Barbara’s Buddha and Daisy

Barbara Stevens works as a teacher for the visually impaired in the Capital School District. She has two loving dogs, Daisy and Buddha.

Buddha is a German Pinscher; He is 12 years old. Barbara said, “I chose this breed because I wanted a little dog to train as a therapy dog for my Fibromyalgia. But I’ve always had big dogs, so I figured the “King” of Toy breeds would be a big little dog!”

Buddha came to Barbara as a Mother’s Day gift, from an Amish family farm. She said that she had a miniature pinscher previously whom she had to rehome as he had become very aggressive towards her (ex) husband & son. Her kids felt bad and blessed her with Buddha.

All About Buddha

“Buddha is really like no other! First of all, he was supposed to be a “min-pin”, 12 in tall, weighing maybe 10 pounds! He’s a beast at about 18 in tall weighing on average 22 pounds (except when on allergy meds they make him gain weight bad).” After some personal research, she found out there is another breed of pins- the German Pinscher.

“Buddha is truly my ride or die! He has been there for me more than any human friend. He has seen me through a divorce, loss of my home and failed relationship, death of family members, bankruptcy, surgeries, graduations (my college and my daughter’s high school), job changes, failures/successes, simple life! And through all of it, he never judged me, made me feel bad or ugly, unsuccessful or less of a human”.

According to Barbara, “Buddha is very protective of course, but we have such a strong bond that even my spouse asks me, “how do you know what he wants”, “how come he understands what you say to him.” We are truly bonded; I know what he needs just by looking at him; as he does me. I love to call him “Momma Dog” & he will talk to me, like literally talk to me! He used to sometimes say “Momma,” my daughter, and I would laugh so much! We also have done something special since he was a young pup, “Saturday Morning Snuggle time”! I used to work really long hours, going to work very early at 6 am. So Saturday was our day, and he knew when it was Saturday! I would say Buddha its Saturday morning snuggle time, and he would stop whatever he was doing and come running! We’d lie in my bed, and I’d keep saying Saturday morning snuggle time, and he’d just snuggle closer and closer is the cutest little man ever! We still do this to this day!”

Barbara adds, “Buddha has epilepsy and has been on Phenobarbital since he was about a year old! He is a strong little guy; the vet is always impressed with how healthy Buddha is otherwise. She did not expect to be treating him 12 years later; we literally had this conversation today! Buddha is a beats the odds kinda’ dog!”

Barbara goes on to say, “He is a “Heater Hog,” he will lay in front of a heater and suck up that heat & does not care if you are cold. He burrows; he doesn’t care who has the blanket. He must be under it!

He loves to sunbathe, he follows the sun rays throughout the house, moving window to the couch, to screen-door to outdoors! Wherever the sun goes, so does Buddha.”

I asked what does Buddha mean to you? Barbara answered, “My kids that I birthed will tell you I love him more than them! I once was invited to teach English in Japan. The only reason I didn’t go was that I couldn’t take my dog! He would have been in quarantine for six months to a year, and there was absolutely no way I could’ve been without him, and I don’t believe he would’ve survived without seeing me either! Need I say more?

Also, I went through a very trying chapter in a relationship- truly broke my heart; Buddha lay with me for hours as I cried. This dog snuggled me, licked my face, hands, wiggled his tail, talked to me, and held my hand literally, placing his paw on my hand until I was strong enough to pick myself and stop crying. He followed me through the house, reassuring me that I could do it, I would be ok. I know that is what he was saying because when I’d ask him if I was ok, he would wiggle his tail, bark & smile at me! This dog is my whole heart.”

Buddha’s Favorite Things

We love to Netflix and chill; we binge watch TV together.

His favorite food is whatever is on my mom’s plate! He loves beef jerky, bananas, peanut butter, and apples! Buddha is pretty much food motivated, so I can’t honestly say he has a 100% favorite as long as it seems like food!

 

Daisy is a Cavi-poo (Cavalier King Charles –Poodle mix). She is five years old.

Barbara met Daisy when she was looking at a post on Facebook from KCSPCA. There was this group of puppy mill pups they rescued. She saw one little dog that she was interested in, took a trip to meet the dog. Barbara said that the dog was sweet, but she didn’t feel her energy would match well with the pack. Then she saw Daisy! She asked to meet her, and she fell for her. Daisy was a real sweetie, her energy was so good, and Barbara knew she was what they were missing!

“I brought Buddha back to meet her, and honestly, he could care less. Daisy was excited to meet him, and Buddha was like, “Oh, hey.”. So, I knew it was going to work out well. And as they say, that’s all she wrote!”

All About Daisy

Barbara shares,” Daisy is unique because she is so very resilient, you would never know she was a “puppy mill dog”! She is loving and affectionate, not aggressive or fearful. She acts as she belongs here as if she has always been in our pack! Daisy is so tolerant; she has from day one allowed me to bathe her, clip her toes, trim her face, and groom her. Pretty much do as I please! It was clear she had never been on a leash- but she has become accustomed to her harness and walks well now.

“Daisy has the coolest little personality! She is a comedian; she will do anything to make you smile! This little girl has brought me so much joy! She definitely knows I am her human, wherever I go, she goes. I will never pee alone again!”

Daisy loves to do yoga with Barbara in the morning! She lays flat out on her tummy in a cobra pose and will rock herself back and forth, rubbing her belly. “She just really is so much fun! I’d say she is our clown in the family!” Barbara added.

When I asked Barbara about any quirky habits/behaviors, she said that Daisy can rub her own belly! She would lay flat out on her belly, brings her front end up into a cobra pose & rocks back and forth rubbing that belly.

Daisy also loves to get right up in Barbara’s face & sniff her breath but doesn’t want to be kissed or have you in her face. Daisy is not a licker but is so very affectionate.
“Daisy is my cuddler; she has to be wherever I am; I should have named her shadow or stalker!” Barbara adds that Daisy will only walk with her on the leash! “We took her for a road trip, and when we were stopped for a potty break, I ran to the bathroom myself. While I was out of her sight, Daisy refused to move for my spouse, she lay down and wouldn’t move until I came out and walked toward her calling her name! She was lying 15 feet away from my spouse, refusing to move! I found it funny, but he didn’t think so!”

I then asked Barbara what does Daisy mean to you? She answered, “That I will always have a best friend! In such a short amount of time, Daisy has brought the biggest amount of joy! Daisy rescued me in January just in time for my 50th birthday; she has been nothing but a bundle of joy since! Don’t get me wrong; it’s been a journey teaching her to not pee in the house, to understand commands and all the normal dog stuff- since she was never allowed that life! But I can definitely say this was a blessing and a wonderful birthday present! She compliments our pack well.”

“With my little man Buddha getting older and health issues, I never thought I’d love another dog the same way. But something about Daisy has eased my worries, and I know although no one can take Buddha’s place in my life or heart, Daisy has created her own special place. She’s my little road dog; she travels with me, sits in a high top stool next to me while I work virtually from home. She simply wants to be next to me which means the world to me, to know that there is someone in this world who enjoys my company that much. I cannot say it enough; she makes me smile and gives me joy.”

Daisy’s Favorite Things

“Ride! Daisy is my road dog; she rides so well in the car. She is a very good traveling companion, polite, respectful, likes the same music. I am enjoying teaching her to be a dog, and she is teaching me it’s ok to simply be happy.”

“She loves this chicken strip snacks, liver-flavored chews, she’s starting to find out that people’s food might be good too.”

Our Link to our Paws

Barbara’s story once again shows how our dogs link to us and our lives. Living with dogs enriches our lives for the better, and not having them around, life is not the same. That link to our paws is hard to break.