Well, here is my beloved Elk hound pics I finally tracked down. We got "Smokey" for Christmas when I was five, I think. This pic would be not long after. Yes, that's me with the gun.

and my Sister and cousins.
Smokey and I were best pals, he took good care of me when we went afield and wouldn't leave my side. He and I put the hurt to many a grouse and squirrel, he'd eat 'em whole!
When I started hunting 9 years later, he'd stand guard at the meat pole to keep the cats at bay, not once did he have a taste except for scraps he was given.
He suffered in later years to a weak back end and arthritis we guessed. We lost him the next spring. Had to put him down as he was in real bad shape.
Boy do I miss him!
The next summer Mom and Dad figured they'd get another one, from the same breeder. They came home with this little ball of fur, named him Cole.
Yes he is as mischievious as he looks here!
Apparently Smokey took all the brains because this knot head has only air in his skull. He was always with me every second I was outside. I was just starting to reload and had to tie him up at the house so I could shoot. He would keep the collar so tight that he'd pass out from lack of air.
Needless to say he is deaf as a post which compliments his stupidity.Here he is running a muck on my plump tom cat Barney.