[PyrNet-L] A little story ...

["Steven K Slusser" <Steven.K.Slusser@osfhealthcare.org>]

     Just thought I might share one of my favorite stories about my Pyr
     Bailey.

     I "rescued" Bailey almost two years ago from our local shelter (btw it
     is a kill shelter).  He had been picked up wandering the streets while
     wearing a collar and tags.  The owners were notified that he had been
     picked up but for whatever reason they did not go and "claim" him.
     Lucky for me that they didn't.  He needed to be "fixed" before I could
     adopt him, so naturally the surgery was performed on Friday the 13th.
     He is a GREAT Pyrenees in every sense.  He is affectionate, tolerant,
     patient, protective, selectively deaf, and incredibly intelligent. All
     right enough rambling, time for the story.

     It was graduation day at obedience school (someday I'll have to share
     the story of the Yorkie proudly walking around with a mouthful of
     white fur in its mouth taken from Bailey's tail) and the class was
     split into two groups since it was so large, 18 or so if I remember
     correctly.  We were to be in the second group to perform downs and
     long stays.

     Bailey had been laying at my feet as we watched and waited for our
     turn.  One of the dogs was just too excited to remain down that day,
     it kept getting up and wanting to inspect the other dogs laying there.
      This happened a couple of times and each time at least one other dog
     would get up too.  It was near the end of the long stay and the
     wandering dog was up once again.  Well, it sniffed the wrong dog this
     time and the next thing that happened was complete chaos.  All of the
     sudden, the nine dogs that had been quietly laying down were in a huge
     scuffle in the middle of the room.  There was snarling and growling
     and they were all going after anything that moved.  The owners all
     started a mad dash after leashes in an attempt to separate the dogs.
     Of course, this all happened in a matter of a couple of seconds.  So
     Bailey, sits up and lets out one big WOOF!  It echoed around the
     building.  At that instant, everything and everyone just STOPPED.
     Every head inside just turned to see where the sound came from. Bailey
     just sat looking like a king who had commanded his subjects to be
     silent.  It was truly an amazing sight, the dog fight just instantly
     disappeared and order was returned.  The owners were able to gather
     their dogs and just as fast as the fight had broke out, it was over.
     Bailey took one last look around the room and then laid his head back
     on top of his crossed paws.

     Just to show his true Pyrsonality, he did not graduate that day.  He
     flunked the recall portion.  He has earned his CGC though and is the
     unofficial mascot of several grade school soccer teams.

     Now for my point in telling this story, I wish I could send one big
     WOOF! through this computer and "stop the insanity" over the GPCA
     membership protest.  I know it's a sensitive subject for those
     personally involved but many of us on this list are not in the GPCA.
     The Nationals are in less than a week and hopefully the issued will be
     settled at that time.  If you wish to continue to get your side of the
     story to the membership, that's fine with me, but please use your
     mailing list of GPCA members.  This list at least for me, has been a
     great source of enjoyment and knowledge, I hope we can return to the
     sharing of Pyr stories and experiences and let this thread die a well
     deserved death.  WOOF!  I will now sit back and cross my arms.

     Steve Slusser
     Peoria, IL