Bear - The short version

2/6-The Great Pyrenees group page asked for stories about when I fell in love with my first Pyrenees.  This was my story... My Bear was a Pyrenees mix. We never knew what he was mixed with, but he was a bit more yellow than most Pyrs. I met him when I started volunteering as a dog... walker at the local animal shelter. He was a mess of matted fur and my mom said, "You want that monster?!" when I brought her to show him off. I watched dog after dog be put down due to lack of room and lack of people to take on a new dog. I wasn't able to have a dog where I was living, so I made a deal with the shelter that I would keep walking for them as long as Bear had a spot. He was there for four months and he was about nine months by that time. Every time I came into the facility he would whine very loudly and call to me. Well, I knew I was in love...I brought him home for the weekend and had a lovely time. He was loving, well-behaved...I was ready to move. I got back to the shelter and the staff greeted me with "We are so glad you are here! We have a family that came specifically looking for Bear!" They were thrilled and I guess I should have been too...but I just burst into tears. i remember the family talking about him and saying, "Bear? That is a terrible name. Of course we can change it." Well, Bear wasn't having any of that. Once he was free, he came to me and sat and laid down and did all his tricks. Thank God for the lady who had come for him...she watched for a while and then said, "Honey, I can see you two are bonded. If you can't find a new place to live that will allow him, you call me." And she walked away...Needless to say, I found a new place to live and Bear lived with me and then with me and my family for the next 13.5 years. He was a dog who helped me believe in hope and love. He had to give his blessing when I got engaged and there is a celtic version of him on my husband's wedding ring. He passed away last summer, but as sappy as it sounds, he will forever be in our hearts.