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, looking more like a little naked mole rat than a fluffy Great Pyrenees mix, 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. 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!

Ideal Home

Junior needs someone patient, understanding, and willing to go slow while trust is being built. 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 also did wonderfully around small dogs. He met our house cat, Biggie, appropriately and was very respectful. We can arrange for Junior to have a sleepover with a cat upon request. He would be perfectly content living a slower-paced lifestyle filled with comfy naps, quiet companionship, sniffing around the yard, and peaceful walks. 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, so we cannot guarantee breed or age.

Training & Support

Junior 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. Baby talking him absolutely works! Tell him he's handsome, speak softly to him, and let him approach you on his own terms, and you can literally watch him start melting. Once he warms up, you'll start seeing glimpses of his inner puppy come out, and it's adorable. He'll start asking for affection, leaning into attention, and showing off a sweet, cuddly side that feels incredibly rewarding to earn. He walks very easily on leash 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 are key with him. He likes calm energy and slow introductions to things. In the beginning, he can become uncomfortable with too much touch too quickly. He is crate trained and quiet in the home.

Application Details:

• Applications start by contacting us through Wags.
• We are willing to test Junior Bear with anything you need to ensure it's a perfect match.

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, and connect with fellow adopters and fosters through our private Facebook event page.