Daisy

Dean Koontz is one of my mom’s favorite authors.  She loves to read, and passed that love on to me. I must have read every single Nancy Drew book by the time I was in fourth grade, and was always looking for the next thrilling escape. My mom frequently had at least one book around her, and I remember seeing Koontz books with what I perceived as pretty scary book covers. Scary reads never quite leave my head, so I kept my distance. However, when I was in college, she did finally manage to peer pressure me to read The Watchers. I hate to admit when she is right, but she was right about this book.  It.was. life.changing. (The cover wasn’t that scary, either.) No spoilers here, but it is part science-fiction, part love-story, and all humanity. And the best part: a golden retriever named Einstein. As a dog lover, my heart melted with every word I read about this fictional dog. I rarely cry when reading books, but the emotions Einstein portrayed to his people brought tears to my eyes with every page.  Because of that book, I’ve always wanted a golden retriever.  It might sound a little off-beat, but it’s true. I’ve read that book at least four times, and have fallen more in love with Einstein with every read. 

Last May, I checked that bucket list item off my list and brought Daisy into our family. 

I’m in love.

It was a spur of the moment decision. My husband saw an ad in the Messenger for Golden Retriever puppies, and one Sunday afternoon we loaded up the kids to “see” what was still available. Whoever says they can “shop” for puppies is lying. There is no shopping, only buying. There were three puppies left, two boys and a girl. I picked up my Daisy, listened to her puppy grunts, and have not been the same since that moment. I took her everywhere with me that first month. She went to baseball games, to work, and to end-of-year kid activities. She even got us kicked out of Wal-Mart. (For future reference, puppies in gym bags are a no-go—even in the chew bone section.) She slept in her crate for a hot minute, and has slept in my bed ever since. She has listened to all my stories, has gone on early morning runs, and her FOMO (fear of missing out) keeps her busy as she follows me wherever I go.

I’ve also taken her to training to become an official Therapy Dog. Everything I’ve read about goldens has told me they want and need a job, and I can’t think of a better job than easing discomfort. We attended our first two classes at BlooMoon Pet Resort in Chico, and she earned her stripes as a Canine Good Citizen. The last step is like an internship, where she needs to log fifty hours in different institutions showing off her good manners and empathetic behavior. Having a therapy dog has been another bucket list item of mine because of my love for these animals, and the pain I’ve seen as an educator. I recognize the privilege I’ve had always having pets in my home, and want to share that love. I know the difference a doggie hug can make at the end of a long day, and I know the stress that kids face in school everyday. My dream is for Daisy to be my co-teacher one day--for us to showcase our relationship in a learning environment, whether that be a school, hospital, or home. I know she can make a difference one wiggle at a time.

But for now, she’s still learning. I’m still learning. Her first birthday is coming up soon. I won’t say that I will go to the extreme, but I don’t see why we can’t have a cake, some new toys, invite all our closest family and friends over, and hire a photographer to capture the moment. I recently reread The Watchers, and the beginning quote brought those tears to my eyes again. 

“The meeting of two personalities is like the contact of two chemical substances: if there is any reaction, both are transformed.” -C.G. Jung

I’m transformed by the love of this dog, and I’m so thankful to the universe for bringing us together.