Derecho

My story

Oh look out world—Derecho has entered her main character era. Derecho was auditioning for the role of “dog-shaped houseplant”—silent, still, and avoiding eye contact like a teenager at a family reunion. Fast-forward to now, and she’s not just existing, she’s thriving. Tail wags? Check. Zooming with the dog pack like she’s training for the Fluffy Olympics? Absolutely. Letting her human pet her like some kind of emotionally available mammal? You bet. She’s writing her own transformation montage in real-time, and spoiler alert: it’s got a lot of heart, a touch of sass, and just enough vulnerability to make you cry a little (the good kind of cry). She may still give the world a little side-eye now and then, but let’s be real—don’t we all? If you're the kind of person who believes in underdogs, glow-ups, and dogs who are brave enough to try—even when it’s hard—Derecho just might be your girl. Just don’t call it a comeback. She’s been here the whole time... plotting her soft and fluffy rise. Derecho is a 4-month-old, 10lb female Great Pyrenees mix and is part of our Natural Disaster litter—which feels wildly appropriate considering the whirlwind her life started in. She came to us with 13 other puppies after someone got in over their head with dogs. Thankfully, with some heroic help from our shelter partners, we were able to scoop up the whole fluffy storm system and bring them into our fluffy butt family. Derecho arrived unsure, shut down, and probably wondering if this whole “puppyhood” thing was ever going to be a safe experience. But here’s the thing about Derecho—this girl is resilient. Each day she takes another brave little step away from survival mode and closer to being a real puppy. She’s learning that food shows up regularly, people say kind things and bring snacks, and that belly rubs are, in fact, legal and encouraged. Derecho isn’t just looking for a home. She’s looking for a fresh start—with someone who’ll show her that trust is safe, kindness is consistent, and that the best storms are the ones that end in cuddles. Derecho is a total dog’s dog—which makes sense, really. When your early life is a chaotic blend of “please don’t touch me” and “where’s my next meal coming from,” you cling to the only consistent comfort available: the other furry weirdos just trying to survive it with you. She adores other dogs like they’re her personal emotional support group and social translators. Honestly, if she could hire a Labrador as her PR manager, she probably would. As for cats? No formal introductions yet, but this girl launched herself into a 95-pound tortoise enclosure like she was making a surprise cameo on Animal Planet. She’s clearly open to making friends across species lines. Tiny humans? Let’s just say Derecho believes children are best admired from a distance. When she met some kids aged 6–10, she gracefully exited stage left and retreated to her favorite hidey-hole in the yard. She’s not here for the sticky fingers or high-pitched giggles just yet. Meeting new people is... let's just say that Derecho treats humans like suspicious door-to-door salespeople—she’s out the back before they even get a chance to say hello. That said, in her foster home she’s made huge strides, and she’s not stopping now. She’s the kind of girl who warms up slowly, like your grandma’s ancient coffee pot—but when she gets there, it’s worth the wait. Derecho’s energy level is a solid 5 out of 10—which places her somewhere between a sleepy sloth and a mildly caffeinated squirrel. She’s not scaling mountains, but she’s not a total potato either. Think: "Will join the pack zoomies for five minutes and then return to her regularly scheduled loaf mode." A perfect balance, really. At the moment, she’s more of a homebody than a thrill-seeker. She’s not signing up for any 5Ks or brunch patio appearances just yet. Her current vibe? Cozy introvert who just wants to hang with her person, preferably in a quiet corner of the home where no one’s trying to make eye contact or—heaven forbid—talk to her. But give her a little time and confidence, and she might just turn into the kind of girl who considers the car a chariot and the dog park a catwalk. TBD. Temperament-wise, Derecho has been on her very own fluffy little hero’s journey. She started out playing dead like it was an Olympic sport, but now? She’s wagging her tail, running with the pack, and letting her foster pick her up like some kind of tiny emotional support burrito. She’s basically the poster child for “don’t underestimate me.” Whatever she’s becoming, she’s putting in the work, and we are here for the glow-up. As for hobbies, mealtime is obviously the holy grail (she is a puppy, after all), but cradling has officially entered the chat. Once a tense, uncertain potato, Derecho now melts into your arms like warm butter on a biscuit. It’s deeply flattering, honestly. Currently, she’s all about the “flight over fight” lifestyle—she hears or sees something out of the norm, and she's halfway to another zip code. So yes, a securely fenced yard is non-negotiable right now. But once this girl finishes her transformation arc? She could probably thrive anywhere. Apartment in the city, cabin in the woods, dog-friendly yacht—you name it. She’s not there yet, but give her time. Derecho is just getting started. Potty training? We’re getting there—as long as you follow the schedule, Derecho will too. Think of it as a synchronized dance routine: if you miss your cue, someone’s probably peeing on the stage. She’s not out here reading your mind or downloading housebreaking protocols overnight—she’s a puppy, not a wizard. Her thoughts on kennels? Actually shockingly positive. Derecho treats her kennel like a personal zen den. It’s her safe space, her little escape-from-the-world nook. Of course, the door’s left open because she’s in the puppy room though. As for barking—oh yes, she participates. She’s no lead soprano in the Bark Philharmonic, but she’ll gladly lend her voice when the rest of the pack is gossiping about suspicious squirrels or ghost mailmen. She’s more of a background vocalist in the dog choir—reliable, on cue, but not trying to drop a solo album. And let’s just be clear: she’s still very much a puppy. So unless you enjoy the unique thrill of discovering your shoe has been converted into a chew toy, go ahead and assume that puppy-proofing isn’t optional. It’s survival. For your belongings. And your sanity. So if you're thinking, “Wow, I’d love a soft, emotionally complex puppy with a growing taste for cuddles,” then congratulations—you might be Derecho’s person. But fair warning: she's not being shipped via Amazon Prime or arriving by drone. If you want this fuzzy little work-in-progress, you’ll need to fill out an adoption app like a responsible human and come scoop her up in Oklahoma City, OK. Yes, that’s a real place. Yes, you have to drive there. No, she will not meet you halfway. She's working on her confidence, not her ride-sharing skills.

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