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Caregiver was warned her dementia patient often forgot is she fed her dog — but nothing prepared her for the heartbreaking consequence

While caring for the dementia patient, she gently encouraged healthier feeding habits to help the dog with weight issues.

BY TIYASA BISWAS

PUBLISHED 1 DAY AGO

(L) Home caregiver helping a senior woman, (R)Elderly woman feeding her dog. (Representative Cover Image Source: Getty Images | (L) FG Trade, (R) Halfpoint Images)

A caregiver walked into the home of her new client to a heartbreaking sight. She learned that the dementia patient had a pet dog and often forgot whether she had fed her or not. Tegan Strickland, an in-home caregiver, was also warned about the state of her client’s dog named Daisy. Noting the dementia patient’s condition, the caregiver had expected the dog might not be in ideal shape, but was left in shock when she saw her pawed pal.

A caregiver with a dementia patient. (Representative Image Source: Pexels | Andrea Piacquadio)

"I laid eyes on Daisy for the first time, and there are no words to describe what it is like to see Daisy in person for the first time,” Strickland told PEOPLE. When the caregiver entered the home, the client’s daughter informed her that her mother had a “very fat dog” because she often overfed her. This set the expectation for an obese dog to appear out of the corner, but when Strickland finally met Daisy, she was “shocked” by how “heavyset” the poor pup was. She had somehow expected a larger dog breed, but not a small and fat Dachshund. Unfortunately, the owner’s family had no information about the dog’s past or age.

A senior Dachshund dog. (Representative Image Source: Getty Images | Oksana Restenko)

As Strickland began caring for the dementia patient, she decided to encourage a change of feeding habits to help the dog suffering from weight issues. The pet owner tried, but dementia is a “losing battle,” and the plan failed to work out effectively. The caregiver couldn't be present with the family at all times, so she asked them to surrender the pet to her to “rehabilitate” Daisy's health. "They agreed, and I know that it was a weight lifted off their shoulders not to have a dog to care for anymore,” she noted. On May 20, Daisy was officially adopted by Strickland, who made a stop at the vet for expert advice on her weight loss journey. She weighed 55 lbs at the time.

A woman sitting in front of the dog (Representative Image Source: Pexels | Pavel Danilyuk) — A woman sitting in front of the dog. (Representative Image Source: Pexels | Pavel Danilyuk)

Simultaneously, Strickland began documenting Daisy’s journey and shared it on TikTok. The sweet Dachshund was an instant hit, raking in thousands of views in no time. The vet advised that an immediate plan be set up to control Daisy’s food intake, including pet food brands specifically made for weight loss. However, the dog did not have the greatest reaction to her new home. She quietly sat in the corner of the house and barely walked. “We'd carry her outside to go potty and then carry her back to her corner," Strickland recalled. Eventually, her health improved, and she began moving around during their park visits. Now, Daisy has lost about 10 pounds and leads a much healthier lifestyle than before.

@day_by_daisy ♬ original sound - Best Boy Benson

Unfortunately, the rapid weight loss also triggered some severe symptoms, ranging from rotting teeth to the accumulation of sludge in the gallbladder and hypothyroidism. Vet expenses became a cause for concern, but Daisy’s popularity on the internet relieved her of the financial burden. A viral video with nearly a million views showcased Daisy from all angles, highlighting her struggles related to obesity, but her fun and energetic personality also shone through, amassing loads of love and support from viewers.