Medical Biography

Cayman Update!

Last "Medical Biography" we met Cayman;  we want to thank everyone for their kind words and all the support that was given in order to get this guy to a better place!  And check back soon to meet his AMAZING foster mom and family in the next "Volunteer Highlight" post. If you would like to donate towards Cayman's care or to GPRS you can click here.

From the Great Pyrenees Rescue Society Facebook post:

Sweet Cayman is finally feeling good enough to get up and get moving!  His awesome medical foster is making him lots of high quality food to try and help him gain weight and is monitoring his recover very closely.  He is making great progress, especially considering where he started, but he still has a long way to go.  He loves his foster siblings and is finally learning how to "dog" very well!   Saralynn

Cayman Can Conquer!

Posted by Great Pyrenees Rescue Society (GPRS) on Friday, July 28, 2017

Grooming Tips

Should I bathe my Pyr and how often?

Misha's first bath with me

There's a wide range of opinions on whether a Great Pyrenees should be bathed or not.  The National Great Pyrenees website indicates that too much washing can reduce a Pyr's natural dirt shedding qualities.  Other resources indicate that if you show your dog, bathing will be much more involved.  So the answer will really depend on your specific situation and your dog.  As an example, my Misha required very little bathing; as long as I kept her nice and brushed she remained very clean and fresh (although there was more sanitary maintenance to be done the older she became).

Tips for New Adopters

How do I get my Pyrenees to gain weight?

Goofy Chuck

There are a wide range of questions posed by those who adopt Great Pyrenees dogs.  And most certainly some of these same questions have been raised by foster families as no two dogs are alike.
In these posts we will share foster and adoptive parent's unique situations with their dogs and their experiences finding solutions.

This post about Chuck and his amazing foster parents Bethany and Jonathan.

Chuck is our first foster dog, so we didn't know what to expect.  Would he be playful or mellow?  Would he have any health problems?  It didn't take long for us to discover he is just a big, lovable goofball.  And yes-he's BIG.  Right now, he weighs around 100 lbs.  We estimate he'll probably weigh around 110-120 lbs. But it wasn't always that way.  When he first arrived, he was close to 70 lbs.

Meet and Greet!

What a beautiful day for a Pyrenees meet and greet!  Everyone had such a great time on Sunday July 16th.  Thank you to All the Best Pet Care  for hosting this event.  If you didn't get a chance to go, the next NW event where you can meet some awesome Great Pyrenees and volunteers is at the 2017 Newberg Old Fashioned Festival and the grand parade on Saturday, July 29th, 2017.   Word has it that GROVER will be there!

If you are interested in volunteering for the Great Pyrenees Rescue Society you can check out our website here.  We are always looking for new fosters and there are many volunteer opportunities.  If you can't volunteer and would like to help, please consider donating here.  Are you thinking about adding a Great Pyrenees to your pack?   Click here to find out more about the breed from the National Great Pyrenees Rescue website.  In the meantime, enjoy the pictures from this last meet and greet!

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.

Great Pyrenees - A Story of Compassion, Courage and Hope

Volunteering for the Great Pyrenees Rescue Society has been extremely rewarding; I found them on Petfinder in 2013 as I was searching for an older Pyrenees to adopt since my very first Pyrenees passed away.  After I had adopted Misha, I inquired about fostering as I had fostered for other rescues in past years.  Then I found this video; the rescue's story is indeed one of compassion, courage and hope.  After I viewed it, I was convinced that this would be the rescue I would devote my volunteer time on-I had already found that I had a deep connection to the breed and now I had found a community of volunteers who share their own unique bonds as well as a similar rescue philosophy to my own.

In my experiences with the rescue, I have observed a highly organized and dedicated group as well as a wide range of dog knowledge from the Director to all the volunteers scattered around the U.S.  The video does a great job expressing what is involved in order to provide care for these dogs in their journey from homelessness to their forever homes.

If you are interested in volunteering or donating for the Great Pyrenees Rescue Society, please visit our website here.

Pyr Parade in Oregon

This will be the third year GPRS has participated in the grand parade and last year we even won first prize for our float!  This is such a great time we are hoping you can come.  The grand parade is on Saturday, July 29th, 2017.

It is really fun seeing so many faces light up when they see our pups, especially all the kids!

If you would like to walk or ride on the float:
Meet in the field on the corner of S. Blaine St/9th St in Newburg no later than 8:45 am or the gates will close.

Water and bowls will be provided for the pups, but if you have a backpack or camelback, it would be very convenient to bring and have that filled for the walk.  Please BYOPB (poop bags).

This will be the 37th year for the Newburg Old Fashioned Festival.  The entire event runs from July 27th to July 30th.  There will be entertainment, music, great food, vendors, and of course...Pyrenees on parade! 

Click here to see map and additional information!

This is organized by our volunteer highlight team Richard and Merissa!  Click here for their blog story.  And there will be special celebrity coming all the way from CANADA!  Do you know who it is?

Yes, it's Grover!  He will be coming all the way from Canada to participate.  So many things have been happening with Grover since we've posted parts 3 of 4 of his story From Foster Family to Adoptive Family, click here to read up on Grover as this month we will be posting part 4 and the surprise reunion with Merissa and Grover.  You won't want to miss the video!

If you would like to consider fostering for GPRS you can click here.  Can't foster but you would like to volunteer?  There are many ways in which you can help these beautiful Gentle Giants, just click here.  Don't have time to volunteer but you would like to help?  Consider making a donation here.

Ready to add a new furry family member and would like to adopt one of our available dogs?  Check here for their bios and to access the application.

Hope to see you at the parade!

Puppy Teaser!

Ziggy knows you love her!

It seems as if I just posted about puppies available for adoption...oh wait.  I did, just last month!  Well, if you were discussing a new puppy with your family and are still deciding, there are additional puppies that are waiting for their forever homes.  I will leave you with the pictures;  if you would like to know more about a puppy visit their bios here.   If you would like more information about adopting a puppy (or an adult dog), you can find instructions on filling out an adoption application here.

Once your application is received you will be assigned to a volunteer screener who will assist you with your inquiry.  If you are viewing this page you must know how wonderful Great Pyrenees dogs are...in addition, the Great Pyrenees community is amazingly supportive and involved in training, meet-ups, online Pyrenees groups, and much more!  And if you already have a Pyrenees, you know what they say?  Pyrenees are just like potato chips and you can't have just one!

I you would like more information on volunteering for the Great Pyrenees Rescue Society click here we have a variety of volunteer opportunities available.   Want to help but don't have time to volunteer?  GPRS also relies on individual donations and you can donate here.

Heidi, Higgins, and Hayden!

Meet and Greet!

Digger Barnes says "please come"?!

Hi everyone!  We had such a great time at the last meet and greet (click here to see the pictures) that we have another one coming in July!

Sunday, July 16th to be exact!  From 11am to 3pm, come visit GPRS volunteers and some awesome fluffy pups.  Of course it will be at All the Best Pet Care, this time at 1909 NW Market St, Seattle 98107.

What to expect:

Snuggly fuzzy pups-
Enthusiastic and helpful volunteers-
A raffle with some great prizes!
Rescue & Strong T-Shirts to raise funds for the rescue-
Information on how to get involved with volunteering-
Did I mention snuggly and fuzzy pups?

If you would like to meet some beautiful Great Pyrenees dogs you may see Hayden, Daisy, and Quinby!  See their photos below.  Hope to see you there!

Hayden, Daisy and Quinby

Love Letters from a Pyr Parent

Franklin

Sometimes something beautiful happens when you least expect it.  We had recently lost our dog at the young age of two and our golden retriever Tucker was really affected by the sudden loss.

Not sure if we could open our hearts again, I saw Franklin (then Grath) on the rescue webpage and I fell in love instantly.

I work in the veterinary field and have seen Great Pyrenees and thought they were so gentle and loving.  I knew one day I would have one.

When we picked Franklin up it was like he was already a part of the family.  He has brought much job to my life and to everyone he meets.  Tucker and him have become inseparable!  If it wasn't for the Great Pyrenees Rescue and all the amazing work they do, our family wouldn't have found our Franklin.

Bailey (Franklin and Tucker's human)

Franklin and Tucker

Medical Biography

Cayman at intake

Cayman

Volunteering for an animal rescue is always highly rewarding but there are those times we receive a call about a dog who's story is utterly heartbreaking!   Cayman is a 3 year-old, unaltered male, and owner surrender turned into a shelter.  Cayman came into the shelter in dreadful condition. His rear left leg was completely fractured, which his doctors indicated had to have been broken at least 2-3 months prior-the suffering he endured must have been agonizing!  Also, someone had attempted to "repair" the fracture with a botched home-made wire wrapped under his skin around the broken bones.

Training your Pyr

I used to love the 4th of July.  In addition to a national holiday, as a teacher it was a celebration of summer and restoration.  Family, friends, fireworks.  Sure, I had friends who said their dogs were scared of the sounds and didn't bring them to the picnics, but until Grace, I didn't really understand.  My older dog is completely unfazed by sounds.  Grace is literally terrified of fireworks.  While many dogs hide and seek comfort, she panics and goes into a frenzy of barking and panting.  She is inconsolable and I feel utterly helpless.  She is not alone...more dogs get lost from home on the 4th than on any other day of the year and potentially wind up at a shelter or worse.  So, plan ahead and help make sure everyone has a safe, fun holiday.

1.  Take dogs out to potty before bed earlier than usual, and on a leash to avoid any chance of panic and escape.

2.  Leave your pet at home.  They don't need to be part of the celebration if it is going to be frightening.

3.  Give them access to a safe space-a basement, bathroom, covered crate, or bedroom away from windows.

4.  Leave them with a high value reward like a bone, bulky stick, or frozen kong to help distract and calm.

5.  Play calming music, or even a louder action movie to help drown out the sounds.

6.  Try calming aids like a thundershirt or calming supplements.

7.  If you are home, remember that it is okay to console your dog when they are scared.  Helping them feel safe is not reinforcing their rear or anxiety based behavior.

8.  If you know your dog is very scared and can't settle with these supports, consider talking to your vet about medication to help.

9.  Consider a 4th of July camping trip to a park where fireworks are not allowed.

10.  If you have a puppy and don't know how they will respond, remember that first exposures are really important.  Set them up for success and calm so you aren't faced with a lifetime of fear.

Grace and Denali

Wishing everyone a peaceful celebration.  You can find Grace and I at a mountain retreat for a few days away from all the city sounds, enjoying a quieter, more reflective celebration of friendship, family, summer and national pride.

Natalie Wolf

Certified Dog Trainer

GPRS Adopter and Volunteer

Volunteer Highlight

Volunteer Highlight:

Saralynn and Michelle

Volunteers are an essential component to any non-profit;  the volunteers for Great Pyrenees Rescue Society are dedicated and selfless individuals who work tirelessly to rescue dogs in need.  GPRS is always looking for dog lovers who are seeking to foster or volunteer in other positions.

Saralynn is a REALTOR ® with Better Homes and Gardens Preferred Living in College Station, Texas. Saralynn and her mother Michelle have been volunteering for GPRS for a little over a year and are this month's volunteer highlight!

Here is their story:

Prompt:  What volunteering do you do with the rescue?

My mother and I foster the Texas puppies together.  I handle all aspects of the puppies including intake, foster, foster coordinator (if we have any open puppy fosters, which is not often), medical needs, paperwork, and anything else that needs to be taken care of for them.  I sometimes screen applications if I have a break in puppies or if we are overloaded with applications.

June Adoptions

Happy Fourth!

WOW-we are officially half way through 2017 and we had a great June with 39 adoptions!  Hopefully everyone is enjoying a long weekend for the July 4th holiday!  This last month was a RECORD MONTH for FOSTER FAILURES, with 6 foster failures, so that was great that we had some "PYRFECT MATCHES" with our foster families!

A big PYR PAW of congratulations goes out to: Timothy, Bernard, Vivian, Effy, Carmine, Dozer, Broadie, Tella, Tallulah, Maryann, Holly (S), Chester, Hagan, Huck, Lola (S), Bismark, Joe, Ruby, Henessey, Zinnia, Madeline, Thor, Buford, Kerri, Dora (S), Lane, Willow, Paisley, Laurel, Larisse, Nashville, Heather, Toodles, Theo, Kye, Trevor, Wilbur, and Nolan!

Juliette