“Some people believe holding on and hanging in there are signs of great strength. However, there are times when it takes much more strength to know when to let go and then do it.” ― Ann Landers

What an emotional roller coaster!  Yesterday we drove Daisy to her new foster home with Texas Great Pyrenees Rescue.  She was a bit nervous around the other dogs at first, especially since they all ran up to us at the gate.  With a strange dog coming into the goat pasture, they were just being protective (as they should).  The Alpha dog, Thor, greeted her with some loud barking.  He was only putting her in her place; he didn't hurt her, but because he's as big as a small horse, it was still a bit intimidating.

After Susie, the rescue foster mom, assured Thor and the other dogs that Daisy was ok, Daisy immediately went over, greeted the goat herd, and than ran around exploring the area and making friends with the other dogs.  Susie has chickens, but they're in a large run behind a good fence (Daisy isn't the only dog that chases them), so Daisy had free range to run several acres of the goat pasture, complete with a pond for her to play in.  Susie remembered that we said Daisy liked to play in water, so she led us over there, and Daisy jumped right in for a swim.

My husband and I were so happy to see her playing and having room to run again!  It was just such a sense of relief and peace, to know that not only were we able to avoid taking her to a shelter, but she was now in a place better suited to her energetic personality.  Susie explained to us that they have an adoption process where they carefully match dogs to owners based on the owners needs for a guardian dog and the dog's personality, so Daisy would be sure to go to a family who had goats for her to guard, space for her to run, and either no birds, or fencing that would keep her away from the birds.

The most difficult part was hearing Daisy whine for us as we walked away from the field.  However, we stayed for a few minutes after leaving the goat pasture to fill out paperwork and talk with Susie, and I was relieved to see that Daisy didn't pine for us too long.  She was running around the goat field again before we left.  As we drove away, I got choked up, and even my stoic husband had to wipe away a few tears.  Susie said she'd keep us posted on how things go with Daisy; I pray they go well.

Daisy, a little nervous when we first arrived, with one of the other dogs coming to greet her. 

Feeling more confident as she checks out the goat yard.
 

**UPDATE - As of early November 2013, after working with experienced livestock guardian trainers and a pack of successful LGDs, Daisy was ready for a new home.  She was adopted as a team with one of her friends from the rescue, and they are now the proud guardians of a sheep farm!