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. Junior Bear is believed to be a Great Pyrenees/Lab mix, approximately 6 years old and currently weighs around 50 lbs. He is a rescue dog, and with any rescue, it's always a mystery, and we cannot guarantee breed or age. What we CAN guarantee though is that this boy has one of the most unintentionally hilarious and lovable faces we've ever seen. His expressions are absolutely incredible. Truly the type of dog that makes you wish you could speak fluent dog because you know he has thoughts and opinions constantly running through that little head. Junior is a very sweet, gentle soul, but he is definitely more of a slow burn with people and new environments. He needs a little time to settle in, observe, and realize he's safe before fully opening up. The good news? Baby talking him absolutely works. Seriously, tell him he's handsome, speak softly to him, let him approach you on his own terms, and you can literally watch him start melting. Once he warms up, you start seeing those little glimpses of his inner puppy come out, and honestly, it's adorable. He'll start asking for affection, leaning into attention, and showing off this really sweet, cuddly side that feels incredibly rewarding to earn.

Ideal Home

Junior 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. If you have a cat in the home, we can arrange for Junior to have a sleepover with a cat upon request. 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 needs someone patient, understanding, and willing to go slow while trust is being built. Especially 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. Junior 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. Junior is not the type of dog that's immediately going to run into your arms and act like your best friend on day one. He's the type of dog where the connection builds slowly and then suddenly one day you realize this weird adorable little creature completely stole your heart. 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

No specific health conditions were mentioned in the listing.

Training & Support

Junior is crate trained and quiet in the home.

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!).
• Hard costs for a healthy dog range from $804-$920; heartworm-positive dogs or those needing specialized care can exceed $2,000+. Adoption fees help cover a portion of these expenses, but without government funding, we rely on fundraising to bridge the gap-ranging from $100-$1,000+ per dog.
• Adopters also receive special perks including extensive behavioral testing and information from trainers, discounts on Embark DNA test kits, 30-day trial of pet insurance with Trupanion, a free private online dog training session with GoodPup, discounts on in-person dog training through Rover Training, discounts on Fetch fresh dog meatballs subscription, coupons for Petco, discounts on Dr. Cuddles pet first aid and hygiene solutions, discounted heartworm, flea prevention, and monthly dewormer, and access to the exclusive FB Adopters page.

Transporation

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! Due to rising transportation costs, a $87 surcharge applies.