Big Paws Only Dog Forums

Listen to this quote from a book...
"Probably the most powerful breed in existance, the Great Pyrenees fortunately carries a kindly nature within its immense frame. Though suited to family life, it is not a dog to be kept indoors."

What do you think about that?

Also,
"These dogs need an enormous amount of food..."

Didn't someone say they don't eat much? Maybe I should take this book with a grain of salt?

OH MY GOD THAT IS THE FUNNIEST THING I HAVE SEEN ALL YEAR!!!

For the beautiful conclusion of this story, see the topic Ranger's Rescue!! YAY!!!
Oh and here is another email from the guy at the shelter...
this sums it up!

"Let me start this message by simply saying that I am proud to walk among
you. I am almost tearful as I tell each of you that Bernice and Opal go into
Rescue via a gentleman at Campbellsville, KY.  We will open the shelter Sunday
afternoon and meet him there.  They are safe.
One of you delightful people are taking Ranger, the collie/Pyr mix and a
wonderful fellow - probably my favorite of the three as he is not quite as aloof.
I have been in dog rescue and foster for 12 years now and since my
retirement in July 2000 have worked closely with BRAWA shelter in Glasgow, KY.  In
those years I have posted a number of appeals to help wonderful pets and most have
saved that pet's life.  Usually there are two or three responses and one or
two are willing to work with me, the other is usually a comment that it looks
more like a cocker spaniel to them than a Saint Bernard... ;-)    Not to offend anyone
but at the shelter here they call me "Mr. Shindler"  after the "Shindler's List"
  movie. So I've been around for a while, doing most of this shelter's Petfinder
postings.
In all my years I have NEVER had such a helpful, good-natured, willing and
selflesss explosion of helpful emails.  The shelter had to ask for Volunteers to man
their telephone line as concerned Great Pyrenees lovers lined up for info.  The
fact that email is done from volunteer homes rather than the shelter where the
action is causes delays in responses.  I call the shelter for updates and
then respond.  For those of you that waited, I apologize as I couldn't get thru
to get info either <smile>.  Annoying?  No!   With your gracious help we saved
3 lives for 3 wonderful dogs that can't help being big dogs.    Big dogs
take up more precious shelter space so they are the first to be euthanized when
space gets tight - and it is  VERY tight.
The three dogs are safe.  I learned a lot about the breed from you.  I knew
relatively nothing about Great Pyrs  and, would you believe, the Akbash
folks were extremely helpful in my education as well.

Since there was a call for volunteers at the shelter to man the phone and
the volunteer turnout was good  I will also report that all three big dogs
have been groomed  and now they look great!   Bernice is more the people
dog while Opal is aloof, however even Opal enjoyed the grooming I am told.
Ranger just loves having people around, he don't care what they do as long
as he is in the middle of it.

I've taken your email addresses from a multitude of recent emails and if, in
scanning over the header, you don't know each other, you really should
meet, at least by email if not personally.  EVERY ONE OF YOU have helped
in one way or another, some of you have lived thru this "torture" of knowing
that three dogs were going to die - and soon- with me.  God Bless you all
for your kindness.  This from me    and  from three, now safe, big dogs.

Joe Taylor   from  BRAWA,  Glasgow, KY
www.brawa.petf inder.org"

Turns out Illinois is a huge state! I'll drive him up there, I'll borrow my dad's van which I will be needing for my move anyway, and that way Nigel can come along for the ride. I'll put my crate in the back just in case and then... ROAD TRIP!
Heck maybe Zoot wants to come too. Why not drive hundreds of miles with 3 dogs in the van?

We must have been doing it at the same time. I was approved while on the phone and they are expecting me to come get him early Tuesday morning.
I suppose I could go ahead and drive him north, can someone meet me somewhere on Tuesday? I need to look at a map!

Alright folks, it's under way. We did an over-the-phone adoption application, (and somehow I passed!) he'll get neutered on Monday (same day as Nigel incidentally) and I will pick him up on Tuesday. Pray he doesn't have kennel cough, because then he won't be able to get neutered, and boy will that complicate things!
So on Tuesday, boy you better expect lots of pictures!
So I could sure use help with the $65 adoption fee if anyone is still willing to assist. Once he is safe with me we can figure out how to get him to Illinois! 
Apparently they are going to do a health check on him and I'll find out his Heartworm status. Hopefully he has a clean bill of health! Please please please!!!
And I never did find out how big he is. Well, I'll find out Tuesday when I load him up in my car!
Ahhh, adventures. I'll bring my camera and photojournaliz e the rescue mission!

Thanks Gypsy! I know everyone is really pumped to rescue this guy, but I am having a reality check!!
Here's the scoop I just got from the shelter:
He has never had any shots. He is not neutered. He hasn't been on heartworm prevention. He's not housebroken, he has lived outside his whole life. Although he loves kids and other animals, his owners surrendered him because he "wasn't working out".
GGGGRRRRRR>>>>>>
The $65 adoption fee (no discount for a rescue group) includes neuter, rabies, 1st distemper, 1st deworming, and a heartworm test. He'll need a distemper booster and 2nd deworming, and some heartgard (assuming his test is negative) and some flea control.
Holy cow who is going to pay for all of that!!! My friends in rescue aren't ready to take on another dog, funds are tight. I'm waiting on a response from the pyr rescue group.

So if knowing all that, someone can think of a good place for him to go in a few days, I can still pick him up. Also, the receptionist stated again that a bunch of rescue groups keep calling about the pyrs. She gave me someone to contact to get the inside scoop, maybe the same guy Nina talked to? I am more inclined to let another rescue group get him who can actually pay for all his needs.
What do you guys think about all this???