Happy New Year!

Hello folks!

Sorry for the delay on posts.  While I've been away the rescue has had a number of wonderful adoptions to finish off the rest of 2017.  Here they are!

November adoptions:

We are marching fast towards the end of the year-and SANTA will  be here before we know it!!  We had a busy November, with all of our volunteers working hard to get 33 ADOPTIONS completed while enjoying our families and friends over the Thanksgiving holiday break!  Thank you SO MUCH to everyone for giving all of your positive energy and hard work to care for, foster and find wonderful homes for our sweet neglected Texas pyrs!

A big PYR PAW of congratulations goes out to: Paloma, Hunter, Henley, Pearl, Bree, Russo, Buddy, Baby, Lila Belle, George, Mya, Brazzy, Halo, Tyson, Hazel, Homer, Holden, Henry, Harper, Didi, Russell, Trigger, Tillie, Houston, Cotulla (S), Maude, Lizzie, Mikey (S), Zoe, Bonnie, Lenny, Zach, and Syrah (S).

Juliette

December adoptions:

HAPPY NEW YEAR!  And what an amazing year it has been!  We ended 2017 with 22 adoptions, which we did while also celebrating the Christmas holiday and taking winter vacations!  This is brought out 2017 adoption total to 431 adoptions in 2017!!!  To compare with previous years-we had 364 adoptions in 2016, and 325 adoptions in 2015- so we are saving more wonderful Great Pyrenees every year!  We could not do this without our AMAZING VOLUNTEERS that foster, screen applications, transport dogs, and help care for them in every way imaginable.  So THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH and have a blessed 2018-we hope to save many more next year!!

NOW a big PYR PAW of congratulations goes out to the following pyrs that found their forever home in December:  Clyde, Natalie, Skip, Renaissance, Kingston, Gemma, Bethany, Lottie, Justin, Hampton, Howie, Rondo Lark, Marni (S), Alan (S), Martin, Melody, Leo, Harvey, Stanley, and Alex (S)!

Juliette

If you would like to volunteer for the Great Pyrenees Rescue Society to help with adoptions in 2018 click on here and go to "How to Help".

If you don't have time to volunteer but would like to donate to help save these gentle giants, please donate here.

Let's make 2018 GREAT!

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!

Pre Holiday Post

Well, it's almost that time again!

For those of us with furry family members that are afraid of fireworks, the July 4th celebration is a source of stress for pets and their families.  There are plenty of resources suggesting how to keep your pets safe during this holiday, but here are some taken from dog trainer Victoria Stilwell's blog Positively.

• Exercise your dog earlier in the day.
• Dogs should be kept inside with a human companion if possible.
• Make sure the dog has a "safe space" to retreat.  (Whitman was able to escape to his crate last night when the neighborhood started the pre celebration last night.)
• Keep the windows and curtains closed.
• Insure your dog has a microchip and that it is updated with the correct contact information and a properly fitting collar with updated ID tags.
• Use sound therapy such as music to relax your dog.

Other suggestions:

• Do not set off fireworks near or next to your dog.
• Try to desensitize your pet prior to the festivities using training tools.
• Use the radio or TV to try to help drown out the noise of the fireworks.
• See your vet for sedatives or other tranquilizers if needed.
• Visit your neighborhood pet store for natural calming aids.
• Act normally versus petting or reassuring your pet when he or she is nervous this will just reinforce the nervous behavior.
• Give your pet something else to do such as a stuffed kong or puzzle toy.

Whitman's safe space

July 5th is reported to be the busiest day for the Humane Society and other shelters as there are more dogs lost during the July 4th holiday due to fireworks.   The ASPCA also suggests there are other hazards for your pets such as alcohol, lighter fluid (for BBQs), and Tiki torch fluids typically present during holiday celebrations, so keeping these out of range for your pet is important!

So, as we are heading for this holiday, please remember our pets are not always as enthusiastic about fireworks!

What are your practices for keeping your dog safe during the 4th of July?

Happy New Year and Thank You for Your Support