How Did You Meet Your Beloved Pet?, The first time ever I saw her face Options

[Daisy's Mommy]

Precious's Mom's posting made me think about how I first met Daisy. I thought it might be nice if some of us told the stories of how we came to be with our beloved pets. If anyone is interested, just add on.

Here is how I met Daisy, the love of my life.

A local vet, whom I know, called me to tell me that a Yorkie had been abandoned by its owner because the dog seemed sick and was high strung. The dog, already called Daisy, was at the vet's office. He was planning to turn her over to the animal shelter, but was hesitant to do this because she was so very nervous and something was wrong with her. He wanted to help, but he did not want to keep her indefinitely, as a "charity case," since he was a private vet. He told me that she was having bloody stools and was vomiting and was taking valium. It didn't sound all that inviting, but I had a feeling that it was meant to be, so I went to his office and he told his assistant "bring out the Yorkie."

Suddenly, a tiny Daisy, 9 months old, came racing out of the back room. She seemed hysterical, searching for someone she knew. I picked her up and after awhile she seemed to relax a little. I brought her home, knowing that follow-up for diagnosis was needed. I went to another vet, a lovely man, who was both a great doctor and surgeon Well, it turned out that she has a portal-systemic liver shunt, a congenital defect that usually kills a dog before they are 3 or 4 years old. That was a painful diagnosis. I was hoping for something a little less serious.

In consultation with the vet, I decided against surgery to try to correct the defect since the risk of death following the surgery was great in those days. I decided to try to give her the best life possible, no matter what its length.

At first, my husband, a true animal lover, was not thrilled with the addition of Daisy to our family since he didn't want to go through the pain of losing a dog early. For a very short period of time, he tried to maintain a little distance, but it was useless. He fell in love with her just as I had and she lived on and on (with no valium needed) in relative good health, for almost 12 years. I think it was our love and her healthy, low protein Hills diet that contributed to her longevity.

So, I will always remember our first meeting. "The first time ever I saw her face, I felt the earth move beneath my feet." Sadly, I will always remember our last good-bye - my holding her in my arms, telling her that Daddy and I loved her very much.

I will always remember the many happy days in between those two defining events - her endless greetings when I came home, her barking me into the kitchen to get her yet another treat, her psychic tie with my husband. So many little things, that are nice to remember, but also poignant now that she is gone.

For me, there will never be another dog like Daisy. But, when the time is right, we will all go to the shelter and get the worst off dog and give him or her the best life possible, in memory of Daisy, who surprised us all.

Daisy's Mommy

[Kurbysma]

I had just started travel nursing and took a job in a little hospital on the Eastern Shore. I had my own apt and didn't really know anyone. I decided I needed a companion to keep me company on my travels. I had always wanted a Yorkie as I thought they were absolutely adorable little dogs. Plus a Yorkie would be easy to travel with. I researched Yorkies online and educated myself on them so I could make sure this was the choice for me. I found a breeder about 2 hrs from my home and we talked via phone and she told me she had a litter that was 4 wks old, not quite ready to leave yet. She sent me pics via email and I picked out my baby, Kurby. He was the runt of the litter and absolutely gorgeous! I knew he was the one the minute I saw his picture! She sent me updated pics weekly and then I made the 4 hr trip back home....only to travel 2 more hours the next day to pick him up. She handed him to me and he kissed me all over my face and the rest is history! Love at first sight! Man I miss him.....

He traveled with me for the next 3 years, up and down the east coast. He made many friends. I called him my "little traveling dog". I could go near his crate and he ran in it and refused to come out. He knew when it was time to pack up for another adventure and he was SURE I wasn't leaving him!!!!!