Last Wednesday, we took the plunge and adopted a dog. We have been talking about this for years and naturally had concerns about a dog cramping our freedom, etc., but we both knew that someday the time would feel right and the relationship one can have with "man's best friend" would be worth it. So we ventured down to the Coastal Humane Society in Florence just to make contact with the staff and check out a possibility named Dori. There was scant information on her and she was a recent arrival. She was listed as a 3 year old Doberman mix, however we failed to see the Doberman in her.
Our first thought on seeing her was that she was a lot of dog, not just in size, but in athletic build. Maybe too much dog. We spent about 45 minutes walking her on nearby trails and began to think she might be the one. She seemed good natured, started warming up to us with body leans and face licks, and didn't seem hyperactive. We decided to adopt her.
Our first meeting at the humane Society.
We have modified Dori's name to Daisy for several reasons. One of our neighbors up the road has a dog named Dori; we wanted to name her; Gail thought that a hound looking dog should have a hillbilly name like Daisy Mae of the Clampet family (Beverly Hillbillies); and a name like Daisy might put people more at ease as opposed to names like Killer, Cornfed, or something macho. So she is officially Daisy Mae, or just Daisy for short.
While the vet was checking her over, giving her her shots, and clipping her nails, we took off to Fred Meyer to buy some doggy supplies. Here, Gail is trying out a doggy mattress in the store aisle. It passed the test, and is Daisy's go to bed.
On day three, we finally got up the courage to let her off leash in our largest fenced yard. We were concerned that she could jump the fence and bolt, but instead she charged around ecstatically, leaping, bounding, and sprinting back and forth between us.
This seems to be what she likes to do on grass when she is particularly happy - it cracks us up!
On her 4th day with us, we went to walk the popular 804 Trail in town to assess her social skills. Daisy was interested in other dogs, but was never aggressive towards them or other people.
At the end of the trail we went down on the beach. We let her run a few times back and forth between us for treats - no problem.
We've been walking her several miles a day, a lesson learned from watching a lot of the Dog Whisperer.
"Good dog!"
Today, day 6, we let her off leash for several miles on the beach. She constantly checked on us, a good sign, and did not run too far.
Hi, Daisy!
We had lunch at the Yachats Brewing Company, another socialization test that she aced - her first restaurant.
We have been fortunate so far with how well mannered Daisy has been in the house. She doesn't bother the cats. Penelope has even tried to eat out of Daisy's bowl while Daisy is eating! Yummy, on the other hand, is staying far away from Daisy, and it may be some time before she chooses to come into the same room with her.
Our remaining concerns are that she does not like to be left alone, we haven't tested her on how she'll handle that, and she seems to have a dose of hound in her which may lead to wandering or taking off on a scent. Someone remarked the other day that she looked like a Plott Hound. When we looked that breed up, the resemblance was very close. They were bred in North Carolina originally to hunt bears. So far so good, though, she continues to impress us. I think we are very lucky!
2 comments:
What a sweet girl!! And a lucky girl, too!
She does look like a Plott hound! They are fairly rare, but boy does she have the face and coat of one. Maybe with a little Doberman thrown in? Who knows, but she's gorgeous!
What a paradise for Daisy to run around in. I wish Yukon could join her on those fabulous beaches.
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