by Lee Juslin

Daisy, a female Westie, had served as breeding stock for a backyard breeder interested only in having her produce puppies that he could sell. Now, at seven years old, the so-called breeder felt she had outlived her usefulness and wanted to dump her. Fortunately, Sunshine State Westie Rescue (SSWR) persuaded the owner to release Daisy to them.

After assuring the group Daisy was not pregnant, the owner released her to SSWR along with a male Westie. The group had the usual vet work done including vaccines and placed Daisy with one of their foster moms. The male Westie had no health or behavior issues and was quickly adopted.

Daisy when she first got to the rescue

For Daisy, however, finding a forever home would have to wait because shortly after being placed in foster and before spaying could be done, it was discovered that Daisy, despite the owner’s protestations to the contrary, was pregnant. Since her foster mom was not prepared to handle a pregnant Daisy and ensuing puppies, Daisy was relocated to another of SSWR’s foster homes more prepared to deal with Daisy’s situation.

At first, Daisy seemed to be carrying several puppies, but, by the time the big day came, she birthed only one puppy. Sadly, the puppy died within forty-eight hours, and, since this was the first puppy for the young rescue, it was a difficult experience. Daisy had not proven to be a very good mommy, but no doubt the loss of the puppy was also due, at least in part, to the lack of prenatal care from the breeder and the vaccines she was given. While rescues routinely vet new in-takes to identify any health issues and to get them up to date on vaccines before listing them for adoption, most vaccines are not given to pregnant dogs.

Despite the sadness of losing the puppy, SSWR regrouped, had Daisy spayed and, with no medical or behavior issues, was determined to find her a wonderful forever home.

Over ninety percent of the organization’s applicants have experience with Westies, and, though this is not a requirement for adoption, this was the case for Daisy. A couple with a farm and a male Westie applied to adopt her. The placement proved to be the perfect home for Daisy. Today she is happy, healthy, and enjoying a wonderful life. In addition, with proper care and grooming, she has turned into a beautiful Westie girl.

Daisy & Bro Rambo

Sunshine State Westie Rescue was formed in January, 2011 and, as a still relatively young foster group, they are an affiliate of Mid Atlantic Westie Rescue, an established Westie rescue that supports start up Westie rescues around the country.

SSWR is an all volunteer organization and qualifies as a 501C3 charity under the auspices of Mid Atlantic Westie Rescue. To date they have rescued one hundred and twenty five Westies. As a relatively new group, they are in need of more volunteers, especially foster parents.

If you would like to learn more about SSWR, volunteer, apply to adopt a Westie, become a foster parent within the state of Florida, or give a donation, you can visit their website: SSWR or find them on Facebook: Sunshine State Westies.

You can find more animal rescue, therapy animal, and other pet related articles in our pet section.

Want to know how to see your ad like this at the end of an article? Email KRL at life@kingsriverlife[dot]com by replacing the [dot] for more info. 10% of all ad sales goes to animal rescue.

Lee Juslin is a free lance copywriter living in North Carolina with her husband, Scott, and her band of misfits: Tarquin, a Wheaten Scottish Terrier, and three handicapped cats. They can be seen on their website: Hampshire Hooligans. She owns I B Dog Gone, a small embroidery business and is the author of the Nurse Frosty books for children and Frosty’s Story: Tales of a Therapy Dog. She supports a number of national and regional terrier rescue organizations.