Daphneyland was named after a hound that had gone to the bridge. Back in 2002 when the basset ranch became a reality - the Clements allowed us to hold a fundraiser to benefit rescue and pick a name for this concept. The only requirement was that it had to honor their basset at the rainbow bridge - Daphney. A name the ranch contest was held and basset lovers the world over donated $ and submitted their name. The winning name was drawn by Ron Clements without knowing whom had submitted it. Ron, a writer/director and all around amazing guy was under contract with Disney. Many wonderful names were submitted - yet the one that won was Daphneyland (submitted by myself, under my grandparents name James & Bobby Lowe whom wanted to participate - but did not have a name idea). And so it became Daphneyland and despite a property purchase and all the years since, Daphneyland it remains.
Our Daphney above is a rescue hound. She is not however your typical rescue hound.
I first came in contact with Daphney when she was a bit over 9, and her original owner was having some health issues and problems in keeping Daphney. She called up and sought advice, and she continued to love on Daphney as an only dog for another 2 years. Daphney had been raised in the "Old School" of thought - human food, a little of this, a little of that. An egg with every meal, some bacon grease - the way our grandfathers fed their dogs. A diet full of rice, oatmeal, potato, chicken, beef, pork, vegetables. Some will shudder and think "TABLE SCRAPS!!" Yet that was how canines were fed for centuries. We now call this "Home Prepared". In Daphney's case - thank goodness for it!
Daphney's original owner died and left funds for a caregiver to take care of Daphney. A woman who bred Whippets and ran a kennel. I know this as I was contacted by the original owner as she was writing her will, and later by the caregiver. A year after her death, the caregiver dropped Daphney and many senior Whippets off at the Lancaster Shelter. **&!!##! Might I add none of those funds had been spent on Daphney. The shelter called here at her request, and our volunteer ran to get her. Furious does not begin to describe my emotions.
Daphney came in with horrible teeth at 15 years of age. Knowing the original owners name and location, I called to area vets looking for the original vet files, and finally found them. It took some time. Daphney was born on March 18, 1994. A more stubborn and opinionated hound may never have been born. I say that lovingly for I love the demon with all of my heart.
Originally we integrated Daphney into our pack socialization as we worked on correcting 2 years worth of cheap, corn based kibble. Our home cooked diet of chicken & rice (no, I do not hold court with the grain free crowd - rather I believe in using whole grain - rinsed, tried and true. Decades of longevity and miracles with rice in a home cooked diet.) Daphney grumbled and scared every hound that came near her. Daphney learned the bathroom was her favorite place for time out, as she would get lots of pets and love - and get to peruse the unsuspecting visitors purse of lifesavers if left in her reach. Yes Daphney was an imp of the highest degree.
In 2009 many things transpired, one of which was a regular volunteer and ranch guest; Bruce. Daphney fell head over heels in love with Bruce - and would RUN to see him. As dental issues began anew, Daphney underwent serious surgery, having many extractions and sutures. We always combine protocols on older hounds undergoing surgery - thus we detoxified her system with Thuja, ran vitamin C both orally and injectible, began her on Spirulina and Cellular Forte along with home cooking, honey, milk thistle, acidophilus and colostrum.
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| Daphney & Her Man. She wears this portrait on her collar Allowing only special people to touch it. |
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| Daphney's "Man" is her personal jeweler. This is her every day collar, one of 3 he made for her on her 19th Birthday. Plans for the 20th are already in the drafting stage. |
She roams Daphneyland at her whim, goes on "dates" to the local park with her "Man" where she gets fed the occasional piece of human jerky - a chicken taco - the rare cheeseburger. (Come on guys - she is 19 PLUS!!! I have to look the other way once in a while!). And for those of you in the "Know" - she enjoys a junior mint whenever I think she might be failing.
Daphney became paralyzed about 6 months ago, shortly after her 19th birthday celebration. We got her back up with our protocols and have added the human supplement "Arth 9" to her daily routine. She's doing great. I can tell you there was one very scared man wandering and calling non stop about "His Girl".
Life with Daphney includes getting woofed at if you TRY to help her get on a couch or the bed, she WANTS to do it herself. Her "Man" leaves her a sweaty stinky TShirt at the end of each weekend, which I dare anyone to try to touch - that't HERS! Daphney steals the biggest part of the bed and pushes me out regularly. Every couple of weeks her "Man" makes her Eggs Benedict. Really. No lie.
Want to know the secret of Daphney? It's good food, LOVE and exercise. You should see her and 18 year old Tucker in the "Senior Woofing Match".
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| Daphney celebrated 19. Cake & muffins for all her hound friends. Oatmeal, eggs, honey, applesauce, cinnamon, nutmeg. Frosting: cream cheese & applesauce dusted with cinnamon. |
Addendum February 25, 2014: Updating this post many months later. Our Tucker left us last year for the rainbow bridge. Leaving a whole in our hearts as well as our home, I decided to officially "Adopt" Daphney. We made it official the day I drove her paperwork to our local animal control and licensed her as my own. Daphney will be turning 20 on March 18, 2014 - and to celebrate we invite one and all to come to Daphneyland on Sunday March 16, 2014 between 1-3 p.m. as we enjoy Daphney's Birthday celebration. Her special necklace by her man has been created.
By request; here are a few more photos of the Diva.....
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