Andre Crosses the Rainbow Bridge

during Christmas this year

Just over three years ago, we adopted a very large dog.

We'd been going through a rescue that specializes in Golden Retrievers, and got something we thought was a mix.  A 110+ pound mix of Golden Retriever and... something.  Our new boi swiftly got healthier and was now a 120+ pound mix.  And, as it would turn out, not a Golden at all, but a Great Pyrenees mix with a dollop of Pit Bull.  

But because the rescue thought he was a gigantic Golden, they'd named him Andre the Giant.  When given a chance to rename him, we figured he'd just been given a new name, and he sure seemed like an Andre.  

In the end, his breed explained a lot.  As a Golden, he'd had a hard time getting adopted out because he would bark at people who came to meet him, which could be intimidating.  But, Pyrs are sheep guard dogs, and they bark at people entering their territory.  We didn't have that problem - he came to meet us at our house - and it was kind of love at first sight, but when we thought he was a Golden, his behavior was super odd.  

When he didn't want to do something badly enough, or he got scared, he would sploot - just go to ground and dare you to move him.  He didn't want to be in the backyard at all, even with us, and he was very confused by things Goldens love, like toys, pleasing people, and following commands - which is not a thing Pyrs care about at all.  

As he wouldn't go in the backyard, he was walked a minimum of four times per day.  Because he was just checking out his range, he didn't want to go much further than the end of the street or around the pond near our house.  

Once we had his breed info in hand, and looked up Pyrs, it was all classic Pyr behavior, and we knew he wasn't just ornery or could even really be trained.  He was just going to be who he was, and that was okay.

In many ways, it was like having a 125 pound toddler around.  He knew what he wanted, he could sort of let you know, he wanted treats and he wanted love.  I spent almost every evening of the past 3 years with him pressed up against me on the sofa, crawling closer and closer all the time, til he was laying upside down on me.  Sometimes he'd really fall asleep and I was kind of trapped beneath him, or would give up and just let him sleep.  And I loved it.  

two dudes watching UT play in the Cotton Bowl

There are hundreds and hundreds of pics in my photo-roll of Andre, usually snoozing or asleep or pressed up against us.  I was with him physically touching me usually 4-6 hours per day.  And walking him in rain, cold, heat and whatever Central Texas throws at us.  Together, we found a Birdsong tracking app, and he would walk and I would listen for new birds. 

He was absolutely full of personality.  All of our dogs have been totally different, and all of them full of love in their particular way.  And it was very hard not to feel loved by him.  When I fell sick, he would be my couch companion and make sure I was looked after when Jamie was in bed or out of the house.  And, many a morning, I woke up with Andre climbing onto the bed and insisting on pets before I even woke up.

Anyway, if you ever have a chance to share a few years with too much dog, I highly recommend it.

best pal coming to check on me

We just celebrated Andre's 3rd "Gotcha Day" on December 26th, 2024.  I never knew how old he was or what his life was before he came to us, but my goal was to make sure he always knew he was loved and cared for and safe.  His breed may have told him to protect us, but I wanted him to know we felt the same for him.

He'd been having some seemingly unrelated health issues on and off since early December.  But, no matter what, he stuck to part of his habits - his walks, his wake and sleep schedule.  Couch and cuddle time.  But the last week, in particular, he'd developed a cough, and I assumed he was also suffering from allergies - which he did sometimes. He'd stopped eating.

It was cancer.  It was bad.  

We said good-bye around 5:45 this evening.  I've cried some letting Mel, Jeff, Lucy and Scout go.  I really felt it this time.  It was too soon.  We didn't have enough time with him.  But is there ever enough time?

I'm a mess tonight, but I also know we kept him from suffering and watching him just get worse.  All you can do is keep the number of bad days as few as possible.  My baby boy deserved to never feel scared or hurt.  

We got to say good-bye, and I got to hold him so he knew he was loved til he went to sleep.

People say the pets cross the rainbow bridge and wait for us.  And, when I count up all my friends from over the years, it's what I hope for.  Let them take care of each other til I catch up.

Y'all forgive me, because I'm going to be a wreck for a bit.