Daisy

2007

Daisy

Following the death of her owner, 14-year-old Daisy was taken to the vet for Euthanasia. Fortunately the vet phoned Anim-Mates who came to her rescue. Daisy had thyroid problems, dental problems and mild arthritis, but with treatment she enjoys a good quality of life.

Daisy lives with her fosterers in Abbey Wood.

They reported in 2007:

We have fostered Daisy for the past four months. When she first came to us she was quite underweight and had recently had surgery on her thyroid. She looked a bit pitiful really, her throat had been shaved and the scar from her surgery was very visible.

It was obvious that Daisy had been through a difficult time. She was quite shy to start off with and wanted to be left alone. However, in a few days she had gained confidence and had chosen her favourite spots in the house and began to approach us more and more. She now sits beside us on the sofa and always sleeps on the end of the bed during the night.

During the day Daisy usually curls up and sleeps for most of the morning. But in the late afternoon and evening she becomes quite playful. She enjoys patting her catnip toys around the front room and occasionally tries to run off with the knitting. Her favourite toys are a white mouse with a red tail and a ball. When she plays she looks like a kitten and has a fair amount of energy.

Daisy is very interested in what we do and anytime she wants attention she makes it very clear. If I am reading she tries to sit on my book. If I am typing she strolls across the keyboard. She used to steal and hide a sock from the laundry, but she has appeared to stop that now so I’m no longer wearing odd socks. Daisy does like to have a fuss - particularly being stroked under the chin or behind her ears, but afterwards she walks off and pretends she didn’t really enjoy it.

Daisy has a very good appetite. At one stage she went off her food so we took her to the vet and they had to treat her for a gum infection and give her dental treatment under anaesthetic. She was in the vets for a few days. Following that her appetite soon returned. Since being with us Daisy has gained weight and her fur has grown back. She generally looks healthier and happier. In fact, if you met her you would not realise she has medical problems at all.

Daisy now feels so comfortable living with us that she comes to greet guests. If she approves of them she will hang around and permit them to stroke her. She then sits on the arm of the chair looking around her regally. She is truly the queen of this castle!

They reported in December 2009:

We have been fostering Daisy now for 2 years and four months . She is now 16 years old, and we are very happy to report that she is keeping very well and enjoying her retirement years.

During the very hot summer, Daisy spent most of her time laying fully stretched out under our ceiling fans, enjoying the breeze. In the evenings she lays beside us watching TV. Daisy really seems to enjoy watching TV, particularly the discovery channel and the music channels. She likes the animal rescue programmes occasionally too.

Daisy is a long-haired cat who came to us hating being brushed. Initially, Daisy had to be shaved as her hair became matted, but Carol has patiently persevered brushing her and is now able to comb her and keep it under better control. We don't think she'll ever totally enjoy being brushed, but she is learning to tolerate it and accept it as a routine. For her reward we give her tuna-fish afterwards, which she loves to eat.

Daisy also came to us with an appetite for human food. We think she must have snacked lots on people food in the past, because when we open the fridge, she tries to climb in and makes a beeline for the cheese. Also, she comes round and tries to steal food from plates.

She is never interested in sitting next to me, Julie, (as i don't eat meat), but sits as close to Carol as possible batting Carol's arm begging to share her meal. One day Carol was sitting watching TV eating a MacDonald's cheeseburger. As she was distracted and watching her film, Daisy very carefully pulled the edge of the burger and pulled it down onto the seat where she proceeded to eat it. What was funny was that Carol had two mouthfuls more of her Cheeseburger bun before she realised the burger was gone... all I can say is that it must have been a good film!

Daisy has not really minded the recent extreme snowy weather, as she has spent it all cuddled up next to a warm beanie and fleece blankets. She has been taking medicine drops on chicken-breast meat daily for her arthritis. Her back legs get a little stiff occasionally, but does not stop her from running all over the house playing with her toys and following us to the kitchen.

Fostering Daisy is a very rewarding experience, though sometimes we completely forget she is fostered because she is a permanent household member whom we dearly love.

Daisy is in the Anim-Mates Care for Life scheme and will be spending the rest of her life with us.

2009