One late July morning, we were leaving for Elitch Gardens.

I'd taken a day off work. My 18 year-old daughter, Abby, had just sprayed sun block on me. She was to depart the next month to start college at CU. Evan, my 14 year-old, having mixed Kool-Aid in a pouch, was ready to leave, too.

It was going to be a day at the park just for us.

As we were heading for the door, the phone rang.

It was our friend Desi Warwick.

She called to tell us that her next door neighbor Shelly Fuellenbach had taken their dog to the Sundance Kennel in Palmer Lake prior to going on vacation.

While there, Shelly learned there were some dogs there that needed homes.

Shelly knew we were thinking of getting a new dog. She thought we might want to take a look. Desi passed Shelly's message along.

So on our way to Elitch Gardens, we stopped in Palmer Lake.

Our knock on the Sundance Kennels door brought a chorus of barks and howls.

Suzie Gordon, the proprietor, met us at the door.

We told her why we were there. She brought us in and showed us an Egyptian Pharoah hound. It was a beautiful dog, but somewhat hyperactive. I told Suzie it probably wasn't the right dog for our family.

Then she said she had one more to show us. "This is a beautiful dog," Suzie said, "but for some reason, it was abandoned. She was found and brought here."

Before heading back to get her, Suzie told us she'd done everything she could to locate the family, but couldn't find them. "I can't imagine anyone not wanting this dog. She's a pure bred Golden Retriever, and she's only about a year old."

Suzie disappeared for about a minute, then re-emerged through a cacophony of barking. With her, a noble looking dog pranced forward. She had a lustrous strawberry blonde coat, and a light, springy step. She seemed to be smiling.

Evan and Abby took turns hugging her. Her tail went into overdrive, but while she was obviously excited, she kept her composure. It was a near perfect combination of enthusiasm and grace.

I'm not sure if I'd ever witnessed the phenomenon of love at first sight before. Watching my children and this beautiful animal, I was positive that's exactly what I was seeing now.

Last December, our 16 year-old Lab-Beagle Spooky's body finally gave out.

We'd talked about getting a new dog, but hadn't taken any serious steps.

Looking at my children, I could see the future was now.

I called my wife, Cindy, who would be leaving shortly for work. The kids got on, too. They told her we had to get this dog. They told her they would skip Elitches. They told her to come over to the kennel and confirm their call.

So she came, and again I watched immediate infatuation. Cindy was knocked cold -- she was won over instantly. Suzie, who'd desperately wanted to find a loving home for this dog, knew she'd found just that. We all agreed that it was a match.

Suzie asked to wash her and ready the adoption papers. We made quick trips to High Country Feed to get her dog food. At Walmart we got a collar, leash, and toys.

Back at the Sundance, Suzie was getting ready to say goodbye to a pet she'd cared for lovingly. They'd become attached. She'd taken an abandoned creature and restored its faith in mankind. There's a special place in heaven for folks like her.

Having served as that bridge over troubled water, she happily handed her over to us. We put on the collar, clicked on the leash, and headed back home to Woodmoor.

Along the way, we discussed names. With her golden coat, Cindy and I both thought Daisy had a nice ring to it. That's what we eventually would settled on.

Inside our house, Daisy looked and sniffed in every corner. Our cat Dorian emerged from the basement and displayed his complete displeasure. For seven months he'd been our only pet and he'd grown to like it. Now he'd have to adjust.

For the rest of the day, Evan and Abby gave their full attention and effort in welcoming their new pet. They walked her, held her, played fetch, and smothered her in their love. Wherever either of them went, Daisy followed.

When Evan went to bed, Daisy tagged along.

The next morning as I was heading off to work, I peaked in his room. There at the foot of his bed, Daisy slept soundly. In a day, both had formed an enduring friendship.

I'm not sure why this kind animal was relinquished. I'd like to think there was good reason.

This I know. Daisy is now with a family who loves her and is as happy to see her when we get home as she is to see us. Daisy gives us that wonderful assurance that no matter what we've done on any day, we are loved. In return, we get to love her, too. Even on days she chews our shoes or digs in the yard.

I called Suzie recently to report on Daisy's progress. She told me she still has the Pharoah Hound, who was similarly abandoned like Daisy, and another couple of lost dogs. "She'll make a great pet for someone who loves to hike or jog," she said. In the meanwhile, Suzie still provides a loving home.

We don't get to make such sweet bargains in many areas of life. I hope these other dogs find good homes. I hope other families can find their Daisys.