~My Puppies~

I have had a few requests for info on my pups and where I got them. So this post is for you. :0) I have two dogs, a boy and a girl, both are a little over one year. They both are Great Pyrenees. And yes, no, no, no and yes. There you go!! LOL Alright let me give you some background first.

I have always wanted dogs, the more the merrier! But our lifestyle up to this point hasn't been a fair one for a dog. While in Germany we decided that it was time and started to look around. But as luck would have it, Europeans don't adopt to Americans.. they don't like that we see animals as easily forgotten as an old clothing lineup. Now, I personally see my pets as an extension of my family and would never leave them behind. I would make arrangements and preparations for moving them if need be. But long story short, we were going to have to wait till we got back to the states.

We always wanted big dogs, bernards, great danes, pyrs, newfies.. anything BIG. We researched (and by saying "we" I mean I did.. obsessively actually) and found that Pyr's have a longer life span, better health and the best demeanor of all the breeds we looked at.

I fully recommend that anyone looking for any dog should research what they are getting into. True they are easily to take care of as puppies, and are super cute. But that wears off and if the final product is going to top out at 150 pounds.. you better be prepared! Its your fault not the dogs, that you cant handle them and or didn't take the steps to train them. Anyhoo.. off that soap box.

We decided pyrs were for us, knowing the pitfalls as well as the selling points. We started contacting rescues in the area that we were going to be moving into. Every single one turned us down. Yep, it would seem that we are military and military is unsuitable for big dogs (I think Roonie and Sophie would say otherwise). So I turned to breeders. The dogs are more expensive, of course. But they come from proven and tested lines of healthy dogs. I found and talked to a breeder that I loved and hoped to get a dog from her soon after we had settled. Unfortunately she didn't have any puppies available and wouldn't for some time. But she knew of a breeder she has gotten some of her dogs from who had a boy left from a litter. The poor runt, left overs... awwww sniffle, sigh...

In walks Roonie to our lives. The moment the hubb's saw Roonie, he announced we weren't leaving without the fluffball. <insert awww>

Roonie came to us at 27pounds and he was 9 weeks old. Small and gentle were never in his vocabulary. The is the goofiest, sweetest moose you will ever meet.

Now fast forward about 10 months and right before we headed out of town for vacation we got a call that there was a female pyr who was in need of a home.

 *Now side note about pyr's you cant have two males living in the same house unless they are always separated. They would fight to the death, seriously, they would kill each other trying to take the dominate role. And neither would back down, it just isn't in them to back down. So if you want more than one (they are like chips you cant have just one) then you create a harem for you little man. :0) *

 We had plans on getting another puppy (or two or three if I have my way) and we needed girls. So this call was exciting, she was untrained, and under weight. The family that had her just wasn't equipped to take care of her. Again, people, please I beg of you do your research before you dive into having a dog!!! So Sophie came to live with us when we got back from vaca. She was super shy, skinny, and in need of some medical attention. But she was the sweetest soul you will ever meet!! She doesn't expect attention, unlike my moose, she will sit in the corner and just wait... poor thing. She is just.... sweet, its the best description for her.

So another jump to now.. Both dogs are just over a year old. Roonie is about 115pd now and still growing. They will both grow till about 4 years of age. Sophie is catching up and doing great. She weighs in at 87 pounds.

I started Roonie in training from the first day we got him home and he has done amazingly. Sophie started once I got her too and she is doing good also. She is a struggle sometimes, she reverts to fear at the most awkward times. But those times are farther and farther apart the longer she is with us.

The two dogs are the best of friends, always playing, sleeping or laying on each other. They fight like siblings and are a huge source of entertainment for us. Can you tell I love my dogs???

 Ok, props to Sam Denney who took these photos. She rocks and I cant wait to work with her again!! (Denney Photography)

And to Kirsten Sherman, my dog trainer and long lost sister. I love who you are and the talented person I am blessed to be around. (Kirsten's Tumblr Site )

Keep up the good work ladies!!