Sometimes I wish I could trade lives with my dog. Just for a little while. Don’t get me wrong – I LOVE my life. I have a great job, wonderful friends, a loving family, and an awesome dog. But when I see how happy she gets and how much she just drinks up this life… I just wish I could feel that happy or that excited about something as simple as going for a walk, getting a new squeak toy, eating dinner, or seeing a good friend.
Just recently, we met my friend Joy for a walk at the trail. Joy is Daisy’s absolute FAVORITE person in the world. In fact, I think she might even like Joy a smidge more than she likes me (it’s all good though). When Daisy sees Joy’s car pulling up, she LOSES it. She gets so excited that she just can’t handle it. First, she does her cute little butt-dragging run (a move she has adopted over time due to her missing left-hind leg). Then, she runs up to me as if to say, “OMG Mom! Shes here! She’s here! It’s Joy!!! When Joy and Bambi finally step out of the car, you would think that Christmas has arrived early. To Daisy, it’s the BEST THING EVER.
Seeing her get this excited makes me smile. I love my dog and I love making her this happy. For now, since we can’t trade lives, I guess I’ll have to settle for living life through the eyes of my dog – and treating every day as a gift.
Sunday night, August 6, was closing night for Annie at the Stage Theatre, Denver Performing Arts Complex. It was an incredible day and night. Daisy (AKA Sandy) did incredible. She gave out lots of kisses, and got plenty of sleep in the green room in between her scenes.
Daisy resting on her last day of Annie
Our time with Phamaly was… beyond what mere words can describe. We met many new friends, and it will be a time in our life that we will always treasure. I will never forget the many fans that she made, giggles that she caused, and faces that she licked.
We are now going to start focusing on her therapy dog training, as that will be the next “stage” in our adventure together. We will keep everyone posted!
Guess what? Yesterday, I got to take this really fun test! My mom gave me a bunch of commands (and, of course, I obeyed them all), and then – at the end – I got my picture taken and a blue ribbon! I don’t see what all the fuss was about, but my mom was really excited.
Korynn and Daisy, after Daisy passed her Canine Good Citizen test and achieved her “blue ribbon”
Tonight I get to go to work again. I’m so excited to see all of my friends from Phamaly at the theatre tonight. I love going up onstage and seeing all of my fans in the crowd. I’m a little sad though, because this weekend will be the last weekend that I’ll get to go onstage. But, my mom told me that I’ll be working again soon – so I’m OK with that.
FROM KORYNN
This weekend is closing weekend for the Annie production up in Denver (Sunday is closing night). I’m sad at the thought of this chapter of our lives closing. Not only has it been a remarkeable experience for me, but Daisy has loved every minute. In fact, that’s what got me started on this new chapter of ours… I have decided to pursue using Daisy as a therapy dog after the Annie production ends. It seems like a natural transition for the both of us, and I know Daisy would just LOVE it (she’s already serving that purpose inadvertantly every night after the show).
To be honest, finding out what I need to do in order to use Daisy as a therapy dog has not been easy. There is not a lot of information out there on the topic. However, after some digging and research, I discovered that the first step in this pursuit was to have Daisy obtain her Canine Good Citizen certfication/blue ribbon… and she did that yesterday! I am so proud of her. The second step is to register her with the AKC – which we are in the process of right now. After that, we need to find a good place that could use her as a therapy dog and find out what their specific requirements are. It is a detailed process, but we are well on our way!
Practicing the closing bow during one of the show rehearsalsDaisy (AKA Sandy) sitting like a good girl during her part at one of the show rehearsals
Every weekend, my mom and I go to the Denver Performing Arts Complex. When we get there, I get to hang out with a bunch of my friends from Phamaly Theatre Company. Everybody loves me there. They all give me lots of kisses and scratches behind the ears. Every now and then, I even get to go up onstage with some of them. And, let me tell you, that is AWESOME! When I’m up onstage I feel like a superstar. It makes me so happy that I just wag my tail and smile. ALL those people sitting in those seats are there for me (well, at least that’s what I like to think). Then, later on that night, we get to walk through the lobby, where there are so many people waiting to meet me (I never knew I had that many friends out there). I hear a lot of “ooos” and “awwwws”. And lots of people pet me and take my picture. Sometimes my mom even stamps their program with a paw-shaped stamp and signs my name. And I get to give out a lot of kisses too. A lot of the kids and adults are in wheelchairs, or using crutches or braces. Sometimes, they’re even hooked up to oxygen tanks. But I’m not scared of any of that stuff. I just like to give them kisses and make them smile. And guess what? We have another set of shows coming up this weekend! I can’t wait.
FROM KORYNN
Daisy and a few other Annie cast members on the Everyday with Chris Parente show
About 3 – 4 months ago, I heard that Phamaly Theatre Group was looking for a dog to play the part of Sandy in their upcoming production of Annie. They were specifically looking for a dog with a disability of some kind, and dog that knew basic commands, like sit and stay. You see, Phamaly Theatre Group is the only theatre group of its kind. Every performer has a disability of some kind. Let me be clear though – that is the only thing that is different about this theatre group. The people, and the talent, and the prfessionalism of each production is just as good – or better – than any other theatre production out there.
I figured we didn’t have anything to lose, so we showed up for the auditions. A few days later, I received the call that Daisy had won the part – and it has been a whirlwind ever since. Before I knew it, a local TV show called Everyday with Chris Parente had a few of us on their show.
Ever since the night that the show officially kicked off (July 15), I have been repeatedly humbled and taken aback beyond my wildest expectations. Not only has Daisy done exceptionally well with her part as Sandy – but she actually seems to love it. She thrives on the attention, and loves
Daisy and Sonny (the other dog in the play) during one of their many photo ops.Daisy (AKA Sandy) with Annie on stage during the show
being up there on stage. When we walk throught the lobby after the show, she absolutely loves all the people and kids who swarm over to say hi, pet her, get their photo taken with her, and get her “pawdigraph”.
I am humbled every weekend with new experiences. One night, a cute little girl in a wheelchair was hanging back, watching us from a distance. I pulled Daisy away from the crowd, walked over, and asked if she wanted to say “hi”. She nodded her head. Daisy then commenced to lick her toes and her fingers, and that giggle just made my night.
We have another round of shows this weekend, and then the weekend after that. August 6 is closing night. I honestly do not know where this journey will take us. For now, we are just enjoying the moment. If you happen to attend one of the shows, please stay after the show and say hi to us in the lobby. Daisy would love to smother you with kisses.
Who am I? Well my name is Daisy, and I have the BEST LIFE EVER!
But, before I tell you about that, let me tell you about myself.
I love everybody! And, I really mean EVERYBODY. And, I love to give kisses. In fact, my mom tells me I’m a world champion licker. I don’t remember receiving the trophy, but she wouldn’t lie about that – so it must be true!
My mom and I spend a lot of time together. We go for a lot of walks and runs. I sometimes hear people say “Awwww… how sad” when they see me. I think it’s because I only have 3 legs… but that doesn’t matter to me. I’m just a regular dog like any other dog. We play with my squeak toys a lot too. I didn’t know what squeak toys were when my mom first got me. I didn’t know what to do with them. But now I LOVE THEM! Squeak toys are the best! I like to shake them, and toss them in the air. And I really like to chew and chew on them until I get the squeaker out. I’m really good at that too. And I’m really smart (my mom tells me that all the time also). I know how to sit, lay down, shake hands, stay, come, stop… and a few other commands too. And I can do all that just by looking at my mom’s hands – she doesn’t even have to say anything!
Oh, and now I’m SUPERSTAR! My mom has started handing out my “pawdigraph”! But I’ll let her tell you about that.
FROM KORYNN
When I first got Daisy, she had just had her left-hind leg amputated 2 weeks prior. Her leg was still shaved, and (to be honest), she was a little scrawny. But I saw past all that. She was sweet, and goofy, and friendly, and loveable, and… every good thing there was. I had to have her.
Fast forward 10 months and change, and now Daisy is starring in a play onstage at the Denver Performing Arts Complex, and I am handing out her “pawdigraph” to her adoring fans every weekend (more on this later on this week). For now, I wanted this to be Daisy’s official introduction to the Tripawds community. We look forward to bringing you all on this adventure with us!
