Daisy Mae
Daisy Mae went to the bridge Wednesday, June 21, 2017. She definitely let me know. It was clear because she had been so strong throughout the last month of additional issues that indicated the cancer taking over her bodily functions. She had a great time just being a normal dog at Camp Hebert since August 2015. Getting around pretty good at first, helping the guys chase squirrels, then scooting across the yard on two front legs, then progressing to the point of requiring to be carried where she wanted to go around the house. She also loved her wheelchair that gave her the mobility to take walks, see the sights in the neighborhood, and use the muscles that she still had. A very vocal girl, she told me and the other sheltie siblings what she wanted and expected us to do. It was either get out of her way, feed me, or wait for me as she was coming with us. She knew exactly when her treats were to be delivered – banana slices, fruitables – and didn’t mince words to remind me. If she had four healthy legs she would have been something to reckon with. She was something to reckon with! When she was fussing at somebody, including me, I would pick her up and ask her, “are you good Dais or bad Dais. I think you’re bad Dais!” She is with Susie, Allison, BluBlu, Goldie, Chance, Maggie, and all the rest now telling them what to do. Would love to see it! This girl gave me a once in a lifetime opportunity to care so deeply, even so deeply than the others, because she required so much. I wouldn’t have missed it for the world. I appreciate the confidence that HSS had in me to help carry out the rest of her life. RIP “sweet Dais”, “baby Dais”, “stinker,” “dais-and-dais-and-dais.”
Sonny II
We fostered Sonny for over 2 years. You never know what kind of dog you will get when you foster. When we first saw Sonny, he wasn’t much to look at: scraggly, thinning fur and bad teeth. That first impression didn’t last long as his full personality could not stay hidden. His tail was always on the wag and he had a wonderful disposition that never changed or waned. He was fully self-assured.
He loved to play and we took to calling him Thunder Paws because he galloped around like a colt with a toy happily in his mouth. He was very affectionate but preferred that you be the one who initiated the pats. He would never show you his belly in submission and he never felt comfortable on the couch even while being held on your lap.
He was a teacher to Pepper, our adopted Sheltie, in how to be a real dog. I remember the time 2 large German Shepherds jumped the fence to check us out while we were walking the neighborhood. They did the usual sniffing of Sonny but as we were leaving they pushed the boundaries a bit too much. Our 25-pound Sonny gave the two 70-pound dogs a snap of the teeth and let them know it was time for them to move on, which they did.
Sonny had a bad liver and later developed diabetes. This did not change his disposition at all, he continued to move forward. Finally his diabetes caught up with him and we helped him to the Bridge. He was a wonderful dog in every sense of the word and we were proud to take care of him and be loved by him.
We are grateful for the opportunity to foster him and for the support of the Houston Sheltie Sanctuary.
