My sweet Daisy came into my life as a tiny little six week old bundle of red fur and loving energy. I had a male Irish Setter named Oopsie at the time, who was about 8 months old. I wanted to get a friend and playmate for him, and besides, with a dog named Oopsie, I just HAD to have a girl Irish Setter to name Daisy! I called the breeder where I had gotten Oopsie, and asked about buying a girl puppy, and was told that when the next litter was born, that I could have one of them. A few months later, the breeder contacted me, and told me that she had a litter of puppies that had just been born, and that one of the girls was born without a tail. She said that I could have this puppy free of charge if she did well and seemed to be okay. I told her immediately that I wanted her. I knew this was my Daisy! I drove down to South Carolina on Valentine’s Day 1997, appropriately enough, to pick up Daisy. Daisy was the smallest puppy of the litter, but oh so spirited! I stopped at a restaurant drive-thru just before hitting the interstate to drive home and grabbed a burger. As I was driving out of the parking lot, Daisy, tiny as she was, climbed up on my leg to get a bite of that burger! I knew she was going to be special.
I got Daisy home, and introduced her to Oopsie. There was an instant bond with them, Oopsie was so gentle and careful around this tiny new puppy that had invaded his home, and very quickly grew to love Daisy as much as I.
Daisy and I formed a unique bond very early, and she quickly became my “heart dog”. They say that no matter how many dogs you may have or know during your life, one very special dog will connect with you on a level that is astonishing, and find a place in your heart like no other. Daisy certainly did just that. She was so intuitive, and so “in tune” with me…she knew what I was thinking before I did lots of times. Affectionate can’t even begin to describe Daisy. The bond we had was beyond description. Wherever I was, she was. We sat and watched TV together, lots of times with her on my lap…we slept together at night. Always there, always loyal, always loving.
Time marched on, much too quickly, and before I realized it, Oopsie and Daisy were getting older. They looked so distinguished and wise when their faces began getting gray. Oopsie was diagnosed with diabetes in January ’07, at almost 11 years of age, and became blind the next month due to diabetic cataracts. Daisy seemed to understand his condition, and would always stand back and wait for Oopsie to go down the two steps out the back door before she stepped out when we would go for walks. So courteous, so caring, so understanding. She gave him plenty of room and didn’t want him to stumble or fall over her.
Daisy helped me through so much in my life, she was right there for me during my divorce, and my mother’s death. Those understanding, soulful eyes, looking deeply and compassionately into mine. The reassuring little kisses, and the loving cuddles. The comfort of feeling her nestled against my leg when we’d go to sleep at night. Daisy understood our bond and connection, probably better than I will ever be able to. Definitely my heart dog.
Daisy enjoyed all the attention, love, and petting that she could get. I fondly remember how people would sometimes comment about her not having a tail, and ask why. I would always reply, “Well, you know how some puppies love to chase their tail? When Daisy was little, she caught hers!”, which would always bring laughter. Daisy never needed a tail to convey to me how happy she was, her big smile on that beautiful face told the entire story.
Daisy enjoyed good health for many years, and was doing great at 10 years of age, except for a bit of arthritis in her back and hips which made it hard for her to climb into bed at night. She didn’t mind a bit when I began picking her up and putting her on the bed each night!
The morning of April 30, 2007 began like any other, with a little breakfast for Oopsie and Daisy and going outside for exercise in the fenced yard. Daisy didn’t seem to feel too well that day, and later, she began acting as if she was trying to throw up, but couldn’t. I knew that Irish Setters are prone to bloat, so I took her to their regular vet for a check-up. He examined her, and didn’t think she was experiencing bloat, especially at her age. He thought she most likely just had an upset stomach, gave her an injection for pain and some nausea medicine, and sent her home. Later that night, she took a turn for the worse, and really started getting sick. She kept trying to throw up, and was pacing and whining, in obvious pain. I frantically called the emergency vet clinic around midnight, and rushed her to them. They examined her, and did an x-ray, which revealed my biggest fear…bloat. Her stomach had twisted 180 degrees, cutting off blood flow, and they also found that she had what looked to be a mass on her spleen. Her prognosis was not good, she was considered elderly at 10 years old for an Irish Setter, and she was beginning to go into shock. The emergency vet said that given her age, combined with being nearly in shock, that Daisy would have a very tough time even surviving the surgery. She said that if Daisy did indeed survive, she would have a very long, tedious recovery. She felt that the best thing to do was to let Daisy go, and put her to sleep. After shedding many tears, I finally decided to let Daisy go. She left this life about 4:45 AM on March 31, 2007.
Daisy, I will indeed always love you. You are forever “Daddy’s Girl”.
Until we are together again, Daisybug.
With all my love,
| ♥Daisy♥ |
| 31, Mar 2007 |
| Charles |