"B" and me--The Story of a Man and his Dog
by Jim Norcross

It's hard for me to remember a time when I didn't want a Great Pyrenees. At 5 years old I was introduced to the breed, so to speak, by a cartoon entitled Belle and Sebastian. The show followed a boy and his Pyrenees on the search for his missing mother. One day, after watching the show, I asked my mother if I could have a "dog like Belle." A couple of years later, my mother did get me a dog – not one like Belle, rather it was a poodle/terrier mix. A Pyr was "too big" as far as my mother was concerned.

I grew up with several dogs--all of them great animals, but none of them the breed I always wanted. This past April, I bought my first home. This meant that the time had come for me to live a dream. I could now get the dog I wanted. I could finally have a Great Pyrenees.

I was never one for "puppy mills." Puppy mills have a real negative connotation, particularly in Pennsylvania. After doing some searching on the internet, I discovered East Penn Pyr Rescue. I contacted the President, Barbara, and my quest began.

It took me a couple of months to get moved in and situated so that I was ready for a dog. I kept in contact with Rescue and when the time came I took a short road trip to meet a few of the dogs. It was there that I met Barton.

Barton had come into Rescue by way of a shelter after he'd been found as a stray. When I met him, I was taken by two things: first, how gentle he was; second, his grand size. I walked Barton for awhile and spoke with his handler, Greta. After some conversation, I was convinced Barton was the dog for me. Two weeks later, after a home visit from Greta, I adopted Barton and welcomed him to his "forever home."

Life with "B"

Barton, or simply "B" as I call him, has been a joy to have. I always say the joy of having an animal is seeing their personality at work. I'm pleased to say that "B" has one of the most pleasant and peaceful personalities I've ever seen. Our frequent walks have caused a great deal of stir in the neighborhood, ranging from kids swarming us for a chance to pet the "big white dog," to one driver rear-ending the other because he's distracted by Bart taking a stroll with me. Bart's a welcome guest at all the pet stores in the area and has been given the title of "Grand-Dog" by my parents. I'm sure that's a less-than-subtle hint to get married and start producing grandchildren, but I digress.

Given the destination that this article is headed to, I'm left to assume that most folks reading this will already have a Pyr, and as a result will likely start nodding their heads as they read some of my discoveries regarding the more idiosyncratic behaviors of "B." From barking at everything such as folks walking down "his" alley or a breeze that makes too much noise in his estimation, to spreading out--all five feet of him--right in the main "traffic area" of the house, "B" has certainly made his presence known and staked his claim to his favorite area of carpet in the house. Though I don't give him table scraps, he still begs (and drools) right beside me every night on the off chance I might drop something. Anybody that has seen the ample belly I sport knows I don't miss too many forkfuls, much to "B's" consternation. Folks love watching "B" express himself and marvel at how clear and obvious his facial expressions are. Oh, he's a little quirky, and he's a little loud, and he occasionally leaves a drool puddle in his wake, but those are the little things that make him funny.

photo by Jim Norcross

Barton and Jim Norcross.