Gentle Giants!

by Allison
(Ottawa, ON)

Hercules 2000-2013

We rescued a great pyr a few years ago named Hercules. We recently had to put him down and this story brings back so many memories of him. He was the sweetest dog in the world and it angered me everytime I thought about how he was previously treated (abused, neglected and unloved) He was older and due to his past, had some health issues. I know he was not fit enough to take on a bear lol however he was always and forever my body guard.

We lived in a bad part of town when we first got him. One night I was walking him alone since my boyfriend was at work. He stopped dead in his tracks, tail went up, ears were back and he made this low growl that I didn't even know he was capable of making.

When I looked up there was a group of very loud (and very drunk) men walking up to us. I was a little nervous and I think he picked up on that. He put himself between me and the guys. He would not take his eyes off them. At first they seemed like they were going to come up to us (Herc drew a lot of attention...he was kind of a ham at times) but then they veered off to the other side of the road but Herc did not budge till they were a safe distance away. I know that if any of those guys had come up to us it would have been 'game over'. Ever since then he was my shadow and everywhere I went he was by my side.

I did not know much about the breed when we first adopted him (I was initially drawn to his big droopy face!) but I am a firm believer in these dogs and know that while they are big and cumbersome, they make the best additions to any family.

I'm glad that Frank is ok and was there to protect your family. Thanks for sharing this story! It really warmed my heart!