Revan

My story

Oh, Revan. He is living proof that just because you're big doesn't mean you're brave—and just because you look like a majestic guardian of the realm doesn't mean you're not terrified of, say, a laundry basket. At first glance, Revan might have you fooled into thinking he's some stoic adult dog with a philosophical outlook on life. But spend more than five minutes with him and you'll quickly realize: nope, he’s actually a giant toddler in a fluffy trench coat, still figuring out how to dog, and he's got the social confidence of a teenager at their first school dance. He’s cautious, curious, and quietly hilarious in his subtle ways—and while he’s not ready to lead a doggie conga line yet, he’s getting braver every day. Revan is an 11-month-old, 76-pound Bernese Mountain Dog who is currently starring in his own personal coming-of-age story—except instead of Hogwarts, he came from an outdoor setup, and instead of a wand, he’s been handed a leash and told, “Good luck, buddy.” He arrived with his pals Eloise and Daffy after their owner couldn’t find placements for them. And while most puppies were out there learning about stairs, vacuums, and how not to walk like a baby giraffe on tile, Revan was... not. Socialization? Never heard of it. Now, at nearly a year old, he’s figuring out what it means to be a dog in a human world—and let’s just say he’s about as prepared as if someone dropped from a log cabin into Times Square at rush hour. So yeah, Revan’s a little overwhelmed, a lot confused, and 100% winging it. But underneath all that awkward charm is a big soft goofball just trying to get the hang of modern life. Revan is basically the kid on the playground who wants to join the game but isn’t quite sure how to jump in—so instead, he stands off to the side watching everyone else play tag and quietly overthinks his life choices. He does like other dogs, in the sense that he’s incredibly submissive and would likely apologize if another dog barked at him too loudly. He hasn’t actually played with any dogs yet, but to be fair, his current role models are a trio of resident grumps who treat new fosters like mildly inconvenient houseplants. That said, he did show a flicker of interest when one of the more energetic Pyrs busted out some zoomies, so there’s hope. He might not know how to play, but with the right dog (read: patient, kind, and preferably with the emotional intelligence of a golden retriever therapist), he’ll probably get there. Now, cats? Revan's cool with them. He went nose-to-nose with one and didn’t spontaneously combust, which in the rescue world is basically a glowing recommendation. He even tried to bathe one—unclear if it was out of affection or because he thought it was a very weird-looking puppy, but still. A+ for effort. As for kids, let’s just say Revan is not applying to be a toddler’s emotional support dog anytime soon. He’s still at the “panics if you walk toward him in a narrow hallway” stage of development, so the idea of a shrieking, sticky-fingered blur charging at him for hugs? That’s a firm nope. He’s not aggressive—he just startles like he’s auditioning for a horror movie every time something loud or fast enters his space. He’s been making good progress, but yeah…he’s fragile. Like emotionally bubble-wrapped-fragile. Revan’s energy level hovers somewhere between a particularly lazy sloth and that one house cat who occasionally gets the zoomies but mostly just stares out the window contemplating life. Are you a thrill-seeking, mountain-climbing adventurer? Great! Revan will cheer you on... from the couch. This boy is a certified homebody. The idea of bustling dog parks, crowded patios, or any place where more than three people exist at the same time? Hard pass. Maybe, maybe a peaceful hike or a quiet trail someday, but don’t expect him to sign up for “dog-friendly brewery day” any time soon. His version of excitement is zooming around the backyard like a baby goat and discovering the magic of squeaky toys (which he still can’t decide if they’re friends or foes). Inside, Revan spends 90% of his time in the kitchen—because if you’re going to be socially awkward, you might as well do it near the snacks. He’ll venture into other rooms, but mostly like he’s on a diplomatic mission: in, out, no eye contact. He’s just now figuring out that toys exist and sometimes chooses to bark at them first, you know, just to establish dominance before carrying them around like a prized possession. Now, about that yard. A fenced-in yard is strongly recommended, but don’t think you’re just going to open the door and have him waltz back in like a well-adjusted pup. Oh no. At first, you’ll need to leash-walk him out there, otherwise, good luck catching him. Stand by the door when calling him in? Nope, he’ll just stare at you like you’re planning his abduction. Try to grab him? Enjoy watching him turn into a four-legged escape artist. The first few days in his new home will involve a whole lot of coaxing, patience, and possibly questioning your life choices—but once he trusts you, he’ll settle in. Just, you know, expect him to test your commitment to cardio in the meantime. Revan is potty-trained. It’s one of his few areas of expertise. Now, about kenneling—Revan likely spent a solid portion of his past life in an outdoor kennel, so trying to shove him into one now would go over about as well as a surprise dental exam. He's scared of pretty much everything as it is, so no need to add “metal box of despair” to his anxiety bingo card. Besides, he’s been a model citizen when left in the bedroom. Speaking of chewing, it hasn’t been a problem yet. But let’s not kid ourselves. He’s still in the "everything is terrifying" phase, which is probably the only reason your shoes and remote controls are still intact. Once he gets more confident and realizes the house isn’t haunted, there’s a solid chance he may start getting more mischievous. Barking? Minimal. He’s barked at toys when they had the audacity to squeak at him, but otherwise, he’s operating in stealth mode. Which brings us to his one loud feature: drinking water. Revan doesn’t so much “drink” as he attempts to drown half his face in the bowl, then dramatically lets half of it waterfall back onto your floor. So if you enjoy stepping in cold puddles and maintaining a towel rotation that rivals a gym locker room, you’re in luck. Oh, and did we mention that Revan, is the early morning alarm clock you never knew you needed? He’s a master at waking you up—not with the subtlety of a gentle nudge, but with the finesse of a puppy who’s convinced the moment you stir, it’s party time. You’re not awake until he’s licked you, pressed his face into yours, and given you his best impression of a morning greeting 7 times in a row because you dared to move each of those times. Sure, it’s a little obnoxious, but it’s also a delightful glimpse into his goofy and affectionate personality that is often hidden behind his fear. If you’re a morning person, great. You’ll love this enthusiastic display of affection. If you’re not, well, good luck. I can’t in good conscience recommend Revan to someone who prefers the quiet serenity of their sleep over a puppy’s love. You know, if you’re the type to want to actually sleep in the mornings—well, this little guy’s love might be a bit much. But hey, it’s probably the cutest form of morning torture you’ll ever endure. So, here's the deal—Revan is a complete master at making you adore him from afar. He's a mix of pure puppy energy and well-timed, endearing awkwardness. Think of him like that shy guy at the party who won't talk to anyone, but once you get him to open up, you're like, "Wow, you’re actually kind of awesome... and cute. If you're the type of person who’s ready to help a giant puppy navigate life, get some squeaky toys, and be the proud owner of the most timid yet lovable Berner in existence—then Revan is the one. Just know that you’ll need to give him time, patience, and perhaps an endless supply of towels for his water bowl shenanigans. Revan’s dream home could be yours, but you’ve got to make the trip to Sedalia, MO, to pick him up. So, what are you waiting for? Fill out that app at https://www.pyrpawsandfluffytailsrescue.com/adoption-app, grab some squeaky toys, and get ready for a lifetime of endearing awkwardness with Revan. You can thank us later for introducing you to this charming chicken of a fluffy butt!

If you have any questions or would like to adopt Revan, please reach out to the adoption group directly. PetSmart Charities does not facilitate the adoption process. Thank you.