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 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 weighing 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! 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. 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, 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.

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 wonderful with small dogs. He met our house cat, Biggie, appropriately and respectfully, and we can arrange for Junior to have a sleepover with a cat upon request. We 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 are mentioned.

Training & Support

Junior 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 he freezes like a statue. Less pressure and more patience are key. He likes calm energy and slow introductions to things. Junior needs someone patient, understanding, and willing to go slow while trust is being built. He is crate trained and quiet in the home.

Application Details:

• Applications start by contacting us through Wags.
• The adoption fee is $1200, which includes all vetting, transport, and more.

Transporation

We facilitate adoptions nationwide using our rescue-run USDA certified transport system. Drop-off locations include WA, UT, OR, ID, VA, PA, OH, NY, CT, VT, TN, KY, WI, MN, IL, WI, and Canada. Transport includes real-time tracking, photo updates, and a private Facebook event page. Pickup for Canadian adopters is available in Bellingham, WA, Buffalo, NY, or Brattleboro, VT.