Many neighbors knew Daisy—Jean and David Andrews’ sweet chocolate lab who turned 9 in October. Sadly, the Andrews family lost their sweet girl on November 17 to a rare illness called blastomycosis—a fungal infection that comes from disturbed soil. The condition was sudden, unexpected, and heartbreaking.

This year has been especially difficult for Jean and David, as Daisy was the second dog they lost in 2025. They’ve had pets continuously since 1985 and have loved—and said goodbye to—eight dogs over the decades. One even lived to 15.

Daisy joined the family in a very memorable way. Years ago, David and Jean’s son came down the stairs holding a tiny brown puppy he and his then-girlfriend had found. Jean immediately said, “Take her back!”—but of course, Daisy settled into the household from that day forward. Their son, now 28 and a father of two, shared an especially hard goodbye with her.

Daisy was gentle, steady, and wonderfully patient. She adored the grandkids and would let them climb all over her without complaining. She never chewed anything, never got on the furniture, and was happiest stretched across someone’s feet. She greeted everyone kindly and had a particular fondness for a close family friend and contractor—whenever he arrived, she was right at the back door waiting. Yankee Trace neighbor Jim, who doesn’t have pets, kept dog treats just for the Andrews’ dogs. Jim was definitely one of Daisy’s buddies.

When the Andrews moved to Yankee Trace in 2020, Daisy discovered her neighborhood watchdog instincts. In her previous home, she barely barked, but here, she kept an eye on the fourth fairway. Golfers, squirrels, birds—Daisy announced every visitor. She also loved riding in the family’s BMW convertible, enjoying the breeze as if she were on vacation.

Daisy’s illness appeared quickly. On October 29, after digging took place in a marshy area near the Andrews’ house, Daisy began showing strange symptoms—fever, swelling, trouble breathing. Blastomyces fungus, which lives in moist soil, is rare enough that the vet had never seen a case in person. By the time the diagnosis was clear, the infection had spread through her system. Treatment existed, but it would have been risky, lifelong, and offered only a 50% chance of success. Most importantly, Daisy was already suffering. With tremendous sadness, the Andrews made the difficult but compassionate decision to let her go peacefully.

Jean and David want neighbors to be aware of this little-known risk. Dogs that dig or explore disturbed soil can inhale the spores. Early symptoms can look like a simple infection—lethargy, fever, coughing, and weight loss.

Life at the Andrews home feels very quiet now. Jean still catches herself thinking she needs to go home and feed the dog. The family isn’t ready for another pet just yet—they’ll be traveling to Europe this year—but they know their home won’t feel complete forever without a dog. When the time is right, they might welcome another one.

The Andrews family is grateful for the neighbors who have reached out with kind words and memories. Daisy was a perfect dog—gentle, loyal, and deeply loved. She will be missed.