Volunteer Highlight

Lefty on "gotcha" day

The GPRS is supported by an amazing group of volunteers;  some may be more "visible" as representatives of the rescue, but all volunteers play an important role when it comes to saving these majestic dogs.

Today's volunteer highlight is Linda Stinnett!  And here is her story:

For those that do not know me, my name is Linda Stinnett.   I am retired from the Post Office where I delivered mail for close to 30 years and I live in Idaho.  I have been volunteering for GPRS for 6 plus years now.

Before my father passed, he asked me to take care of his Pyr.  This is what started my love affairs with Pyrs.  I wanted to learn as much as I could about the breed (other than they are hard of hearing).

For this, I turned to Facebook.  A lade with GPRS was asking for volunteers.  Being deaf I wasn't sure what I could offer.  We decided on postings.  She and I shared the responsibility of getting them listed.  To get posted to the Northwest, I had to send the information to Devi, who works at National (National Great Pyrenees Rescue), and she then posted them to the Northwest.  Mel left GPRS and I then assumed the task of getting them all posted.  Pictures cropped, bios written and edited, etc.  I'm not sure how it came to pass that I was posting pups to the Northwest, but I was.  I won't bore you with all the details, suffice to say I was one busy lady!

GPRS grew exponentially;  Malise was able to save more animals as we got more fosters and volunteers.  Once the Facebook page for our fosters was up and running, it became a bit too much for one person to do.  I still work in the background and help as I can.

Our first Pyr was Trabelle, she passed 2 years ago from cancer.  While we had Trabelle, I found our second Pyr, Tag, at the local humane society.  He's still going strong.  In March, GPRS received a call from Twin Falls Humane Society saying they had a very young pup who's leg had been broken and was getting infected.  Being close to Twin, Malise asked if I would go get and foster the pup to get him out of the shelter.  Of course I did and ended up a "foster failure".  Lefty ultimately had to have his leg amputated, but he gets around just fine.

My fur family includes Tag (Pyr), Lefty (Pyr) Bowser (Great Dane pittie cross) and Gir our resident feline dog nose swatter.

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".

Volunteer Highlight

Kickie with Klondike

It's time to meet the medical foster for Cayman!  If you haven't already read Cayman's medical biography, you can read it here.  Fostering can be incredibly challenging and it takes someone incredibly special to foster for a dog with serious medical needs. That's why this month's volunteer highlight is Veterinary Technician Kickie D'Alfonso.

Kickie and Jameson

Kickie was born and raised in New Orleans, LA.  She attended Our Lady of Holy Cross College focusing on business management until evacuating to Austin with her canine Nyko post hurricane Katrina in late 2005.  In January 2006 Kickie discovered her true passion for the veterinary field up beginning a career with Emancipet.  Since then she has worked with a variety of veterinary establishments including the local animal shelter, internal medicine department of a specialty hospital, private practices, mobile vaccine clinics, home euthanasia, non-profit high volume specialty/orthopedic surgery and spay/neuter clinics.  The D'Alfonso family specializes in fostering hospice, special needs and medical cases ranging rom dogs and cats to pigs and wildlife for multiple organizations.  At the center of the household is her husband Jameson, 8 canines, 1 feline, and a very diva pot belly pig named Penelope Aretha Maple.  Kickie finds great joy in being able to give back to a community that welcomed her with open arms years ago.  Keep reading to see how she became involved with GPRS.

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.

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: