Canine heaven is indeed on Earth. John and Linda Kryder have been rescuing Great Pyrenees for 18 years, bringing them to a doggie’s dream setting at their home in Black Forest.Great Pyrenees Rescue has brought in more than 1,700 Pyrenees pooches of all ages, housing them amidst rolling hills and plenty of space until they are adopted or die of old age. Pyrenees that have been neglected, abused or given up by their owners find sanctuary in the elaborate kennels built by the couple. The canines are showered with affection and nursed back to health, no matter the cost.Visitors at the Kryder home are greeted by the gargantuan and ever-so-gentle Kuma, a 185-pound Pyrenees rescued from northwestern Colorado. Kuma means “bear” in Japanese.A first encounter with a Pyrenees dog can be alarming because their massive size is often intimidating, but they are protectors by nature and well-known for their social and loving disposition.”These dogs are perceptive; they can sense the needs of those around them,” Linda Kryder said. She trains the dogs to become comfortable around humans again. She also grooms the dogs, and everyday makes their beds and walks each dog individually.”I was afraid of dogs until I was 62 years old,” Kryder said. It wasn’t until after John Kryder’s hearing started to decline that they bought their first Pyrenees dog, Nichole. They faced many obstacles with Nichole, ranging from bad behavior to chewed belongings to being dragged behind a leash. Linda Kryder researched the breed and then became a trainer. The rest is history. Nichole brought about a dream that manifested into a full-blown rescue operation.”We joined the Mile High Club and began to rescue,” John Kryder said. “Then we decided we could do it on our own.”Linda Kryder is now 79 years old and John Kryder is 82, and they are busier than ever expanding the rescue. They recently purchased a 40-acre lot with a house and barn on Jones Road in Black Forest, and they are raising money to plant trees and build a large kennel.PYRescue is looking to the community for support. “We want to take more dogs in,” John Kryder said. Their current facility in Black Forest can accommodate about 22 dogs, all of which are available for adoption.”We need volunteers,” Linda Kryder said. “We need help … we are too old to do it by ourselves anymore.” The Kryders would like to build a large sanctuary with enough volunteers and community support for it to remain in operation long-term. “We aren’t doing this for us,” she said. “What will happen to the dogs after we are gone?”They accept financial donations as well as used goods, which they sell. The Kryders also sell custom calendars, Christmas cookies and egg rolls.”We want to make this place not only a rescue and sanctuary for the Great Pyrenees dogs, but we want it to serve the community, too,” Linda Kryder said. They want to introduce the loyal breed to senior citizens and disabled children; the new Great Pyrenees Rescue will be a sanctuary where everyone can visit.PYRescue has recently received many dogs, and the Kryders are always searching for loving homes. The most notable additions are the lively duo, Starsky and Hutch, as well as four puppies.The adoption process at PYRescue is simple: The dog chooses the new human.For more information and photos, visit http://pyrescue.orgDonations can be mailed to 13990 Windy Pine Dr., Elbert, Colo. 80106
