Happy Tails
Daisy the Singer
By Stephanie J.
Angel has had her share of challenges the last several years but one thing that has been a constant bright spot is Daisy, her 12-and-a-half year old basset hound. Daisy is a 50 pound “lap dog” who likes to display her musical bark by singing along with people, movies and even the family parrot “Kiwi.”
Daisy was three years old when Angel adopted her from Pet Haven. She had been in multiple foster homes before that for quite a while. Her original family went through a divorce and could no longer take care of her. Maybe it was just meant to be. Some potential adopters were not too accepting of Daisy’s drooling (a basset hound trait). It didn’t bother Angel, however, and they have been together for the last nine years.
It’s been a wonderful nine years – well most of them. Angel’s family went through a divorce too but Daisy was very comforting to Angel and helped her through that rough patch. There was also the untimely death of Daisy’s true friend – Peter the Daschund. Peter was another dog adopted from Pet Haven. Daisy and Peter were inseparable friends and took his death extremely hard. Angel was devastated as well and “they were there for each other” says Angel.
At first when Daisy was adopted “she was skittish and would run away when you got close” says Angel. She would cower easily and seemed to be afraid of men. Angel is not sure why Daisy acted that way but after a few weeks she was a “very loving, sweet dog” says Angel. Daisy is playful and has no fear of men anymore. In fact, Angel’s dad is one of Daisy’s favorite people. She is so friendly now that she even likes to walk with students from the University which is close to where they live.
Daisy’s days are routine but in a good way. She has her friend Sasha to play with; Angel’s 13-and-a-half year old beagle. The two like to play games. One is where Sasha pulls on Daisy’s ears and then runs around her because she is faster than Daisy. They also like to play tug of war and steal balls from each other. They are both slowing down now since they are mature dogs so one of their newer games is to simply bark at Angel’s dad and run away.
“Daisy is pretty spoiled” says Angel. Her favorite spot in the house is “anywhere you are sitting.” She loves to sit in Angel’s mother’s lap and also gets to sleep with Angel where she “takes up three-quarters of the bed” says Angel. Daisy also enjoys her daily pig’s ears and eats them on a schedule. If she doesn’t get them by 7 p.m. “she won’t be happy and lets you know” according to Angel.
Of her two Pet Haven adoptees, Daisy and Peter, Angel says “I can’t emphasize how much it means that I was allowed to adopt them. I have never regretted it and I never will.” When asked what the best part of having Daisy in her life is, Angel says “It’s the unconditional love she gives – you can’t ask for anything more.”
It’s a happy ending for both Daisy and Angel. They have both been there for each other through all of life’s ups and downs as true friend are.