Daisy - Two Months

Wow, I can't believe that I've been with my new family for over two months.  Time flies when you are loved.  I've gained 20 pounds, have hair over most of my body, especially my tail, and right now I'm infection free.  I still have to go through heartworm treatment but I think I can make it through that because I'm feeling so much better.  I run and play now and yesterday I had a play date with the neighbor's dog.  My mom and dad also had a party on Friday night and many of the people at the party were also at their New Year's Eve party.  They couldn't believe how much I changed since then and I got so many compliments and pets.  I was really gentle with the little kids that were at the party and one little girl just sat beside me and petted me.  I liked her alot.   I have to admit I don't like taking my meds anymore and I have been really bad about not eating it with my foods but sometimes I just want to be a normal dog and not deal with all of this.   I still have to get baths and hopefully this will be over soon.  I love my life.

Daisy - On the Move

What another great weekend.  It was warm and I spent a lot of time outside.  Saturday morning I was on the porch and I saw something moving at the back fence.  I think it was a rabbit and I was going to get it.  I jumped off the porch and raced to the back fence.  I missed the rabbit but realized that was the first time I actually ran at my new home.  I didn't have any pain when I stretched my long legs to run and it felt wonderful.  I played a lot with friends and family that came to visit.  My Mom also gave me some rib bones to chew and I loved those.  Mr. Stripes, the cat, and I are becoming friends.  We now smell each other and several times I've checked him for fleas on this neck.  Fortunately, he didn't have any but I think he likes me because he started to purr when I checked him.  Today I'm tired from so much activity this weekend so I'm going to sleep beside my Mom's chair.  My life is wonderful and I can't believe I've found my family.  I still want to get off this medicine but maybe that will happen soon.  Off to Snoozeland I go.......................

Daisy - More Meds

I know that I'm feeling better emotionally because I'm playing a lot more.  Sometimes I get my tug-of-war toy and throw it around so I can fetch it.  That's a lot of fun.  I'm also a lot more alert and I'm starting to understand my environment and bark when I'm outside.  However, I had to go back to the doctor this week and she changed my meds again.  I'm still losing a lot of hair but she thinks I'm doing better that two weeks again. I still have to have my baths and now my Mom puts a liquid medicine in my ears that I don't really like.  It feels good when she rubs it in but I don't like how it feels going into my ears.  I hope it works quickly so she doesn't have to do it anymore.  I also don't like the smell of the spray they have to put on my paws and bald areas.   I'm really ready to be just an ordinary dog without all the baths and medicine.  Maybe that day will come soon. 

Daisy's Unusual Sunday

I love Sundays because my mom and dad have more time with me.  My mom gave me a bath which felt so good.  The new medicine seems to be working but my skin is still flaky and itchy and a bath makes the itchiness go away.  Then, my dad worked in the yard and I got to be with him as he took care of the lawn.  But that's when the trouble began.  I got bored watching him pull weeds so I started wandering around the yard.  There was an interesting container at the front porch that had stuff in it (I found out later it was a lawn spreader).  I sniffed the stuff inside and it smelled really good so I decided to take a little lick.  As I did this my Dad grabbed me and yelled "No".  He opened my mouth and took out the stuff inside and then asked my Mom to help him wash out my mouth.  I didn't like that one bit!!  Apparently I didn't know that the lawn spreader contained ant bait.  My Dad called the poison control phone line and they said that the ant bait contained a corn base so that's why I wanted to eat it.  Fortunately, my Dad stopped me before I had too much so I was ok.  I'm not going to do that again.  The rest of the day was relaxed and I got to play tug-of-war with my dad and sleep beside them in the family room.  It's just how I imagined it would be being part of a family who loved me. 

Daisy - another vet visit

  I wasn't feeling well on Monday and Tuesday and my mom had to take me back to the vet on Wednesday.  The small infection on the left side of my neck has grown into an infection all around my neck and my ear.  I could tell my mom was upset about my progress because she had tears in her eyes when she was talking to the vet.  She kept saying she knew it wasn't my fault but it was a lot of work to take care of me.  The infection is making me loose my hair and it's really messy.  The vet understood and said she will switch my meds to see if they will work to help me get better. I feel bad for my mom and dad and all the work I've created for them, but I'm also thankful that they are doing this for me because I don't know who else would put the time and energy in to getting me healed.  So, I'm on all new meds and I hope they work.  The baths have to continue and now my ears have to be cleaned everyday.  I sure hope I feel better soon.  I did feel like playing yesterday evening when my dad come home from work so maybe that is a good sign.  I'm going to take a nap because all of this medicine is making me sleepy. 

Daisy's New Toy

Yesterday my Mom gave me a tug of war toy that she had just bought for me.  At first I didn't know what to do with it because, as you know, I never had toys with my old family.  My Mom held one end in her hand and tried to coax me to play.  Finally I realized what to do.  I put the other end in my mouth and tried to pull my Mom around.   My tail was wagging and I made growling noises just like a real dog.  Then my Dad took the toy and really played and tugged me along the floor.  I've never had this much fun.  I still can't believe this is my new family and that they are so nice to me.  Dreams do come true, even for dogs. 

Daisy and the Squirrel

Today I was sitting by my Mom looking out of the window and viewing the backyard.  All of a sudden I saw something moving in the trees and I watched it for some time.  My Mom realized I was watching something and said it was a squirrel.  She let me outside so I could chase it but when I went to the tree where I last saw it, the squirrel was gone.  I sniffed the ground and discovered that the squirrel went into a different tree.  I found the tree, saw the squirrel and tried to get on the tree but I couldn't do it.  I didn't bark but I kept circling the tree.  I knew my Mom was proud of me because she gave me a treat when I came inside and said "Good Girl".  I love new adventures.

Daisy - Another Doctor Visit

Today my Mom took me to the vet again to see how I was doing.  The good news is that I gained 10 pounds since they adopted me.  The staff at the vet clinic couldn't believe how good I looked.  They kept asking my Mom "Is this Dorothy? I can't believe how good she looks." My name was Dorothy at the shelter and my family renamed me Daisy.  The other good news is that they did a skin scrape on me and it came back negative.  That's two tests in a row so my mange is under control as long as I get my  baths.   The bad news is that I still have infections and that's why my skin still has problems and I sweat so much.   I heard my Mom ask the vet why I would sweat so much that I soak my pillow and the floor is wet.  The nice vet said this is normal since I'm fighting an infection.  I didn't realize I was doing this and that every day my Mom was washing my pillow and cleaning the floor.  She's the best.  The vet gave me more medicine for another month and said I should be much better after that.  I also heard some news that was disturbing to me.  One of the staff members said that I was scheduled to be euthanized and that's why they pulled me from another shelter.  She said the vet at that shelter said I was hopeless and put me on the euthanize list.  They didn't know that I had to stay alive so my wonderful family could find me and the APA shelter could help me. God had a plan for me.  The other thing I heard the vet tell my Mom was  that I was one of the worst dogs she had seen in the shelter.  I can't believe that my family adopted me.  Thankfully they saw my beautiful inside  and were able to look past my ugly outside.  I'm sitting with my Mom in front of  the fire and will go to sleep dreaming wonderful dreams of my new wonderful life. 

Daisy - Another Day

Wow, so much has happened since my last blog.  Last Thursday, after my bath, I was in a playful mood again and my Mom and Dad played tug-of-war with me.  It was so much fun.  After we played we all relaxed on the floor and I rolled over on my back and let them pet my tummy.  I've never done that before because my skin has always been sore and raw from the mange.  But now it feels like skin and I don't hurt. I also stretch a lot.  That's something I couldn't do in the past without being in pain.  On Saturday, my Dad bought me a brand new collar with little paw prints on it and my Mom bought me a big bone to chew.  I can't believe how nice they treat me.  On Sunday, I actually ran and chased my Dad in the backyard and I felt like a real dog.  Then, my people took me on a walk through the park and I  loved seeing all the new sights and smells.  I held my tail up high as I pranced along with my brand new collar.  Someone in the park even stopped us and said I was beautiful.  I let out a little doggy tear because nobody has ever called me beautiful except for my new family. I finished two more of my medicines so the morning routine is getting easier.  However,  I heard my Mom say I have to go back to the vet tomorrow to be checked so I can start heart worm medicine.  I'm not sure what that means and I'm a little scared but I  know they are doing what it takes to make me feel better.  Life is looking up---I'm feeling better and my family loves me.  It's a Daisy Day.

Daisy Plays

Yesterday was a good day for me.  I think my medicine is starting to work and I don't scratch as much. Also, the weather is nice and I can lay on the back porch in the sun and it makes me feel relaxed and happy.  Of course, I still have to wear the cone of shame so that's a bummer.  I got a bath last night and it felt great!!  When I was all dry I went downstairs with my family and guess what? I was in the mood to play.  I played tug of war with them and that's the first time I can remember someone playing with me and me playing with them.  My Dad got it on video.  I'm a little clumsy when I play because my feet are so big but it was fun.  Maybe there will be more play times when I'm feeling better.  But for now, I'm content knowing that I have a family who takes care of me. 

Daisy - Cone Head

I know my family is doing what's best for me but they bought a cone I have to wear on my head.  I hate it.  It's difficult to get around in small places, backup, and walk through the door unless it's all the way open.  They said I have to wear it because I'm biting my legs and making them sore.  I try hard not to bite them but they itch so now I can't reach them.  Yesterday, I even had to wear it outside  and it's a good thing that our backyard is fenced so the other dogs can't see me.  That would be embarrassing.  The lady at the store called it the Cone of Shame and that's how I feel.  I don't want to lift my head and prance around when I wear this thing.   I also don't like the pain pills I have to take because they make me tired and woozy.  Hopefully I will get better soon so I don't have to wear this stupid cone and take any more meds.  I just want to be a dog.

Daisy - More Meds

Well, Saturday, my Dad ( I guess I can call him that since I think they like me) took me to the vet because my itching wasn't getting better.  The vet gave me more medicine.  I now have to take 6 pills twice a day so it's a good thing they give it to me in peanut butter. I also have to be bathed 3 times a week and I got my first bath on Saturday and I really liked it.  I didn't try to jump out of the tub and the shampoo and scrubbing felt good on my skin.  When I was finished I was prancing around the house.  I smelled and looked so good and I was a happy dog.  I sure wish this medicine would start to work so I wouldn't have to take it anymore and I know my family is tired of giving it to me.  I heard the vet tell my Dad I should be better in a week so hopefully she is right.  Today, I will enjoy the sun. 

Daisy - Lonely

Yesterday was a scary day for me.  The man of the house left early in the morning and I was ok with that.  Then the lady left late afternoon and I was ok with that until I was by myself for a long time.  Finally, another person came to let me outside, feed me and give me my medicine. She seemed nice but  I didn't want to go outside with her because I didn't know if I could trust her.  I finally went outside when she gave me a treat.  When we came back inside, she sat down on the floor beside me and eventually I curled up next to her and we watched TV.  I think I can trust her.  She left me for the night and I was alone again.  I was wondering if my family had abandoned me and I felt sad.  The next morning my family wasn't there and I felt for certain they left me.  The nice lady came to feed me, give me meds, and let me outside.  She stayed with me most of the day and I felt a little better.  Where was my family??  Finally, the lady of the house came back late afternoon and I was so happy to see her my tail was going crazy.  They didn't leave me!!!!  She thanked the nice lady and she called her Kathie and I could tell they were friends.   Kathie is now my friend to.  I will sleep better tonight knowing that I have my family back.

Daisy - Another New Day

I woke up this morning and hoped that I wasn't dreaming.  But the same nice people are here, they pet me, feed me and love me.  Nope, I'm not dreaming, this is my life.  Yesterday was a very interesting day.  I watched several times as my people went up and down this 'thing" that I couldn't figure out.  I watched them disappear and then reappear.  It looked scary to me but finally I decided to try it. I discovered that they called these things "Stairs" but I had never seen them before.  It was a little awkward for me, especially because I have big paws, but I managed to get up and down them several times and now I feel more confident knowing that I tried something new.  I also discovered that they have a cat named Stripes.  I'm not sure how I feel about him but my family likes him so I will have to figure this out.  While the lady held him she let me sniff him.   He didn't hiss or scratch me so maybe we can be friends.  I had to take more medicine, I hate that part, and my scratching continues but at least I know that they are trying to help me.  Carpe Diem!

Daisy's New Home

Wow!! My new home is incredible.  I was used to sleeping outside, finding food where ever I could and being with people who didn't treat me very nice.  There are three people in the family: a man, a lady and a young lady.  All of them are super nice.  They feed me, I have a large yard to run in and I even have a doggy couch! I'm not very active now because I'm sick but I can't wait until I feel well enough to run in the yard.  I can't believe I'm so lucky.  I thought nobody would ever adopt me with all of my problems,  but I was wrong.  Of course, there are some things I don't like such as having to take my medicine.  I've never had medicine so I didn't know what to expect but I think they give it to me to help me with my mange, itching and infections. They are nice enough to disguise it in a Pill Pocket or hot dogs.  I like that!!!   I scratch alot and needless to say the floor gets a little messy.  But these people never yell at me when that happens but they do take out a little machine that cleans the floor and I'm afraid of the noise.  Maybe I will get used to it.  The best part is that they give me lots of pets and rubs. 

Miss Daisy - Day 1

Today is the first official day in my new home.  I've had a difficult two years but I've finally found wonderful people who love me despite my problems.  I am heart worm positive, malnutrioned and have mange.  But my new family looked at my soul and spirit and have adopted me.  I'm the luckiest dog in the whole world.  I will blog all of my experiences so you can keep updated on how well I'm doing.  My first hurdle was getting into the car, but I overcame my fear and now I'm home. Come back again.