Great Pyrenees Connection

Thoughts,

by : Adrienne Wilder - USA

I don't know what it is...but when I look into those dark eyes and see what peers back at me my whole body begins to ache.
It starts with my toes then moves up, my stomach rolls like I am on a roller coaster ready to tip over the edge of a giat track hill.
Then it climbs higher and takes hold of my heart...It is then I feel like I am going to die. Its a pain that I never want to end, Its a pain that I look forward too and desire.
Then the sensation fills my soul and I am aware of the love and devotion, power and strength, I cannot help but to admire.
I feel like I might fall into that dark warm pain and never return... and you know what...I don't think I would mind...

Thinking of Pyrs.....

Looking through some back issues of the GPCA Bulletin I found these lovely words

How Do They Know

by Bill Daron

As I sat on the floor or the mud room adjacent to the kitchen of our home, while brushing the dried and caked mud from the coat of our 18 month old bitch Frankie, I noted, with somedegree of anguish, our even dirtier 4 month old male Mozart intently watching my every move. As he stared, his tail thumped a nearby wall providing a cadence for my brush strokes. At this point, I was convinced that no state could cake red clay mud on a Pyr like South Carolina. As I continued to brush, my mind wandered and I found myself asking that aged old question " How do they know ?"

After a torrential downpour, how do they know where the largest and most substantial mud holes are located? For certain, as soon as they are released, they will head straight for these caverns of " Pyr fun ."

How do they know how to precisely time a two-Pyr collision at the bottom of the stairs at the exact moment you take your last step downward from the flight of stairs? Furthermore, how do they know how to instantly generate that "Gosh, did I do that to you" look on their faces as you come crashing to the floor after falling over two enormous white bodies?

It never ceases to amaze me that they know instinctively the precise moment you plan to leave the kitchen for a second as they swipe some original resting place to resume wagging their tailes as you enter the kitchen. How do they do that?

While continuing to sit and be totally amazed how two beings could enjoy their filth more than my two "used to be white" Pyrs, my thoughts turned to how they become a major part of your life in a relatively short period of time.

When I have experienced a particularly awful day, how do they know how to greet you with the enthusiasm that makes you forget how bad the day had really been? How do they know when to show you they are really glad to see you when the rest of the world couldn't have cared less that day?

How does one Pyr find its way to the very soul of your being; to make themselves so valuable that you simply must own another ... and another ... and another? For that matter, what happens to a normal, rational citizen that uses their weekend time for the pursuit of rest and relaxation and meaningful activities like yardwork and other activities that don't involve 300 mile trips to dogshows? It occurred to me, at that point, that a discusion of that nature is a study in and of itself !

A swipe of a heavily plumed tail across the face snapped me back to reality. Trhough my wandering thoughts, I came to the realization that the answers to these questions are all part of the many great misteries known to mankind. One thing is continually reinforced in my mind. Life would not be quite the same without the joy of these beautiful creatures. In fact, having experienced being owned by Pyrs, it is difficult to imagine not having this distinct honor.

This one I found in the catalog of the 53rd National Specialty 1988,
the Author is unknown, provided by Gary & Jonni Gonzales, Summerwind Kennels

If the dog be well remembered,
If sometimes he leaps through your dreams, actual as life,
Eyes kindling, questing, asking, laughing, begging...
It matters not at all where that dog sleeps, at long last and at least.

On a hill where the wind is unrebuked, and the trees are roaring,
Or beside a stream he knew in puppyhood,
Or somewhere in the flatness of a pasture land,
Where most exhilarating cattle graze,
It is all one to the dog, and one to you,
And nothing is gained and nothing is lost...if memory lives.
But there is one place to bury a dog,
One place that is best of all.

If you bury him in this spot, the secret of which you must already have,
He will come to you when you call....
Come to you over the grim, dim frontiers of death,
And down the well-remembered path,
And to your side again.
And though you call a dozen living dogs to heel, they shall not
Growl at him nor resent his coming,
For he is yours and he belongs there.

People may scoff at you,
Who see no lightest blade of grass bent by his footfall,
Who hear no whimper pitched too fine for mere audition,
People who may never really have had a dog.
Smile at them then,
For you shall know something that is hidden from them,
And which is well worth the knowing....
The one best place to bury a dog is in the heart of its master.

Rainbow Bridge

There is a bridge connecting Heaven and Earth.
It is called the Rainbow Bridge because of its many colors.
Just this side of the Rainbow Bridge, there is a land of meadows,
hills and valleys with lush green grass.

When a beloved pet dies, the pet goes to this place.
There is always food and water, and warm Spring weather.
Those old and frail animals are young again.
Those who have been maimed are made whole again.
They play all day with each other.

But there is only one thing missing.
They are not with their special person who loved them on earth.
So, each day they run and play until the day comes
when one suddenly stops playing and looks up.
The nose twitches, the ears are up, the eyes are staring,
and this one suddenly runs from the group.

You have been seen, and when you and your special friend meet,
you take him or her in your arms and embrace.
Your face is kissed again and again and again and you look once more
into the eyes of your trusting pet.
Then you cross the Rainbow Bridge together, never again to be separated.

Another version

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here,
they go to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends
so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who have been ill and old are restored to health and vigor;
those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again,
just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing;
they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops
and looks into the distance.
His bright eyes are intent; his eager body begins to quiver.
Suddenly he begins to run from the group,
flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet,
you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again.
The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head,
and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet,
so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together

To my dearest family, some things I'd like to say,
But first of all, to let you know that I arrived okay.
I'm writing this from the Rainbow Bridge. Here I dwell with God above,
Here there is no more tears of sadness; there is just eternal love.

Please do not be unhappy just because I'm out of sight,
Remember that I am with you every morning, noon and night.

That day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through,
God picked me up and hugged me and He said, "I welcome you.

It's good to have you back again; you were missed while you were gone,
As for your dearest family they'll be here later on.

I need you badly, you are part of My plan,
There's so much we have to do To help our mortal man."

God gave me a list of things that He wished for me to do,
And foremost on the list was to watch and care for you,

And when you lie in bed at night the days chores put to flight,
God and I are close to you in the middle of the night.

When you think of life on earth and all those loving years,
Because you are only human, they are bound to bring you tears,

But do not be afraid to cry, it does relieve the pain,
Remember there could be no flowers, unless there could be some rain.

I wish that I could tell you all that God has planned,
If I were to tell you, you wouldn't understand.

But one thing is for certain, though my life on earth in over,
Now, more than ever before my life to you is closer.

There are many rocky roads ahead of you and many hills to climb,
But together we can do it by taking one day at a time.

It was always my philosophy and I'd like it for you too,
That as you give the world, the world will give to you.

If you can help somebody who's in sorrow and pain,
Then you can say to God at night and "my day was not in vain."

And now I am contented that my life was worth while,
Knowing as I passed along the way I made somebody smile.

So if you meet somebody who is sad and feeling low,
Lend a hand to pick him up as on your way you go.

When you are walking down the street and you've got me on your mind,
I'm walking in your footsteps only half a step behind.

And when it's time for you to go, from your body to be free,
Remember you're not going. You're coming here to me.

Author Unknown

***********

BET YOU CAN'T OWN JUST ONE!

Why own a show dog?
There's a danger you know.
You can't own just one,
For the craving will grow.

There's no doubt they're addictive
Wherein lies the danger
While living with lots
You'll grow pooer and stranger.

One dog is no trouble,
and two are so funny,
The third one is easy,
The fourth one's a honey.

The fifth is delightful,
The sixth one's a breeze.
You find you can live
with a houseful, with ease.

So how 'bout another?
Would you really dare?
They're really quite easy
But, Oh Lord, the Hair!

With dogs on the sofa,
And dogs on the bed,
And crates in the kitchen,
It's no bother, you've said.

They're really no trouble,
Their manners are great.
What's just one more dog
And one more little crate?

The sofa is hairy,
The windows are crusty.
The floor is all footprints.
The furniture's dusty.

The housekeeping suffers,
But what do you care?
Who minds a few noseprints
And a little more hair?

So let's get a puppy,
You can always find room.
And a little more time
For the dustcloth and broom.

There's hardly a limit
To the dogs you can add
The thought of a cutback,
Sure makes you feel bad.

Each one is so special,
So useful, so funny,
The food bill grows larger,
You owe the vet money.

Your folks never visit,
Few friends come to stay.
Except other dog folks
Who live the same way.

Your lawn has now died,
and your shrubs are dead, too
But your weekends are busy,
You're off with your crew.

There's dog food and vitamins
Training and shots.
And entries and travel and
Motels which cost lots.

Is it worth it you wonder?
Are you caught in a trap?
Then that favorite comes up
And climbs in your lap.

His look says you're special
And you know that you will
Keep all of the critters
In spite of the bill.

Some just for showing,
And some just to breed
And some just for loving
They all fill a need.

But winter's a hassle,
The dogs hate it, too,
But they must have their walks
Tho' they're numb and you're blue.

Late evening is awful,
You scream and you shout
At the dogs on the sofa,
Who refuse to go out.

The dogs and the dog show
The travel, the thrills
The work and the worry
The pressure, the bills.

The whole thing seems worth it
The dogs are your life.
They're charming and funny
And offset the strife.

Your lifestyle has changed.
Things just won't be the same.
Yes those dogs are addictive
And so's the dog game!