THE ELVIS TREE

This true story rates right up there with “The Gift of the Magi.” It features my good friend Fez who does so much for Mr. Wonderful and me here in the Wells woods. It also underscores the true spirit and meaning of Christmas.  Enjoy!

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“I was heartbroken when my little dog Elvis died three years ago, and I still miss him,” said Fez, a local “jack of all trades,” if not the unofficial mayor of the year-round coterie of faithful dog walkers who arrive at Gooch’s Beach (the “big beach”) in Kennebunk every morning between 6 and 9 AM. “Elvis was smart as a whip and very friendly. Okay, occasionally — but not too often — he was a bit of a womanizer. But still, everyone loved him.”

Several months before Elvis when to the Kennel in the Sky, he had captured the top prize in the 2021 Montgomery (Pa.) County Kennel Club Terrier Show. “Cleaned their clocks!” Fez said with pride. “Beat out nearly 3000 other terriers. Amazing dog.”

But as the dark days of December grew near in 2021, Fez sensed he had to do something special to ease the painful hole in his heart. “So I went over to Five Acre Farm in Goose Rocks Beach and bought a live Christmas tree,” he said. “Then I took it to Gooch’s Beach and placed it on a flat spot near the breakwater. The tree was in a bucket so I could water it every couple of days. I also secured that bucket with an iron pole and, despite winter winds, that tree stood tall the entire month.”

Fez figured he was not alone in wanting to celebrate the loving presence or poignant loss of a beloved family dog. (Plus, he owned two other border terriers, Gracie and Teasel, who adore their dawn romps at Gooch’s.) So he posted a hand-written sign next to the Elvis tree which read: “IN HONOR OF OUR DOGS — Each ornament has the name of a dog who is loved (heart emoji). Some are still with us, some have passed on. ALL FUNDS received will go to the Animal Welfare Society in West Kennebunk.”

When Fez added up the donations that first year he set up the Elvis Tree, he was gobsmacked. “Those generous folks gave around $1200. I rounded that out to $1500 and delivered it personally to the animal shelter. They were thrilled.” Last year, the dawn dog walkers of Gooch’s donated another $1200 to the Elvis Tree which Fez again rounded out to $1500. “It’s pretty cool to have a small group of people raise that kind of money,” he said.

This week, Fez is preparing to drive to Five Acre Farm in his “venerable” (it’s earned its dents!) silver pickup truck to select the 2024 Elvis tree. Jeff, his fellow morning dog-walker and “financial adviser,” has agreed to accept and handle cash or Venmo donations. (For the latter and if you want to donate, Venmo to @oreganmc and be sure to put your dog’s name on the memo). 

Fez adds, “Jeff has actually been involved in all this from the beginning but he wants no recognition. Nor do I, but I’d sure love to see us raise more money for the Kennebunk AWS.”

Many people make their own ornaments out of clam shells. Others ask Fez’s daughter Stephanie to create customized ornaments in white or clear plastic featuring the dog’s name — with a halo above if the dog has passed. (Custom ornaments sell for $20; if interested, text Fez at 207-391-5977.)

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I believe this is what Christmas is all about.