From Foster Family to Adoptive Family

Grover's Story:
Part 4:  The Reunion

A happy boy!

Happy Monday!  Tonight we find out what happened with GROVER!  If you would like to read parts 1-4 together click here.  For the past 2 months we have learned about the rescue of this tiny pup and his journey from his foster family in Oregon to his adoptive family in Canada.  Grover and his forever family just celebrated Grover's first birthday on July 5th and he is so happy in his pack.

In part 2, Richard and Merissa stated one of the challenges of fostering is saying goodbye to the dogs are they are adopted.  It is a very common question of those who foster.  As Merissa and Richard reported, they know that they have to say goodbye in order to make room for another dog in need.  One of the most rewarding aspects of "letting go" is being able to get updates from the permanent family.

From Foster Family to Adoptive Family

Grover's Story:
Part 3:  The Campbells

Happy Father's Day!

Nothing like Father's day to continue our story of Grover.  To read Part 1: Rescued and Part 2: Merissa and Richard click here.

As you know, lucky Grover was adopted by a wonderful family!  Here is their story:

Grover heading to Canada

In November 2016, after much preparation and anticipation, we were able to pick up Grover, our third GPRS rescue, from Oregon.  It was a happy and sad day.  Happy for us to add to our crew, but we knew that Merissa and Richard would miss this little guy.  Grover was on his way to becoming a Canadian!

Before making our trip back to Canada, we had to visit a couple of other GPRS mentors.  First stop was to visit Aunt Jackie Titus.  Met with her and Jeffrey and their wonderful pack for a short 
visit.  Then back on the road.  Next stop was a meet and greet with Rena Bouchard and her boy Beau.  Allison Manz also stopped by with Zola and the doggy games began!  Grover is a good traveler and slept most of the way home.  The border crossing was uneventful; cuteness has its advantages, they didn't even ask for his paperwork!

From Foster Family to Adoptive Family

Grover's Story:
Part 2: Merissa and Richard

Today we continue with the story of how Grover came to the Northwest along his journey to his forever family.  If you would like to revisit "Part 1: Rescued" click here and you'll be taken to the From Foster Family to Adoptive Family label page to read both parts.

Grover nap

Once in the Northwest, lucky Grover was about to meet his foster family for the first time.  Richard and Merissa are a husband and wife team who learned about GPRS in 2014 when they adopted their first Great Pyrenees, Winston.  Merissa is a Neonatal ICU Nurse and Richard does custom handcrafted woodworking as Atwood Designs. Since that time they've been fostering dogs in need and have had 32 fosters!!  That's why Merissa and Richard are also this month's Volunteer Highlight story!  Here's their story:

From Foster Family to Adoptive Family

Grover's Story:

Part 1: Rescued

Since 2013 the rescue has been transporting dogs in need from Texas to the Northwest.  Texas has more Great Pyrenees in shelters than any other state in the country and the Northwest has a shortage of the breed.  The rescue saves about 30-50 dogs per month and then anywhere from 20 to 30 are transported each month to the Northwest.  These dogs are found in city and county shelters and only have a three day hold to be saved before they are euthanized.  Most of these dogs are strays but some are owner relinquished by owners for various reasons such as they don't have the time or they are moving.  The majority of these dogs are in poor health or have never received vet care.


In late 2016 Grover was one of the dogs transported from Texas on his way to his foster family in Oregon.  Grover was a tiny tyke weighing only about 3 pounds and only a few weeks old.  During the transport Grover's health began to quickly decline; the rescue's Director Malise administered fluids and medications to stabilize Grover for the remaining miles of the trip.

In the Northwest on the other end of the transport, dedicated and loving volunteers and fosters gather in specific locations waiting to receive the dogs.  Some of the dogs have already been adopted and as they come off the transport van they meet their forever families for the first time!   Grover reached Oregon but he was still so tiny and fragile.  Fortunate for him, waiting was his foster family Richard and Merissa Atwood.  Check back soon for the rest of Grover's story!  In part 2 we will meet Richard and Merissa as they share their story of Grover.  Grover meets his forever family in part 3 and in part 4 there's a surprise reunion!