Elvis Presley’s Graceland home has been open for tours since 1982 and while the upstairs is off-limits, there are some downstairs rooms that fans likely haven’t visited.
During a live virtual tour of the mansion Express.co.uk previously took part in, we had a chance to see inside The King’s “dog collars closet” and discover what it’s used for today.
Downstairs near the Jungle Room, there’s this small closet and hanging up inside are the original dog collars of Elvis Presley’s pooches.
Just like the contents of drawers around the home, what was found by the staff in 1982 largely remains where it was discovered.
Our tour guide, on-site archivist Angie Marchese, commented on the collars: “I love it because it’s so authentic, it’s so real.”
During his lifetime Elvis had a number of dogs. According to Graceland’s official website: “He had a Basset Hound named Sherlock, Great Danes named Brutus and Snoopy, and Edmund, a Pomeranian he gave to his Aunt Delta, because the two bonded so quickly. Get Lo, a Chow, was another of Elvis’ dogs. He was once flown to Boston on Elvis’ small Jetstar plane to get treatment for a kidney ailment. He stayed in Boston for three months as he was treated, and then was flown home, where treatment continued. Sadly, Get Lo didn’t make it. Elvis also had dogs he named Whoosh, Oswald and Michael Edwards, named after Elvis’ character in It Happened at the World’s Fair.”
Additionally, in 1956 Elvis gave his mother Gladys a tiny dog called Sweet Pea and at Christmas 1962 Priscilla received a poodle puppy named Honey.
Today the dog collars closet is used as a utility room, with spare lightbulbs and breaker boxes kept inside.
