We named her “Daisy”, an adorable Jack Russell Terrier puppy that I procured as a surprise Christmas present for my then partner, Tom, in 2006. Daisy had a famous mom – Nicole Kidman – who is being honored tonight at the Palm Springs International Film Festival with the Star Award for Babygirl. Here’s my “brush with greatness” story.
Daisy, pictured below, was procured by Kidman along with the other puppy in 2006. Kidman got the pups from my friend, Hollywood-breeder-to-the-stars Aaron. He knew I already had “Nipper”, a Jack Russell terror that my ex had gotten me as a surprise Christmas present just a few years earlier and was in the market for another.
Nipper, my ex, Tom, and I all lived a wonderful life in Chicago in those days. But the west coast was calling for a career opportunity in radio, and I moved to Hollywood in 2005 without them. Nipper became joint custody.
Nicole and Keith married in June, 2006, according to PEOPLE. The two puppies pictured were soon added to the household. But four months after the wedding, Nicole staged an intervention for Urban, who went to rehab. The puppies came back to Aaron. He knew I missed having Nipper full time, and called me to come take a look. It was love – doggie style – at first sight.
I surprised Tom with Daisy that Christmas when he flew into the Burbank Airport with Nipper. The two dogs became fast friends, and grew up mostly together before Tom and I split in 2007. Daisy went back to Chicago and stayed with him for a long life that spanned some 13 years. Nipper lived to be nearly that old, but the two rarely saw each other after the breakup.
The photo of Kidman and her puppies was given to me by Aaron, and I’ve had it tucked away in a chest drawer full of memories. When I read about Kidman coming to the Film Festival, I thought about trying to show her the photo and let her know what a good life that dog had. She probably wouldn’t remember, but I do…and the now the story is told.
