No one owns a Pyr

by Philip Todd
(Dallas, Texas)

One day my family and I were driving down a divided highway and saw a huge white dog standing in the median looking like it was lost and hungry. We were in the middle of nowhere and no houses were in sight. So, I made a U-turn and went back to the dog. He was friendly and let me pet him so I decided to put him in the van and take him into the next town to try to find his owner. I tried to lure him into the van with some crackers and while he would eat the crackers, there was no way he was going to get in the van. So, I took off my belt and tried to make a leash out of it. Every time I tried to lead him, he would plant his feet and the "leash" would slide off of his head. I ran out of crackers and the belt/leash wasn't working so we finally drove away, leaving him in the median. Later that day I made a special trip back to where we had seem this beautiful white dog but he was no where to be found.

So, a few months later, the scene shifts to Christmas morning and the kids spent no more that an hour to open all their presents. It was then that I was informed there was one more present. From the corner of the room they picked up a box and placed it on my lap. When I opened the box my first thought was that I wondered why they were giving me a fluffy stuffed animal. And then, it moved and I wondered why they were giving me a puppy.

I lifted the little guy out of the box and thought about how he had been in the box for so long and never made a sound and probably needed a break. I took him outside and put him on the ground and yes, it was obvious that he needed a break. Then I started walking down the sidewalk and he walked right beside me. When I stopped, he stopped. When I moved, he moved. I was amazed that this little ball of white fuzz was so attentive and he was only 10 weeks old.

When we got back to the house, I picked him up and we looked each other in the eye. The look he gave me was like nothing I had ever had from a dog and I had no clue what it meant. Over the course of several months, I got "the look" several times and then one day after getting "the look" I understood that it meant "you belong to me and I will be your friend and protect you and everyone in the household."

And so it was that I learned about the two lives of a Pyr. In one part of their life, they are wonderful and loving pets, friends and caretakers. In the other part of their life, they are sensitive guardians that would give their life to defend and protect you from harm. When in their guard mode, nothing will distract them. They will pay no attention to food, treats, water, pooping, peeing or any commands you give them. If they pay any attention to you it will be to give you a look that says I am in charge, this is why I exist, to take care of you, you are mine!

Beau the First lived for 12 years and even in his last days when his bark had been reduced to a soft growl and he could no longer walk, he still tried to protect and defend us until he drew his last breath.

Beau the Third is now in charge of things. At almost 5 years of age and a trim 150 pounds it seems that he found notes left by his predecessors and does many things they had done. Like them, he is a gentle giant that loves children, small animals and most people. And it is a pleasure to be owned by him and to be his chauffeur, housekeeper, groomer, chef and door opener.