The Real-Life Inspiration Behind Daisy Mae the Beagle
My next novella, Lucky Dog Rescue Book 1: Tug features a portly beagle named Daisy Mae who waddles when she walks, toots whenever she hops up on the couch, and is the apple of her owner’s eye.
Though Daisy is her very own dog, she is based on my childhood basset hound—Maggie Mae—who my family adopted when I was three. The runt of the litter, Maggie was a little rounder and her skin a little tighter than other hounds. Picture a Bassett with a face lift and you’ll have a pretty good picture of her sweet face.
She put up with my sister and I dressing her up in hats and sunglasses, my dad singing Maggie May at her in a poor imitation of Rod Stewart (its a great song, listen here), two other dogs, and an at-home daycare all for the chance to be our exclusive on-the-spot family vacuum.
We had many pets through my childhood—dogs, fish, a cat for a day—but Maggie Mae was the family favorite, the animal matriarch. She lived well until her sixteenth year as a happy, well-loved member of our clan and the thought of her always makes me smile.
I think Daisy Mae is a fitting tribute to the best dog in the world. Miss you Mags!