Volunteer Highlight

Tiff with Bruiser

All of our volunteers have our own story about how they've gotten involved with GPRS.  It's no secret that we are head over heels with these gentle giants as they are so hard to resist.  Here's Tiff Mumma's story!

Around 6 years ago, my husband and I met our first Great Pyrenees.  He was guarding alpaca at a farm near Hood River, OR.  This gorgeous, giant fluff ball was so mellow and friendly.  He happed with his two cat buddies and greeted (aka checked out) all the visitors as they came up the drive.  I was in love.

About 6 months later we ran into two more Pyrs relaxing on the sidewalk as their humans ate dinner.  This couple (I wish I could remember their names) told us about GPRS.  My husband Steve and I, weren't ready to adopt, so we started talking about fostering dogs for GPRS.  We had been fostering cats and feral kittens for many years, so why not dogs?  We wanted to get to know the breed better anyway.

Tiff with Emery at transport

Our second foster, Teddy, was a beautiful senior purebred Pyr.  He was horribly thin and his coat was coarse and matted.  He had hip weakness and was endlessly worried that we were leaving him behind.  His most recent family had gotten him off Craigslist and then decided they didn't want him after about 6 months.  After two months in our home, I knew I couldn't part with him.  He was my angel dog.  We needed each other.  Teddy was loved and spoiled rotten for almost four years before he passed.  I'm grateful every day that we found each other.

We have been fostering for GPRS for four and a half years.  I do most of the management of fostering, but my husband and kids contribute enormously-feeding, grooming, giving meds, socializing and exercising.  Almost two years ago I started volunteering as the Northwest Medical Liaison, which has been wonderful.  I've gotten to know many of our amazing volunteers and adopters and meet tons of fluffy (and not so fluffy) dogs.

One of my favorite things about rescuing Great Pyrenees dogs is that, even though there is a general breed temperament, they are all so wonderfully unique.  No two are exactly alike.  I love meeting the dogs, learning about their personalities and helping them to thrive.  Even though I am sad to part with my fosters when the time comes, I know that I've been a part of saving a life and building a family.  That's an incredible feeling.

If you would like to become a volunteer or foster with the Great Pyrenees Rescue Society, visit our website here and click on "How to Help".