‘The King’ lives
Italian greyhound is top dog in calendar contest
Greyson the Italian greyhound is anything but a “hound dog.”
Greyson was voted top dog in a recent online pet calendar contest and in recent months has taken to sporting the signature gold glasses and pompadour made famous by Elvis Presley, while visiting local businesses and nursing homes.
The 10-year-old pooch, owned by Jason Dunkle of Washington, received the most votes in the contest sponsored by Shari Lynn Fine Art Portraits in Claysville from a random photo Dunkle submitted.
At a dollar a vote, Greyson came in first place with 1,412 votes, earning him a photo shoot with Shari Lynn Fine and the cover of the 2025 calendar.
The photo contest raised $8,020 for VetPets, a nonprofit that supports disabled veterans and first responders through assistance dogs. Funds from purchases of the calendar also will benefit VetPets and are available at www.pavetpets.org.
Greyson is a local canine celebrity, taking top honors at Washington’s Woofstock festival dressed as a hippie and the Pittsburgh Pet Expo for his Michael Myers costume. In 2023, Greyson won four costume contests.
Greyson and Dunkle’s other Italian greyhound, Roxy, starred in four calendars together, raising $3,500 for animal rescues. Roxy died shortly before appearing on the cover of the spring 2022 issue of PetConnections Magazine. Greyson was on the cover of the magazine’s fall 2024 edition.
For the Halloween season, Greyson wore a custom Elvis jumpsuit adorned with jewels, along with the custom Elvis wig and sunglasses.
“During the month of October, Greyson and I dressed as Elvis Presley, walking around local businesses in our costumes and taking photos with people,” Dunkle said. “We also participated in some Halloween costume contests and won two contests in Erie. He has accomplished so much in his life and I couldn’t be prouder of him.”
Dressed in their Elvis attire, the pair also visited area nursing homes, with Dunkle playing tunes by “The King” on his guitar.
“The response has been amazing,” Dunkle said. “All of the residents loved seeing Greyson and loved hearing some Elvis songs. He is a ‘hunk of burning love.’ I am glad we could bring smiles to people’s faces and do something good in the world.”