Great Pyrenees - A Story of Compassion, Courage and Hope

There is a crisis in Texas. Thousands of Great Pyrenees (livestock guardian dogs) suffer, starve and are needlessly killed due to neglect and over-breeding.
This documentary produced by Elise Child and Wendy Ysasi, showcase this majestic breed and the rescue efforts of hundreds of volunteers, coast to coast, whom are dedicated to rescuing and fostering these regal gentle giants. The volunteers are tireless in their pursuit of finding these dogs their forever homes... so more can be saved.
Although this film is breed specific, all who work in animal rescue, those who love animals and all who dedicate themselves to making a difference in the lives of other beings will find familiar comfort, appreciation and love here. This film is for all of you, with much appreciation and gratitude for all you inspire...
Permission has been granted for use of music used in this film.
"As you look in those eyes, the immense moral value of the breed pierces your soul." - Ch. Quibbletown Boleros Ravel --

[@bikerkat01]

I am a former transporter and overnighter here In NW Pa. I had the wonderful opportunity to meet a small (never small) group that came through one winter. I got the older dogs and two teen age dogs over night. So calm, and quiet. They stayed on the front enclosed porch so they did not get too hot from my woodstove. They were wonderful. I am lucky to have my crew of rescued dogs, St. Bernard, Italian Mastiff and Pug. Thank you all for what you do to save these wonderful dogs. You are a blessing. : )

[@sueb3581]

I know this is an old video but these people are truly special the dogs are beautiful and deserve a chance to be happy❤

[@Plantsonpurpose]

This was wonderful. I adopted two Great Pyrenees/German Shepherd mix brother and sister. Best dogs ever.

[@WingsAsEaglesMinistries]

We own 2 !! Wonderful breed that does not get enough recognition!! I’ve made several videos of mine as I hope people can see how truly wonderful and protective this breed is. Enjoyed this

[@dasjefe]

Pyrenees are an amazing and beautiful phenomenon somewhat difficult to explain to folks that have never owned one. They will die to protect you or their flock. They will also not listen to you. They will comfort and play with children. They will bark at and attack perceived threats. They are a superb, loving, and furry contradiction. Civilizations may come and go. The Pyr is forever.

[@wysasi]

Best short description of the breed I've ever read - you know the breed well. "...a furry contradiction", that they are, and a gift to anyone that has been blessed with one, or two, or...

[@klio1212]

Jeremy Johnson, beautifully put, it made me cry, we lost our Pyr in 2015. The best dog I owned.

[@rachaeljohnson2719]

love your reply.. rachael johnson ....Just lost my 14 yr. old pyrenees 2 mo ago ..so excited to get a rescue pyrenees None of my pyrs had fences...so ill have to build one...around cabin

[@michaelhichembottom2439]

Seriously, 20 to 30 a month. Wow that is sad.

[@rebeccakahl2974]

Thank you to all the hard working volunteers that made it possible for us to get Wilson, aka Trace. He brings joy to our lives everyday.

[@mizzmello116]

What a wonderful video. I laughed, I cried, I was sad, I was happy, but most importantly - I was moved.

[@pattyahern839]

We just adopted a Pyrenees ! He will be in our home in 2 days !! Every cat & dog we have ever owned & loved was a rescue !! Please people save a life !! ❤

[@wysasi]

Thank you for adopting. No doubt you are in love with this amazing, loyal breed.

[@morgantaylor8136]

I rescued a Pyr 5 years ago and it's been the best 5 years of my life! An amazing breed and I have had many different breeds, but the love I get from my Ellie is priceless! I wish I could have a farm of nothing but Pyrs and dreams do come true..someday!

[@wysasi]

Yes, a farm of Pyrs. May dreams come true.

[@lisamcleanknotts1827]

We're fortunate to have found Sophie thanks to the GPRS and their work. Stairs issue makes me smile as each of the dogs we've subsequently fostered have had to learn to use the stairs :-)

[@ligayakrips2646]

My heart so broken to see this adorable Great Pyrenees i love Great Pyrenee's i bought my great pyrenee so expensive.

[@joannecooke-friedrich503]

They are an awesome dog .. I wish we owned a farm ... Thank you for saving the great Pyrenees

[@Life_With_Mei]

You don't need a farm to own one. I live in an apartment and I've had him for over 2 years

[@sigmapapi]

God bless you ladies and all the people involved with this organization. I adopted a Pyr from petfinder.com a few months ago and he has made our life so full. They truly are the best dog in the world.

[@deborahmusgrove90]

TY for caring

[@kodamikha]

Thanks to the volunteers. These gentle giants are beautiful. I had to put my Pyrenees down last year due to old age and my heart still aches for him.

[@wysasi]

I'm so sorry for your loss. I too lost a beautiful senior Pyr last month. They teach us much about the gift of life and are never forgotten.

[@thehappycrystal8795]

Thankyou for saving these gorgeous animals.

[@glengerelus4815]

i have a great pyr rescued from a native reserve running wild stealing food to survive.we took him in thought he was about 3 or 4 years old not quite sure also looks a lot retriever.took him to vet for neutering and shots,found out he was only 7 months old.and he is great pyrenees with some golden retiever.named him sammy. he is 2 years old now.full of love and fun.adores little children and is very social with people and other dogs.when he needs to he can be very fierce.i pity any coyote who gets in his way when he gets all hyped up.best dog ever

[@wysasi]

Thank you for rescuing Sammy from such a harsh life. Pyrs are special dogs and will fight to the death to defend those they trust. Yet, are the sweetest dogs, thus so good with children. I'm so happy you have a Great Pyrenees mix and hope you may teach others what an amazing breed they are. There are so many Pyrs in shelters needing homes that are tragically euthanized every day.

[@richardpcrowe]

Absolutely LOVE my G.P. however, this breed is not for everyone. They need an owner who is firm but, very patient. They are definitely not for newby dog owners nor owners who live in small apartments or have small yards with neighbors close in.

[@sotxbob]

Very nice vid. It touched my heart and reminded me why I fostered and ultimately adopted a "husband and wife" from Malise many years ago. Maxwell was almost an elder and the wife Snow was younger and is still with me. Dear Max was the best dog I have ever had or seen. Always by my side, or 'guarding' the house from his favorite spot on the stair landing where he could oversee everyone. He was also a good role model for the other fosters that came thru, always being alpha and keeping tabs on them and their mischief. Fostering is a very rewarding experience. If you have the space and the time to devote to the pups, I highly recommend it. Its just good for the soul.

[@rogue.red.dragon]

Very nice and heartwarming video, I'm glad they appear to be helping so many dogs of the breed I have loved since I was brought into this world. My grandfather brought the first pyr into our family in 1922 and it's been with us ever since. Unfortunately my personal experience with rescue groups have been neither touching, successful or even the slightest bit heartfelt.

[@jenniferblackmon5738]

i have my pyr and pyr mix through another rescue, but thank god everyday for people like you!!

[@davidcduarte]

thank God for crazy dog rescue ladies!

[@chapmaker46]

we adopted a great pyreness from the rescue center.what a good boy..never seems to leave my side no matter what iam doing..we live on a ranch so he has plenty of room.i do have to brush him at least once a day,but thats ok.he gets a lot of burrs up here.just a wonderful dog.

[@tinkertonpipes]

My family rescued a Great Pyrenees a year ago. She got hit by a car as a stray. We took her in, paid for surgery, and put some weight on her. She was only 65 lbs when they found her. She is now an 112 lbs healthy happy dog. This is when we first got her: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eXjQlKCKnr9_g7c

[@ellenyoung6461]

whenever I felt down I would watch this video to cheer me up. it works every time.

[@wysasi]

This is a story of how hope can overcome despair. People joined together in rescue are a powerful force in healing. Thank you for your comment.

[@ellenyoung6461]

I followed NGPR for a long time. My fostering experience was inspired by this organization. I have one failed-fostering Pyrenees at home and one rescued Pyrenees was sent to USA for adoption in March.

[@hopper8571]

I foster dogs for Central OK Humane and (for my next foster) I asked for any of the dogs that have been kenneled for far too long and I got this Great Pyrenees - at 65 lbs he was far too skinny, he was emancipated. Tall, big, too skinny, fiercely beautiful eyes, cream coat, TWO DEW CLAWS per back foot!.... Got him home and he's a big teddy bear; a true Gentle Giant; loves and protected my neighbors 1 yr old boy who walked around and grabbed his nose really hard (the entire time for hours), and Great Pyrenees became the warm, bedding for a 8 week old cattle dog mix puppy my neighbor found in a field and brought home. 8 week old puppy not weaned, 8 years a foster dog mommy, 1 yr old little boy....this dog taught us all a lesson. Wonderful dog....

[@garybonham6048]

Great work, keep it up!

[@smythie27]

Rescue 30-50 each month, bloody hell. Are there puppy farms in the US? That is an incredible amount of dogs,.

[@wysasi]

Yes, Pyr puppy farms are in the U.S. Go to Big Fluffy Dog Rescue's April 7th posting on FB about the puppy mill/hoarding situation. This is part of the problem. The Pyrs that come out of Texas (used on farms) have never been spayed or neutered so breeding is out of control. facebook.com/bigfluffydogrescue/

[@smythie27]

OM*G. What arses! God that makes me angry. I wish I could do more. Donate yes, but if I could adopt I would, but I am on the other side of the world.

[@LesGrandsPatouBlanc]

Great Pyrenees my best

[@kathrenlittle]

I'm in South Georgia and my husband wants to adopt one to run with our goats. I cannot find one closer than 5 hours away. 😢

[@kathleenorourke1541]

I had a half Pyrenees half Alaskan Malamute... I had to say goodbye in March...after 15 years..I really want a Pyrenees puppy...do you ever transport to California??

[@wysasi]

I'm so sorry you lost a beloved friend. I lost a rescue Great Pyr in September and it is aways heartbreaking. I am now down to a pack of three. The Pyr that recently passed was a rescue from TX (in the video. Look up Great Pyrenees Rescue Society and you will find adoptions available in Texas. Many of the Pyrs are transported to Seattle (and elsewhere), where many find good homes. There are likely Pyrs available in CA too. Just reach out to thr Great Pyrenees Rescue Society and they will lead you to the current dogs available. There is a screening process to ensure the adopter has proper fencing etc. All the best in your search. I have never found a breed as loving and devoted to their family.

[@PoetTree]

Used motor oil really does work on mange. I watched it work on a neighborhood cat, and it was pretty amazing.

[@theaustingroup2811]

What is the name of the artist and song in this video at the end? It's so beautiful. I rescued a Pyr who has a weak immune system leaving her itchy 24/7. I've spent countless amounts of money towards her food, shampoo, vet and medicine. But she's worth every penny. My children love her and she protects us. I wish I could ease her suffering more. I will never own anything other than a Pry.

[@wysasi]

The Austin Group Glad you liked the music. We got a signed a license agreement with the label for "The National" for use of their music. My co-producer, Elise is friends with the band. These are the soundtracks: Lucky You' (Daytrotter Session) - Virginia'Slow Show' - Boxer'Green Gloves' - Boxer'Runway' - High Violet'John's Star' - The National ***(at 1:28 thru1:46 and at end) I hope your Pyr is doing better. They are truly amazing dogs!

[@soluschristus8360]

Is there enough air conditioning south of US/ Canada line?

[@hazelleviav1071]

How can I help ... I’m in a new 1 acre property in Perris Ca ...

[@wysasi]

Please contact the National branch of the rescue and they can direct you to most appropriate contact. This rescue is phenomenal in the work they do! www.nationalpyr.org/membership-campaign. Thank you!!!

[@lillieannensorensen6512]

Damn. They force spay or neuter. Can't do it. This is why when I rescue, it's off a highway or in a sack in a lake. Don't want a dog already doomed to cancer. This is why dogs in Europe live so much longer than dogs in the US.

[@PinkAlphaMom]

thank you for contributing to the overpopulation of dogs: you're a gem!

[@shithouserat9834]

WHy don't all you liberals get fixed and stop producing bums that have your warped views.

[@rachelcovington59]

It is sad that these people say they love these dogs but they only adopt to white people. I have a Great Pyranese that I raised from a baby and love him and know all about Great Pyranese and take very good care of my dog, I was told that I had to have my 2 1/2 year old Great Pyranese neutered before I could adopt a male dog. So I decided to purchase from a breeder

[@lauraweiss7875]

Another reason to dislike Texas.

[@bz7661]

Please, consider adopting or fostering a dog! So many homeless dogs out there who don't have a voice or capability to make it. Please, open your hearts and open your homes to some furry friends!