Saturday, January 16, 2021

Remembering Daisy

Born in 2008 Daisy was a rambunctious puppy. We honestly did not know if we were going to make it through her puppy stage. I don’t remember how long it lasted but next thing we knew she was the perfect dog. We called her “the baby” because she was always on our lap, our legs or our feet and she loved, loved, loved laying on her back and having her belly rubbed!

In her early years she was Barb’s barrel race companion spending every weekend at a rodeo or some other barrel racing event. 

Puppy Daisy at one of her many horse shows

At one show they had a Calcutta when attendees bids on the barrel racers dogs for a race across the arena. The owners were on one end of the arena and the dogs on the other. Daisy won the by a landslide and the person who bet on her won over $100. Those who met her in her later years would find it hard to believe she could win any race unless it was to a dinner bell!

Once we hit the road she has been our constant companion for the past 7+ years, 24/7/365.  She has been from the east coast to the west coast, from Alaska to the far reaches of southern Florida. You could not ask for a better traveler, she was either sitting on our laps or laying on the center console watching the world go by. 

This was our first day one the road!

She was a frequent star in many of our blogs, in fact, more than once we would be walking through an RV park and someone would stop us and ask us “Is that Daisy?!?!”  As many of you know, she was a real trooper and let us pose her for many of her pictures.








It seems surreal that she is gone, the house seems empty and we are missing a huge part of our lives. She had many talents. She loved hunting and dog shows and would watch them intently and even try to attack the TV. 


She was also a rock hound with a super great nose. I could pick up any rock have her sit and throw it in a gravel area and she would find that exact rock and bring it back every time! Another one of her special talents was her “sit and spin” but this was not until her later years when her tumor started bothering her. She is also well known for always have to sit on someone’s foot in a group. We don’t know if it was a comfort thing or a dominance thing but she loved sitting on peoples feet!

It did not stop there. It started with Bailey and carried on to Dakota where she would literally sit on their backs (or heads)!


This past Friday stated out like any other day. Barb got up and went to Rapid City to run some errands and I stayed home to do some work on the stairs. Daisy had not eaten that morning and had not gone to the bathroom in over 24 hours but she has powered through days like this before. Little did we know at the time it was her last day. Daisy spent the day sleeping with Dakota, she went out a few times but no luck. 

Then she started shaking and throwing up, then would lay down and rest some more. Barb got home about 3:00 and it was more of the same.  

One of the hardest things about having an older dog is knowing when to take her in but she left us no question it was time. The vet was so nice. Typically they do not let you come in for the appointment, instead walking out to the car and taking your dog in. We did not think we would be able to go in with her but when they came out they asked if we wanted to come in.

Coming back home the house seems so empty, like something is missing. Even eating supper is not the same without her watching every forkful from my plate to my mouth. We know the pain will go away with time but she will forever be missed and forever in our hearts.  

67 comments:

  1. Sorry to read about your loss. I remember all the poses Daisy was in and the places you went.
    It is always hard when one loses part of their family.
    Be Safe!

    It's about time.

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    1. She would pretty much let us pose her in any way we wanted. Very rarely did she ever resist us but instead trusted us wholly.

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  2. Diana and I are so sorry to hear about Daisy, Jim and Barb. She was truly one of a kind and the star of the show.

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    1. Even when she wasn't the star, she found a way to get all the attention.

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  3. So sorry. No doubt Daisy is in a better place now, but your post brought tears to my eyes, as I too remembered our dogs through out the years. I wish you the best. .

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    1. Thanks, going through all the pictures and reading all the comments from others brought back lots of memories.

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  4. Oh I'm so very sorry. What a beautiful baby! It certainly shows in your pictures that she had a great life. I'm going down that same road very soon with my Jessie. I know how much Daisy will be missed but am sure she will be with you always.

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    1. I don't envy you having to go through that at some point. It has been a few days and it is slowly getting better.

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  5. I am so sorry. Been there & it never stops being devastating. RIP sweet Daisy

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    1. That is what gives us some comfort, knowing that she is at peace now. Thanks for your comment!

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  6. I am so sorry. We're normally just lurkers, reading and living vicariously through your posts but we just had to respond. Losing a loving pet is just painful having gone through that over 4 years ago;yet the hurt is still there. It does diminish, but doesn't go away completely and we're OK with that as it makes us think of the good times we had with them. You're in our thoughts.

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    1. Love the fact that you sent a comment. Sometime we never know if anyone that we don't know reads our blog. Thanks for your thoughts and comment!

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  7. So sorry for your loss. As you know, it's never easy. Our Pekingese is nearing her 18th birthday and we know her day is coming also. Thanks for sharing and just remember the good times. RIP Daisy.

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    1. Wow, and we thought Daisy being almost 13 was a good run!

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  8. So, so sorry for your loss. What a beautiful, faithful trooper she was. She captured your hearts and will never be forgotten, I'm sure of that. May she rest in peace.

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    1. That she was, she would put up with just about everything we threw at her!

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  9. Our hearts go out to you both. Tough times. Hugs.

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  10. We are sorry to hear about Daisy and are thinking of you. I always laughed at the "sit and spin" because she was so good at it. I also like the story of how she would get your waffle by sneezing on it. The shock in my eyes the first time I saw her bark when she was facing away from me. Scary! Also they way Moose(our cat) would dominate her. She will be missed, but hang in there.

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    1. Lots of good memories. Daisy did have a special talent of "barking" from both ends at the same time!

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  11. What a great eulogy to Daisy! She was quite the character. Our condolences to you both.

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  12. Oh, nooooooo! I am so sorry to hear this news about Daisy! I know well the hole her absence will leave in your hearts and in your home. My favorite photo of Daisy was her on that furnace in Alaska, the one with the grumpy face that Steven ran into! She was a good one, for sure!

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    1. That was a funny picture, she was like king of the furnace! I added it to this post just for you!

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  13. Biggest of bummers. Daisy was really a one of a kind special dog.

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    1. That she was, now Snickernoodle #3 (are you up to #4 now) will have no one to terrorize.

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  14. Well dang it, we hate to hear this. Sorry for your loss but he memories will never die. Sending good vibes your way.

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  15. So much love...so much pain. Brings back memories of the pain losing ours, and the joy they brought to us while here. So very sorry.

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    1. Thanks Dave, I remembered your post as well. We do have lots of great memories.

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  16. So so sorry for your loss. What a lovely tribute to Daisy. Losing a fur kid is like losing a part of your family. What wonderful memories Daisy created for you and Barb.

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    1. Thanks Susan, we have lots of treasured memories that we will carry with us for the rest of our lives.

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  17. I am so so sorry for your loss! She was a great dog and you guys gave her the best life! The worst of the pain will pass but I still tear up when thinking of our pets that have left us.

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    1. Thanks, having lost a number of dogs over the years, we know it will get better over time.

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  18. I'm so sorry. I know how difficult this is. Our thoughts are with you!

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  19. So sorry for your loss. It is such a hard thing to get through. Thinking good thoughts for both of you.

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    1. Thanks Rick, you more than anyone know what it is like to lose a pet.

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  20. Heartbreaking news, so sorry Jim and Barb. Anyone who has had or has an older pet are feeling sad to see this post. Daisy had an amazing life and got to experience so much as your travel/cuddle/foodie buddy! Yes time will help heal the grief but we never lose the great memories we made with the furry kids. Hugs to you both and Dakota too. She will miss Daisy just as much. Take care.

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    1. Thanks guys, she made a lot of 2 and 4 legged friends in her travels!

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  21. So very sorry for your loss, we know what a big paw print she has left on your heart.
    Hugs,
    Dale and Ruth

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  22. Oh how we all will miss adorable Daisy! I will sure miss those Daisy stories most. Much love to you guys!

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    1. Daisy had the ability to create a story just through her personality!

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  23. So sorry for the loss of your precious Daisy. I know the pain you are going through right now.

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  24. Now that I have stopped crying I can continue. I am so very very sorry for your loss. Daisy indeed was beautiful. You have written such a special tribute to Daisy. You brought her alive in this post and I so wish that I had been able to know her in person. She had a long and interesting life and will be remembered forever. You will be able to relive your many adventures through your memories and photos. Sending you many hugs. Special pats to Dakota who must also be feeling this loss.

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    1. Thanks, Dakota seemed out of sorts for the first day but now she seems better.

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  25. Jim and Barb, I am so very sorry to hear this news. I always loved seeing photos of Daisy. Her personality always shone through in every photo. I can't imagine how this must ache to the core. I hope the healing is quick, but I know it will take its own good time. My thoughts are with you both.

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    1. Thanks Suzanne, I truly think she liked her picture taken and being the star of the blog!

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  26. Our hearts go out to you. Know she had a wonderful life, and we are glad we had an opportunity to meet her and keep up with her antics through your blog.

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  27. We're so sorry to hear about Daisy. I always got a kick out of her watching TV. So funny how she'd jump up and down whenever wildlife appeared. I know you guys are going to miss her dearly. You gave her quite the adventure!

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    1. Thanks Joan, she would attack the TV right up to her last day!

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  28. I'm so very sorry to hear about Daisy. I remember on our deck when you held her up for the eagle to see her. I'm sure she loved all your antics. Such a wonderful pet! Sending hugs.

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    1. Good memories. That is one of the things that makes us smile is everyone posting about their memories of her.

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  29. What a great dog and what a fabulous life she lived! We know all too well how this feels. Thinking back to the funny memories and flipping through old photos definitely helps, but it just takes time for the loss to stop hurting so much. Sending our deepest condolences.

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    1. Flipping through all the pictures was bittersweet. You are right it brought back a lot of funny memories.

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  30. So sorry to hear the news about Daisy. Thank you for sharing about your family member's life. That must have been hard to write about. We lost both our boys in the first year of travel. I can imagine the tears in your hearts while writing. Its so wonderful to know Daisy had a kind family to live with.

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    1. It certainly is never easy. Makes you question whether you want to ever get another dog just to have to go through it again someday.

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  31. So very sorry to hear about Daisy. She certainly was a special girl. I am glad I was able to meet her and give her a few treats after reading about her in the blog for so long. This most definitely a difficult time. Poor Dakota must be lost without her.

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    1. Dakota was lost for the first day for sure. She too seems to be adjusting to life without Daisy

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  32. Words don't help the pain, only time can rounds those sharp edges. I'm so sorry that her time has come, they never stay long enough.

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    1. Nope, that is for sure but we were happy to get the extra time we did!

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  33. So sorry for your loss she will be missed

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