Dog’s Daycare Visit In Michigan Takes A Heartwarming Turn
Many people forget that dogs, much like people, have their own personalities. Some are naturally outgoing and love being around others, while some prefer a quieter, more reserved lifestyle.
That’s why understanding a dog’s individual needs is so important, especially when adopting. A highly dependent dog might not be the right fit for someone with a packed schedule, as Nikki Sykora from Michigan discovered.
Nikki, a full-time student at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry, juggles a demanding academic workload with caring for her Mini Bernedoodle, Maisy.
Between lectures, studying, and hands-on training, her schedule leaves little room for long walks, extended play sessions, or constant companionship.
Even so, Maisy holds a special place in her life. Nikki treasures the moments they do get to spend together — from quiet evenings at home to quick bursts of playtime between classes.
That bond is what drove her to look for ways to ensure Maisy stayed happy and engaged, even when her own time was stretched thin.
Hoping to give Maisy more stimulation and company, Nikki decided dog daycare was the perfect solution. It would mean plenty of attention from staff and a chance for Maisy to make canine friends. What she didn’t expect was that daycare doesn’t suit every dog.
Instead of joining in with the other dogs, Maisy spent her first day sitting apart from the group.
Nikki checked in through the daycare’s live camera feed, curious to see how Maisy was settling in.
What she saw, however, caught her off guard. While most of the other dogs were happily racing around, chasing toys, and playing together, Maisy sat off to the side, apart from the action. Her posture was quiet and reserved, and her expression seemed almost forlorn, as if the bustling environment was more overwhelming than exciting.
It was disheartening for Nikki, especially since she had hoped daycare would give Maisy the chance to socialise and burn off energy. Still, it wasn’t entirely out of character for her pup.
Maisy had always shown a stronger interest in people than in other dogs, preferring the comfort of human company over the chaos of a pack.
This moment simply confirmed what Nikki already suspected — her dog’s idea of a good time was very different from most.
Over time, she began to warm up to the pet sitters, finding her own comfort zone.
“Signed my puppy up for day-care so she can start making friends and socialize.”
Touched by the experience, Nikki posted a TikTok video showing Maisy’s first day, overlaying it with the above text. In the caption, she joked:
“She’s 100% my daughter though, lol.”
The video went viral, attracting countless comments from people who related to Maisy’s behavior.
“She’s protecting her peace.”
“I remember bringing my shitzu to dog park and I sat on a bench to watch him play with other dogs, only for him to sit next to me and watch the dogs as well.”
The truth is, some dogs thrive in lively group play, while others are perfectly content sticking close to their humans.
Nikki decided to keep Maisy in daycare twice a week, hoping she might slowly adjust. The plan worked — over time, Maisy began to open up, playing with other dogs as well as enjoying time with the caretakers.
Now, she’s not just more comfortable, she’s happily joining in with her new friends, proving that patience and understanding can make all the difference.
