Second update on Snowflake.

[AndyS]

In my last post I covered giving her two 20-pound Capstar tablets for the fleas. Ruffling her hair was like stirring an fire ant bed! Now as best I can tell she is flea free. Still has major trust issues.

I bought 20 lbs of dry dogfood and took 4 cups to her this morning. She came to me when I called and showed her the food. At first she just wanted to guard the food, then I made a motion to move the dish and she got very defensive--not surprising. Some growling, baring of teeth and faux biting but then she ate about three cups of food and seemed full, probably for the first time in months. She let me touch and pet her but doesn't seem to like it much. At one point she actually wagged her tail a little but as I said she has major trust issues.

I continued my walk with Jack and on the way back stopped and called to her. She came pretty quickly and let me pet her w/o food, just the two of us. I gave her a Milk Bone treat and when I left she retreated back behind the Iron fence. After I was a half block away I looked back and she had come out of her yard was was a hundred feet or so out of her yard and following me. When I noticed her she ducked back to the safety of the fenced yard.

She finds comfort in having the fence between us. Much more friendly and open to touching and petting as long as it is through the fence. That's when the tail wagged just a little.

At this point I need to construct some sort of shelter for her for when she has the confidence to follow me home. I have a lot of 2x lumber to make the floor and frame but need to get some plywood to wall and roof it in. I have a dog bed her size curtesy of Jack's foster mom. I'll get some worm medication and monthly flea preventive in prep for the move. Dec 2 the low cost vets come to Pelican Bay and I can get the essential vaxes for abut $35 and register her with the city so she'll be legal.

I think when she's healthy, has some weight on her and is groomed she'll be a prime candidate for re-homing. She's a pretty dog. Looks like a Lab Mix to me.

Progress is being made.

[Diamond_Dog]

1. I can't imagine how

heartwarming it must feel to slowly gain the trust of a creature like Snowflake who has probably been the victim of the worst human treatment possible.

I hope your gradual calm attention will continue to improve her quality of life and help her to become a loving pet for someone.

***tearing up***

[tblue37]

2. She is very pretty.

[Duppers]

3. Thank you for updating us.

[SheltieLover]

4. Something in my eye here...

Ty so much for helping her.

She might take awhile to heal from her extreme trauma.

I rescued a half beagle/weenie mix years ago. He'd had a broken pelvis at 11 mos old.

I took him home to my pack, a dober kid & 2 shelties at the time.

I was doing grad school, so no company, loud noises, etc., just lots of love.

It took almost 7 years before I could pet him, slowly & gently, without him submissively rolling onto his shoulder in fear, & involuntarily urinating. Was heartbreaking.

But he lived a good life with me. Never so much as a harsh word & he eventually came around.

So she might exhibit behaviors that might prevent rehoming or could cause her to be euthanized if the wrong person adopts her.

[AndyS]

5. 😊

This is going much faster than I expected, she may be at my house late tomorrow afternoon if not sooner.

Posting another update right now!

[Rocky Racoon]

6. She is a Great Pyrenees.

Andy. I signed up on this site just to respond to you. Snowflake is a Great Pyrenees. The double dew claws is the dead giveaway. It is my understanding that only two dogs have them, Pyrs and Boxers IIRC. I have a damaged rescue Pyr myself and think I am as qualified as anyone to comment on them. So, here goes.

Pyrs are an LGD (Livestock Guard Dog). They are bred to live with livestock to guard them against predators. Always remember to think about them as livestock guard dogs. Snowflake sounds like she is guarding her territory. I think Jack may be the key as a Pyr wants to look after the herd and Jack and you will have to become it. Once you become the herd nothing will harm you ever and your Pyr will be much happier.

Pyrs are quirky, to say the least. They are very independent in thought and action and most times some negotiation is involved. There is an old saying, "You can tell a Pyr something, but you can't tell them much." Also, be prepared for hair as there are two seasons for them, shedding and incredible shedding.

Check out this website for a lot more info on these wonderful beings.
http://www.gpcgc.org/pyrforme.htm It is from the Greater Chicago Pyr rescue. The site subject line is " Is a Pyr for me?". Make sure you read some of the comments. You will find out how strange and wonderful these dogs are. If you want a companion that will make you crazy to be owned by them this may be the ticket. They are completely mellow and disinterested in many dog activities like fetching, playing with other dogs, toys or people. Snowflake may be an exception but I highly doubt it. They are happiest just watching things. They do bark as a warning to all danger and have different tones for the degree of threat. Sometimes they will just bark straight into the air to send out a warning to anything in a pretty good-sized area. Our Pyr actually has a nice lower bark, not like my Aussies earlier in life that could peel paint with their bark.

I would love to tell you more but it takes a long time to type. Just do some research on Pyrs. Check out as many comments as possible. If there is a way to DM me, feel free.

Between the website I referred to and this note you might think I don't like them. As a breed I love them more than most people. In regard to my Pyr, I love her more than all people. They are fantastic once you understand them. Just remember to think of her being a LGD. Keep this in mind as you deal with her. It will explain a lot. I hope this helps. Please respond if you get this note. my first time ya know. Just remember, these aren't normal dogs as you may soon find out. But IMO they the best. Good luck.

[AndyS]

7. Wow! Thanks more than I can say.

Right now we have to get past the damaged spirit and recover the confidence I know is in her.

I'll read up on the breed and check the link you provided. Once again, thank you so much for the help!

[Rocky Racoon]

8. A couple more things

If you have a female person available to come to see her it might help. We were the 4th people to have our Pyr, including the rescue org we got her from. She was there for 9 months. She was only thought to be 3 years old when she came to us. Before then it was told to us that she was abused and staked out in the backyard in all weather. Probably by a man because after over 3 years she still doesn't quite trust me and probably never will. However, she has taken a shine to my wife and is her primary herd member. It could be a similar situation.

Just in case you want some info about the Pyr rescue in the area, here is the website, http://txpyrs.org/jsp/Main.jsp She is a beautiful creature and I wish you all the best with this adventure. She just needs a herd to keep an eye on.