My father died of pancreatic cancer on Thanksgiving night. Our family was celebrating life and our many blessings one miniute and grieving the next. Before his death, my three children asked for a puppy for months. My ten-year old daughter who was closest to her grandfather had spoke to him many times about giving a homeless puppy a home. They spoke about the responsibility, fun, joy, and love of an animal and about name and breeds as if they were going to adopt or buy a puppy. This small imaginary dog was named Miss Daisy and was a Haveenese/Poodle mix. When my mother was diagnosed with NonHopkins Lymphoma only three weeks after my father's death, we were devastated and in emotional turmoil. Later that week, we received a call from an animal shelter for my father. They had a black and white Havennese mix who was about four months old. She had been hit by a car and brought into the shelter by an elderly man who could not afford the medical bill and would not be able to properly care for an energetic puppy. The reason for the call was my father had placed a request for a phone call of any dog that may have Havennese or Poodle blood under the age of five. I couldn't say no after hearing the story behind the phone call. So that day my mother, husband and I drove to the shelter to meet the already-named puppy whom we knew would be a new addition to our family. We picked up the kids at school and began a new life with our puppy. Daisy has been an important part of my emotional support since her adoption. After my mother passed away, we adopted a second puppy from the shelter. I love Daisy!

Angelique Ressident
Oakland, OH