Grooming Tips

Whitman

Well, it's that time of year again!

Pyrenees completely blow their coat multiple times throughout the year.  Pyrs are a double-coated breed with a dense and fine undercoat that serves as an insulator against both heat and cold.   Their topcoat easily sheds dirt and mud after it dries which is good news since they love to dig and lay in the holes they've made!

It's important to keep up with grooming your Pyr to avoid matting and skin problems.  It's the time I can spot any skin issues or ticks as well.  The grooming routine should include checking your Pyr's mouth, ears, eyes, and paws as well as nail trims including the distinctive dewclaws on all four legs.  The rescue suggests you have your groomer or vet demonstrate how to trim the dewclaws.

The need for grooming will vary by the type of coat your dogs has as well as his or her tolerance for being groomed.  The best way to keep your Pyr's coat under control is to groom for 30 minutes once a week.

From Foster Family to Adoptive Family

Grover's Story:

Part 1: Rescued

Since 2013 the rescue has been transporting dogs in need from Texas to the Northwest.  Texas has more Great Pyrenees in shelters than any other state in the country and the Northwest has a shortage of the breed.  The rescue saves about 30-50 dogs per month and then anywhere from 20 to 30 are transported each month to the Northwest.  These dogs are found in city and county shelters and only have a three day hold to be saved before they are euthanized.  Most of these dogs are strays but some are owner relinquished by owners for various reasons such as they don't have the time or they are moving.  The majority of these dogs are in poor health or have never received vet care.


In late 2016 Grover was one of the dogs transported from Texas on his way to his foster family in Oregon.  Grover was a tiny tyke weighing only about 3 pounds and only a few weeks old.  During the transport Grover's health began to quickly decline; the rescue's Director Malise administered fluids and medications to stabilize Grover for the remaining miles of the trip.

In the Northwest on the other end of the transport, dedicated and loving volunteers and fosters gather in specific locations waiting to receive the dogs.  Some of the dogs have already been adopted and as they come off the transport van they meet their forever families for the first time!   Grover reached Oregon but he was still so tiny and fragile.  Fortunate for him, waiting was his foster family Richard and Merissa Atwood.  Check back soon for the rest of Grover's story!  In part 2 we will meet Richard and Merissa as they share their story of Grover.  Grover meets his forever family in part 3 and in part 4 there's a surprise reunion!







 

Foster homes urgently needed!

Max is hoping you'll consider fostering as there are currently about 13 Pyrenees in Texas that are in risk of not making it out of the shelter!  If you live in Texas or Washington state or the surrounding areas and are interesting in fostering please raise a paw and fill out an application here.

Some dogs will need only a few days and some a few weeks.  When you foster you will be matched to a dog that suits your home and family.  You will be given a foster contract to sign that states the dog remains the property of Great Pyrenees Rescue Society.  Altering, vaccinations (including rabies) and any medications your foster dog is on will be provided.  Your foster dog will live with you as part of your family until the dog finds a permanent home.  The rescue's volunteer community is incredibly supportive and willing to assist with any questions foster families may have about their foster dog.

What happens if you want to adopt your foster dog?  Contact GPRS as soon as possible so you can apply for the dog before anyone else can adopt it.  We'll remove the dog from the website, you complete the adoption contract, pay the adoption fee and your foster dog becomes a permanent part of your family!

Don't think you can foster?  Consider volunteering, there are many positions available check here.  If time is a barrier to volunteering and you want to help please consider donating here!

Mother's Day 2017

Happy Mother's Day to all the Mothers out there!

Hope you have a wonderful day!
Coming soon is a heartwarming story about the nurturing motherly (and fatherly) love from one of the rescue's amazing volunteer husband and wife team.  Grover came up from Texas on the transport van a mere 3 pounds.  Due to the efforts of his foster mother and father his transformation is amazing!  Meet Grover and the Atwoods as he goes from foster family to adoptive family!

News & Events

When Juliette emailed to ask if I would help with the rescue's blog I was ecstatic!  After becoming a foster failure in a roundabout way I was one over in numbers on my permanent dogs and suddenly up to three.  I would not be fostering for a while so I jumped at the opportunity to participate in this endeavor.

The purpose of this blog is to share the rescue's news and events in addition to connect like-minded people by sharing the stories that capture our attention, break our hearts, and feed our souls.  For me, while volunteering for rescues there cannot be one of these without the other.

Please check back often to read about our amazing volunteers, featured rescue stories,  health and wellness tips, training information, and many more subjects!  Feel free to comment and make suggestions.  And by all means, enjoy all the pretty dog pictures!

Puppy Teaser!

Here is a sneak peek at some of the puppies that will be listed soon! 

We have about 25 puppies that are almost old enough to find their forever home, and we also have some that have just been listed in the past few days. Check out our website for more information and get your application in today!

www.greatpyreneesrescuesociety.org 

April Adoptions!

We have made it to May and we are moving into the "Summer Months"! The rescue had a great April for adoptions with 30 adoptions last month! Thank you so much to all of our fosters & volunteers in Texas and the Pacific NW for helping rehabilitate and place these wonderful pyrs, we could not do it without each and every one of you!!

‪A big pyr paw of congratulations goes to: Ivanka, Pinkie, Elton, Sarabi, Desna, Balto, Becky, Waylon, Watson, Winnie, Grayson, Dallas, Harlow, Caitlyn, Caroline, Finnigan(S), Brazos, Delaney, Valentina, Sampson, Monroe, Denver, Poppy, Freckles, Opal, Max(S), Magrueder, McCoy, Sammie & Duke!!!

Juliette

Yesterday was a very exciting day for Vida and Vail, our 2 puppies with Neosporosis! They went to Texas A&M Small Animal Clinic to see several specialists about their condition - they saw internal specialists and orthopedic specialists - they really enjoyed all of the attention. The amazing staff had a very warm welcome waiting for these cuties when we got here! Man have they grown, they barely fit in their own stroller anymore! 

We are so thankful for everyone who has donated to these girls care, but we still have a long way to go! Check out their website for more updates on their condition, and please SHARE SHARE SHARE their story!!! https://www.youcaring.com/vidaandvail

Love Letters from a Pyr Parent

Jaeger

"Craig and I are so blessed to have Jaeger.  He has brought a lot of joy and love into our life.  Craig takes him to work on occasion and he is the hit of the office.  The other days he has fun at doggy day care where he has two girlfriends.  Emma, a Bernese Mountain Dog and Clara, a Rottweiler.  His fur is fully grown in and his mane is incredible.  He gets a brushing a couple days a week which he loves.  He is starting to shed.  When Jaeger gets excited he hops like a frog 1 foot off the ground.  Jaeger is such a good boy and we are glad we have him."

Hi everyone! It is March 1st, and it is hard to believe that we are already moving into the spring season!! 

We had a wonderful February, with 32 adoptions, including Lucky - our long time sweetheart, and Klause, our most recent medical case!!

We want to give a big PYR PAW HIGH FIVE to the following dogs that were adopted in February: 

Chex, Beowulf, Delilah, Acie, Blossom, Underwood, Aspen, Mitchell, Baldwin, Gideon(S), Luke(S), Thor(S), Lucky, Eddie, Ash, Eskimo, Archie, Iris, Greta, Dalton, Klause, Zeta, Orlando, Steffi, Chip, Lemon Drop, Sparta, Upton, Erica, Beretta, Pingree and Ivy!

Thank you so much to all of our fosters, screeners, and volunteers that transport, take pictures, or help in any way with the dogs we have in our care - we couldn't do this without any of you!!

Hi Everyone- we are one month into 2017, and hopefully everyone is having a great start to their New Year! This has been a great month for 37 pyrs - as they found their forever homes this month! Thank you so much to all of our volunteers, screeners & fosters - this wouldn't be possible without each and every one of you!!

A Big Pyr Paw of CONGRATULATIONS goes out to Presleigh, Cowgirl, Capone, Roux, Olivia, Spot, Lufkin, Quiggley, Otis, Quinlan, Quiana, Cinder, Quade, Paddy, Apple Spice, Autumn, Xandi, Harrison, Evie, Eden, Aster, Tippy, Eva, Sophie, Yates, Isaiah(S), Duke, Thompson, Harper, Urban, Serenity, Maggie, Amelia, Oakley, Santa, Slate, and Maverick!!