Not that she’ll be little for long, but here is her story.
I guess it was a little over a year ago (or more) that we
had been kind of, jokingly, talked about getting a puppy. There seems to be an
age, around 6, that a dog in our family seems to get a puppy. Red came along
when Nick was about 6, Merlyn came along when Red was about 6, and Snoopy came
along when Merlyn was – well, I think he was actually 7. I believe Snoopy will be 6 this year, so,
should we really be thinking about this? Gil wanted to make sure everything was
good after his transplant, and, at the time, Snoopy was only about 4 or 5, so
it wasn’t time yet, but we were definitely thinking about it. Over the last year a few dogs had crossed out
paths as possibilities, but they always found another home, so they were not
meant to be. But on October 25th 2014 one of Gil’s friends posted on
Facebook:
To All My Friends: Jeff found this
Walker while hunting. She might be 4 months old. Looks like she had been in the
woods for a couple of weeks, probably dropped off and left. Trying to find a
good home for her and will travel to meet anyone who might give her a good
home. She does well with people and other dogs and would make a great family
pet. She loves to be inside with the family. She was skin and bones when Jeff
brought her home, but is looking better everyday. She is a sweetheart! She
gives lots of kisses and loves to have her belly rubbed!
We said yes.
Over the next few days there was a string of conversations
and texts leading to her being picked up in Ocala. On Wednesday, Oct. 29th,
Gil drove up while Debbie and her husband drove down and the exchange took
place. She was so thin and frail; although we had agreed on naming her Molly,
the name Daisy seemed a better fit – she was as frail and delicate as a flower,
it’s Debbie’s favorite, and, in the realm of peanuts, Snoopy was adopted from
“Daisy Hill Puppy farm” – since we have Snoopy, it’s good to have some
reference to a theme there.
She was very timid and anxious as she met the other animals
and checked out the house. When she tried playing, she would get scared and run
away or lie down, tail tucked. Of course, being a puppy dumped in the woods,
malnourished and underfed, she wasn’t exactly housebroken, so we had our work
cut out for us. After a vet visit the next day we did find out she was riddled
with parasites – tapeworm & hookworm, who knows what may show up in the
blood work.
She seems to be gaining more confidence and started playing
with Snoopy. She has quickly learned the doggie doors, but has been very
cautious about going out on her own (although today, 10/31, she followed Snoopy
out on her own). She is becoming very playful, Merlyn doesn’t mind her at all
but just tries to stay out of the way, and is getting better every day. She is
home.
