Love Knows No Bounds
As rescue grows, we are seeing more special needs dogs. By and large, Pyrs are a relatively healthy breed but congenital problems like blindness and deafness do show up. Happily, we have been able to find loving homes for these dogs, who can be wonderful companions.
 The two pups on the right were pulled from under a trailer in Alabama at barely five weeks old. They are strong, vigorous pups as Mom came regularly to feed them. They are about seven weeks old now and have been in the care of a vet tech. Local rescuers say they will get Mom sedated and spayed before she has another litter.
These little fluffies have been diagnosed with microopthalmia. Affected dogs have prominent third eyelids and small eyes which appear deeply recessed in the eye socket. A defect early in development results in the smaller than normal eye and dogs are frequently blind. This condition is inoperable. Partial deafness may also be part of this syndrome. The sister (all white) has partial sight but her brother (badger ear) is blind and may be deaf. We would love to find a home for them where they can both be together. If you would like to contact us about fostering or adopting these pups, please email director@nationalpyr.org.
 Fenway (left) is an adorable 2-year old Pyr/Wolfhound mix who followed a kind lady in Tennessee home one day. After attempts to find his owner failed, she asked NGPR to help find him a great home of his own. He is as sweet as he is cute. Fenway is deaf and Heartworm positive, but he doesn't let that dampen his spirit. He was adopted by a family in Tennessee in December.
 Bo (right) is deaf but he doesn’t know it, so to him deafness is normal and not a handicap. Bo is a very quick learner and wants to please and has come a very long way since he was first found on a farm running loose. His foster dad described him as a total lovebug. Bo was adopted last week by a family in North Carolina who hope he can spend time as the meet and greet dog in their family store.
As more special needs dogs are adopted, we have a core network of volunteers who have dealt with blindness and deafness and can show new adopters how to help their special needs dogs live happy lives. Unconditional love goes both ways and rescue is 100 percent behind these dogs and their adopters. |
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Love Letters to Rescue
We are delighted with Diesel. He is a wonderful addition to our extended family and we have all bonded with him. We researched and waited for just the right dog for about six months. We looked at almost every breed and selected the Great Pyrenees due to the lifestyle we lead. We currently have 3 cats, 3 geese, 11 chickens, 3 sheep and now a dog. Oh, plus our eight year old daughter, Alexandra.
I was looking for a more mature dog, not wanting to go through the puppy stage, but then I saw Diesels' photo and knew he was the one! Best Christmas present EVER!!!
I work from home, so he is spending a great deal of time with his people and he is rarely alone, but he is fine in his crate. We brought him to the groomer and he was sleeping in the crate when I went to pick him up. He is very smart and is learning quickly. Sit, down, roll over, shake etc. were all learned in a couple of days. Thank you so much.
Christine/MA
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Kentucky Strong
The Puppy Bowl which aired last Sunday, February 2 was a happy event in Kentucky this year. Two of the pups appearing in the Puppy Bowl, Theory and Hudson, came from a litter that was born in Kentucky. Volunteers got together to watch the game and honor Marie Bowden, a volunteer who has been helping rescue for ten years.
Marie lives in Richmond, Kentucky and fosters several dogs at a time, many of whom have been adopted in the Northeast. We also want to thank Joye Estes from Louisville for pulling this fantastic group of volunteers together. Joye was elected to the NGPR Board of Directors in January. Kentucky is a very busy rescue state and having experienced and caring people with their feet on the ground makes a huge difference in what we can accomplish there.
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Thanks for the Memories
We all love the pictures of the Texas dogs leaving the transport truck going to open arms of the adopters and fosters waiting for them in Oregon and Washington. Last Saturday, February 1 was the last time transporter Jeff Sweeney will make the trip to the West Coast with a truckload of Pyrs from the Great Pyrenees Rescue Society in Houston. Every month (sometimes twice!) since November 2010, ten or more Pyrs have made the long journey to their new homes. Jeff is not the only person to transport the Texas dogs, but he has been doing it the longest and has a long line of fans who will miss him on both ends. This final trip was not uneventful, with ice and snow covering the route and a party celebrating many successful rescue trips made and dogs saved. Thank you, Jeff for all the happy Pyr smiles and Pyrents who got their dogs through your efforts. Texas to West Coast transports will continue as they are the lifeline through which many dogs are saved.
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