Daisy, Adopted 6/2011

In June of 2011, I went to Petco in South Plainfield one day wanting to check out a dog my husband saw on Petfinder. We wanted to get a female as a friend for my male (who is also a rescue). There was another couple who was already attached to that dog and basically didn’t even let me pet her. Anyway, I turn around to see other dogs and right in front of me is the cutest little girl who just had the saddest look on her face and was so timid. I was told that she and her brother were kept outside, and were very afraid of noises and people and would need special care. I asked if I could pet her and I just sat down on the floor (while holding the leash of my then 80lb dog) and started feeding her cheese and sausage treats. She was trying to hide behind Sandy’s legs but eventually I was able to reach out and start petting her. I felt like I was there for over an hour. I didn’t want to leave! I knew she wasn’t what my husband was expecting but I knew I had to have her! I called my husband and told him I found a dog and wanted to bring her for a home visit. Since I told him her background he wasn’t too excited (he wanted a very playful dog that would be a good partner to my other playful dog) but he said yes. Sandy and Dave came over with Daisy (Dory at the time) and I know they saw the love, the time, and the patience I would put in with her. She and my other dog (Dodger) seemed to get along fine, we had a fence, and I was going to take time off from work to get her used to being with a new family. The papers were signed – she had a new name and Dodger got a sister!

Daisy has improved tremendously from when we first met. She used to hide under the table for hours, pace the perimeter of the room, wouldn’t come to us, was afraid of every sound (except the food going into a bowl – haha) and wouldn’t let us pet her. After spending a lot of time with her and showing her she was loved, she started to come out of her shell. It took almost a year for her to not be afraid of my husband but we never stopped trying. Now besides us, she lets a friend of ours pet her too. She’s taking treats from people that come to our home, she loves the doggy door (even though it makes a sound going up and down), and she loves going on walks – even with my husband taking her! Daisy has brought so much joy to our lives and I am so thankful I walked into Petco that day and Sandy and Dave were there with her! We have remained in touch and even had a little reunion. Thanks Happy Paws for rescuing her and allowing her to have her furever home with us!

Susan and Buddy Mangold