[pyrnet] Big News from Wisconsin!!!

["Nancy K" <nakhere@hotmail.com>]

Most, I guess all, of you know how much I love dogs. I'm sure I've explained 
how much I loved my Great Pyrenees, Thor. He passed away this January at 11 
years of age. He had a lifetime of tumors and surgeries. When he died, both 
my life and my "little" 80# Springer cross Buster found a huge hole in our 
hearts. We have tried to carry on; but, it just hasn't been working. I just 
can't picture a winter without a big old dog that LOVES snow and all the 
things I think are unreasonable about Wisconsin at that time of year.

I have looked at other breeds..namely Leonberger..and I appreciate all the 
information some really wonderful people have provided me about the breed. I 
haven't seen one up close and personal..maybe someday I will. They seem 
really friendly and nice. My best friend Dawne thought I should look into 
the Bernese Mountain Dog. I approached a breeder but didn't get any info 
there. I could have tried harder there with other breeders. The main reasons 
I was thinking about jumping out of the Pyr boat was because of huge amount 
of drool gobs and almost nonstop outside barking. Thor was the perfection of 
Pyrs for these traits...plus I know he laughed at my rules half the time...I 
loved him for all those things and more. I've thought about trying to get 
another dog to partially fill his paws, but the more I thought about that, I 
became almost paralyzed from trying so hard. Finally, I couldn't decide on 
anything.

My late brother Tom's lifetime girlfriend Peg has just recently brought me 
back down to earth and helped me decide where I needed to be. I know I'm not 
a showperson....tried that but laughed at all of it...I'm just not the type. 
I love watching shows but Thor and I looked foolish and I'm afraid I handled 
that the same way I handled a bowling league. All fun, no seriousness at 
all. Neither Thor nor I could ever figure out why all the feet had to sit so 
perfectly. The one show we did go to was back when he was 18 months old and 
my best friend showed him at I believe the Nationals for that year..maybe 
Regional. Anyway, he got a 4th place for that age group out of 7. He just 
had fun and never did stand still...I believe they both looked foolish. She 
was a big 4-H showmanship winner and she just couldn't get Thor to stack. 
I'm afraid that I laughed and laughed and laughed. Seriously, I do commend 
those that can do it so well. It is beautiful to see the best of the best 
and it is good for the genetic pool of the breed. Anyway, Peg told me that I 
just needed to get a dog..that there were so many out there that I just 
needed to accept one into my heart. She is a vet and she is a very smart 
woman. I got off dead center and woke up.

Here's were you may think I'm stupid. I went out to a website over two 
months ago and found a rescue dog that I felt I could learn for my own. As I 
have done for years, I put it in the Lord's hands. I said that if the dog 
was there after two months, I would look into it. Well, he was still out 
there and I have done just that. He is a 3 yr old Pyr by the name of Eiger 
and he has been at a rescue home in mid-Illinois since July. She is a 
wonderful woman. He seems like a dream come true. He's quite deaf and 
doesn't really bark. If I am approved to be his new Mom and if Buster says 
ok, he will come home with us on October 13th. I'm so excited. I know he may 
not be the 'perfect' Pyr but he will be perfect for us.

I just needed to share this with all of you. Wish us well. I will tell you 
how it all turns out.

If you would like to see a picture of him and learn more about him, go to 
petfinder.org website... on the left side, select "dog", "Great Pyrenees" 
for breed, select "IL" for state. He is at Cindy's house at the Central 
Illinois Great Pyrenees rescue site...his name is Eiger (pronounced Iger). 
Meet my soon to be new son. Wish us well...I'm so happy.

Nancy




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