The Great Rewards
Did you also adopt a Pyr from Great Pyrenees Rescue of Wisconsin? Do you have a success story to share? We would love to hear from you! Please send your success story to wooflodge@yahoo.com. We are always considering additions to this section of the website.
Moose and Addie’s Story
Our love of the Great Pyrenees breed has roots in the Nickelodeon cartoon series, Belle and Sebastian. Our daughter loved Belle when she was 6 years old.
Fast forward to her sophomore year in high school. Our son had died suddenly and our house was terribly quiet. She and her dad began to “campaign” for another dog. Kate remembered Belle and suggested we look for a Pyr puppy. Since we had had a St. Bernard in the past, a big dog was not intimidating to us. We love them!! So I hit the internet to find out breed information and was intrigued by what I read. Their independent spirit appealed to me and reports of the “soulful” gaze.
We found a family out in farm country who had just bred their pair – a 5 hour drive away – and had our first Pyr. Daisy was a spirited girl who bonded with Kate immediately. Kate taught her to play soccer and they played vigorously together. Wonderful. Then Kate went off to college and I wondered who would play with Daisy. So we rescued a Pyr from a somewhat local breeder and they became a pair. She had to teach him how to play – he didn’t know. They lived good long lives -11yo and 12yo. And once again our house was too quiet. But we thought we were getting a bit old for such big dogs.
However, our wonderful neighbor kept sending me emails with Pyrs for adoption. I kept thinking…no, we really can’t….UNTIL the day I saw Moose and Addie on Petfinder. The GPRW description talked about how sweet they were and how very bonded; they would not separate them. I remember thinking it would be difficult to find a home that would accept both of them. But WE had already had a pair of Pyrs. Who else would be more perfect? So now there were two quite wonderful Pyrs in need and suddenly our fears about being too old faded into the background. We made the drive from Northern Illinois to Neshkoro to meet them.
You’ve heard of love at first sight?
Moose was well named – a big beautiful male. His tail wagged and he greeted us with a smile. Hubby Mike grabbed his leash. Addie is a bit smaller than Moose but has gorgeous Cleopatra eyes and clearly desired some attention. I walked with her. As we sat on the porch with them afterward, Addie hugged her whole body to me as if to say, please stay with me. There was something special about these two.
Carole had prepared us for their degree of bondedness – they would likely not be in different rooms and were stressed when separated. So we were a bit surprised when they went off exploring our house right away. And Addie came to stand by me without Moose. She wasn’t kidding. She wanted to come home.
That was just over 4 years ago — they were 7 yo at the end of March. They are truly the sweetest dogs on the planet. Addie asks for my touch daily…closes her eyes and stands very still as I give her nose to tail massage. She doesn’t care all that much about food or treats, but touch is definitely her love language! And I would characterize Moose as a true gentleman. He cares for Addie – checks her over regularly, greets her nose to nose, lets her have the couch if there is no room for him. And he cares for us too. His tail still wags every time we walk into the room where he is. His smile warms the heart. And he is the obvious protector as well.
They no longer have to be in the same room – or even in the house at the same time. We can take one to the vet alone. Not walks, though…..they both love their walks!!! But I would say a big part of the beauty of having a pair is the relationship between the two of them.
We are blessed to have them as part of our family, as are they to have us part of theirs. It’s a spectacularly beautiful thing!
Eli’s Story
Eli adopted us February of 2010. His birthday is April 16, 2008.
He is loved by all. When I say all, let me explain: we spend six months of the year in Wisconsin and six months in Hot Springs Village, Arkansas. He transitions from one area to the next with ease because he gets a lot of attention both places.
We have had people stop their car in the middle of the road to remark about what a beautiful dog he is. We have had people drive into the driveway and ask if they could meet him. When we moved to Arkansas we knew absolutely no one, but Eli took care of that. He gets invited to neighborhood parties so we get to go along. When the neighbors’ grandchildren come to visit their grandparents they immediately ring our doorbell to see if they can come and play with Eli. When he is out for his daily walks he is an ambassador of good behavior.
Last year I was walking with him on the path near the golf course. Two women with two children drove up in a golf cart. They asked to pet him. One of the kids was about 12 years old and blind and disabled. He was afraid to touch him. His mother tried to explain how big Eli is. He tentatively reached down to touch him but pulled his hand back. His mother took his hand and placed his hand on Eli’s back. He broke out into a smile and to my surprise bent down and buried his face in his fur.
A couple of months ago a woman in the village was out for a walk and was attacked by a pit bull mix. She was killed. Earlier in the summer a littermate of that dog attacked and killed a 4 year old boy. People in the village became wary of large dogs.
Eli has done his part in making sure everyone has a positive picture of large dogs. He loves people and they love him. He is what made our transition to living here easy. We are always so thankful that Eli adopted us with the help of the Great Pyrenees Rescue.
Murphy's Story
I headed up North a few years ago to the Great Pyrenees rescue intending to say, “I am sorry, but I cannot take this dog.” I had recently lost my Samoyed friend, Rugby, ending a 30 year involvement with the breed. All my Samoyeds were rescue or companion leftovers from a litter, and I had no intention of leaving my breed comfort zone.
However, I took one look at Murphy and said to myself as I looked into those deep, sad eyes, “You are mine now!” and opened my car door and my heart. Murphy’s soul and mine met; he is “my big dog,” and I am his everything. I have never had a relationship like this.
Murphy’s gentleness and capacity to love was more than I alone should selfishly keep, so soon he went to school with me. We now go to nursing homes and he shares his life with those who also need a friend. He is an official therapy dog, complete with coat and badge and all. He gets a bath, puts on his duds, and off we go! At first he overwhelms some with his size, but when he puts his head gently on a lap or knee no one can resist and all hands come on deck to pet his soft fur.
Murphy also has another side. When we began to put in a 6 foot fence, I started getting estimates for the job. I was still learning about the breed characteristics only a Pyrenees parent knows about, and I opened my front door to talk with one of the men who was bidding for the job. Murphy, who I did not know even possessed a growl or teeth, went off! I grabbed his collar and hung on for dear life and shouted to the guy to run for his truck. I hoped and prayed he would make it before Murphy went through the door with me attached to his collar. As he ran, he said, “What about the fence?” and I replied, “If my dog does not like you, I do not either!” I learned to trust my dog, and I have a deep respect for him and his protection instincts.
Murphy is the gentle giant in the lives of my grandchildren. He is with them all and we have no fear for their safety.
Love of my life, protector of my home, companion to my grandchildren, working dog who shares his love. My Murphy.
If it were not for the Great Pyrenees rescue, my life would be at a loss and so would lots of other people’s lives he has touched along his journey. He sits here by my side as I write this with tears of joy, and we both say to you, Thank you for allowing us to come together!