Happy Endings: Lily/Sparky/Daisy
Eleven days before Christmas 2007, ResQ got an urgent email from Teresa, a cousin of one of the employees of Arrow Coachlines in Little Rock, Arkansas. She told of a sweet girl who was living outside the bus company. While she was being cared for during the day, this darling dog had no protection from the elements at night. The bus company employees had been calling her Maggie and had even taken her to the vet to be spayed; however, she was Heartworm-positive and things were looking grim for Maggie. To make matters worse, a very cold and dangerous storm was churning in to central Arkansas.
Cue Greg the Hero, a ResQ volunteer in Jacksonville, Arkansas. He rushed to save this girl from the storm and got her safe and dry. ResQ volunteer Jacki in New Jersey would foster this girl, temporarily being called Li’l Girl by Greg. Jacki and Greg decided this gal was a Rat Terrier/Schnauzer mix, although one can never know for sure when a dog has been a stray soul.
She made her way to New Jersey and was given an official ResQ name, Amaryllis (Lily for short), started Heartworm treatment, and began her search for a new home. She made fast friends everywhere she went due to her fun, playful, loving nature. Lily was adopted in May of 2008 to a wonderful family in New York, and was renamed Sparky. Sadly, the family fell on hard economic times about 8 months later, and had no choice but to return her to ResQ. Her bio was posted online, and the Applications Team started screening applicants to be Sparky’s new family.
Maggie/Li’l Girl/Amaryllis/Lily/Sparky made her way to Connecticut, where there was room with Annette, a ResQ volunteer. ResQ ensured Sparky was still medically cleared to go to a new home, and just as February 2009 was coming into view, the Blais family of Connecticut, who had fallen in love with her bio and pictures online, became her new family.
This little traveling girl was renamed Daisy and the Blais family reports that she is doing wonderfully! She accompanies Mike and Kate each day to their Adult Day Center and she is beloved by all the participants. She has a large grassy fenced in area which she gets plenty of play time and exercise. Mike writes:
“Of course, she is the best dog in the world…very, very playful, loyal, goofy and extremely smart. Everybody falls in love with her! At night she loves to curl up on the couch and watch TV with us. My wife and I thank you and Rat Terrier ResQ for the good work you all do.”
All of ResQ could not be happier for the little Travelin’ Gal. She has touched many lives, whether she was in Arkansas, New Jersey, New York or Connecticut, whether she was known as Maggie, Li’l Girl, Amaryllis, Lily, Sparky or Daisy. It’s a joy to see her continually touching so many lives each day.
As I read this story, my heart is full and tears are filling my eyes. It was me who sent the urgent email to your rescue on that cold and wet December day in Arkansas. I don’t work at the bus company, but my cousin, Derenda does. She knew I had adoped from rescue and thought I might know someone to call. I hit the jack pot with you guys. You wasted no time getting in touch with Greg in Jacksonville, AR. He in turn, wasted no time calling me. It was almost dark, extremely cold and starting to rain when he called me. I remember that day like it was yesterday. I gave him directions to the bus company and just prayed little “Daisy” would still be there waiting at the bus company for her new friends to return the next morning. Greg really went all out for this lil girl. The bus company is not exactly located in the safest place after dark! But, that didn’t stop Greg. He knew what he had to do and he did it. Just minutes later, Greg called to say he had her in his car! I was so relieved! Thank the Lord! Prayers were answered and she was safe. I could only hope she would get through her heart worm treatment and find a loving home. She sure deserved it.
Thank you so much for sending me this update. If everyone would reach out and help an animal in need, just look what a difference we could make together! It saddens me that it just didn’t work out for the first family due to these economic times, but I’m so glad she has a forever home now with the Blais family. They sound like they are the perfect family for her and she is happy with her new life.
Blais family, if you read this, please give her a hug and kiss for me. Even though I never actually met her, she left an imprint on my heart forever. What a journey she has had from Arkansas all the way to Connecticut.
Thank you Greg, Jacki and everyone along the way who had a role this happy ending. God Bless you all.
Teresa
posted April 24th, 2009 at 9:33 pmLittle Rock, AR
Hi Teresa,
I just read your comments and want to thank you for your kindness toward Daisy in helping with her rescue. Daisy continues to do wonderfully and has been fully treated for heart-worm. She is a happy, delightful bundle of energy. While she is an inseparable part of our family, she also has many other “family members” who came to her aid around the country. Sometimes I quietly call her Lilly or Sparky and her ears perk-up. I know she remembers those who care for her.
I will be glad to give her a big hug for you.
Mike Blais
posted June 13th, 2009 at 1:26 pmConnecticut
Dear Blais family,
Thnak you so much for taking in Daisy (Maggie to me) and giving her a loving family. I am Teresa’s cousin from Little Rock and the one who found Daisy outside of our bus company. She just showed up one day and the rest is as they say history. She was the most loving little girl I had seen in a long time. I wish i could have kept her but with our work schedule she would have just been aloone a lot of the time. My husband drives for Arrow Coach Lines and I work in the office & part time & she deserved a lot more than I could offer at the time. I still have her picture on my phone of her that i sent to everyone hoping to help her find a home. I just cried when Teresa called me at work & told me Greg had picked her up but just because I knew she was on her way to a great life. Thank you so much for the update because I have wondered every time I saw a dog like her if she was ok & loved and she sure looks like she is. God bless you for taking her in and all the work you do.
Many thanks again from her first Mama,
posted June 16th, 2009 at 12:29 pmDerenda Hill
derendah@arrowcoachlines.com
Mike,
You are so welcome! “Thank you”, for opening your home to Daisy. I am so happy for you, your wife and of course, Daisy. She is where she was meant to be. I mean really, she has it made! I know my dogs would love to go to work with me every day, but unfortunately they can’t. Daisy is a very luck girl because she gets to do that with her humans every day. She’s obviously happy and in a loving home. What more could she ask for?!!
I’d like to send her a handmade gift. Please email me directly so that I can create a special personalized gift for her. Seriously, I want to do this for her. Something pretty and pink because she left her paw print on my heart!
reply to: embroiderit@sbcglobal.net
Teresa
posted June 17th, 2009 at 12:37 pm