. Nine dogs (six elkies and three mixes) have passed away since our pack came into being in 1984. Besides Ed and myself, our pack currently includes Bob, who's now four years old. Bob's a search dog as well as a service dog for both Ed (he sniffs to determine Ed's blood sugar level) and me (a mobility dog). It also includes April, another little elkhound who's just getting ready to learn all the things she'll need to learn to take care of me as a service dog, and to take care of Ed too! She just earned her first two AKC points for her championship! Only thirteen more to go! And as of a few days ago, it also includes another little girl (another elkie of course) that we'll call June! June is also doing pretty well getting used to the rules of the SANCTUM pack. Click on any of the dogs' pictures (either a current picture or a picture of one who has passed on) below to find out more about that particular dog.
Well, currently we're very sad here at SANCTUM Elkhounds. We've come to the end of an era. As of a few weeks ago, we had lost BOTH Gracie and Zöe and now, Daisy's gone as well. She was our last Alpha dog. Gracie was very unexpected and it hit us very hard, but we knew it was about Zöe's time. She passed away a few weeks ago. Goodbye Zöe. We love you and we'll miss you greatly. And now we've lost Daisy as well. This was totally unexpected. She had a malignant tumor we never even knew about and we couldn't beat it, although we tried, very hard. She's gone now too. For a little while...I'll see you again Daisy, I promise. Keep all the other elkhounds in line!
Ch. Alpha's Say Goodnight Gracie, CD, TDI, TT, CGC, SAR, MT-3, ACE, VNE ("Gracie," February 8, 1993-December 5, 2006) Gracie was a wonderful Norwegian elkhound bitch. She was nearly 14 years old when we lost her. She passed away from complications of cancer, the day after we returned with her from Orlando for the last time. She did more for her family and her community than any other dog I can think of and we'll miss her forever. Click her picture to find out more about her.
Alpha's XX's and OO's, TDI, SAR, MT-3, MT-2 ("Zöe," February 6, 1996-October 19, 2011) Zoe was a lovely Norwegian elkhound bitch who was fifteen and a half years old when we had to have her put down. Click her picture to find out more about her.
Vin-Melca's Hit the Mark, TT ("Bisbee," or "The Biz," May 22, 1996-January 15, 2008) The Biz was a gorgeous male Norwegian elkhound who passed away at the age of 11 after his kidneys failed him. Click his picture to find out more about him.
And gone now, but NEVER forgotten:
Pepper, CD, TDI, CGC (1979-1995) A "pound puppy" from the Jefferson County (Kentucky) SPCA, Pepper was our first dog of any kind. He was a male beagle/cocker spaniel mix. We lost him at the grand old age of 17. Click his picture to find out more about him.
Polly (February 17, 1984-May 3, 1998) Polly was a female German shepherd mix. We lost her to cancer in 1998 at the age of 14. Click her picture to find out more about her.
U-CDX Alpha's Living Shadow, CDX, Can. CD, TDI, TT, CGC ("Shady," November 16, 1984-December 17, 1999) Shady was our first Norwegian elkhound. We lost her in December of 1999 at the age of 15 (and one month) to kidney problems and heart failure. Click her picture to find out more about her.
Time to Shine, CD, TDI, TT, CGC ("Sunny," Summer ? 1986-April 7, 2000) Sunny was a female German shepherd mix who thought she was an elkhound. We lost her in March of 2000 due to cancer. Click her picture to find out more about her.
Alpha's T'aint Funny McGee, CD, TDI, TT, CGC ("McGee," October 5, 1986-May 10, 2002) McGee was a male Norwegian elkhound who was around 15.5 years old when we lost him in May of 2002 due to old age. His hips failed him completely, and he could no longer walk without falling over, even in his wheelchair. Click his picture to find out more about him.
Ch. Elvbend's Too Hot to Hoot, SAR ("Bob," December 12, 2008) Bob is a 4-year-old male Norwegian elkhound. His kennel name is "Elvbend," but he has STRONG Alpha leanings (his mom was an Alpha dog!). He is a bona fide champion now, has his certificate and everything! He's also a working search dog as well as a mobility dog for his mom. Click his picture to find out more about him.
Click here to visit SANCTUM Educated Elkhound, et al.'s Hall of Fame
Alpha's Heavenly Days, TDI, SAR("Daisy," June 23, 2001-November 6, 2011) Daisy was a beautiful Norwegian elkhound bitch who was struck down by cancer at the very young age of 10. Click her picture to find out more about her.
Foxboro My Little Chickadee ("April," June 18, 2012) April is here, she's beautiful, and she is settling in really well. She's already got her first two points towards her championship! She's Daisy's niece, and she's learning all the things she needs to know to get along in our pack.
Foxboro Because of You ("June," October 5, 2012) June is here, and she's gorgeous! She's another Daisy niece, just a different mom and dad. Good things are in store, so stay tuned! It'll be a while before we have many pictures that are good enough to put up, but there are a few, with more coming! (Did you notice that she shares her birthday with McGee?)
