We lost our beloved Bear boy last week

[Bayard]

Bear was our biggest Great Pyrenees, that we had for 7 years. We adopted him from an older gentleman when he was five. Bear had belonged to his wife, who had passed away. When we walked up to the house, we heard this huge--WOOF!--and then the biggest dog we'd ever seen in our lives popped out. Gorgeous, wagging his tail. I said, this guy's going home with us.

We spent the past couple months going to a dermatology specialist in Louisville, after our regular vet was stumped. It started on his face, ears, then going everywhere, losing his hair in this nasty crusty scales. He was diagnosed with ischemic dermatopathy. Lots of tests, lots of money. "Ninety percent sure its an autoimmune disease." We can fix that. But, we're still going to send samples off to the lab to be sure. So, we waited. And we waited. More and more drugs going into the boy.

He'd already had surgery on both knees/stifles to replace worn out ligaments. We thought one of those must have failed, because he also started to not be able to get up on his own. It took both of us to hoist him up. His eyes were very sad.....

The vet finally called last week, and said--well, golly gee--its cancer after all. Bring him back in, and we will get you to the oncologist, start him on chemo, different drugs, yada yada yada.

No way we were going to put him through that as well. Last Wednesday, we took him to our regular, very kind, vet to let him pass gently in my arms.

We had already lost his sister, Chloe, earlier this year to another strange disease. We just miss them so damn much! We have one Pyr left now, Duke.

Thanks for listening, my friends.



Bear on the right, and Duke, playing by the pond


Gardening Bear


Duke and Bear


Bear, Chloe, and Duke


My very favorite, Xmas Bear

[spooky3]

1. Condolences to you on the loss of this good boi. Nt

[applegrove]

2. Love that breed. So sorry for your loss.

[montanacowboy]

3. So sorry for your loss

we all understand the pain you are going through, those of us who love our pets. I have had dreams of pets we have lost with messages from the Rainbow Bridge. I am firmly convinced we will see them again someday in some form. That kind of love is eternal.

[wendyb-NC]

4. So sorry to hear that

He and his Great Pyrenees, house mates are beautiful. He has the sweetest most humble expression on his face as he sits by the Xmas tree.

Sorry for your loss. R.I.P. Bear.

[skylucy]

5. RIP Bear.

So sorry for your loss, Bayard.

[Diamond_Dog]

6. I'm so sorry

Your Pyrs are magnificent

[judesedit]

7. So, so sorry. I can barely read these posts of lost pets. It tears my heart out.

I miss a few very special fur babies, but know they are waiting for me on the Rainbow Bridge. Bear and Chloe will be there waiting to reunite with you, too, when the time comes. Let the tears flow for now, but then let those happy memories tide you over. They look like wonderful doggies.

[tblue37]

8. I'm so sorry that you lost two of your beautiful dogs this year. It's hard to say goodbye to such

beloved friends.

[peacebuzzard]

9. Dear friend this choked me up...I am so sorry...

I know how so hard this is for you; I have lost big babies ...my Danes were my everything..., they are people.
I grieve for you; it brought back torrents of memories from my big ones.
I am so sorry for your recent losses. they are beautiful babies.❤️

[Duppers]

10. Crying again here. Bear was gorgeous.

Just came across pics of our Missy whom we lost 2yrs tonight.

And thought again of your dear Bear. There's the biggest lump in my throat and tears are flowing.

Sending the most gentle thoughts & cyber hugs, my dear friend. They were not just dogs, they were family.

Hugs.

🕯️🕯️


Edited to correct my verb tense. Gulp.

[SheltieLover]

30. Hugs to you

I'm so sorry to hear you are grieving your beloved Missy's passing.

Healing vibes on the way to you. 💓💓💓

[Duppers]

32. Thank you.

[Phoenix61]

11. I'm so sorry. nt

[sinkingfeeling]

12. I'm so terribly sorry for your losses. The cancer sounds similar to that which

took one of my beloved Samoyeds years ago. They couldn't get a handle on it until it was too late.
Bear was a beautiful boy.

[Arthur_Frain]

13. Only pet owners set themselves up for this heartache. But you can't stop us.

Through the end, he remembered when he could run forever. And you were there.

I may never get to heaven, or what other people call heaven. There’s about a dozen beings waiting for me at the rainbow bridge. I can’t believe it, but I have some apologies to make. Somehow, that rainbow bridge is heaven for me.

[cate94]

14. I'm so sorry

This last act of love is so difficult. you did right by him.

[brer cat]

15. I'm so sorry for your loss.

Losing two in one year is terrible. I hope your memories bring you comfort at this difficult time.

[calimary]

16. So very sorry to hear. What a handsome dog!

All those dogs in your photos are just gorgeous.

Maybe he’ll meet up with a dog we once loved - also named Bear. And our sweet Goldie also. And we have quite a few cats Upstairs, too, ready to introduce themselves once your Bear gets acclimated.

Will Rogers said it best:
“If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went."

[sillywabbit]

17. I am so sorry.

It's so hard to lose a wonderful dog you love.

[Fla Dem]

18. Chloe was waiting for Bear when he crossed "The Bridge".

Last edited Thu Dec 8, 2022, 10:19 AM - Edit history (1)

They’re together again. You did the right thing. He suffers no more. But I feel for your loss.
I’m sure Duke will be getting lots of extra loving as he misses his pal.

[BobTheSubgenius]

19. I was marginally stoic, until I got to the pictures.

Damn.

I'm sorry, but I have no words.

[blm]

20. 🕯🫶

[niyad]

21. Lady of the Beasts, please take Your sweet Bear gently home in Your loving arms, and

send peace and comfort to his grieving loved ones.

I am so very sorry for the loss of your precious Bear. Thank you for sharing him with us.

hugggggs

[Karadeniz]

22. They are beautiful animals. So sorry you lost your Bear, but you did the right thing...

[Permanut]

23. Beautiful boy.

Thanks for bringing memories and pics; you spoiled him rotten I hope.

[StarryNite]

24. I'm so very sorry for your loss.

Such a beautiful boy. All of them are beauties. Damn cancer. Why is there so much cancer in dogs?

Our neighbor has a pair of Great Pyrenees. They got them to protect their goats from coyotes. One of the dogs is constantly getting out of the yard by jumping over the fence. Late one night another neighbor was out standing on his deck when he saw the dog was out in the street. All of a sudden he sees some coyotes heading in the direction of the dog. He braced himself for what he thought was going to be a showdown between the dog and the coyotes. But when the coyotes got to the dog they all just kind of hung out together like they were old friends.

[Solly Mack]

25. I'm so sorry.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

26. I am so sorry for the loss of your family member

Great Pyrenees are amazing dogs. We helped place a Great Pyrenees with the lady who we did herding with. She had a flock of sheep that this Great Pyrenees loved to protect. It was funny when he watched other dogs herd his sheep. It was clear that he was keeping a close eye on his flock and none of these other dogs should mistreat his flock.

I am so sorry for the loss of your family member. Herding dogs are special and make great family members

[Mousetoescamper]

27. RIP, Bear. I'm so sorry for your loss, Bayard.

Gardener Bear pic really got to me.

[IcyPeas]

28. I am so sorry

What beautiful dogs.

💔

[SheltieLover]

29. Deepest condolences on the passing of your beloved companion, Bear.

Healing vibes on tge way to you & your family. 💓💓💓

[Donkees]

31. Rainbow Skies Above Pyrenees Mountains

Farewell Bear, Run Free 💙

[StarryNite]

34. Beautiful and fitting.

[irisblue]

33. I am so sorry for your loss

[Maraya1969]

35. Bayard I am so sorry. Such sweet looking fur babies.