Atticus — The Sweetist Dog Ever

Attius by pool

Oh, my. How to start. Atticus came to us when he was three from the local Pyrenees Rescue. We had become so fond of the breed when we had Ollie. When Ollie died, we didn't think we could get another dog. That resolve lasted about three days. We so yearned for another Pyr. We also thought nusto girl, Bea, would like another big brother.

So we contacted the rescue and they brought over one pure Pyr, and Atticus, who was a mix between Pyrenees and Anatolian Shepherd. Bea made the choice. She wanted Atticus, who at that time, was known as Prince. (Yeah, yeah, so he is "The Dog Formerly Known as 'Prince'.")

We become so attached to him in short order. He had many guardian traits. He didn't patrol the yard the way Ollie did. However, he was immediately attracted to and defensive of us and all small animals, of more or less any species. He was very defensive of kittens.

Boy did he love to walk. He worked us out for years. Even in the hot Florida sun, he could go 4-5 miles at the time, stopping to introduce himself to everyone along the way, confident that they were craving to pet him. Usually he was right. One woman who claimed to be petrified of dogs just stood and petted and petted and petted him.

Oh, and Atticus never forgot a friendly petter.

He always managed to attract attention.

As he got older, he slowed down . . . although even at nine years of age (ancient for the giant breeds), he could walk (with the occasional sit) for hours at Adair Park. The climate in Knoxville was much more to his liking.

He did so love his Knoxville yard. He had a small knoll in the back yard where he could sit and survey his kingdom. After getting his morning (and afternoon and evening) loving, he wanted to go out, even in the cold and snow . . . although when it get very cold, he would eventually wander back in and curl up to get warm. Especially as he aged and developed thyroid problems, he began to lose parts of his once ample fur coat. He could not endure the cold the way he once did.

By the time he was ten and a half, he began developing symptoms of canine degenerative myelopathy. It was sad to see him have trouble walking. In his youth, he could run like the wind for a dog of his size. And he had a glorious trot: he looked as if he were almost floating on air. But as long as he seemed to enjoy his food, his petting, and his time on his knoll-throne, we wanted to let him partake of as much of life as he could. Then it was time.

We had to say good-bye to our good and noble and cudly friend, our protector, our latest canine child. We miss him so. The house and the world are not the same without him.

What an ambassador he was for the Great Pyrenees breed!

What an honor it was to know him.

Atticus standing near door

Bea and Atticus guard the fence

Atticus in snow on his "grassy" knoll

Atticus in Yard

Atticus Eating Doggy Ice Cream

Atticus Howling