Look who joined the family!
This magnificent floof joined us back in May, and he’s been the reason I’ve been so quiet here and online. It’s been a journey.
Meet Fraser.
Yes, yes, I did name him after the MMC in Salt, Sky, and Fire, thank you very much. He’s handsome, kind of a one-person (ME) guy, and sooooo lovable. He just sort of melts into hugs, and if you stop scritching, the paw comes out to remind you.
He’s a Great Pyrenees, and is just 8 months old. If you know anything about the breed you know they’re legendary for their stubbornness. He’s certainly living up to that, but we’re working through it. We’re in that 3 month window, where he’s decompressing after being in a rescue group, then transported across the country with a dozen other dogs in a van before ending up with us.
Did I mention he’s HUGE? And just going to get bigger, but, I’m not complaining. He’s sort of like a giant, living stuffed animal. Happy to cuddle and get pets whenever you’re willing to settle next to him and hand them out.
But – these dogs are no joke. Great Pyrenees are giants, some reaching more than 150 lbs, Big, strong dogs who were bred to be independent, and think on their own means that they are not a good fit for a newbie dog owner. These dogs will escape, ignore your commands, and decide to walk your neighborhood, because they were bred to guard sheep and goats all by themselves in the fields. They will instinctively patrol, and make decisions without any need to consult a human.
Which means training him is a full-time, never ending process, and he requires extra time and patience.
Fraser has a temperament unlike any other dog I’ve had, he’s sweet, and cuddly, but also goes into protector mode in a heartbeat. Not the overt, aggressive, bark-like-crazy sort. He’s more the quiet, dignified, stand next to me and put his body between me, and whatever he’s worried about.
Pure instinct. He’s a keeper.
Hey! You love animals too? Check out my book, Salt, Sky, and Fire.
I write about the human-animal connection in all my books, so if you’re an ‘animal person,’ I think you’ll love Salt, Sky, and Fire. It’s got that, plus found family vibes, and enemies-to-lovers romance.
Serena Dracis 