I started searching for a Great Pyrenees to adopt about a year and a half ago, because there was a mountain lion on the property, and I was terrified this mountain lion was going to turn the goats in to a snack. I did research and read that Great Pyrenees are a wonderful breed for living with livestock, because they think of themselves as a part of the herd, won't chase the animals they are supposed to protect, and they will also sacrifice their lives to protect the herd. I immediately found Sophia on Craigslist, adopted her, and she came to live here. It was clear right away that she didn't want to be a goat dog though, since she chased the goats incessantly, so she became an inside dog instead of a farm dog. She is the sweetest, most affectionate and polite dog. I just adore her. She would be so content to have you pet her for eight hours straight. Sadly, I do not have eight hours straight to pet her. I knew she needed more than I could give her. I also knew she needed a place where she felt safe and loved while she got her weight up, got spayed, house trained, and learned to trust people again, and I knew I could give her that.
Sophia is 3. She is a Great Pyrenees, but she is very very small for her breed. She was tied up outside the first year and a half of her life, neglected, had a litter of puppies when she wasn't even a year old, and wasn't fed enough. All of my dogs have stories and come from places I'd rather not think about.
She was so neglected before I got her that she really would be happiest with someone's full-on affection and attention. I contacted a local Great Pyrenees rescue about two months ago and never heard anything back from them. I was really hesitant to put her on Craigslist. My worst fear was that she would get passed around and end up again in a home like the one she had before I adopted her. I couldn't let that happen. I've put this whole process off for a long time. This was an argument Jonathan and I had frequently. He wanted her gone, and I just didn't feel ready to find her a new home...until yesterday.
I sat down at the computer and kept looking at her, then back at the computer. I just felt like it was the right day to put a posting up. I convinced myself I didn't have to adopt her out unless I was 100% sure she was going to the best home for her. An hour later I got a reply from a couple in Indiana....with the best home for her. Their 9 year-old dog had just recently passed away from cancer & they were looking online, but still not really sure if they were ready to get another dog until they saw Sophia's posting. They said they just knew she was their dog. They answered all of the important questions, they asked even more questions. I instantly felt at ease. They have a big house, a big fenced in yard, the woman works from home, and loved and spoiled her last dog as much as I could ever hope for Sophia to be spoiled. They were so excited about adopting her that they drove down this morning to pick her up. It all happened very fast. We met at Centennial Park today, and as soon as we got out of the car, she ran right up to them and started licking them. She was home. It was as simple and easy as that. We sat and talked for a while, and then I put her in their car and she was on her way.
It was inspiring and amazing to see all of these parts of her puzzle come together there in that moment, and to realize she was exactly where she needed to be. I'm so happy for her, because I really feel that she is in the perfect home for her, but I still cried as I drove away, knowing I would probably never see her again, and was still sad when I got home tonight and went around to feed everyone, and she wasn't here. It is a change, and there have been a lot of those lately, but that's okay. We spent a lot of time together this morning. Here are some pictures from our morning and one of her new family. I know I did the right thing, but it wasn't easy. If I had posted her months before, they wouldn't have been looking then. Even though I miss her already, I am beyond grateful for the time she spent here and for the Overtons.
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