Size
(when grown) Large 61-100 lbs (28-45 kg)
Details
Good with kids,
Good with dogs,
Good with cats,
House-trained,
Story
Meet Odysseus — proof that personal space is a myth and that emotional support sometimes arrives in the form of a dog who met you 12 seconds ago and has already decided you are The One.
Ody does not believe in easing into relationships. He believes in commitment. Specifically, the kind where he climbs directly into your lap, sighs dramatically, and melts into you like you’ve been bonded through lifetimes… even if you literally just said “hi.” Boundaries? Never heard of her. Stranger danger? Absolutely not. If you have a lap, a chest, or even a vaguely lap-adjacent area, congratulations — you now have a dog. He is incredibly sweet, ridiculously loving, and gives off very strong “therapy dog” energy. If you’ve ever wanted a dog who treats affection like a full-time job and believes love should be immediate, unconditional, and preferably while sitting directly on you — Ody is ready to clock in.
Odysseus came to us the way many great dogs unfortunately do — found abandoned, trying to be brave about it, and doing his best to keep moving forward despite an obvious limp that suggested something wasn’t quite right. At just one year old and already tipping the scales at 77 pounds, this Great Pyrenees/Golden Retriever mix had clearly been fending for himself, carrying both his big body and a not-so-small orthopedic problem with quiet determination. Once he was safely in our care, we did what we always do and got him in front of one of our trusted veterinarians to figure out exactly what was going on. The verdict: Odysseus has degenerative joint disease in both elbows. In simple terms, this means the cartilage in his elbow joints hasn’t developed or aged as it should, leading to inflammation, discomfort, and changes within the joint over time. In young, large-breed dogs like Ody, this can be influenced by genetics, rapid growth, joint structure, and sometimes just sheer bad luck. It’s not something that can be surgically “fixed,” but it can be managed very successfully with proper care — including pain medication when needed, joint support, weight management, and lifestyle considerations that keep him comfortable and mobile. His left elbow tends to bother him more than the right, which is why you’ll occasionally notice a limp — especially after a big day of play or zooming around like he forgot he’s supposed to have a diagnosis. And that’s the thing about Odysseus: he absolutely refuses to let it define him. Despite his joint disease, Ody runs, plays, and lives life with full enthusiasm. He doesn’t sulk, mope, or act fragile. He acts like a dog who woke up grateful to be here and intends to enjoy every minute of it. He is endlessly sweet, deeply affectionate, and completely committed to loving his people with his entire being. This is a dog who will climb over the back of a couch just to get close enough to curl up and cuddle, because proximity is non-negotiable and affection is his primary life goal. Odysseus is a wonderful example of a dog who may have a manageable medical condition but an absolutely unbeatable spirit. He’s not a “sad case,” he’s not limited, and he’s certainly not fragile — he’s a joyful, resilient, loving boy who simply needs a family willing to continue the care he deserves. With the right home, a little medical support, and a lot of couch space, Ody will give back far more love than he ever asks for in return.
Odysseus’ social résumé is extensive and frankly a little impressive. When it comes to other dogs, Ody is a certified Golden Retriever–level extrovert trapped in a Great Pyrenees-sized body. He loves other dogs, wants to be friends with all of them, and approaches playtime with the optimism of someone who assumes everyone else showed up specifically to meet him. If another dog corrects him, he doesn’t escalate — he submits, recalibrates, and carries on with his day like, “Understood, bestie. Still love you though.” Because of this, a grumpy senior dog who prefers peace, quiet, and yelling at clouds would not appreciate Ody’s constant “heyheyhey wanna play???” energy. He needs dog friends who are down to clown. Cats? Ody is good with them. He may briefly consider inviting them to play, but he has quickly learned that dogs are much more cooperative participants and significantly less likely to file formal complaints. As for kids, Ody hasn’t had regular exposure in his foster home, but has had limited exposure with a toddler and did wonderfully. Meeting new people is where Ody truly shines. He loves everyone. Friends, strangers, delivery drivers, people he passed once three weeks ago — all beloved. He greets humans with happy enthusiasm and will sometimes jump up in excitement, but it’s gentle, affectionate, and very much rooted in “I’m so glad you exist.” There’s no roughness, no intimidation — just a big, friendly dog who hasn’t quite learned that not everyone is prepared for that level of emotional commitment upon first meeting. Social butterfly doesn’t even cover it. Ody is the dog version of someone who thrives at parties, remembers everyone’s name, and somehow makes you feel like you’re his favorite person five minutes after meeting him.
Odysseus exists in that perfect medium-energy sweet spot — energetic enough to convince you that you’re an Outdoorsy Person now, but chill enough to remind you that couches were invented for a reason. In his heart, Ody is an adventure dog. In his elbows, he is a dog who needs reasonable expectations. He would love to join his people everywhere — errands, outings, life in general — but his joint disease means his adventures are best enjoyed in moderation. That said, don’t tell him that. He runs, jumps, plays, and generally acts like a dog who missed the memo that he’s supposed to slow down. He’s still very much in his older-puppy era and would be thrilled to be included in daily life, even if that life occasionally involves snacks and naps. Temperament-wise, Ody is what happens when sweetness gets legs. He’s affectionate, gentle, sensitive in the best way, and still has enough puppy brain left to be goofy and endearing. Loyal, loving, and deeply invested in his people, he’s the kind of dog who wants to be in your life, not just living near it. A happy-go-lucky enthusiast, a big soft dork, and a future best friend rolled into one oversized package. Toys? Yes. Big fan. Squeaky toys, chew toys, anything that confirms playtime is happening — he’s in. Water remains a mystery at this time. He may love it. He may prefer to supervise it. Jury’s still out. Ody would do best in a home with a securely fenced yard and, ideally, another young dog to play with. He’s not built for being crated alone for long stretches — he’s social, affectionate, and prefers companionship over solitude. Apartment life could work with commitment, but a yard and a buddy would be his personal heaven.
Odysseus is fully, proudly potty trained, which means he understands the sacred social contract of indoor plumbing and has chosen to honor it. A true gentleman. Kennels? Never heard of them. Ody has lived a free-range lifestyle and sees no reason to start confinement now. He’s earned his roaming privileges and uses them responsibly. Barking? Rare. If you hear him bark, it’s probably because the entire pack decided something was worth commenting on, and he didn’t want to feel left out. Otherwise, he’s pretty quiet — no dramatic monologues or unsolicited commentary. As for quirks and final notes: Odysseus still has some puppy left in him, but overall he’s an easy, well-mannered, affectionate dog who genuinely wants to be a good companion. He’s sweet, loving, low-drama, and deeply invested in being part of a family. Blanket supervision and toy availability recommended.
If you want a dog who loves deeply, cuddles like his life depends on it, behaves like your emotional support animal without ever being asked, and will improve your quality of life simply by existing in your space… Odysseus is ready. If you’re interested in adopting Odysseus, you’ll need to fill out an adoption application at https://www.pyrpawsandfluffytailsrescue.com/adoption-app so we can send it along to his foster family. This is not optional, no matter how charming your comment is or how badly you want to “just meet him real quick.” Paperwork is part of the romance. Trust the process. Pickup will be in Kiowa, OK, so please factor that into your grand love story before emotionally committing.