Adopting Ms. Daisy
Just wanted to share my uplifting story of my rescued Shih Tzu Miss Daisy. She came into rescue as a 7 year old puppymill survivor. Let me just mention that she knew nothing about anything yet was as loving as a cute little teddy bear. Grass scared her at first since she was not exposed to it. We have a large yard that is not fenced in but she learned quickly where the boundaries were by watching our other two dogs. The first time she went out into the yard it was amazing to see her face and expressions change she went investigating everything. A leaf blowing kept her attention, the whistling of the trees in the breezes (it was in December), the different animal smells that her little nose followed, birds that she tried to walk up on. It was just a beautiful site to see. It was as if we were looking through her eyes for the first time as well.
It was only a matter of days and she was totally housetrained from watching my other dogs she picked up on the routine quickly. We have lattice work around some of our buildings and she would run up and look through those holes all the time and put her head down to listen – I think she was listening for other dogs….she thought she was back in the kennels.
She would be sitting in the room with us and all of a sudden we would notice her sitting and staring….I guess it was her pastime at the mill. We will call out her name and break that moment of remembering. Then she will play with her toys. This came over a long period of time. She has only 3 teeth in the front of her mouth and she is so proud of being able to squeak her toys herself.
She loves being cleaned and groomed although she is still a little afraid of the clipper but not much. She is the most willing dog I have seen. She will try to do everything just right. She has learned to walk on a lead without being underfoot and tripping you. She has learned that the water bowl can be refilled (and believe me she will bark and wait for clean water), she knows what time she eats at night and if you are late she will let you know about it. She has a bed in every room and she uses them all…she doesn’t like you to wash them either. She has learned to play games with us and the other dogs in the house especially when it comes to her treats. She takes them and places them in front of her daring the others to get them, then if they move around her she picks them up and moves them to one side or the other just out of their reach. Then when they turn away she gets up and snatches their treats and puts them in her pile. I do believe she can count of course to herself because if they come and take any you will see her move from one biscuit to the other like she is counting them and if there is any missing she will give a look that would kill to you – like hey, where’s my other treat at.
All and all if people think that older dogs would not make a good pet or companion or that a dirty, scraggly dog isn’t the posh pet they were looking for then they need to meet my Miss Daisy. She is everything and more than a person could ask for. She has done a 360 turn around in less than 2 years. Patience on the part of the adoptive family is a must and an understanding of what that dog has gone through in its previous life. Someone could offer me a litter of young pups and I would not trade Miss Daisy for any of them.
Puppy mills need to be stopped for the abusive conditions these animals live in daily and the fear that is in their eyes for what they have seen, smelled, and heard from their other animal friends in those horrendous places. People need to stand up for the rights of the animals more. Save one at a time but just remember who is being saved. The animal is sometimes the savior as well.
If you are looking for an addition to your family and life please consider an older dog. Give that one a chance at a forever home and to be cuddled and loved by you. Miss Daisy thanks you!