Referral Network

Doggie Harmony is especially grateful to the following businesses and organizations who have supported us in our mission to help the community's homeless pets. Please know when you support their business/organization, you are among friends who share a mutual love of and compassion for animals.

Our Dear Friend: BIG DADDY

We also want to acknowledge our friend, Big Daddy, who belonged to CityDog Market owners Renee and Patsy and passed away this year. He was a welcome face each time we visited the store to buy food or supplies for our rescues (or our own pets) and he's dearly missed by all. Renee and Patsy were also kind enough to direct donations in his memory to their favorite charitable organizations, including Doggie Harmony. Following is a beautiful tribute from them that speaks to the special impact Big Daddy made upon everyone he met.

The Story of Big Daddy

If he could speak, Big Daddy would have said: "Thank you for visiting me at CityDog Market. My mission has been to spread happiness and love wherever I go. Even though I am no longer with you, please remember that my spirit lives in your heart. Let every kind word you say and every good deed you do be a reminder of my love for you."

In November of 2005, a big, burly, black lab came home to enjoy his first Thanksgiving with us, his new family. His name had been Max and in his early years, he enjoyed growing up with twin boys. We sensed his intense love for children, really his love and admiration for all living things, and changed his name to Big Daddy. Like a well worn collar, his name fit him just right. We owned a dog daycare and boarding facility and saw that same love he had for children translate to puppies…rolling on his big back with all fours in the air. He weighed a whopping 147 lbs and even then his stiff, knobby legs were already showing signs of bone disease. In 2006 we sold our business, took a mid life retirement for two years, and Big Daddy went on a diet! During those two years we noticed that wherever Big Daddy went, he had a knack for making people feel better. We turned his love into action and began his pet therapy training. Big Daddy earned his Good Canine Citizenship Certification, his Delta Society Pet Therapy certification, and became a READing Paws dog. Wearing his green pet therapy vest, Big Daddy visited the young at school, and those more wise at assisted living homes. Wheelchairs, canes, and walkers never bothered Big Daddy…neither did pulling his tail, his ear or even climbing onto his back as some very young children were inclined to do. A visit with Big Daddy always, always, brought a smile or a kind word. Sometimes a patient would not come out of their room for a visit…until they found out the visitor was Big Daddy. In April of 2008, Big Daddy became our store mascot when we opened CityDog Market. Eager to greet customers, Big Daddy happily laid around waiting for the staff and customers to give him a belly rub, a pat on the head, or sneak him a treat! His pet therapy work continued as many folks stopped in grumpy from a long day at the office, and after spending time with Big Daddy, left just a bit happier. Children never have bad days and Big Daddy’s kids flocked to him-eager to get and give a sloppy kiss. Big Daddy really enjoyed sharing his sweet spirit with mentally and physically disabled children…speaking to Big Daddy in a language only he could understand.

By 2010 Big Daddy weighed in at a sleek 85 lbs. He had begun swimming for physical therapy in 2009 and that form of exercise coupled with the right food combination worked to get his weight off. The pool was one of his favorite places…He hammed it up-smiling for the many pictures we took and even floating on his back. His bone disease had advanced, so along with swim therapy, pain medication, anti-inflammatories, and supplements, we began acupuncture treatments. In 2011 his pain medications became more and more ineffective-his good days were only good because of the amount of pain pills he was on. In his special way, Big Daddy told us he was tired and ready for a new body.

During Big Daddy’s last two days at the store, over one hundred customers and friends came to say goodbye….thanking him for the gifts of happiness and unconditional love he so generously gave to them. We are honored that we were chosen to love and care for such an exceptional dog as Big Daddy. It is our hope that you share that same extraordinary relationship with your pet.

Thank you for loving Big Daddy!

Renee and Patsy