When Daisy and her eight adorable puppies, lovingly nicknamed the “office supply litter”, arrived at Muddy Paws Rescue in New York, their beginning was anything but ordinary.
Half of the litter had contracted parvo, while the other half suffered from severe gastrointestinal problems. It was a frightening and uncertain time for the whole rescue team.
Thankfully, with the help of devoted veterinarians and round-the-clock care, every single puppy pulled through and survived.
Daisy Faces Her Own Struggles
While the puppies were being treated, their mother Daisy was having a difficult time adjusting to her new surroundings.
She was terrified of unfamiliar people and places, and the stress only grew when her puppies had to be temporarily separated from her for medical treatment.
After a few months, though, all of her puppies had recovered and were ready for adoption. Soon, each one found a loving home, and Daisy herself was adopted by a family in South Amboy, New Jersey.
Everyone believed that was the beginning of Daisy’s happily ever after, but she had other plans.
“To everyone’s surprise, on Daisy’s second day home, she managed to jump over the 5-foot fence surrounding her new backyard and bolt,” Mallory Kerley, marketing director at Muddy Paws Rescue, told The Dodo.
After Daisy escaped, several neighbors began reporting sightings, but each time someone tried to approach her, she ran off again.
The rescue staff, local volunteers, and the surrounding community immediately launched a search effort. For four long days, they scoured the area hoping to bring Daisy back safely.
Finally, rescuers spotted her hiding in the woods. A pair of staff members patiently gained her trust until they could approach. One even wore the same sweatshirt every day so Daisy would recognize his scent.
“We were so touched by how the neighborhood cared – people drove with flashes on to slow down traffic and keep an eye out for her, folks sat in specific locations for hours in the cold, others lent out towels, crates, cameras, or bought supplies like food, hand warmers and coffees for us. First responders and schools were on the case and several of them called in sightings. Neighbors let us access their yards – it was an incredible effort. She will certainly be a town celebrity,” Muddy Paws Rescue NYC wrote on Facebook.
After nearly a week of worry, Daisy was finally safe again. Her adoptive family was overjoyed to have her back home.
Even after everyone went their separate ways, Daisy’s adopters and the families of her puppies kept in touch, sharing updates as their dogs grew up.
A Joyful Family Reunion
A little over a year later, the families decided it was time for a special reunion. The puppies were now fully grown, many of them nearly as big as Daisy herself, and everyone was excited to see how the little family would react to being together again.
When they finally met, tails wagged nonstop and happy barks filled the air. Some of the pups were the spitting image of their mama, while others had different markings, but the resemblance was still unmistakable.
“Their reunion was so happy. We love seeing litters stay in touch, and this family in particular is all still close. The adopters keep in touch and share updates on their pups with each other, and we love seeing them come together as a family!” Kerley told The Dodo.
From surviving a life-threatening illness to overcoming fear and uncertainty, Daisy and her puppies have come a long way. Today, they’re thriving in their forever homes, surrounded by love, safety, and the people who never gave up on them.