Saturday was a happy day. Four dogs of Great Pyrenees origin made it out of the United States on the overground railroad. Homes couldn’t be found for them here, or more specifically, so many dead ends were hit in trying to find them, this was their best shot at finding furever homes.
Bart, Lisa, Ziti and Marsha came from below the Mason-Dixon line and arrived via paid transport in Nanuet, NY, Saturday morning, Dec. 12.
Lisa (left) and Bart (right)
Ziti (left) and Marsha (right) with Volunteers
7:45 Arriving in Nanuet, NY
Bart and Lisa came up from Georiga, Marsha came from Alabama and Ziti was rescued in East Tennessee. It was a long trip for them before they got to New York.
Here, in the words of some of the volunteers who participated in this relief effort, is how the day went:
8:20 AM
John Nunes wrote:
Hi All
Just a quick note to let you know that Marsha and Ziti are getting along just fine. Transport was on time and we should be arriving in New Paltz at 9:15.
Best regards
John
11:22 AM
Tracey Nelson wrote:
Here we all are! The dogs are arriving. They got here at about 7:45 ~ish. We met up with Jayne and Pekoe in New Paltz. Everyone got acquainted, Pekoe had some treats for all the dogs.
Bart and Lisa are quite afraid right now, they’re really not too sure which end is up. I’m sure once they get to their final destination and settled in, all will be right again. They are both very sweet puppies. Lisa did not want to leave her crate when they got to Nanuet. The transport guys had to pull her out, then she wouldn’t come off the trailer. Some kind words and some coaxing, and she started to walk around and do her business. She hopped right into the car. Bart was another story! I had to pick him up and get him in the car.
9:30 Rendevous in New Paltz
Once we were on our way, they settled in and it was a quiet ride to New Paltz.
Sue & Maryanne- Not sure who’s getting which dogs…Bart and Lisa both need a bath, once they’re settled.
Take good care-
Tracey
2:38 PM
Jayne Vandeyar wrote:
Thanks for the pics, Tracey! What a pleasure it was to help these gorgeous puppies on their way to new lives. Bart & Lisa seemed very frightened, but soon warmed up as they realized that we were all there to support them.
Marsha and Ziti were great – Marsha was the matriarch of the group, she seemed the less skittish, more interested in snacks. Ziti was especially hungry but we tried not to let her eat too much so she didn’t throw up.
They all had a light meal of Holistic Select kibble and fresh water at the Albany stop, and they had pee breaks at each end of our leg (New Paltz /Albany). I’m sure they are well on their way to their next stop by now, tired, excited, and well-loved.
Thank you to all involved.
Jayne
2:54 PM
Hi all - I ended up with an extra red leash in the Syracuse transfer. Does anyone know whom I should send it to? I will be loading up photos soon - we almost caused some accidents on the Thruway with everyone looking at the van whose entire back was filled with fluffy whiteness. Could not believe how calm the four dogs were in a smallish place for the first time all together. Mostly slept, but had some attempted visits to the front seat from Ziti and Bart. Such sweeties! Let me know about the leash!
Julie
It doesn't look like Georgia out there--
4:18 PM
Maryanne Pearce wrote:
Transfer complete! They were early and we came back early. Drinks, pee breaks and walkies, coats on, dogs in van. Headed to the border.
Marsha very calm and tired. Lisa exhauted and timid. Ziti and Bart accepting pets and reassurance. Very quiet car. At border now.
What a day! Thank you Tracey, John, Pekoe, Jayne, Alan, Sharon, Bonnie, Julie, Sue, Maryanne and Kelly, our new Director, for orchestrating this. In the South, Shelly, Shari, Linda and Chere fostered and prepped the dogs for transport. When National Great Pyrenees Rescue was established three years ago this month, we never thought we would have a foreign branch! You have helped save these dogs and many others by freeing up much-needed foster space in the South for the next dogs to come in from kill shelters. We thank you and the dogs thank you!
12/15/09 7:30 PM
At Home in Canada
Isolde (formerly Lisa) and Tristan (once Bart) in Canada
Tristan and Isolde (formerly Bart and Lisa) are settling into family life like they were born to it. They absolutely love the Canadian winter, something their foster mom doesn’t share! They are great with the resident cats, and are thrilled to be part of a pack of pyrs: 2 girl rescues adopted by our family 2 years ago, and another male pyr foster that has been with us for about a month. Its a big, fluffy white dog party at our house.
Sue keeps us up to date with Ziti and Marsha (now Meecha) who are part of a pack of 6 dogs (2 of whom are pyrs) and 4 cats, on an acre and half outside of Ottawa.
Four lucky dogs being loved up here in the North! Thank you to everyone who made this happen - and that is a lot of people!
Just an update:
Ziti was the first to be adopted, by one of our friends who travelled with us to pick up the 4 U.S. dogs. She is one beautiful, loved and spoiled (but well trained spoiled) in Ottawa. Congratulations to Don and Donna (and Ziti). Ziti was in such poor shape when she was found, but was nursed by a Tennessee foster mom, then by Sue in Ottawa. She is absolutely gorgeous. When she is told to “sit”, she goes to the nearest chair or sofa and perches with her bum and back legs sitting. Cutest thing ever.
Amazingly, Tristan and Isolde were adopted together! At least it seemed amazing to us, as the foster parents who wondered if they would have to be split up to be adoptable. Our children were adamant that they had been through too much already. A week after that conversation came the email that changed their lives. Their new parents are in Pennsylvania, so they are back in the U.S. It was their names that caught their attention, and although only planning on adopting one male rescue dog, this amazing family read their story and knew they had to bring them both home. Despite me giving them every detail of fear-based growls and puppy destruction I could remember, they were convinced. And they were right: Tristan went right to his new dad! Tristan and Isolde are doing great, and have given new life to their new Neuf sister, who was mourning the death of her pyr companion. Congratulations to everyone! We get regular updates from the new family, as we miss those two, but it did our heart good …. This is why we foster!
And … Marsha’s adoption is pending. She goes May 1st to her new home, also in the U.S., to live on a farm (inside) with other rescue dogs, including one that looks just like her! Good luck Marsha!
Hi–I’m the adoptive mom of Tristan and Isolde! Just wanted to add that both “puppies” are doing well here outside Pittsburgh, PA. We love having them and are so grateful to NGPR and Maryanne and Austin for taking such good care of them.
Best,
Mary and Rodger Morrow