Great Pyrenees Mix Obsessed With Pool Since Adoption Wins Pet of the Week

Newsweek

10 hours ago

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Another week of pet videos gracing timelines—including a paralyzed dachshund attempting to run with his doggy sibling and a cat's reaction to her new home in a new country—melted our hearts.
But the week wouldn't be complete without the latest winner and finalists for this week's Pet of the Week line-up from our own Newsweek readers.
Be sure to follow the instructions at the end of the story to submit your pet to be in the running.
Winner
Screenshots from a reader video of her six-month-old Great Pyrenees and Saint Bernard mix swimming in the pool.
Screenshots from a reader video of her six-month-old Great Pyrenees and Saint Bernard mix swimming in the pool.
Ashli Guglielmo
This week's Pet of the Week winner can't keep her paws dry. From the moment her family rescued her, Bella has been a water dog.
Owner Ashli Guglielmo told Newsweek that since the family brought home Bella, the Great Pyrenees and Saint Bernard mix, she's been obsessed with the pool. She was 9 weeks old when she was adopted, and on that same day, she jumped straight into the water.
There had been a few swimming scares before she finally learned to get herself to safety. And now, it's a nonstop pool party with Bella.
"Now at just 6 months, she is in the pool every single day just doing her doggy paddling, which we find absolutely precious," Guglielmo said. "We just wish she could teach her three Great Pyrenees brothers how to follow in her footsteps!"
Finalists
Photos of an owner's two rescue dogs, Shayla (left) and Tayen (right).
Photos of an owner's two rescue dogs, Shayla (left) and Tayen (right).
Chelly Bolger Wathen
Our first finalists for this week are Shayla and Tayen, two rescue dogs Chelly Bolger Wathen and her husband adopted from a Ukrainian orphanage and an Arizona humane society focused on rescuing abandoned and stray animals from the Navajo reservation. The canines went from being unwanted strays to a forever home.
The couple adopted Shayla, a shepherd and wolfdog mix, about five years ago, she told Newsweek via email. They learned she lived in Ukraine, but a volunteer with Amazing Strays Foundation helped bring her to the United States with several other dogs. Shayla became her "muse" for writing children's books.
"I love that Shayla goes to bookfairs and events, even at a college, with me and delights people of all ages, especially kids," she said.
Then, this past November, they welcomed home Tayen after a previous dog passed. The couple wanted Shayla to have another friend. The two dogs are now "best buddies," with Tayen being the family comedian and Shayla enjoying the youthful playfulness.
Photo of a Husky named Chakota hanging out the car window, enjoying the breeze.
Photo of a Husky named Chakota hanging out the car window, enjoying the breeze.
Courtesy of the Smalls
Next up is Chakota, a dog who helped a grieving partner through the loss of his wife in 2022. The couple brought home Chakota in 2016 when the pup was only 5 weeks old.
The couple loved spending time with Chakota up until 2022, when tragedy struck. Karin Small passed from cancer. Chakota stepped up big, lending himself to be a rock for Karin's partner.
"Now, I have Chakota and a cat," he said. "Chakota is my buddy. I take him just about everywhere I can...Chakota is never very far from my side."
Photos of an 11-week-old French Bulldog puppy named Boswellia, who the owner calls a "firecracker."
Photos of an 11-week-old French Bulldog puppy named Boswellia, who the owner calls a "firecracker."
Nika SessionReed
Last but not least, we have an 11-week-old French Bulldog puppy named Boswellia with owner Nika SessionReed, who recently welcomed her home.
Her son went to the breeder to pick up Boswellia; however, he accidentally grabbed the wrong sex. The family originally wanted a male, SessionReed told Newsweek via email. But after already meeting her and "falling head over hills for her," SessionReed couldn't imagine switching her out.
"I asked [the breeder] to keep her, and it's been Heaven Sent from there on," she said. "Having Boswellia has its challenging moments due to my job, which by the way I work on dredges and big ships, so I travel A LOT from state to state. It has been amazing having her with me because I am away on different projects and away from my family 4-5 months at a time, so having Boswellia with me is definitely a great thing because just like she needs me, I need her as well."
Her favorite thing about Boswellia is that she's a "little fireball." She's fierce and comes with spunk. Her giant eyes make you instantly melt.
If you think your pet could be next week's Newsweek "Pet of the Week," send us your funny and heartwarming videos and pictures of your pet, along with a bit about them to [e-mail], and they could appear in our "Pet of the Week" lineup.