"Hug Your Hound Day" is one of those Internet-generated holidays that few people actually observe, or know exists. It was not made to order for Petfinder photo contests. But it could have been.
Several breeds of dogs are classified as hounds. A few hundred years ago, they were the "designer dogs" bred to hunt different kinds of game. Hence the size range from the little sniffers that are now called Bloodhounds (though "bloodhound" originally meant any kind of hound that hunted by scent, and used to be used in reference to big dogs) to deer-sized, originally deer-hunting, greyhounds. This photo contest will look first for lovable, low-maintenance coon hounds.
Coon hounds are largish dogs with short hair that needs relatively little grooming. As a breed they're hardy, not prone to diseases, content to hang out together (traditionally under porches) until a human calls one or all of them to go somewhere. They can become aggressive if encouraged in that direction, but are normally friendly, though loud, and good with children. The hounds people in my part of the world used to keep, mostly as watchdogs, learned to be protective of cats and chickens and even ducks. In their doggy way they can be intelligent. They are less popular in suburbs than in the country because it can be hard to convince them that they weren't hired to sing. Some of them can "sing along" with train whistles and fire sirens, not to mention music on the radio--sometimes even on key.
But first, the cats:
Zipcode 10101: Tina from NYC
Her web page: https://www.petfinder.com/cat/tina-71466877/ny/long-island-city/second-chance-rescue-ny949/
Tina has her own ideas about where and how she wants to live. She was a store cat, but when her humans brought in another cat Tina quit her store job and became an alley cat. If you can keep only one animal, she might consider being the one for you.
Zipcode 20202: Ayra from Kuwait by way of Merrifield
Her web page: https://www.petfinder.com/cat/ayra-kuwait-77306288/va/merrifield/4paws-rescue-team-va260/
She really was born in Kuwait. She was tested for diseases and found healthy when she came to the United States. Ayra is described as very friendly with humans, one of those cats who will sleep right on top of you if they're allowed in the bedroom. How does she get along with other cats? Well, she was placed in the shelter with former cat companions. They say nothing about these cats having bonded or needing to be adopted together. Draw your own conclusions. Ayra is thought to be three years old and is still bouncy-pouncy; she likes to chase toys or light beams.
Zipcode 30303: Pixel from Fayetteville
Her web page: https://www.petfinder.com/cat/pixel-adopt-with-sundance-78136747/ga/fayetteville/fayette-humane-society-ga83/
This innocent kitten has fallen into the hands of the Humane Pet Genocide Society. She is available for adoption with a sibling they call Sundance. Not much is known about them yet. They're kittens, they purr, they play, they snuggle, they're unbearably cute, they'll grow bigger and perhaps less cute.
Alternate Zipcode 30303: Calypso from Lilburn
Her web page: https://www.petfinder.com/cat/calypso-76403854/ga/lilburn/fairy-tails-rescue-organization-ga1121/
Apparently abandoned with, probably because she had, five kittens, Calypso let herself be taken in by a foster family. She is about ready to wean the kittens. You don't have to adopt all of them, but there won't be any more. Nursing kittens helps mother cats recover a slim figure; she's healthy and has been fed.
Zipcode 10101: May from Bulgaria by way of Morristown
Though she shows the conformation of a mix of coon hound and beagle, May is actually a European mix of who knows what. She is not a hunting or guard dog. She doesn't chase small animals. She's house trained and likes to walk or ride with her humans, but she's cautious around new people. She weighs 44 pounds. They recommend her to a family that have a good-sized fenced yard and another dog. May is not friendly with cats.
Zipcode 20202: Edison from Centreville
His web page: https://www.petfinder.com/dog/edison-57691789/va/centreville/deepwood-animal-rescue-fund-va883/
Do not be deceived. Though his coon hound conformation gives him the look of a cute little beagle pup, Edison is a large dog, on the older side, somewhat set in his ways. He's not for everyone. He has lived with some other dogs, but he's picky about his friends. They're not cats. He would like to bound and bark and bay and let everyone know that he owns a big fenced yard, if not a farm. Though more inclined to bark than to bite, he's a watchdog who will make sure you hear about anyone approaching the house. He likes hanging out and walking with humans, even children.
Zipcode 30303: Deputy from Gillsville
His web page: https://www.petfinder.com/dog/deputy-74159060/ga/gillsville/dirt-road-doggies-rescue-inc-ga868/
He was born feral. His mother was found when she'd just given birth to fourteen puppies. Even after that she was wild and tough enough not to be caught. Most of the pups apparently didn't survive. The five who survived were trapped with food bait. Deputy, the one in the foreground of this picture, was one of the wariest and hardest to tame; he still is one of the last two to be adopted. He is still very shy of new people. He needs to be adopted by someone who has some experience with very cautious dogs.
Well, they don't let a lot of good hounds go into shelters in Georgia. Deputy is not yet a pet but the shelter staff think he will be, for the right person.
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