Retro Dog Names

In the last century it was common for Duke Energy power plant operators to have a pet at work. The company felt a dog at the plant was beneficial, especially to the operators who worked nights alone. The dog was company for the operator and acted as a natural exterminator, scaring away critters.

Elvis was adopted by a crew in York County, South Carolina at Wylie Hydro Station. It was 1994 when Elvis came to live at Wylie and people instantly fell in love with the German Shepherd-Chow Chow mix. He made rounds with the employees and wagged a happy greeting to the plant's visitors. Even employees from other plants grew to love Elvis. They would often come by to bring  him treats and visit with the dog.

It was Arnold Thomas, a retired plant engineer, who had the privilege of naming Elvis. Thomas frequently told the canine "you ain't nothing but a hound dog," and so the pup was named for the famous crooner. Thomas says Elvis was just like a regular staff member. He was big, but never aggressive, and he made friends with every one he met. He added, "When we ordered steak biscuits, we ordered one for Elvis, too."

When he was only a year old Elvis became sick. He had kidney stones and needed surgery. They didn't know if Elvis would live or not but they passed the hat around to collect money for the medical bills. People from other hydro plants contributed as well and the surgery was completed successfully. Elvis recovered and went on to thrive.

In 2001 Duke Energy decided that because of safety concerns, dogs could no longer be kept at hydro stations. That meant it was time for Elvis to retire and go home and live with Thomas and his wife Charlene. Thomas felt Elvis deserved some kind of recognition for being the last dog to be on the team at the hydro plant. That's when he got busy and created a plaque commemorating Elvis's service to Wylie. Others got in on the action and cleared a spot they filled in with concrete. Much to everyone's amazement, without prompting, Elvis stepped directly in the wet cement and left his mark for time. The plaque is right beside his footprint and holds only three words: Elvis, hydro dog.