Merlin

Introducing Merlin—because apparently someone ordered a gentle giant, selected “extra fluff,” enlarged him to the size of an iceberg, and then gave him the personality of a sweet old man who likes to sit nearby and quietly judge your decisions. Merlin is a 9-year-old, 126-pound male Great Pyrenees. That is 126 pounds of dog before you account for the fur, which seems capable of producing another small dog every time someone brushes him. He is big enough to block a doorway without realizing it, fluffy enough to make your vacuum consider early retirement, and gentle enough that his favorite place is simply close to his people. He’ll sit and watch what you’re doing with the thoughtful expression of someone who knows you came into the kitchen for a reason, even if you’ve already forgotten what it was.<br/><br/> Apply to adopt Merlin:<br/>https://www.pyrpawsandfluffytailsrescue.com/adoption-app<br/><br/> Merlin is fostered in Centerton, AR. His adopter must personally pick him up there. We do not transport.<br/><br/>Merlin shares his foster home with another dog and does well when meeting new ones. He’ll say hello, decide they seem perfectly nice, and then return to his own affairs. Every now and then he gets a burst of energy and wants to play, which must be quite a surprise for the other dog. One minute Merlin is one with the floor; the next, his doggy roommate looks up to find 126 pounds of excited yeti bouncing toward them. Merlin calls it running. The other dog is wondering how long Merlin has been able to move that fast—and why nobody warned them. Merlin enjoys canine company, but he isn’t looking for a dog who expects him to wrestle through every available hour of daylight. Merlin has other commitments, many of which involve lying down. Cats are an unknown. Merlin hasn’t lived with one in his current home, though he does bark at the cats who pass his window. Frankly, he has questions. They’re tiny creatures with knives attached to their feet, yet they walk past 126 pounds of Great Pyrenees without even slowing down. Merlin would like to know where they’re getting that confidence. Until he’s spent time with a cat indoors, we can’t say whether he’d welcome one as a roommate. He hasn’t lived with children there either, but his gentle manner makes us think older kids could be a lovely fit—especially ones who enjoy a big, calm dog, know to leave his food bowl alone, and understand that after a few pets, Merlin may clock out for a nap. A house full of wild toddlers may be less his speed. Merlin is a calm, enormous gentleman who sometimes lies in the middle of things; toddlers are small, fast, and have never once checked whether the iceberg in the hallway is about to move. His foster says he is gentle with everyone he meets. And he does love meeting people. Merlin is a social butterfly, if a butterfly could weigh 126 pounds, block your exit, and expect a belly rub before letting the evening continue. He likes affection, but he has a reasonable limit: enjoy some pets, perhaps request a hug, then fall asleep with his person nearby. He wants your company even when he’s done being petted. It’s rather endearing, provided you didn’t need to get past him to reach the bathroom. <br/><br/>Merlin clocks in at a 4 out of 10 on the energy scale. He is a homebody and a devoted admirer of air conditioning, which seems fair for someone wearing enough fur to outfit a winter expedition. He loves being inside where it’s cool, but he also enjoys going into the backyard for a sunbath. Merlin’s ideal afternoon appears to involve warming up outside, coming back in, and recovering in the AC as though he has just crossed the Sahara. He also likes to watch his people. His foster says he judges every move they make and every step they take. Walk into a room and forget why? Merlin saw. Open the refrigerator, stare into it, and close it again? Merlin saw that too. He won’t embarrass you in front of company, but his expression suggests your annual review is going to be interesting. He takes watching over his family seriously. Merlin may settle by a door or position himself where he can keep an eye on his people. When 126 pounds of Great Pyrenees decides to guard a doorway, the doorway is effectively closed until further notice. He does bark when he hears strange noises or when the garage door opens while his people are in front of him, but he isn’t a dog who spends the whole day narrating neighborhood activity. His foster hasn’t noticed any particular fears or dramatic overreactions. Merlin can hear an odd sound, investigate from his chosen position, and decide whether it merits an announcement. Most things, apparently, do not. <br/><br/>Although Merlin is quite happy at home, he loves going for walks and gets excited to see his leash. He walks ahead of his person without dragging them along, which is especially appreciated when the person on the other end of the leash weighs less than Merlin and all his hair combined. Do keep hold of that leash, though. If you let go, Merlin may decide the walk has become a self-guided tour, and he has several destinations in mind that were not on your itinerary. He also enjoys sudden adventures and is generally willing to go along with whatever the day brings. Getting into a vehicle takes a little effort because, as his foster delicately puts it, Merlin is “a bit chubby.” Asking him to hop in is like asking an iceberg to board a canoe: he’s willing, but everyone needs a moment to consider the logistics. Once all 126 pounds of Merlin are aboard and his rear end has cleared the doorway, he settles in and enjoys the ride. He leaves the driving to you, though he may watch you park with the same quiet judgment he applies to everything else. Toys and fetch hold no particular appeal for Merlin. You may throw a ball, but he has no reason to believe your decision to discard it has created work for him. Whether he likes playing in water is unknown. Merlin’s interests are simpler: walks, car rides, sunbaths, cool rooms, naps near his people, and making sure the household remains under his quiet supervision. When he needs food, water, or to go outside, he stares at his people until someone figures it out. The stare is apparently his entire communication system. Merlin sees no need to bark when he can simply look at you like a disappointed restaurant patron waiting for someone to notice his empty glass.<br/><br/>Inside the house, Merlin has the kind of manners you hope for in a grown dog. He is potty trained, knows “sit,” doesn’t chew things he shouldn’t, and hasn’t shown other mischievous behavior or escape tendencies. He stays loose in the house while his foster family is at work and does well until they return. At night, he sleeps by his foster parents’ bedroom door, where he can be near them and continue serving as a very large, very fluffy hallway checkpoint. He is allowed on the couch. At his size, that means the couch is also allowed to accommodate you, provided Merlin has finished selecting his seat. Kennels, however, are not for him. Merlin hates them and is much happier with the household routine he already handles so well. Merlin’s ideal home would have people who love the gentle, watchful nature of a Great Pyrenees; a fenced backyard where he can enjoy his sunbaths; and plenty of indoor time with his family and their beloved air conditioning. He lives with another dog now and does well meeting dogs, though he doesn’t need a full-time playmate to feel fulfilled. After more than eight years with his family, Merlin is looking for a new place to belong. He isn’t asking for constant entertainment or an elaborate itinerary. He wants a home where he can take his walks, nap in comfort, keep an eye on his people, and occasionally remind them that belly rubs are part of the agreement. He is a sweet, social, gentle giant who loves hard, even if he expresses some of that love by sitting nearby and silently questioning what you’re doing with those groceries. If you’re ready to make Merlin part of your family, fill out an adoption application at:<br/><br/>https://www.pyrpawsandfluffytailsrescue.com/adoption-app<br/><br/>Yes, the application. Merlin cannot review a Facebook comment that says “Interested,” no matter how long and thoughtfully he stares at it. Once you apply, we can share your application with his foster family. If approved, you’ll need to pick Merlin up in person; we do not transport. Please arrive with a vehicle that can accommodate 126 pounds of Great Pyrenees.

Introducing Merlin—because apparently someone ordered a gentle giant, selected “extra fluff,” enlarged him to the size of an iceberg, and then gave him the personality of a sweet old man who likes to sit nearby and quietly judge your decisions. Merlin is a 9-year-old, 126-pound male Great Pyrenees. That is 126 pounds of dog before you account for the fur, which seems capable of producing another small dog every time someone brushes him. He is big enough to block a doorway without realizing it, fluffy enough to make your vacuum consider early retirement, and gentle enough that his favorite place is simply close to his people. He’ll sit and watch what you’re doing with the thoughtful expression of someone who knows you came into the kitchen for a reason, even if you’ve already forgotten what it was.

Apply to adopt Merlin:
https://www.pyrpawsandfluffytailsrescue.com/adoption-app

Merlin is fostered in Centerton, AR. His adopter must personally pick him up there. We do not transport.

Merlin shares

Introducing Merlin—because apparently someone ordered a gentle giant, selected “extra fluff,” enlarged him to the size of an iceberg, and then gave him the personality of a sweet old man who likes to sit nearby and quietly judge your decisions. Merlin is a 9-year-old, 126-pound male Great Pyrenees. That is 126 pounds of dog before you account for the fur, which seems capable of producing another small dog every time someone brushes him. He is big enough to block a doorway without realizing it, fluffy enough to make your vacuum consider early retirement, and gentle enough that his favorite place is simply close to his people. He’ll sit and watch what you’re doing with the thoughtful expression of someone who knows you came into the kitchen for a reason, even if you’ve already forgotten what it was.

Apply to adopt Merlin:
https://www.pyrpawsandfluffytailsrescue.com/adoption-app

Merlin is fostered in Centerton, AR. His adopter must personally pick him up there. We do not transport.

Merlin shares his foster home with another dog and does well when meeting new ones. He’ll say hello, decide they seem perfectly nice, and then return to his own affairs. Every now and then he gets a burst of energy and wants to play, which must be quite a surprise for the other dog. One minute Merlin is one with the floor; the next, his doggy roommate looks up to find 126 pounds of excited yeti bouncing toward