Christine;
First,
as a Pyr and Newf owner, I am so sorry for the situation which you are
experiencing for your Newf. I hope there is a change and that possibly he
will be able to return home. These challenges are the hardest in life that
we must face, and you have my sincere empathy.
When
our 7 year old Alaskan Malamute lost her life long battle with severe hip
dysplasia in April, 2007, we knew we had to have Czar, our oldest Pyr who was 6
at the time, with us and with Raisa as she crossed over the Bridge. Raisa
was the Alpha of the house; Czar looked up to her, respected her, and at the
same time, protected her from anything and everything. They were raised
together very young and were so very, very close throughout their
life. So, when it came time for her to pass, we had Czar at our
side. He was there just as much for us (since he is a therapy dog), as he
was to be with Raisa to say his good-bye. He was docile, sad, calm, but
very forlorn during her passing. He went with us to the crematory as
we sat with her for hours prior to her cremation. After that, we all went
home and in our heaviest grief, took Czar our Pyr and Osa our Newf for
a very long hike in Raisa's favorite woods. Czar grieved for quite
some time, but he was never, ever destructive. I would say it took a
couple of months for him to return to somewhat normal. I truly believe it
was because he understood what happened as he was with her as she
passed. Czar did, however have a challenge with his place in the pack, as
the alpha was now gone. He appeared lost for quite some time, but through
working with him he gradually understood that he now had that leadership
role with Osa, our Newf, and it has worked out beautifully.
Should
the time arrive for your Newf to travel to the Bridge, you may want to consider
taking your Pyr alongside you. It's just a thought, as we have always done
this for our dogs; especially when we arrange for the bridge crossing to take
place in our home. Your Pyr can be there to support you, as well as say
good-bye to your Newf.
Hearts
and working dog paws to you.
Beth
and Czar (Pyr), Osa (Newf) and Tundra (Pyr) in Rural
Wisconsin
Greetings All:
re: I have a sinking feeling our Pyr may exhibit behavior
I may
misunderstand &/or misinterpet when he realizes our Newf is really
gone
As of today, Our Newf is 12
years, 7 months and our Pyr 9 years 7 months.
I would appreciate any
advice or experience you have with what I believe may be a grieving
Pyr.
This is a long email. I apologize in advance to those of you who may
be trying to unsubscribe.
As the holidays approach I am receiving a ton of
email - and understand if you pass over this one
I feet it
important to provide a little background about my dogs to understand our Pyr's
character.
(I adore the quirky traits of the Pyr )
The Issue: Our Newf has spent
the night at the vet before and our Pyr was ok with it.
We saw this day coming, but this morning, our Newf could not
move his lower body.
Today, we took him to a different vet (a highly
recommended large animal vet).
Our Newf developed cervical spine
problems about a year ago. He has had excellent medical
care. The swimming
pool and other active play has prolonged his functioning and quality of life
longer than predicted.
He could hop with his back legs - but there was no
real steady gait.
He could still swim but eventually realized he ccould not
get in the pool even with
a canine life jacket - he hated our baby pool
idea.
In short: our
once active outdoor aging Newf is very likely NOT coming home.
We
are sick with grief about this and get very teary when we think or talk
about
our Newf.
To compound the matter: it has only been 14 hours
and our Pyr is behaving
in a manner I have never seen and can barely
fathom.
Our Pyr had to know our Newf was dying.
He (Pyr) ate his
dinner this evening, I played with him for a very short 5 minutes
and
instead of going outside (he loves the weather this time of year), he went to
one of
his isolated spots and sat facing wall.
15 minutes later he moved
to another spot and fell asleep facing the wall.
Indoors or out, our
Pyr NEVER leaves himself vulnerable. He loves little kisses
on his
muzzle and this evening he simply let me do it and stood there stiffly with a
blank
_expression_ (he did not lean into me the way Pyrs
usuallydo).
I've always viewed our Pyr as
kind of a loner and apparently have never understood his relationship with our
Newf.
I do not know what to do: If our Pyr's withdrawn behavior
today is even a slight indication of days ahead.
I read this in a Pyr book
once and never forgot it:
lonely pyr = bored pyr =
destructive pyr
Background:
For the most part, we have always had long
lived Pyrs and Newfs.
Our last Pyr died at age 7 leaving a younger
Newf, one much older Newf and a Bouvier de Flanders
When the older Newf and
Bouvier passed on we were left with the young Newf, Zeus (age 4 at the
time)
Zeus is an active, outdoor, very socialized, smart and obedient water
rescue dog.
He rarely barks at other dogs.
His behavior became
destructive and mischievous when he ended up the lone dog.
It was
clear our Newf needed a play mate.
We bought a 3 month old male pyr, Fermat
(fair-may) from a respected reputable breeder.
Our pyr was neutered young
and the Newf was never neutered.
We are experienced at introducing
large animal dogs to each other, recognize demonstrations of rough play
and know
separation/diversion tactics in the event of serious fighting.
We groom our dogs separately and they
never
eat together. During the first few years,
our Newf never backed down to the pyr .
The Pyr
would back down with timely diversionary tactics however.
Our aging Newf no longer hassles with the pyr.
We have a
little over an acre of secure, fenced land that has a heavily
forested area on one side.
Our Pyr has three
invulnerable "cave/den" dwelling areas outdoors and three indoors.
The Pyr
is not much of a barker indoors or out.
If a critter (coon,
armadillo) enters our property, the Pyr runs it down and the Newf kills it.
The Pyr is jealous when the Newf receives more attention from strangers,
he also will take the Newf's toys even though the Pyr does not want them.
The Pyr and Newf team up when they need to, lick one another's wounds, but other than that, to me it seemed
that they simply co-existed. Other than trips
to the vet, our Pyr has never left our property. He is friendly to service
people, loves children and family members who enter our property (there is no
way to drive in - all vehicles are outside the gate).
I have
overindulged our Pyr.
He is used to a lot of affection, exercise, rough
play and teasing.
He obeys my husband 100% of the time
He can be
stubborn and petulant with me, push my limits- but eventually will obey
me.
Other than my husband - our Pyr is pretty much the only other being I
talk to.
When a stranger, family member or neighbor approaches me, if our
Pyr detects I am uncomfortable, he will stand in front of me (slightly off to
the side) and will not move until I nudge him with me knee.
He does not show aggression
- and his tail does not fully fan to a curl (a pyr alert
signal).
Any pointers would be helpful
Christine
----- Original Message -----
From: Catkin8040@aol.com
To: pyrnet-l@pyrnet.org
Sent: Tuesday,
November 25, 2008 10:26:29 PM GMT -06:00 Central America
Subject: Re:
[pyrnet] RE:Purebred Pyr?
Poor
Ralph is now over 11 years old and is having a very rough time. He can
no
longer get up in the bed with me -- and that's a problem for both of
us.
(I'm seriously thinking about sleeping on the floor with him.)
When
my first Pyr, Shelly, couldn't jump up on the bed any more, I
took the frame out and set the box springs and mattress on the floor.
Shelly was able to get on the bed again. That was several years ago
and the bed is still on the floor. Now it's Lily who shares, (hogs)
the bed. :)
>>>My family & friends don't
understand the bond we have together. But I knew
you guys would
understand.
Oh - I really do understand. It's so hard when our babies start
getting old and having problems. And thinking about when we'll have to
let them go is a heartbreaker.
Cat
Lily-Belle & Soleil (Great Pyrs)
Troubles, Lacy &
Sparkle (Great Cats)
Red (African Grey
Parrot)