Adopting Daisy
New Home Found for Orphaned Great Dane
Laura Bergman has always found happiness in the company of animals.
“If I could, I’d have a barn full of them,” says Laura, who grew up with the gamut of pets from dogs and cats to guinea pigs and lizards.
Laura and her fiancé, Paul Hunley, were already the happy owners of three cats: Charlie, Gus and Lucy. They both share a love for dogs, so the couple decided that they would add a puppy to the family once they settled into their new South Dayton, Ohio, home.
They hadn’t even finished unpacking the boxes when Daisy came along.
“It was just meant to be,” says Laura. “I came across her and I’ve always wanted a big dog. There’s something majestical about big dogs. They’re gentle giants.”
Home 4 the Holidays
Daisy, a four-year-old Harlequin Great Dane, was adopted by Laura through Iams’ Home 4 the Holidays campaign in October. Daisy is one of two million orphaned pets that have been embraced by families and individuals through the program since its inception in 1999.
Despite this extraordinary movement to curb pet homelessness, there are still millions like Daisy who need families.
“There are just so many pets out there that need homes and they don’t have a voice,” says Laura. “For many of them, this is their only chance to live.”
“She’s happy to be accepted. You can just tell from her eyes.”
Daisy’s Story
Before Laura adopted her, Daisy had been abused by her owners. Kept in a cage inside a horse stall, she was subjected to total isolation. Eventually, the anxiety of being alone led Daisy to bite at her tail so badly that a veterinarian was forced to amputate.
Due to her size, she continued to be secluded from the family and other pets when she was adopted for the second time. In spite of her gentle disposition, her owners decided that they could no longer give her a home.
New Beginnings
You could say that Laura and Daisy are perfect for each other. Laura, who is 6’ 2” tall, says that when 130-pound Daisy stands on her hind legs, they’re eye to eye. Regardless of her size, Laura says she’s the ultimate “snuggle-bug.”
“She would sit on my lap if she could find a way.”
Laura says that integrating Daisy into the family has been seamless. The most obvious change in Daisy is her apparent excitement to finally be among people during walks and trips to play ball at the park.
“She’s happy to be accepted. You can just tell from her eyes.”
Adopt an Orphaned Pet
You can welcome an orphaned pet into your home, too. Iams Home 4 the Holidays annual adoption program is seeking loving homes for at least 1 million animals between Oct. 1, 2008 and Jan. 5, 2009.
Founded by Helen Woodward Animal Center in 1999, Iams Home 4 the Holidays harnesses the power of nearly 3,000 worldwide animal organizations in a global effort to raise awareness about the importance of pet adoption.
Families that adopt a dog, puppy, cat or kitten will receive an Iams Adoption Kit as part of the program, which contains tips and information on pet care, behavior, training and nutrition, along with coupons for other pet services.
To learn more about the Home 4 the Holidays campaign or to become involved, simply visit www.Iamshome4theholidays.com.
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