Daisy says good-bye.

A clean Daisy, right before she left.

Freddy, the wiener dog, does not miss Daisy. She was a big, rambunctious puppy that was always taking his woobies. Malibu misses Daisy a little..She and Daisy would wrestle everyday. But, Malibu doesn't miss Daisy clamping onto her back while she tried to walk or play. Maggie really, really misses Daisy. She was probably Maggie's first playmate. How did Freddy and his family get here? Well, it's a long story...

Here's a short version. There are previous blogs about Daisy's arrival, first day, visits to vet, playing with Tank, etc. What's not in those blogs is that Daisy was unhappy or nervous most of the time. She had grown way too big to play with the Mini-Dachshunds. She was getting in trouble all day long, every day for her biting, pulling, scratching. Her name had become "No Daisy No." A few months back, a couple of things happened. Daisy lost Tank, the only real playmate for Daisy. He worn her energy out, he kept her calm in storms, he was her perfect match. Tank moved away. Daisy became depressed and unresponsive. She didn't even want to play with her tennis ball. Mommy began talking to Eric that although we truly loved Daisy and always planned to keep her, we weren't being fair to Daisy and she needed a better life than what we could offer. Also, like many others in this economy, things had changed financially for Freddy's family. Freddy will be in a new home sometime this year. But, all the rentals Freddy and his family found, they wouldn't allow dogs over 15 lbs. So, Mommy felt it was right to start looking for a better home for Daisy. The first month or so was uneventful. Mommy asked everybody she knew to help her find a home for Daisy; nothing. Mommy tried Facebook; nothing.

Daisy's ad photo.

Jan. 11, 2012 - Mommy and Daddy placed a Craigslist ad for Daisy, requiring a $50 re-homing fee so the dog-fighting groups, labs, and other nasty people wouldn't want Daisy. They didn't. We received several phone calls from families and started scheduling home visits, but one caller stood out among the others. His name is John. He lives in the same community as Daisy. He wanted to see her right away. He knew she was the dog he had been looking for. So, Mommy and Daddy took Daisy over for a visit. John's beloved doggie companion of 11 years had died a year earlier. Although friends tried to help him find another dog, he wasn't ready...until he saw Daisy's photograph. He has a house with a very large backyard and an area of woods behind his house [Daisy loved this!], all of it completely fenced in. He has a pool. He has a second dog (an ex-girlfriend's dog) for a playmate. But, he needed a real doggie companion..someone who could walk 4-5 miles a day with him [Daisy is going to love that!], go with him everywhere [he doesn't care that she gets carsick, so did his previous dog], be his best friend. Our sweet Daisy instantly liked him, his yard [she poo'd], and the woods [she tracked something into the woods and we didn't see her for awhile]. When he knelt down to talk to her, Mommy couldn't hear what he was saying. However, she could see the adoring look on Daisy's face, the gentle way he held her head, and how he petted her ears. When it was time to go, Daisy didn't want to leave. She pulled back on her leash, leaned into him, and made googly eyes at him. Mommy actually felt bad taking her home, but Eric needed a chance to say good-bye and they wanted to think about John for a hour or so to make sure he was the right one. Yes, he is.

Jan. 12, 2012 - Eric was completely devastated that his Daisy was leaving. He cried long and hard about it. Mommy let Eric stay home from school so he could spend her last day with him. In the afternoon, Eric gave Daisy a really good bath. She looked so pretty. When it was time, Eric and Daddy took Daisy to John's house. Eric said that he wanted to meet the man who was taking Daisy. Sweet. Daisy trotted right in and laid down in front of the TV on her own doggie bed. She did try to leave with Eric and Daddy, but John gently brought her back inside. When Eric came home, he gave his Mom a slight smile, nodded his head, and said, "He's a really nice man." Eric knows that Daisy's in the right home for her, but he still misses her desperately.

Jan. 13, 2012 - Mommy received a text message from John at 9:00 a.m. He wondered when we fed Daisy because she was refusing food. She texted back at 7:00 a.m. Daisy will eat when she's ready. Mommy also texted that Daisy liked to start her day by chasing squirrels. He texted that she had already done that. At 1:00 p.m., Mommy received an email from John: "I just wanted to thank you for my new companion daisy.  I'm sure once she gets used to me and her new environment she will be awesome.  For now we're working on trust issues before we can do much else.  She's been whining occasionally, she's probably missing her old home." Then, a second one at 6:00 p.m.: "Small success, she finally ate!  I worked with her on the short leash today, she likes to lead and pull but she started to get the hang of it, it may take several sessions but I'm confident she'll be running on the trail with me in a few days.  I'm giving her small doses of training so she doesn't lose confidence or feel punished. I told Eric he can visit her in a few weeks after she gets acclimated." Yes, Eric, he is a nice man.

Mark said it the best, "Mom, the reason I'm not crying for Daisy is because I know she's going where she'll be safe and well cared for." Well said, Mark, well said.


1/21/12 Daisy's update:  You'll be happy to know Macy is doing great!  She has settled in quite well and seems to be loving life.  She's slowly becoming more sure of herself but still intimidated when she encounters other dogs and new people on our walks.  We're working on socialization and her self confidence and overall I'm very pleased with her progress.

2/5/12 Daisy's update: "Just a note to say thank you for giving me Macy! She is both a challenge and a joy and she has quickly become a member of the family. You'll be happy to know I donated $50 to the Second Harvest Food Bank in your honor. All the Best! John & Macy."