Re: [PyrNet-L] What made you choose a Pyr?

["Judith Stroh Miller" <jsmiller@newmex.com>]

> >> I am curious as to what brought everyone to the
> >> breed.

Back in 1987 I was living in Nevada and artists friends and I had 
gone on a painting trek up a lonely canyon, 50 miles from the closest 
town, to catch the fall color.  As we rounded a curve in a narrow 
dirt track we came upon 1000 head of sheep grazing the fall range.  
Two great white dogs appeared from their midst and walked up to our 
vehicle looking in at us eye to eye.  These two dogs asked us to 
state our business and when they realized we were headed on up the 
road, they slowly meandered back to the flock.  Those were the first 
live pyrs I had seen, but living in ranching country was familiar 
with the breed and their use.  Seeing these dogs started the interest 
that has grown these past 12 years.  My father and I moved to New 
Mexico and in 1992 someone told us about a litter of pyrs.  My father 
was aging and dealing with the depression that goes along with not 
being as productive as he once was.  I felt a pup might bring some 
happiness and joy and interest back.  The puppies were ready in 
December, so we drove the 2 hours on snow packed roads to pick out 
our pup. Mishka was the only gift we got that Christmas and my 
fathers love affair with this cute bundle started as he held her all 
the way home.  Mishka changed his life and his last months were 
filled with laughter and happiness over this big white dog. In his 
eyes Mishka could never do wrong, he would calmly repair the garden 
hose she had just chewed, chuckling the entire time. My father passed 
on in 1993, another mixed breed dog in 1994 and then our horse in 
1996.  Each loss left Mishka more upset and puzzled as all humans and 
animals here were in her charge. So  Zazak arrived as a puppy in 
1996, he changed Mishka's life, as there was a purpose again in 
raising that rowdy little guy. Then Rita the Rescue came to stay in 
1998, she never left.  Kalinka arrived as a puppy also in 1998.  The 
four sillies keep me pretty busy around here but every so often that 
strange urge hits to get another. <g>.


Judith
jsmiller@newmex.com
Taos, New Mexico