Quick Facts:
- Breed: Great Pyrenees Mix
- Gender: Female, Spayed
- Age: 2 years and 5 months
- Size: 96 pounds o’ love
- Good with…
- People? Yes, yes!!!
- Dogs in the home? Not other female dogs! Should be only dog in the home
- Dogs outside the home? No experience but would love the chance to learn!
- Cats? Unknown
- Kids? Yes, 8+
Hello! My name is Gilly, and I am an affectionate, cuddly, sweetheart of a girl!
History
I’m from Fort Worth, TX, Yehaw! My family adopted me from a humane society when I was 6 months old. They already had a female dog, and we got along fine until I turned 2 (became an adult), but now I have decided that I would like to be the only dog in the home! So that’s why I am looking for a new one. My family is devastated but knows that this is what is best for everyone.
Personality
I am a sweet, loving, affectionate, and cuddly, fuzzy, wonderful companion! If you’re lounging in bed and you invite me up, I’m snuggling right up to you and probably resting my head on your chest. In the morning, I like to smell your breath (have you eaten anything good yet?) and give you morning kisses! I hear that it’s very cute, which is nice because I love to do it!
Sometimes you might find me laying on the floor belly up, which means, “please pet me”! If you are sitting on the floor, I’ll sit in your lap–all 96 pounds of me! And if you start petting me, I am likely to gently thwap you with my paw when you stop! Overall, I just love being around you and it doesn’t matter if we are doing something or nothing at all.
I am smart and well-mannered! I think that’s where being a mix is an advantage. I’m not too strong-minded (aka “stubborn!”) like a lot of Great Pyrenees are. I certainly have my own ideas sometimes, but I also very much like to please you and enjoy learning what you’d like from me. I completed a two-week board-and-train course when I was 7 months old, and know sit, place, and paw. I usually come when called, and I walk well on a leash! Of course, I am potty-trained and can hold it no problem if you work a normal 8-hour work day.
I do not need a crate because I am never destructive in the home. I am also quiet! I don’t bark unless someone is at the door or unless another dog nearby is barking or being walked. You’ll hardly even know I’m in the house most of the time unless I let out one of my grunt-grunt-grunt pleasure sounds of contentment/relaxation, when I am lounging around. I’m happy to sleep in my own bed or in yours, if you invite me. And I am happy to join you on the couch or stay on my bed on the floor, whichever you prefer. I am very patient about you wiping off my paws and belly on rainy, muddy, or snowy days, and I have impeccable table manners—I never beg or whine. I take treats so gently that you might not even realize it’s gone!
Let’s talk more about walking because I LOVE to go for leashed walks! The first time you take me to a new place, I will pull, because I am excited, and I want to sniff everything…and right now! So that first walk in a new place probably won’t be the most enjoyable for you, but I swear that the rest of our walks together will be wonderful! I don’t mind people walking by, I don’t mind bicycles or strollers or children running around. I will probably pull if there are other dogs nearby, especially if they are barking at me, and sometimes I will pull toward cars. When this happens my mom has me stop and look at her, and that helps immensely. Just remember to have treats with you to reward my good behavior! The rescue folks also suggest that if you walked me in a “Freedom harness” or a “Sensation harness” or “a Sensible harness” (all different brands of no-pull harnesses), it might help a lot for those situations in which I will pull.
I’m also a bit playful at times. When it snows, I love to find icicles and run around the yard with them in mouth! I love my toys (I never tear them up!), I like squeaky balls, squeaky stuffies and ropes! Sometimes, I will throw my toys in the air which is your cue to start playing too and throwing them for me! I will play a quick game of fetch with you (I lose interest after a few fetches), but I never tire of playing tug-of-rope. I am great in the car and love going with you for adventures!
Cohabitation
I love people!
I am great with kids, but since I am big, I shouldn’t live with small kids who could accidentally get knocked over in moments of enthusiasm and exuberance.
I absolutely cannot share my home with a female dog, which is very common for the Great Pyrenees breed. Since I have not had experience sharing a home with a male dog, we don’t know how that would go, but let’s not risk it, I would love to be your only dog!
Note that most Great Pyrs are good with other dogs outside of the home territory, but my current mom and dad have not had the opportunity to have me around any other dogs, so I just don’t know what to do or what to make of other dogs! Are they nice? Are they scary? What does their barking mean? No idea! Once a stray dog ran up toward me and “got in my face” and I just seemed nervous and uncomfortable, but I was not aggressive in any way. Probably a good sign that if you help me slowly and thoughtfully, just meeting 1 friendly, nice, calm (not hyper!) dog at a time, I would hope to develop my social skills and be much happier and more comfortable around other dogs! No dog parks please, that would be super stressful and unhelpful for me!
Favorite Activities
Going for walks, the more the better!
Hanging out with you!
Cuddling in bed!
Gazing out the window!
Playing in the fenced backyard!
Why I am looking for a new home
I am looking for a new home because I no longer get along with my canine sister. I pick fights with her, and I need to be the only dog in the home.
Medical
I am in great health! I am spayed and up to date on shots. I am on heartworm preventive and flea/tick preventive!
Summary
I am SUCH A GEM–you’ll see once you meet me!! I would love to meet you if you like to enjoy lounging at home but also getting our exercise in with a 45-minute walk per day. A fence isn’t required, but sure would be a big plus because I love to run around, and I can’t do this unless you have a fence!
If you are interested in adopting me, please fill out an online adoption application and live close to Ithaca, Syracuse, Binghamton, Rochester, or Elmira. We do home visits on every applicant, and can’t do home visits where we don’t have local volunteers.
