Gladiator

My story

Introducing Gladiator—because clearly, the name “Snuggle Muffin” was already taken. Despite sounding like he moonlights as Russell Crowe’s stunt double, Gladiator is less “Are you not entertained?!” and more “Are you not going to sit down so I can cuddle you?” He’s a certified sweetheart who’d rather frolic in the yard than fight off invaders, and once he’s had his outdoor fun, he transforms into a total couch loaf. Inside, he’s chill enough to be mistaken for a throw pillow with a heartbeat. So if you’re looking for a dog that brings the name Gladiator and the temperament of a retired yoga instructor, congrats—you’ve found your champion. Gladiator is living proof that you can survive a near-death battle with parvo and still look this cute. At just 4 months old and 25lbs of Great Pyrenees mix fluff, Gladiator has already lived up to his name in the most dramatic way possible. He and his siblings, CJ and Mojave, ended up in the shelter before getting their golden ticket to the land of second chances (a.k.a. our fluffy butt family). He was just starting to figure out the joys of being a normal puppy—hen parvo came knocking. But don’t worry, this brave baby battled through it like a true warrior. And now? He’s healthy, sweet, and ready to swap his gladiator armor for a forever home, preferably one with a yard to romp in and a human or two to soak in all his chill indoor cuddles. He's got the heart of a fighter and the soul of a snuggler—if you’re ready to welcome a battle-tested cuddlebug into your life, fill out that adoption app and come get your very own little hero. Gladiator treats other dogs like they’re all long-lost friends at a high school reunion—whether they asked for it or not. He comes in hot with the “LET’S BE BESTIES” energy, possibly rehearsed in front of a mirror, but luckily, he’s got enough social sense to read the room. If the other dog isn’t feeling it, he backs off with the grace of a mildly rejected golden retriever. As for cats, he hasn’t met any yet, but judging by his general approach to life, he’d likely assume they’re weird-looking dogs and try to play. Kids? He hasn’t had the pleasure, but he’s surprisingly polite for a puppy. No jumping, no biting—he's basically skipped the chaotic gremlin stage and gone straight to “respectable citizen.” If your kids are looking for a four-legged playmate who won’t treat them like chew toys, Gladiator might just be their guy. When it comes to new people, he used to be a little hesitant—probably because life had already handed him a rough script—but now that he’s feeling better and finding his confidence, he’s opening up. Slowly but surely, he’s realizing that most humans are just treat dispensers with petting privileges. Gladiator clocks in at a 6 out of 10 on the energy scale—which is basically the equivalent of crossing a laid-back golden retriever with a toddler who's just finished their first Capri Sun. He’s playful but not a menace, active but not auditioning for the canine Olympics. He’s the kind of guy who can enjoy a good romp in the yard, then flop dramatically in the living room like he just returned from war (the war was against a squeaky toy that tried to escape from him, but still). Leash walking? Yeah… we haven’t gotten to that chapter yet. But judging by his general zest for life, we’re placing early bets that he’ll either strut like a show pony or zigzag like a Roomba possessed by squirrel thoughts. As far as personality goes, Gladiator is a delightful combo of sweet, friendly, and selectively lazy. He’s down for outdoor play, especially with his brothers and dog friends, but once he's inside, he melts into a puddle of fluff. He’s not a city boy at heart—he’d much rather have a secure yard to run in than be stuck doing structured leash walks in an apartment complex. His hobbies include playing with toys like they’re his personal treasure hoard and enjoying the company of other dogs who can match his energy (or at least tolerate it). Now, before you go rushing to fill out that application with stars in your eyes and visions of slow-motion frolicking in flower fields, let’s get real for a second: Gladiator is still very much a puppy. And with that adorable fluff comes the usual fine print—written in chewed-up socks and puddles on the floor. Yes, he’s working on potty training… which means you’ll be working on potty training. If you’ve ever wanted to become deeply familiar with the phrase “Do you need to go potty?", here’s your chance. He’s sweet and friendly once he gets comfy, but right now he’s still figuring out how this whole “humans and the world” thing works. You’ll need to help him meet new people, hear weird noises, and encounter strange things like mailboxes and squirrels without deciding they’re all agents of doom. Think of yourself as his life coach—with snacks. Gladiator is a curious little sponge, absorbing the world through his mouth like any self-respecting puppy does. So, puppy-proofing isn’t just about protecting your stuff—it’s about setting him up to succeed while he figures out the difference between a chew toy and a phone charger (spoiler: they’re not the same, but puppies need time to learn that). If you’ve read this far and haven’t already started Googling “how to adopt Gladiator,” then what are you even doing with your life? P.S, we can tell you exactly how to adopt him...no Googling needed....All you have to do is fill out that magical adoption application at https://www.pyrpawsandfluffytailsrescue.com/adoption-app (yes, we do read them), and then prepare to make the glamorous trek to McAlester, Oklahoma. That’s right—no teleporting, no drone deliveries, no Gladiator-by-Amazon. You want the fluff? You come get the fluff.

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