Health and Wellness

Ryder enjoying the sun.

It has finally dried up in the Northwest and the days are getting warmer.  As nice as that is it is also the time to remind dog parents not to leave their dogs and other pets in the car.  The Humane Society of the United States writes on an 85-degree day the temperature in the car with the windows cracked can reach 102 degrees within 10 minutes.  After 30 minutes, temps can soar to 120 degrees.  Pets left in the car can suffer organ damage or even die.  The HSUS suggests never leaving a pet in the car even with the car running and the air conditioning on, as there have been several reports of dogs dying after the air conditioning failed and started to blow hot air.  Partnership for Animal Welfare (2017) suggest tips to keep our pets safe:

• When it's warm out, leave your dogs at home.
• On trips bring plenty of fresh drinking water and a bowl.
• Take the dog into the shade or an air conditioned area if you notice signs of heat exhaustion, including excessive thirst, heavy panting, lethargy, rapid pulse, fever, vomiting, glazed eyes, dizziness, and stumbling.
• Don't let pets ride loose in pick-up truck beds.  The sun and hot metal could injury your pet.

See the entire article by clicking here.

The HSUS suggests tips to help a pet if you see one left in the hot car:

• Take down the car's make, model, and license plate number.
• If there are any businesses near, notify staff and ask them to make an announcement to find the cars owner.
• If the owner can't be found, call the non-emergency number and wait for the police to arrive.
• In several states, good Samaritans can legally remove animals from cars under certain circumstances.  To check the laws in your state, visit the Animal Legal Defense Fund by clicking here.

The HSUS offers a flyer to print and handout if you would like to advocate and help educate the pet owners in your community.  The raining season has been super long here and we are all anxious for some nice weather.  Here's hoping that all pets can stay safe in the coming warmer months!

Medical Biography

Klause is a beautiful young male about 1 1/2 years old that was found with barbed wire around his back leg.  The injury had been allowed to fester and the damage was so severe that amputation was the only option.  Fortunately, Klause is young and optimistic so he didn't let this affect his joy for life!  Klause may have special needs but he found his special place in this world.  Here is from his adopter:

Klause Lebowski, or Bowski is just plain wonderful!  He is definitely part of the pack and it seems like he has been here forever.  He is such a good boy!!!  And he is the lovingest guy in the world.  He would let you pet, hug, and kiss him 24/7.  He is getting around great.  He loves to go on walks,  runs around the house like lightening, and loves to destroy toys.  He hasn't met a treat or any food that he doesn't love.  His fur has all grown back and it is almost 2 inches long.  He and Cisco are best buds.  He adores balls of all sizes and has gone through at least six of those big ropes with knots.  Here's a picture of his fuzzy butt.  Oh, and we are still going through the great spring shed!  OMG!  I have never seen so much white downy fur everywhere in my life!  Lol.  Scott has been brushing him every other day.  I started collecting the fur in the beginning and have a big bag.  I'm guessing it will stop soon.  But we love him more than anything!

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:

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