All about Daisy!

As you probably assumed from photos, Daisy is a petite sweetheart!

She is only about 12 pounds, is estimated to be 6 years old, and has a smooth silver/stone fawn coat that is slightly "smutty" (more black hairs and a blurred face mask).  She can be shy and is extremely submissive.  Her tail is down more than I'd like or am used to with a pug, which is a shame since it has such an adorable loop.  It perks up when anyone comes home/visits, when the harness and leash come out, when it's meal time, and when playing.  Daisy is agile like a cat with mad jumping and climbing skills.  Here she is on the back of the couch.

It must be her long and lean frame.

Maybe that's why she has a bit of a waddle to her walk...oh, I mean sashay.  ;-)  And she frequently army crawls.

I think she does this to scratch her belly.  Daisy suffers from allergies, but luckily they are controlled easily with frequent ear cleanings, a bit of pumpkin in her food, and a Benadryl as needed.

I haven't been able to envision a fun persona for Daisy yet.  I think it's been hard because she is very Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.  That dainty face of hers reminds us of a tiny mouse, yet her voice is deep like a gorilla!  When I hear her, specifically when she snores, growls, and sighs/moans in disdain, it always makes me think about the Disney Tarzan movie where Jane sounds it out...GOR-IL-LA!  Yeah, I'm weird like that.  Anyway...  When she barks and yips during playtime, when someone is at the door, or when she is at her most vocal (in the morning yelling at us to get out of bed and feed her), Daisy sounds very raspy like singer Kim Carnes (Bette Davis Eyes)!

I promise I will get more video that better shows off her vocal talents.  So believe it or not, underneath that calm exterior lies a crazy beast!  This reserved girl turns into a very aggressive player - almost psychotic.

Growls and barks, loves attacking toys, playing tug, and biting humans.  If you blow gently on her face she will lick and bite your lips and nose!  She often is in the mood to butt run and have someone chase her.

Daisy insists on sleeping under the covers at night, and so unlike the lady that she is, her underarms get clammy and stinky - almost as if she sweats.

Better not let her know I said that.  It could mean trouble for me.  ;-)  Yes, don't let her fool you, Daisy can be quite the demanding diva...or maybe [hu] man-eater is more appropriate.

She knows how to work her cuteness to have everyone in the room fawning all over her and doing whatever she wants.  She HATES nail trims.  HATES them.  A lot.  It's a miracle that I can get them done.  It reminds me of a game of Twister.  Despite loving walks and picking up scent mail, she HATES the grass - dry or otherwise.

She walks on it like a kid playing that the floor is lava.  I must admit it's hilarious.  And although she squats to pee, Daisy lifts her back right leg at the same time.  She is a silly girl!  Daisy is obsessed with meal times and will beg when Tim and I eat, but (probably because of trust issues) is very finicky when taking treats and, to our dismay, is NOT food motivated (for training purposes). 

Like Donald, poor Daisy has to put up with a list of alternate names and be expected to respond to:

• Daisy Mae
• Miss Daisy
• Daisy-kins
• Dollop of Daisy
• Captain Insano
• Daiz (pronounced like "days")
• Daisy with her tail up

In addition to those nicknames I should probably add Tiffy.  Daisy reminds me so much of Tiffy that I find myself calling her by the wrong name too often.  I joke to myself that they are sisters from different misters.  It *could* be possible as they are both Texas girls.

Daisy was found on the streets with mange and bad dry eyes.  Luckily for her and us, the selfless folks at PugHearts rescue in Houston saved her.  We think she is a puppy mill or back yard breeder survivor and seems to have had little to no socialization with other dogs and/or a very aggressive, terrifying breeding experience.  We also think it is possible that she was neglected by a lady or that it was a woman running the "kennel" where she was kept.

Most likely as a result of her past, Daisy is uninterested in other dogs and gets nervous when Donald tries to play with her, or even when he is making lots of his noises/growling while playing with Tim or I or a toy.  It breaks our hearts to see her run away from Donald and for him to look at us wondering why.  He will sometimes bark at her in frustration.  Donald isn't the only one ignored.  She doesn't care to pay much attention to me.  It's obvious that she prefers men to women, almost like she thinks they are better protectors and can trust them.  She tends to sulk when Tim is away and stays in her bed for the most part during the day despite my attempts to play or cuddle.

Please leave me alone.
I'm waiting for dad to get home,
and I can't be bothered with anything until then.

But when Tim is home, she lights up.  To say that she is attached to him is a big understatement!  And of course, he just adores her.  

Daisy is daddy's girl.  She will follow him everywhere.  Tim tested her by wandering around the house, even circling the kitchen island and coffee table.  Daisy was there with him every step.  When Tim is home she doesn't mind laying next to Donald or playing with one of us while Donald is occupied.

I don't want to mislead anyone, Daisy is a very happy pug and she loves being doted on!  And we have made some progress on her insecurities.  In the last few weeks, even days, she has been keeping her tail up more often, she has occasionally growled at Donald's advances when she is on her daddy's lap, I (yes ME) got her to wag her tail the other day just by talking to her, and she has been showing interest in cuddling on the couch and playing with me when Tim isn't around.  Daisy was only in foster care for a couple of months before we adopted her so I think she is still warming up to the idea of living a normal life.  We think Daisy will continue to come out of her shell, and I can't wait to share her growth with all of you!

Love,
Christy