World's largest dog bed?

We've had Gus for just over a year now, and until recently, he's never shown any interest in a dog bed. Then, about a month ago, he started getting up on the couch at night.

Did I mention that we have a strict no dogs on the furniture policy at our house? And do you have any idea how much hair a Pyr can dump on the couch in one 8 hour sleeping period? It looked like someone had knitted our sofa cushions.

So off I went to Costco, to procure the largest dog bed I could find. This turned out to be a duplicate of Elias' 42 inch round bed. I'd show you a picture to prove that it was too small for Gus, but he wouldn't stay in it for long enough for me to take a picture, so you'll just have to take my word on it.

Next up, I visited a couple of local pet stores. Apparently a 30x40 inch bed is considered XXL. Gus said this was unacceptable.

So of course I ordered the biggest bed I could find off Amazon. This turned out to be a 47x38 inch Serta memory foam bed, which I was pretty sure we could use as a guest bed in a pinch. It arrived on Tuesday.

This is the biggest box I've ever seen.

Gus for size comparison.

Husband and Gus for size comparison. At this point we were both wondering if I'd actually bought a human-sized TWIN bed by mistake.

Hubby trying out Gus's new bed. He almost fit.

It kinda makes him look small...

The Gus seal of approval.

The things we do for our animals.

Neat vs. Messy

So tidy - not even a crumb out of place.

Needs a bib and a vacuum.

Do you have a neat pet and one that's, er, less than tidy?

Pyrs can't fetch

If you've ever met a Pyr before, you'll know that their obedience skills are almost nil. Our first Pyr, Anie, didn't sit, come when called, or walk on a leash.  Pyrs are also not known for fetching. Most of them will just stand there and look at you like you're an idiot if you throw something for them, and they most definitely do NOT pick up toys. Basically they're good at guarding, full stop.

However, Pyrs are known to learn behavior from other, older Pyrs. This is why you're supposed to match a young Pyr with a established guardian dog so they can learn the ropes of guarding. Apparently Pyrs also learn from certain Malamutants, because Gus has learned from Elias how to sit, lie down, walk on a leash, and come when called (Gus actually has better recall than Elias, which is a miracle). However, the concept of fetching seems to elude him. Elias LOVES to play fetch, but Gus just bounds after whatever you throw, pounces on it, then comes bounding back to you... without the toy. He squashed it, he killed it, problem solved. Guardian dog logic at its finest.

We've been trying to encourage Gus to actually pick things up when playing fetch, which sort of works... but the concept of bringing it back to the person who threw it is a whole 'nother challenge.

Fetching, Pyr-style.

Hubby and I have learned to start with a big pile of toys, toss them till he fetches them all, then collect them and go again. At least it tires him out when it's raining outside, and it's sort of hilarious to watch a 115-lb dog bounce through the house.

Also, he's awfully cute, if somewhat large and floofy.

The Imelda Marcos of Pyrs

Gus has made himself right at home with us - it's like he lived here forever. For the most part he is excellently behaved - he even comes when called (unlike certain Malamutes I could name). If he has one vice, it's his love of shoes.

And I do mean LOVE:

ALL THESE ARE MINE I FOUND THEM THEY ARE MINE

He's very gentle with them - there's never a tooth mark anywhere, they're only a bit damp. He simply seems to enjoy moving them from one point to the other and arranging them in small collections. These he moved from their official spot by the front door to his favorite napping spot by the back door.

I HAVE PUT THESE WHERE THEY BELONG THIS IS MUCH BETTER NOW

It's great that he's such a good guard dog and all, but we're not quite sure how to explain to him that he's not supposed to guard shoes.

I AM GUARDING THIS SHOE YOU CANNOT HAVE IT

OR THIS ONE THIS ONE IS ALSO MINE

Fortunately he's not always stealing shoes. Sometimes he just looks cute and floofy...

Happy Floof!

Augustus discovers the laws of physics

90 pound Great Pyrenees meets glider chair. Let the hilarity ensue!

If you're not one for watching videos, have some cute Pyr pictures...

This bed may be slightly too small.

A rare nap moment... shhhh!

Running errands in the truck.

Playing ImagineIff with the family. He even got to be on the board!

With Elias for size comparison. Because there's nothing quite like a Pyr to make a 60 pound Malamute look small!

Meet Augustus, our new small pony

It's possible that we adopted a Pyrenees pony puppy this weekend.

Meet Augustus!

The vet says he's 2, but given that he still does that puppy prance thing and has NO idea where all his legs are, we're thinking he's probably closer to a year old.

That's actually a horse-sized muck bucket (used as a water tub), in case you're wondering.

Here's a 60-lb Malamute for comparison.

He and Elias are getting along great - Elias is the boss, and Augustus follows him everywhere and does everything just the same.

Large Malamute on right, Small Pony on left.

Why another dog? Because we're having some issues with coyotes being aggressive, and as Elias gets older (he's 10), he's less and less interested in patrolling and more and more interested in laying in the sunbeams in the barn aisle. Not that there's anything wrong with laying in sunbeams, mind you. Augustus seemed like a good match, so we're giving it a try. He's a bit too interested in the cats and chickens if they're moving, but he also listens very well, especially for a Pyr. There's a lot of training to be done, but he's a good boy and so sweet!

And how can you not love this face?!?!

Many thanks to Texas Pyr Rescue for helping to match us with Augustus!