March Adoptions!

Zach and Zane

Happy Easter and what a beautiful morning!!  I thought I would share a photo of the first Pyr puppies that I fostered for GPRS - Zach and Zane with their cute bunny ears - and give a big THANK YOU to everyone on this beautiful morning for a WONDERFUL MARCH, with 35 adoptions!  

Several "long-timers" were also adopted this last month, making it extra special for Vida, Berg, and Pablo!   All of our fosters & volunteers make such a huge difference in the lives of these dogs, so we just want everyone to know how much we appreciate everything - big and small - that is done every day!

A BIG PYR-PAW of CONGRATULATIONS goes out to the following Pyrs for finding their forever homes in March:  Newton, Bailey, Sasha, Edgar, Pattison, Woodrow (S), Bling, Berg, Hugo, Oxford, Alicia, Carrie, Vida, Goldie, Milo, Paula Deen, Lily, Nadya, Gina (S), Norris, Nell, Chewy, Mickey, Barnie, Sammy, Jackie, Olinda, Bernie, Pablo, Ladybelle, Goober, Grace, Sonora (S), Little John, and Genevieve!

Juliette

Vida

Berg

Pablo

February Adoptions!

March is here and we are ready for spring!!  Here in Texas, we are having lots of rain and warm days.  The green grass is growing-and I am so excited to see the wildflowers blooming!!  We had a FANTASTIC February with 30 adoptions this last month!

We are SO THANKFUL to all our volunteers!  We had a lot of new screeners & fosters & online helpers that have been added in the last month or so-you are all so greatly appreciated and it makes a huge difference in the number of adoptions & lives saved!

Now for a big PYR PAW of CONGRATULATIONS to the following Pyrs that found their forever homes last month:  Marisole, Trudy, Nissa, Waly, Nanci, Maddox, Sweetie, Skylar, Brutus, Zeke, Tricia, Hank, Jane, Petunia, Nadeen, Anna, Leesa, Ophelia, TaraToo, Benjamin, Russell, Baby, Tim, Jonny, Lizette, China, Zola, Jaydon, Buck, and Einstein!

Juliette

Puppy Teaser!

Seriously, are any words really necessary at this point?  The "O" puppies!  Coming to the great Northwest soon!

Ottavia

Ocean and Olinda

Oxford and Odell

January Adoptions!

Our first adoption month of the new year and here's Juliette:

WOW-It is already FEBRUARY!!  January just FLEW BY and we are moving steadily into 2018!  We had a GREAT START to the new year with 34 adoptions in January!  Unfortunately, the Pyrs in Texas are still flowing into the rescue like water-but our amazing team of volunteers, fosters and screeners are working SO HARD to rehabilitate and make a difference for as many as we can and we are just so thankful for every single one of our rescue members!  We could not do as much as we do without our amazing volunteers!!!

We want to give a BIG PYR PAW of congratulations to the following Pyrs that found their forever homes in January:  Charley, Divinity (S), Tori, Sadie, Harmony, Gigi, Cole, Cayman, Annette (S), Brazos, Griswold, Max, Nanny, Kris, Mark, Daphne, Rosalynn, Luanna, Miguel, Cleopatra, Dean, Shadow, Tito, Camille, Nora, Bandera (S), Daisy, Cameron, Brutus, Melissa, Russell, Rufus, Nevan, and Norton!!

If you would like to volunteer for Great Pyrenees Rescue Society click here and go to "How to Help" or if you are ready to adopt we have many great dogs, including puppies, awaiting their forever homes!  As Juliette mentioned, the rescue has quite of few dogs in foster waiting to be adopted and more homeless dogs coming in who need foster homes.

Bling relaxing in her foster home

Mark and Miguel 

Trudy feeling safe in her foster home

Transport News

Transport van

Well, the amazing Jeff Sweeney is about to embark on the first 2018 trip from Texas to Washington, dropping off Pyrs at strategic places along his way.  To the volunteers and families who are waiting for foster dogs or new family members, it is a very exciting time!  At the drop off locations Pyr lovers gather, some with leashes in hand, Pyrs and other dogs in their cars, and others with their human children.  For the volunteers it's a great opportunity to meet a dog we've heard about through Facebook or to get a quick hit of puppy breath.  It's extremely rewarding seeing a family meet their new family member in person for the first time and knowing the (sometimes wide-eyed Pyr) has a new loving home.

Jeff's route this trip

Most of our dogs come into rescue from kill shelters around the Central Texas, South Texas, and Greater Houston area.  We place them in foster homes in the Pacific NW and Texas while they are evaluated and rehabilitated until we find a permanent home for them.  We transport and adopt to Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, Colorado, Arizona, and other states near the Pacific NW and Texas.

We are an all volunteer, not-for-profit, rescue group dedicated the the rescue, rehabilitation, and re-homing of Great Pyrenees whose lives are in danger.  Check back and we will see pictures from some of the drop off locations and the First Hugs from Transport!

September Adoptions!

Ready for Halloween!

Hi everyone!  We are getting closer to the holiday season and pumpkin spiced everything!  We had a great September for adoptions, with 33 of our dogs finding their forever homes last month!  We are all working so hard and it is always showing in our results for the pyrs, pyr mixes, and sometimes honorary pyrs in our rescue-so a huge thank you to everyone who is doing something big or something small in the rescue!

And now, for a shout out to the pyrs that were adopted in September!

Bailey, Mira, Ember, Aria, Ellen, Yeti, Homie, Brazos, Coyote, Samson, Kali, Hansel, Bluebell, Sherlock, Blanco, Ruby, Kroger, Duke, Caroline, Tex (S), Michaela, Toodles, Yolanda, Jake, Magdalena (S), Vail, Cressida, Cameron, Autumn, Belle, Caliope, Harrison, and Francis!

If you would like to volunteer for GPRS please see our website here!

August Adoptions!

I hope everyone is having a great holiday weekend!  Here's Juliette with August adoptions:

Hi Everyone-it was a great summer, with everyone coming together to get 37 dogs adopted!  This is even with a Hurricane at the end, that was and still is-devastating for Texas!  I found a sweet poster that is a good reminder for why we do what we do, even when the times get rough-and I know that I am glad we have every single volunteer, foster, driver, screener and everything big and small that you do for the rescue.  We can't do anything without each and every one of you.

And with that, let's give a big PYR PAW of congratulations for the following dogs that found their forever homes in August, thanks to all of you:  Papoose, Hadleigh, Ugene, Everest, Britton, Destini, Xylon, Moose, Hayden, Ranger, Magdalen, Dakota, Yancy, Nadia, Moya, Tyler, Elijah, Gretel, Zena, Peony, Yara, Bryan, Michael, Melrose, Ashlynn, Perle, Quinby, Adelynn, Danielle, Erina, Melody, Lyle, Rover, Ximen, Avalynn, Jasmin and Yasmin!

Hurricane Harvey and Headquarters

GPRS Headquarters in Spring, Texas

Sorry folks, I've been away from the blog a bit navigating a new job.  Just one of a many reminders that the Great Pyrenees Rescue Society relies on volunteers and luckily we have a large number of super volunteers working tirelessly to save these dogs.

Volunteers do their good work around a profession, school, family, and other events, the most recent being hurricane Harvey.  If you weren't aware, the Great Pyrenees Rescue Society's headquarters is in Spring, Texas (see map of affected area).

Hurricane Harvey

Director Malise and her co-pilot Dick left headquarters on August 23rd to bring the monthly transport van load of foster and adopted Pyrenees to the Pacific NW.  During this the U.S. population was watching the news of Harvey while those in Texas and Louisiana were bracing for the Category 4 storm to hit landfall.  Reported to be the "first major hurricane to hit the mainland States since Hurricane Wilma struck Florida in 2005" (Reuters, August 26, 2017) those of us in the NW feared for the safety of our friends, volunteers, and their families and pets in Texas and Louisiana.  We sent money, prayed, hoped for a positive outcome and kept in touch with our Texas family via Facebook.  We watched on Facebook for updated posts of volunteers picked up dogs in danger and transported them to boarding and other temporary homes out of harms way.

If you would like to help, you can donate here.  If you have boats or raised vehicles and live near the affected areas and would like to help, please make a comment below.  Thank you.

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!

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

Volunteer Opportunities

Maeby is hoping you can join us!

Whew!  Now that graduations are over here in the NW and school is about to let out for the summer, GPRS volunteers are gearing up for some FUN summer Meet and Greets!  Just as a reminder, tomorrow, Saturday June 17th volunteers will be at All the Best Pet Care in Seattle from noon to 5pm and we are hoping you can join us!

There will be some great raffle prizes with proceeds going to benefit the rescue, T-shirts, and some great fluffy Pyrs to love on!

Special Guest!

For you Oregon peeps, SAVE THE DATE to the next Small Town Saturday Night event and parade in Newberg, Oregon, Saturday, July 29th 2017!  This is a great event and there will even be a special guest!  Anyone recognize this face?

If you can't make some of these summer events but want to volunteer for the Great Pyrenees Rescue Society there are always great ways to volunteer.

 Fostering is an important component to rescue as our fosters provide temporary and loving homes to desperate dogs in need.  If you are interested in fostering you can fill out an application here.

Max knows how to ask for help!

Once approved you will fill out a foster contract here and you will then be ready to foster a dog in need.  You can decide what dog will be most appropriate for your home situation; the rescue works to match the right dog to the right house as it is best for everyone.  The time you will be fostering will vary but the GPRS volunteer community is super supportive to fosters and we all work together to make the dog's temporary housing successful!

Can't foster?  Check out other great volunteer opportunities here!  If you don't think you can volunteer but want to help, the rescue can always use donations.  To donate click here. 

Check back to the blog often as we will have a Volunteer Highlight post and you can read about the rescue's AMAZING volunteers!

Love Letters from a Pyr Parent

Misha a few weeks new to our home

If anyone knows me they know me as Whitman's mom (that may become a "Foster Family to Adoptive Family" story all on it's own) or a volunteer who helps with the blog, but even before that I became a GPRS Pyr Parent.  I don't think most people know about my Misha as she was in rescue for less than a few days before she found me.

After losing my very first Pyr Nanook at the age of nine,  I felt a bit "robbed" that I didn't get to see her age beyond that.  So when I started looking for another Pyr, I was looking for seniors, eight or older.  On Petfinder I found a dog named "Jane" in Connecticut who needed a foster through the National Great Pyrenees Rescue (NGPR).  I didn't know the distinction between NGPR and Great Pyrenees Rescue Society (GPRS) at the time, but I filled out a volunteer application to foster as I had been fostering for another local rescue for years and was familiar with the process.  I received an email from a GPRS volunteer, Yi-Hsuan Wu, who indicated Jane was too ill to travel but there were quite a few younger male dogs in need of a foster/adoptive home.  Having my heart set on a senior, I politely declined and asked her to let me know if any older female dogs came into the rescue.

Pyrs in Transport

Leaving College Station, TX

One of the things that impressed me so much when I first heard about GPRS is the orchestrated transport. On the "About Us" page the bio says that the dogs in Texas are transported throughout the Northwest but it didn't say that the rescue has dogs to transport almost every month.  What it also doesn't say are the efforts it takes to go from a dog in need in Texas to foster families scattered throughout the Northwest or to their forever homes.  I'm not sure I even know, but I'm hoping through this blog we can both learn what it entails.

Dogs headed to loving homes

There is an amazing man named Jeff (and may be others) who drive thousands of miles making calculated stops to deliver these dogs to their loving families, be it foster or forever.  I'm certain we will get his bio soon for our Volunteer Highlight post.  This morning he left College Station, Texas loaded up with dogs, who are headed to a better life. 

On the receiving end of these stops are devoted and loving volunteers who have a dog on transport to foster or families who have already adopted a dog; they may be meeting their dogs for the first time.   The continual success of these efforts rely on volunteers, and well, donations are also important.

Transport map

If you've ever thought about volunteering or fostering, the GPRS has a community of dedicated and supportive volunteers and for me it is some of the most rewarding volunteer work I have done.

Check back often to hear other stories about the volunteers who make all this happen!  There will also be pictures of "First Hugs from Transport" as the dogs reach their destinations!  If you would like to volunteer check out the website here and click on How to Help.

Foster Fail Friday

Fostering dogs in need is a very rewarding part of rescue.  There are times when foster families fall in love with their fosters so much that the humans become "foster failures".  This term in the rescue community is an endearing one as it signifies that the dog has a forever home which is the ultimate goal!  

One such foster fail is Charlene Signorino; not only did Charlene and her husband fail with one foster but they decided to adopt two of their foster dogs!  Here is their story:

Our NW foster project

Great Pyrenees - a story of compassion, courage and hope

One of our very first transports in 2013...we've come a very long way since then!

Phoenix - "Best Rescue"

The mythological Phoenix; a great, fiery bird that rises from the ashes of its destruction to soar with the victory of its resurrection. And so it is with our beloved Phoenix.

For eight agonizing years his life was spent on a pitiless chain. He lived in mud and filth, weathering the harshest conditions—from the boiling Texas sun, to November’s furious downpours—with inadequate shelter at best. He knew Man as one of two things: A hot kick to the ribs, or an icy stare of neglect. He ate only enough to survive, and only what he could kill; rodents, bugs, the occasional unlucky squirrel. He was neglected, beaten, and starved to the brink of death—for eight inexcusable years.

Phoenix finally became an SPCA cruelty seizure, and sadly regarded as "hopeless." He was covered in feces and urine, loaded with fleas and ticks, and was emaciated to the tune of a mere 69 pounds. His teeth had rotten down to nubs from malnutrition and  biting at his chain to free himself and  what remained of is fur fell out in large clumps.  Blood work revealed his liver and kidneys were shutting down and he was riddled with heartworms.  He was near death, beyond exhaustion, and painfully broken. No one thought he would survive. No one thought he could be rehabilitated.

The SPCA thought he was a helpless case but when Malise of Great Pyrenees Rescue Society first saw Phoenix, through her tears,  she saw in him the tiny glimmer of hope that she sees for all animals.  Only she knew that he was the living embodiment of the spirit of the great Phoenix—and given the devoted love and care that he deserved,  he could rise from the ashes of his prolonged devastation.

Great Pyrenees Rescue Society stepped up and today, Phoenix  is a trim 110 pound.   He has a glorious coat of white, his blood work is normal and he is heart worm free.   Although he is still awaiting hip surgery to repair the damage from years of neglect he is at last strong enough to undergo it.  He has a glint in his eye and a smile on his face.

Pheonix is still in a foster home awaiting finding his permanent home. He loves his foster mum, Malise, with profound devotion and at last is assured that he will live out  the remainder of his years in dignity, triumph and freedom—like every magnificent Phoenix is destined.

Sadly, we lost Phoenix in October 2008 from complications from his hip surgery.  We were with Phoenix while he crossed over the rainbow bridge.  Rest in peace my sweet boy - you were truly loved your last year of life.  I will remember you forever, my dear.

If you would like to donate in Pheonix's memory to help the many, many very ill pyrs we take in - please click the pay pal button.

Thank you.