RE: [pyrnet] Welcome

[Diana Brown <nixie@mad.scientist.com>]

Peggy, Shadow, & Noel

Thank you for the nice welcome. Unfortunately, you are too right - the Pyr is a breed much given to being misunderstood, especially in the city.  

Calysto's brother Phobos is a beauceron - high energy, large (though not as big as a Pyr), intelligent working dogs who tend to be mouthy (teeth-wise, not barksy)and can be downright rude and destructive when bored.  We did lots of research before deciding on a beauce - making sure we had the right breed for us, our life, and our needs - and waited over a year for our puppy.

Since that time, it has been amazing to us to discover how many people don't bother to understand the breed or the animal.  We wanted a pyr - in fact, there were a couple of litters available the weekend we met Lysto, but we decided we wanted a dog older than our new puppy - a companion, who wouldn't be so impatient as to hurt him when he got too energetic or annoying or, well - beauce-y, and preferably already house-trained - one at a time is sufficient! <lol>  My husband mentioned the Pyr, and though I didn't know much about them, but the traits he mentioned were in line with what I was looking for.  We decided, before getting caught up in puppy-itis, to go to Animal Humane and see who was waiting for a home - and there, in the first kennel right inside the first door we went into, was a 3-yr-old Pyr.  Some days, God talks and you just have to say "yes, Sir." <s>

Our Calysto was so depressed, she didn't even look up when I walked up to pet her (they brought her out on a lead so we could meet).  I petted and spoke, and she didn't react at all.  I thought she might have hearing problems til my husband snapped his fingers by her ear and she looked at him.  She was just so low, her spirits shattered.  At least five homes in those three years, my poor girl.  all because people couldn't be bothered to find out what a Pyr is before getting one - every one of those folks that we know of left her in the back yard 24/7, then complained that she barked and escaped.  No kiddin' - what'd you expect? <s>

I thought, for a long time, the the face of a Pyr in repose looked melancholy - til my girl started feeling better, and now the relaxed face is the happy-dog face.  A lot of love, and a book caled "The New Complete Great Pyrenees" by a man named Paul Strang have helped us understand and make Calysto over into a happy and contented girl.  We still haven't managed to teach her what a "toy" is - the only game she knows is "chase the puppy" and she can't be convinced to play chase often - but the happy-dog face, bright eyes, lifted ears, and happy wiggle are much more prevalent than they were.

I do truly hope someone can help us find her original family - I am sure they will want to know what a wonderful girl she has become.  And if not, I am sure I will learn many valuable things here - maybe even "How to teach a Pyr to play" <s>.

Sorry - seem to be into long notes tonight - but I can't talk enough about our precious girl.  Are Shadow and Noel both Pyrs?  I only ask because "Shadow" seemed an unusual Pyr-name <s>.  

Thanks again for the welcome - Calysto and I are very happy to be here!

Diana
Calysto the Pyr Princess
Phobos the "Faux Beauce"
Isis & Osirs, the feline brigade

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