Big Paws Only Dog Forums

Great site, especially for a new Pyr owner such as myself. Thanks!

I like the 30-minute down exercise found on the obedience page and will probably start doing that one this week.

Yes, he does seem to smile a lot! We're doing gifts early. Last night I bought a crate, a new food bowl, two bags of food, a box of biscuits, and two big jars of treats. To top it off I boiled liver and cut it into pieces so all four can line up in a row and sit to get their liver snack tonight.

I hear he loves bananas so I bought a few of those. My cocker will eat banana bits, too.

Jack always looks at you and thinks for a minute before following a command.  I always just assume it's the hundreds of years of Pyr instinct to think independently while guarding the flock without the shepherd around. 

Yes, a dog with an independent mind, that seems to be working in Waco. I know he's hearing and undestanding; I can tell by the look on his face and the wheels turning over his head. It's the 20 seconds or so where we stare at each other that gets me. Apparently I'm to learn more patience.

My Beau had selective hearing. The only time he didn't obey was if he decided it was time to wander. Then he would avoid eye contact and make sure he couldn't see me. Apparently if he couldn't see me, I didn't see him. And off he'd go. That's a bit differenet from what I'm getting from Waco. 

This is my first meeting with Waco the Wonder Dog last weekend at a Christmas dog park event. My grandaughter came with me and brought her stuffed Lab that she named after my dog that had died. Makes me think Beau had angel wings when I found Waco.

Thanks for your well wishes.

I'm sure I'll have more photos when I get rid of this galloping crud in my lungs and have a bit more energy. Waco and I will be attending a Christmas party at the animal emergency clinic where I spent so much time with Beau before he died. Waco already has his Santa hat. He's ready to party on Tuesday.

Yesterday was the big day. I drove up to College Station, TX and signed the adoption papers for my own Great Pyrenees, Waco the Wonder Dog. It was so exciting. I stopped off at a store and picked up his own stuffed lamb; of course, he doesn't have the guardian instinct and I don't think he knows how to play so Lambie is laying around. Last night I spent the evening giving him head, neck and body massage followed by a good raking to calm him down. I have three other dogs and wanted to be sure things would be okay.

Only a few minor skirmishes, today even better. Waco is not from Waco. He was seized from a horader with 50 animals in Dallas this past summer. The Texas Great Pyrenees Group rescued him. After Dallas he spent time in Austin, Bryan, Houston, and finally College Station, land of A&M. At some point he acquired his moniker and his trusty red cape marked with a big "W." Someone said maybe it was for "whacko/: Who knows. But I ask you, who could change a name like that?

Today Waco and I went to the vet for a new dog exam. He passed with flying colors. Looks like he's about 2 years old. He's got huge feet but none of the vets think he will grow into them because of the malnutrition, etc. from his earlier life. So he's a bit like a grand Pyrenees only pony size. His coat is not quite a fluffed out as the bigger dogs but that's fine. He's gorgeous. His temperment is so very sweet. All he wants it to be loved and loved and loved. He's literally been starved of human attention and affection. He's come to the right house. This week he'll be with me 24/7. That way I can monitor the other dogs and make sure Waco adjusts.

We made the rounds earlier today. I raked his coat again tonight, then I did the same for the little boys.

Stay tuned. (Thanks for letting me yell out my good news!)   

Thanks everyone! Well, it's 9:30 am and I'm getting ready to make the big drive. I have the Flip Video and I'm charging up the camera's batteries. I have a list of things to ask his foster mom. Shopping will be easy as we'll be at a local Petco. My grandaughter is going to go with me to help welcome Waco into our family.

I feel as though I'm making a big step forward. Beau isn't forgotten. I'm sure if he could speak, he'd tell me take another canine angel in like I did with hm and pass it on.

I'll start another thread with photos when we get settled.

My Lab had that selective hearing and a small dash of wanderlust. It seemed like he was this perfect dog except for this slightly small teenage spasm he'd have every now and then. He seemed to figure that if he didn't look at me, I didn't exist. So when he wanted to take a hike, he'd avoid eye contact. Needless to say he became a huge leash baby, particularly at night. Seemed to be the same thought process when he did his business. Whoever had trained him had him go to the perimeter of the property.
Beau would go in the bushes and as long as his head was covered and he couldn't see me, he figured he had it made. Didn't matter if his golden butt was hanging out.

Dogs can be so funny. Luckily he didn't have an attack of the teenager very often.