#218 DUSTY (Great Pyrenees) Indianapolis, IN - Billings, MT

DUSTY #218, a 17 m/o, 85# Great Pyrenees has made it home to Billings, MT, safe and sound, although happy to stretch his long legs.

The original owners had a goat farm in Indiana and bought Dusty to herd the goats. Every time he went into the field of Fainting Goats, they would get so scared of him they would faint. So the owners gave him up to the rescue. Jim, a volunteer, brought Dusty to driver Kathy Y at Huntington, IN.

Dusty was very shy, quiet, gentle, didn't bark, and was very laid back. Because of his size, Kathy had to put his paws on the floorboard and then pick his rear up and shove him inside. He tried once to get inside himself but his size prevented him from doing so again. Kathy's dogs barked for the first four hours Dusty was on board.

Kathy had to stop at a terminal shop for truck repair. The mechanics reaction at seeing Dusty was pure disbelief. Once they got over their shock, they were interested in the breed and even played with him. Linda M, the receiver, called several times, so anxious to get Dusty.

At the Fying J near Billings, Linda M ran to Kathy's truck calling "where is he, where is he?" She was so excited but Dusty was too shy to go to her at first. So Kathy walked him a bit to get him settled down. When Linda drove her pick-up close to Kathy's truck, Dusty jumped into the bed, turned, and looked at Kathy as if to say, "At last, I'm home."

Dusty is having his own "block party" so everyone can meet him. The whole neighborhood has heard about him for two months.

During the trip, Dusty sat in the passenger seat and receive many astonished comments from other drivers. Lots of people came over to pet him when she had Dusty out for a walk. This breed is used for rescue and animal herding and are part of the genes for making Saint Bernards.

Kathy said both her shipper and receiver were astonished truckers would even take strange animals on our trucks. To take a dog this size blew their minds.

One of Kathy's dogs would sleep on the floor with Dusty instead of the bed. Kathy feels Lady Mimi felt sorry for him because he couldn't sleep on the bed.

In size, Dusty, standing, came up to Kathy's chest. On hind legs, he was better than 6 feet tall. However, Dusty will reach about 175#, so at 85#, he is only half grown!! He will continue to grow until he is 3 years old.

Linda said she had looked through thousands of photos until she found Dusty. He looked like the pet she had lost just six months ago. Linda works for a college and will be taking Dusty with her.

Linda gave Kathy a thank you card with the following inside.
"Dear Kathy, Thank you so much for taking the time to bring me to my forever home. You can never know how much my new Mom and I appreciate you and Operation Roger. We waited two months for you because you were the perfect choice. Please have a peaceful meal on us. Dusty and Linda"

Kathy reported that also printed on the card was the following: It was so nice of you and appreciated more than words can say.

When asked if she would ever again transport such an animal, Kathy's quick response was "In a heart beat."

Operation Roger driver Kathy Y - pu 9-13-07 - del 9-15-07