Meet an honorary fluffy named Drako. Isn`t he handsome!?
Drako is a Turkish Boz Shepherd, which is an ancient livestock guardian breed from southern Turkey. They are rare in the US.
A beautiful juvenile Turkish Boz Shepherd ended up dumped in a shelter in the Carolinas. Why? Supposedly food aggression.
There`s no rescue in the Carolinas for the Turkish guardian breeds, including Kangals and Anatolian Shepherds. When our Turkish breed rescue friends in other states ask for help pulling and transporting, we step up if we can.
Just like Pyrs, too often people decide to acquire one of these pups and don`t know what they are getting into. Like other guardian breeds, Turkish Boz Shepherds require dog-experienced owners or folks willing to learn and follow the guidance of such people.
When the Kangal Dog Rescue Project/Hands Helping Paws Rescue in Michigan asked us to help Drako, we sent a Pyrmobile for him. (Thanks, Donna and Steve!) We were surprised that a stunning, well-bred juvenile ended up homeless here. The shelter said he had no microchip, but we would expect a dog like this to have a chip. Someone spent a lot of money buying this puppy.
Turns out Drako was chipped. The shelter either missed it or never looked. When she learned what had happened, Drako`s breeder was furious. We vent about irresponsible breeders, but this breeder is one of the good ones. She immediately contacted the owners who had purchased and transported him from Texas and learned that Drako *is* one of her pups. As reputable breeders do, she began to line up transport for him back to Texas.
Meanwhile, Shannon assessed Drako as she does our Pyrs. He is not aggressive but a juvenile male who needs an experienced owner willing to invest time in his training through establishing clear boundaries and providing loving guidance. He cannot be teased with food. Turkish Boz Shepherds are big, powerful dogs--Drako is still growing!
Kangal rescue had an approved adopter in the Carolinas, and with his breeder`s approval, Shannon invited that applicant to come meet Drako at the Pyr rescue. It was a match!
Sometimes it takes a village, and we are glad to be part of Drako`s story!
Y`all remember Abby and Gabby, the two Pyr mix pups found by tourists in a box at Linville Falls last July? When we posted that video, it went viral.
Well, the girls have been growing and thriving in a foster home, and it is now official: Boofer and Bean (their furever names) are adopted and staying with Toni and Christopher!
One last time in 2023, let`s celebrate an adoption!
#CGPRAlum Roxie (formerly Merveille -- yes, THAT Merveille!) sent her humans back to the rescue for a buddy.
Because Doug wants a Pyr that he can train for pet therapy work with children, Shannon matched them with Louie, whose giant heart matches his big `ol paws.
Louie already is practicing hugs with the grandkids!
Last month, we told you that Arthur & Aspen were adoption pending.
We can now tell you the rest of their story.
#CGPRAlum Arthur was adopted from us a couple of years ago. His Pyrents already shared their home with Aspen, a female Pyr.
Since then, Arthur & Aspen, or A2 as we call them, have become deeply bonded. Earlier this year, their Pyrents became unable to continue to care for them because of human health issues.
Their adult children reached out. Would we take back just Arthur, or could we help both?
We have no room & a long wait list, but we always take back our dogs in a crisis, & there was no way we were separating a bonded pair losing their humans. We knew how much their owner Joe, in particular, adored them. They were the star of his Instagram posts. A2 clearly loved each other as much as Joe loved them.
Family drove A2 back to the rescue, & Joe Face Timed them to say good-bye. Shannon is tough, but she cried that day & made Rose cry when she told her about it. We all know how hard it is to let our dogs go when it is their time, but one of the truths of rescue is that the hardest owner surrenders aren`t the people who treat their dogs like disposable trash. They are ones like this: owners who would give anything for more time with their loved ones, including their Pyrs.
Joe reached out again shortly after. Would we consider placing A2 with his friend Paul?
Paul & his wife Denise live in the Detroit, MI area. We don`t normally adopt dogs that far away, & we usually encourage those who live more than a day`s drive from the rescue to adopt locally.
But Joe & Paul were in agreement, Paul`s application was a great one, & he & Denise were willing to drive down to pick up A2.
When the plan was in place, Paul called Joe to talk about these two wonderful Pyrs. Joe passed on shortly after that phone call ended.
Paul, Denise, & A2 made the drive back safely & are doing well as a new pack.
Our organization exists to help dogs, but sometimes it has to be about the humans as well. Wouldn`t any of us want to leave this life knowing our treasured pets will be loved?