Daisy – Gentle, Goofy, and Growing Every Day
Location: Chicago, IL
Background
Daisy is a 4yearold, tricolor, 40ishpound spayed female who didn't get the soft start she deserved. She arrived timid, unsure, and overwhelmed — the kind of dog who looked like she'd just finished a double shift at a haunted inn, judging by the way her black head fluff stood straight up in permanent “I've seen things” mode.
But with time, patience, and a predictable routine, Daisy has been rewriting her story. She has made tremendous progress in her foster home: from a girl who had to be carried through doorways to a dog who now gets excited for walks, explores her yard with confidence, and shows more of her goofy, tender personality every day. Time, patience, and predictability will be essential to helping Daisy move forward, as she is still a work in progress.
She's on medication to help her confidence (and it's working beautifully), and she continues to blossom with gentle encouragement and structure.
Personality & Progress
Daisy is a gentle, sensitive soul — an introvert who wants connection but needs to approach on her own terms. Think of her as the quiet person at a party who eventually decides you're safe enough to talk to... and then becomes surprisingly affectionate.
She's not a full Velcro setter, but she is a “sometimes Velcro, sometimes mysterious roommate who disappears to recharge” setter. When she loves you, she loves deeply: leaning, kissing, and wanting to be near you. Then she'll wander off to a quiet room to process her feelings like a tiny emotional support librarian.
Her confidence is growing daily, and watching her discover joy is one of the most rewarding parts of fostering her.
Energy & Lifestyle
Daisy's energy level is a perfect medium. She enjoys walks (and is making huge progress!), but she's equally content to nap, snack, and supervise from a comfy dog bed.
She is not a hunter — loud noises are a firm “no thank you” — and she thrives in a fenced yard where she can sniff, sunbathe, and ponder life without surprises.
Training, Manners & Medical
Medical
Spayed
Up to date on vaccines
On Simparica Trio for flea, tick, and heartworm prevention
Housetraining
Mostly excellent, with the occasional “oops.” She's learning the rhythm of indoor life and doing well.
Crate Training
Daisy is crate trained and has two crates:
Her meal crate, where she dines like a tiny queen
Her day crate, where she relaxes while her foster is at work
She sleeps overnight in a dog bed in your room and does beautifully — with the occasional polite attempt to join you in bed.
Her mealtime ritual is legendary: when she decides it's time to eat, she wanders to her crate (or steps inside if the door is open) and gives you the most soulful, guiltinducing eyes until you acknowledge her culinary needs. She does this before meals, after meals, and sometimes just for dramatic effect.
Leash Skills
Improving every day! She now gets excited for walks, uses a harness, and is learning not to pull. Her prey drive is strong — squirrels, beware.
As the introvert, Daisy is a bit of a homebody. She enjoys her walk in the neighborhood, but still prefers to maintain some social distancing on her walks. Her outings require her to concentrate on being brave and meet and greets aren't her thing at the moment. She has discovered that sniffing is good for the mind!
Obedience
Working on basics like responding to her name. She's smart, but still learning how to dog.
House Manners
Still a work in progress. Counter surfing is a hobby she's exploring. She also enjoys collecting toys like a tiny dragon guarding her hoard.
Dog, Cat & Kid Compatibility
Kids: Best in a home without small children — she needs calm, predictable energy.
Dogs: Coexists with her foster sister but needs very slow introductions. Likely to do well with a calm, respectful dog.
Cats: Unknown, but given her prey drive, probably not ideal.
Anxiety & Adjustment
Daisy is easily startled by new noises, movements, and changes in routine. When she arrived, she needed to be carried up and down stairs and through doorways. Now? She's excited for walks and will try to bolt out the front door if given the chance — progress comes in funny shapes.
She needs a patient adopter who understands slow introductions, gentle encouragement, and the beauty of watching a scared dog discover joy. When she play bows out of nowhere, smiles with her whole face, or sleeps bellyup in total trust, it feels like winning the lottery.
Funniest Daisy Moments
The Bedhead: Sometimes her black head fluff sticks up in every direction, making her look like she just survived a tornado and needs a stiff drink.
The Toy Hoarder: She quietly hovers near her foster sister until the toy is abandoned... then swoops in, grabs it, and adds it to her growing collection. She has been known to surround herself with up to ten toys like a tiny dragon nesting on her treasure pile.
The Shoe Heist: She knows she shouldn't take shoes. So she sloooowly, silently picks one up... then sprints away like she's committing a federal crime.
The Meal Crate Shenanigans: She walks into her eating crate and stares meaningfully, as if to say, “It's time. Again. Don't question it.”
Ideal Home
Daisy is looking for a calm, predictable home where she can continue to bloom at her own gentle pace. A fenced yard would be her happy place, and a quiet household without young children will help her feel safe as she settles in.
She needs an adopter who celebrates small victories — the tiny tail wags, the soft smiles, the moment she finally leans into you. If you're the kind of person who finds magic in watching a shy dog discover joy, Daisy will reward you with a depth of love that feels extraordinary.
Current Location: Chicago, IL
Volunteer transport can be arranged in the Continental US, within 1,000 miles of the dog's current location. A Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) is required for transport. There will be an additional charge of $75.00 required to offset the cost of obtaining a CVI. In most cases, our transport team will be able to arrange transport of your adopted dog to within 2 hours of your home. You may apply for a dog outside of the 1,000 mile radius, but you must be willing to make arrangements for transport, which may include flying at your expense, driving to a location within the 1,000 mile radius, or obtaining an independent transport at your expense.
DAISY
English Setter
🇺🇸
Hilliard, Ohio
female, medium, young
English Setter
Hilliard, Ohio
