Name: Daisy - 2.5 y/o approx. (Daisy's exact birth date is unknown but the vet estimated she was born in February of 2013. I chose 2/13/13 as her DOB because I was in a terrible car accident on that day. Rather then remembering it as one of the worst days of my life, I assigned a positive event to it.)
Family Members: Nicki - Mom, Lauren - age 9 and Patrick - age 6
How long as Daisy been in the family? 2 years
Profession: Administrative Assistant
Location: Dunwoody, GA
Nicknames: Brat, Wiggles/Little Wiggles, Sweet Pibble, Goofy Critter
5 words that best describe Daisy:
- Intelligent
- Emotive
- Athletic
- Staunchly Loyal
- Resilient
What makes Daisy unique? Without warning, Daisy will bound into my lap (all 47 lbs of her!) and start giving me rapid-fire doggy kisses. The more I laugh, the more excited she gets.
So photogenic!
Rescue Story: I lost my American Bulldog to cancer in the summer of 2013. I picked up his remains from the pet crematory and went directly to DeKalb Animal Services. There was a hole in my heart and my household....one that could be filled with a dog who would likely be euthanized. When I walked in, I told the staff I wanted to adopt a young black pit. Black pit bulls can almost be guaranteed a death sentence in a kill shelter. So I was shown every pit bull in the facility and then I decided to let the volunteer help me find the right dog for me. Her name was "California" (now Daisy) was around 6 months old, completely filthy, smelled awful, so thin her ribs jutted out, had gigantic ears --- just a pitiful sight. Within 48 hours of bringing her home, she was deathly sick. For a week she would only take a few small bites of food from my hand and she hid in the back of her crate all day. She nearly succumbed to kennel cough as I sat next to her crate begging her to eat and fight to survive. In reviewing her shelter notes, I learned she was picked up as a stray at Redan High School. I strongly feel men treated Daisy very unkindly during her "former life". She is extremely hesitant and cautious around most men until they earn her trust. For the first several months, poor Daisy had terrible doggy nightmares every night. It broke my heart thinking perhaps she was dreaming about humans hurting her.
Daisy's first pic with the kids
What is your favorite pastime as a family? Without question, my favorite past time with Daisy is bedtime snuggling. When we crawl into our bed every night, she immediately does her "nesting routine" (her side is a down feather bed covered with a heavenly fleece blanket). I talk to her, stroke her ears, and wrap my arms around her until I fall asleep. If either of my children climb into bed during the night , they have to compete with Daisy for the spot closest to Mommy.
What is life like since you rescued Daisy? I don't think Daisy could be any happier. She has a huge fenced yard (3/4 acres) to run around, a little girl who she absolutely adores (its totally mutual!), other dogs to chase and play with, and a plush bed to share with her human every night. I can't imagine my life without My Brat. She makes me feel loved, appreciated and safe. I think just about every person should be owned by a Pit!
Photographers Note: Daisy is such a sweetheart and so photogenic. Did you happen to notice her right eye? and those ears!!!! Makes her even more unique and beautiful. She was so funny, when we put the bow tie on her for the first picture she didn't seem to know what to do. She laid down, with her ears pinned to her head and was not happy at first. I think this was her way of saying, " I don't do dress up". To see her do "zoomies" around the yard and romp and play...just brings a smile to your face.
I should add that Nicki shared with me she got her first pit bull when she was 3 years old. Santa had left her a beautiful black brindle puppy (photo below) and she was hooked. After realizing how many of these wonderful dogs are euthanized each year, she started volunteering with Angels Among Us Pet Rescue in 2014. (a great organization that is in the Atlanta area and that I support with donation as well) September of that year, she fostered her first dog. A heart worm positive pregnant pit mix who was going to be euthanized. AAU named her Gioia, the Italian word for Joy. Nicki and Gioia raised 10 puppies together and they are all in amazing homes. People like Nicki are why we will succeed in changing perceptions about these wonderful pups! Thank you for all you do!!
3 year old Nicki's Christmas present...a Pit Bull!!!!