DAISY’S INITIATIVE
Inspired by our beloved Daisy, Daisy’s Initiative was created to encourage senior dog wellness, early awareness, and loving advocacy for the dogs who depend on us every day.
Because noticing the little things can make a very big difference.
Inspired by Daisy
Daisy was more than our mascot.
She was our little girl, our teacher, our heartbeat, and the heart of Team Rudd Foundation.
Her love changed the way we saw animals, family, and responsibility. She reminded us that dogs are not “just pets.” They are souls. They are family. They are teachers. They deserve patience, compassion, attention, and advocacy.
Daisy’s Initiative was born from that love — and from the hope that her story can help other families feel more prepared, more aware, and less alone.
Love them loudly. Notice the little things. Ask the questions.
What Daisy’s Initiative Is
Daisy’s Initiative is a Team Rudd Foundation program created to encourage senior dog wellness, early awareness, and loving advocacy for the dogs who depend on us.
Senior Dog Wellness
Encouraging families to stay proactive with wellness visits, age-related changes, routine conversations, and the everyday care that helps senior dogs feel supported as they grow older.
Early Awareness
Helping families notice changes sooner — changes in appetite, energy, bathroom habits, mobility, behavior, breathing, comfort, or anything that feels different from their dog’s normal.
Awareness is not fear.
Awareness is love in action.
Loving Advocacy
Reminding families that they know their dogs best, and encouraging them to ask questions, share concerns, request guidance, and partner with their veterinarian when something does not feel right.
Daisy’s Wellness Notes
Guided by Daisy’s own veterinarian
Daisy’s Wellness Notes will be an ongoing educational series featuring practical, compassionate guidance for families caring for senior dogs and noticing health changes.
Written with guidance from Daisy’s own veterinarian, Dr. Debra Murtha of Amboy Avenue Animal Hospital, Daisy’s Wellness Notes will offer practical, compassionate information for families caring for senior dogs, noticing health changes, and learning how to advocate more confidently for the dogs they love.
Daisy’s story reminds us that our dogs cannot always tell us when something is wrong — but with awareness, partnership, and the right questions, we can show up for them sooner.
Coming Soon: Senior dog wellness articles, early awareness topics, caregiver support, and practical questions to discuss with your veterinarian.
Why This Initiative Began
Daisy’s Initiative was born from love, grief, and the hope that Daisy’s story might help other families feel more prepared, more aware, and less alone.
Daisy was diagnosed with transitional cell carcinoma, also known as TCC, a cancer that can affect the urinary tract. Her diagnosis opened our eyes to how quickly life can change, how subtle some signs can be, and how important it is for families to feel empowered to ask questions when something does not feel right.
This initiative is not about fear.
It is about awareness.
It is about advocacy.
It is about honoring Daisy by helping other families notice the little things, start conversations sooner, and speak up for the dogs they love.
Daisy’s story continues every time another family feels more prepared to advocate with love.
Why Early Awareness Matters
Our dogs cannot always tell us when something feels different.
Sometimes the first signs of a health concern are subtle — a change in appetite, energy, bathroom habits, mobility, breathing, comfort, behavior, or routine.
Daisy’s Initiative is not about fear. It is about paying attention with love.
When families notice changes sooner, they can have better conversations with their veterinarian, ask more informed questions, and feel more confident advocating for the dogs who depend on them.
The little things are not always little.
Small Changes Worth Noticing*
Eating or drinking differently
Changes in bathroom habits
Lower energy or unusual restlessness
Trouble getting comfortable
New coughing, breathing changes, or panting
Changes in walking, movement, or stairs
New lumps, swelling, or tenderness
Behavior that feels different from their normal
*These signs do not always mean something serious, but they are worth discussing with your veterinarian.
Preparing for the Vet Visit
When something feels different, it can be hard to know what to say or ask. Daisy’s Initiative encourages families to write things down, trust what they notice, and bring clear questions to their veterinarian.
Write Down What Changed
Note what feels different, when it started, how often it happens, and whether it is getting better, worse, or staying the same.
Ask the Questions
It is okay to ask what symptoms may mean, what options are available, what to watch for next, and when to follow up.
Advocacy begins with
paying attention.
Bring Specific Examples
Photos, videos, appetite notes, bathroom changes, medication lists, and behavior changes can help your veterinarian better understand what you are seeing at home.
Trust Your Bond
You know your dog’s normal. If something does not feel right, your concern is worth sharing.
Topics We’ll Explore
Daisy’s Initiative will share thoughtful, compassionate resources to help families better understand senior dog wellness, health changes, and the conversations that can help them advocate with love.
Senior Dog Wellness
Wellness visits, aging changes, daily comfort, and the routines that help senior dogs feel supported.
Early Warning Signs
Subtle changes in appetite, energy, bathroom habits, mobility, breathing, behavior, or comfort that may be worth discussing with your veterinarian.
Vet Visit Prep
Questions to ask, notes to bring, symptoms to track, and ways to make appointments more productive.
TCC Awareness
Education around transitional cell carcinoma, including signs, questions, and conversations families may want to have with their veterinarian.
Quality of Life
Compassionate conversations about comfort, care, decision-making, and supporting dogs through different stages of life.
Caregiver Support
Encouragement for the humans who love, worry, advocate, and care deeply for their dogs.
The more we understand, the better we can love them through every season.
Share Daisy’s Initiative
Daisy’s Initiative grows when people share what they learn.
By starting conversations, sharing resources, and helping others notice the little things, more families can feel informed, supported, and better prepared to advocate for the dogs they love.
Share the Message
Share Daisy’s Initiative with fellow dog lovers, friends, family members, rescue supporters, and anyone caring for a senior dog.
Start the Conversation
Encourage people to pay attention to subtle changes, ask questions sooner, and trust what they know about their dog’s normal.
Help More Families Feel Prepared
The more we share compassionate, practical information, the more dogs and families may benefit from earlier awareness and stronger veterinary partnership.
One conversation can help change a dog’s story.
Daisy’s Birthday Reminder
March 14
Daisy was born on March 14, and Daisy’s Initiative will honor her birthday as a yearly reminder to schedule your dog’s senior wellness visit.
Senior dogs can change quietly. A yearly wellness visit gives families a chance to talk with their veterinarian about aging, behavior, appetite, mobility, bathroom habits, comfort, and anything that feels different.
You do not have to wait for something to feel urgent. Daisy’s birthday can become a simple reminder to pause, check in, and advocate with love.
Every March 14, let Daisy remind us to notice the little things.
Love Them Loudly
Daisy’s Initiative was born from love — the kind of love that notices, asks questions, speaks up, and refuses to treat our dogs like anything less than family.
We cannot control every diagnosis, every outcome, or every moment.
But we can pay attention.
We can ask the questions.
We can trust what we know about the dogs we love.
And we can help other families feel a little more prepared, a little more supported, and a little less alone.
Notice the little things. Ask the questions. Love them loudly.
A Gentle Note
Daisy’s Initiative is intended for awareness and education only. It is not a substitute for veterinary care, diagnosis, or treatment. If you notice changes in your dog’s health, behavior, comfort, or routine, please contact your veterinarian.