Junior Bear the Tongue Out Sweetheart

Junior Bear honestly looks like someone accidentally combined a sad old grandpa, a baby polar bear, and Sid from Ice Age into one dog and somehow... it works perfectly! This poor guy was in rough shape when he was first found, but watching him slowly transform has honestly been so special. His coat is already coming back in beautifully, and while we can't guarantee exactly how fluffy he'll end up being, we can confidently say he is becoming cuter by the day.

Between the permanently expressive facial expressions, the little tongue that sticks out of his mouth like he always has something important to say, and the shy gentle personality hiding underneath it all, Junior is one of those dogs that completely sneaks up on your heart. He is believed to be a Great Pyrenees/Lab mix, approximately 6 years old and currently weighs around 50 lbs.

Ideal Home

Junior needs someone patient, understanding, and willing to go slow while trust is being built. He truly feels like a dog that just needs someone willing to meet him where he's at emotionally instead of forcing him into situations before he's ready. He could potentially do okay in a quieter apartment, townhome, duplex, or condo setting, but we really think having access to some kind of small yard would help him settle in more comfortably while building confidence with his new person.

Ongoing Health

Junior Bear is a rescue dog and with any rescue, it's always a mystery and we cannot guarantee breed or age.

Training & Support

In the beginning, he can become uncomfortable with too much touch too quickly. However, when approached calmly and respectfully, he has continued showing that he is capable of building trust beautifully. He is crate trained and quiet in the home. Junior walks very easily on leash and honestly has the cutest little old man stroll ever. He likes to casually meander along at his own pace and seems to do best when allowed to lead the walk a little bit himself. Too much leash pressure tends to overwhelm him and then he freezes like a statue. Less pressure and more patience is really the key with him. He likes calm energy and slow introductions to things.

Junior is dog friendly and has done well with every dog we have introduced him to so far, including dogs much smaller than him. He has been very respectful, easygoing, and mostly aloof around other dogs overall. He'll sniff, coexist peacefully, let dogs sniff him, and then usually go right back to minding his own business. He's definitely more of a quiet peaceful coexistence type than a built-in wrestling buddy. We think he would do best with lower to medium energy respectful dogs that will give him space to acclimate naturally and won't overwhelm him socially. He has also been around small dogs multiple times and did wonderfully with them.

Junior also met our house cat Biggie and met him appropriately and was very respectful around him. He did not chase Biggie, nor was he bothered by Biggie jumping or doing what cats do. Biggie also seemed to feel comfortable around him as well. We do not know if he has ever lived in a home before with a cat and this was our first time seeing him with a cat. If you have a cat in the home, we can arrange for Junior to have a sleepover with a cat upon request.

Application Details:

• Applications start by contacting us through Wags.
• The adoption fee is $1200 and includes all vetting (DAPP with booster, Bordetella, Rabies vaccine, multiple broad spectrum deworming treatments, spay/neuter, flea prevention, a 12 month heartworm preventative injectable, heartworm test and treatment if needed, a microchip with free lifetime registration, a high quality nylon Martingale collar, a health certificate deeming the pup healthy for travel, cost of transport*, and priceless years of love and loyal companionship!)
• Due to rising transportation costs, a $87 surcharge applies.

Transportation:

We facilitate adoptions nationwide using our rescue-run USDA certified transport system, ensuring every pet travels safely and comfortably with 24/7 care. Our transport includes drop-off locations in WA, UT, OR, ID, VA, PA, OH, NY, CT, VT, TN, KY, WI, MN, IL, WI and Canada (pick up in Bellingham, WA, Buffalo, NY or Brattleboro, VT for Canadian adopters). You will have the opportunity to track their journey in real-time, see photo updates, learn fun facts, connect with fellow adopters and fosters through our private Facebook event page! You can find more information and apply to adopt at wags.com.