PART 2 — CURRENT CONDITION UPDATE

Daisy still keeps that old towel in her kennel.

Our veterinary team found no evidence of a major injury, but her body condition confirmed that she needed time and consistent nutrition. She was underweight, mildly dehydrated, and had several areas of tangled fur that had been pulling uncomfortably against her skin.

The mats were removed gradually so the process wouldn't overwhelm her. Her skin underneath was mildly irritated in a few places but did not show signs of a serious wound or infection. She is now being monitored while her coat begins returning to better condition.

Her appetite was initially another concern.

For the first few days, Daisy waited until the shelter became quiet before eating. We began offering small portions of wet food along with her regular meals and avoided standing over her bowl.

That patience is beginning to work.

Daisy now eats consistently and drinks independently. She is using her litter box normally, moving around her kennel without difficulty, and has started grooming her chest and front legs again.

Her emotional progress has been slower, but there are encouraging changes.

Daisy still retreats when unfamiliar people enter the room too quickly. With caregivers she recognizes, she no longer spends the entire visit beneath her blanket. She sometimes remains on the old towel and watches while her kennel is cleaned, blinking slowly instead of immediately hiding.

Recently, she allowed one staff member to gently stroke the side of her face. She didn't approach for more contact, but she stayed in place afterward and resumed kneading the towel.

We cannot know exactly what Daisy associates with that worn piece of fabric. It may simply smell familiar after an overwhelming change in her surroundings. For that reason, we're allowing her to keep it while she adjusts rather than assuming anything about her previous home.

Her next steps are continued weight monitoring, regular grooming, and gradual socialization on her terms. When she's ready, we'd like to move her into a quiet foster environment where she can experience normal household sounds without the constant activity of a shelter.

Daisy isn't suddenly fearless, and she doesn't need to be.

She's eating, grooming, resting comfortably, and beginning to understand that the people approaching her kennel are there to care for her. For now, Daisy has something more dependable than an old cardboard box: a warm, safe place where nobody is leaving her behind.