Daffy

My story

Meet Daffy — a nearly one-year-old professional blank slate who is bravely navigating the wild world of “how to dog” with all the grace and coordination of a newborn giraffe on roller skates. She may not know what she’s doing half the time (or, let’s be honest, any of the time), but what she lacks in experience she more than makes up for in sweetness, squishiness, and the ability to stare deep into your soul with those “please love me even though I am scared of the world eyes". Daffy is basically the rescue dog version of that one friend who is charming, loveable, and utterly clueless about how the adult world works — but you adore them anyway because their heart is in the right place. Daffy’s ready for a best friend who won’t give up on her as she figures out this whole “being a dog” thing. Spoiler alert: it’s going to be a journey... but it’s going to be adorable. Allow us to introduce Daffy — an 11-month-old Bernese Mountain Dog who is basically the floofy embodiment of “I have no idea what I’m doing, but I’m trying really hard and I really want to be your best friend.” Daffy came to us along with her siblings, Revan and Eloise, after their previous owner realized that placing three large, untrained fluffballs was slightly more challenging than expected. Daffy is what we’d politely call “selectively social.” Despite living with her foster for a week, she still occasionally responds to us like we’ve just burst through the wall wearing a clown costume and demanding her social security number. Will she come to you? Yes — eventually. With treats. And a little sweet-talking. Possibly a bribe. Possibly two. Patience is not just recommended; it’s mandatory. She does get along well with other dogs — though right now she’s more in the “they exist, and that’s fine” stage than the “let’s party in the backyard” phase. But to be fair, she’s got her sister Eloise as her built-in emotional support animal, so she hasn’t felt the need to branch out. Once separated, we suspect she might actually notice other dogs exist and maybe even start playing with them. As for cats? Daffy has gone nose-to-nose with the resident purrinators and… shrugged. No drama, no chasing, no attempts to befriend or devour. Just vibes. Kids? Yeah… about that. Daffy hasn’t been around any, but if you have tiny humans who scream, fling snacks, and move like caffeinated squirrels — she’s probably not the one. Calm, older kids who understand personal space and aren’t prone to sneak attacks might be okay. Otherwise, expect a Daffy-shaped puff of fur as she Houdinis herself into the nearest hiding place. This girl is a soft-hearted introvert wrapped in a fluffy Bernese coat — she just needs a human who gets her quiet, awkward charm and doesn’t expect a social butterfly on day one. Daffy's energy level falls somewhere between a mildly curious sloth and a golden retriever who’s just finished a yoga class — calm, with just enough pep to follow you around the house, but not enough to actually want to meet your neighbors or, heaven forbid, go to a festival. She can walk on a leash… theoretically. In practice, it’s more of a slow-motion negotiation involving treats, pep talks, and the occasional internal crisis. Her one car ride with us? A seven-hour endurance test of pure anxiety, in which she sat rigidly upright in the backseat the entire time, drooling all over her sister like a stressed-out St. Bernard impersonator. She’s not what you’d call a “road trip dog,” not yet at least. That was probably her first ever car ride, so I think it is only fair to cut her some slack. Daffy is firmly in the “homebody” camp. Loud noises, strangers, strange places — hard pass. What she really wants is a calm routine, familiar surroundings, and a couch with her name on it (figuratively… unless you’re into that sort of décor). She’s not here for chaotic brunch patios or dog-friendly breweries. She’s here to thrive in the peace and quiet of her own little kingdom. As for temperament? Daffy is a delicate blend of sensitive soul and attention-loving goofball. Tell her “no” and she might not recover for a week. Give her a toy, though, and she’ll parade it around like she just won the lottery. She doesn’t really play with toys — it’s more of a personal art installation she curates throughout the house. Daffy needs a securely fenced yard because walks through the great unknown are not currently her thing. She’d thrive best in a calm, consistent home with routines, kindness, and absolutely zero expectations of being the life of the party— because leashes are terrifying, and you’re not catching her attention with “just a walk around the block.” Apartment life and leash walks as her main outlet? Not a chance. She’s looking for a fortress of solitude where she can nap in peace, casually patrol the backyard, and continue her mission of never meeting new people ever again. Daffy is not yet potty trained — because, again, she’s still figuring out how to dog, and that includes understanding the wild concept that doing her business happens outside and not, say, wherever the mood strikes. She’s making progress, but accidents are still part of the daily forecast. So if you’re looking for a dog who arrives with the cleanliness and house manners of a royal corgi raised in a castle, Daffy is not your girl. If the idea of cleaning up a surprise puddle sends you into a spiral, or you’re someone who treasures your cream-colored rugs like family heirlooms — walk away now. Fast. Daffy has never been kenneled, and based on her general life philosophy of “new things are terrifying and probably trying to kill me,” we can only assume her opinion of crates would fall somewhere between mild suspicion and full-blown existential crisis. Daffy hasn’t barked yet — not once. Which either means she’s the strong, silent type who only speaks when the world truly needs to hear her voice… or she’s still so unsure of everything that even barking feels like too much commitment. She’s currently living her best wallflower life, quietly observing the chaos around her and thinking, “Yeah, I’ll pass.” Daffy has not been much of a chewer so far — but let’s not get too comfortable. This is a brave new world for her, and as she gains confidence, it’s entirely possible she’ll start exploring it one chewable object at a time. So while she hasn’t yet turned your slippers into modern art, the potential is there... simmering quietly beneath the surface. Because of that, Daffy is not the right fit for the “I want a low-maintenance dog who never chews, sheds, barks, or breathes too loudly” crowd. Long story short, she is not a match for the faint of heart, the chronically busy, or anyone whose patience levels dip below saint status before morning coffee. But if you can handle a little mess, a lot of learning, and a ton of heart in progress — Daffy’s ready to keep trying and the reward of watching this girl open up and come into her own...will be something you will never forget and cherish every day!

If you have any questions or would like to adopt Daffy, please reach out to the adoption group directly. PetSmart Charities does not facilitate the adoption process. Thank you.