Dazi

She is so beautiful and smart. She is happy, energetic and enthusiastic in everything. She lays with her head cocked and her front paws crossed, so lady-like. But don’t let her fool you, she is also dynamite. She is very prey oriented. If it moves she investigates. Dazi has jumped off the deck barely touching the four steps on her way down. She will try to climb a tree after a squirrel, dig out my flowerbeds if she sees a mole, and knock down the wood pile to get to those chippies. She sits in the yard in the summer just waiting for a butterfly or bird to go by, her tail is wagging and her feet stomping waiting for her next opportunity to pursue.

She has a fenced acre including a small woods and is the first of our dogs to enjoy it so thoroughly. When she is in the woods and I haven’t seen her for awhile, I will say “where are you Dazi” and she pops her head up or runs out of the woods to say “here I am mom”. With colder weather she has an array of colored coats and she thinks because the sun is shining its nice and she can stay out, no matter the temperature. She LOVES snow as did all our Wheatens. During the last severe winds, the snow drifts blow across the yard and she chases them. And all you wheaten owners know what those legs, whiskers and belly look like with snow balls.

Lucky/Dazi came to us in May 2004 thru the WURL with a cute wheaten decal toy bucket , her crate, leads and food and water. From Stephanie her foster mom in Illinois, she traveled with Amy, Roxanne, Tim and finally Jan and her husband delivered her to us in Pittsburgh. My sister, Paula, drove my car and there were tense hours when the engine light came on before reaching Pittsburgh. It was evening and no garages open, so I called home and my husband said drive it! At our arranged meeting spot we arrived first and went to the mall to get something to eat. When our girl finally arrived it was raining.

She was so full of herself and couldn’t wait to get out of her crate to greet us. Not at all the shy girl I expected, she pulled me across the parking lot to the grassy edge. We all talked awhile, transferred Dazi’s belongings, hugged and went out separate ways. What a wonderful traveler. Not a whimper. We stopped to give her a break, but were so worried about the car making it. It still had the engine light reminding us of a problem, plus we smelled something hot. It was raining heavy now and Paula was really focused on the road to get us home safely. We found out later the wet roads kept the catalytic converter cool allowing us to make it. Even the rain was a blessing that day!

She loves Cy, my husband. He has his long legged blonde now! She is so tall and very poised. We often wonder if she had a short show experience. She knows how to carry herself. Her first night we got home at 11:30 p.m. Even after a long day, she ran right to him and up on his lap like she knew him forever. I wonder if the man in her first family gave her most of the attention. Lap time every night starts with her head on your knee, then the front paws are up, and a hind leg is struggling to claw its way up. She can jump from my lap to his; our chairs are three feet apart!

She LOVES babies, children, orange Creamsicle, fruit, veggies, skim milk and cheddar cheese stuffed in a bone. And we have to admit, licking the beater after making homemade whipped cream! Amazing how fast she can learn what she wants to learn. Only one time of letting her lick a beater, now when she hears the mixer running she runs to the kitchen, sits and waits to see if she is getting a beater to lick. Maybe that is what I can use to affirm the other commands! She can be out all day, come in to greet you and squat on the floor. We have to tell her to pee before letting her in. I haven’t figured that one out yet; she doesn’t make the connection. At night one of us has to go out with the dogs to be sure they pee before bed.

We had a personal trainer for the first six weeks that helped us both learn the right training methods. But it is constant. Dazi is very headstrong; my sister shows me how to maintain pack leader! She has two horses, her newest a BLM mustang and some of the same methods are used. The Dog Whisperer Show method with the lead high on the neck right behind the ears (used at shows) helps get her to walk beside me instead of pulling me along. It works most of the time, but when we are in new territory or around new People, it is difficult to control her. She has a wonderful temperament, loves everyone and thinks everyone must pay attention to her.

Her foster mom, Stephanie, did a wonderful job helping her regain her confidence. She gives much of the credit to her mentor Tina. This was Stephanie’s first foster, she had a very difficult time giving her up. When she first came to Stephanie she was shy, scared and would pee if you raised your voice. Stephanie used different words with her. We try to substitute for the word “No”. Her first family had several small children and we believe she thought every no was aimed at her. We also learned she did not like the word “Come”; we have substituted “Here”.

Stephanie’s wheaten Diva and Lucky/Dazi played together so well, and I am sure Diva taught her how to get her wheaten personality to shine. She is now all wheaten, very dominate, and a tough playmate. Zac, her brother, a cockapoo (also a rescue) and nine plus years old is not as active. We discourage her playing with him because he has some neurological problems. A friend brings her two dogs to play. She is settling down tremendously and is wonderful at entertaining herself by running and jumping at everything in the yard. When 9:00 p.m. comes around she is ready for bed. She no longer uses her crate, we have two round dog beds at the foot of our bed for both dogs and they often “switch” beds during the night. Cy and Zac are up early, but Dazi likes to sleep in. She seldom gets up before 7:30 a.m. My kind of dog!

The wheaten energy and enthusiasm for life is so powerful. We love her so much, and she is so spoiled. I have always wanted three Wheatens, which I have been blessed with Dazi being my third; however, I wanted three at the same time. Cy thinks we are too old for active, demanding, young Wheatens; I don’t think so! He is the first to tease her when she climbs on his lap. He “tweaks” her nose and she kisses all over his face until he can’t see out of his glasses. She also loves to pinch and pull his shirt sleeve.
Her Waterford and Hallmark background traces back to my other two Wheatens, McDufford (Duffy) and Rhettzi. I derived Dazi’s name from Rhettzi’s mother, Hallmoors Zipity Dhu Daisy. Every group of photos find their way to Stephanie, and I have many to share with everyone on the website.

We thank Wheatens in Need, all WURL members, foster parents, and especially those who delivered Dazi to us. And we also thank the family that was kind enough to turn her over to the rescue group and give her a chance in a new home. I wish they could see her now. I know if I would have to give up my pet, I would want to know she is happy and healthy and found her forever home. I hope all those who have given up a wheaten, will have an opportunity to see this website and know how much we love all Wheatens.

Anyone wanting to keep in touch with her progress and see more photos please email me at peg@dejazzd.com. I hope all the WIN stories encourage others to adopt Wheatens in Need.

Sincerely Cy and Pat Graybill