A capybara in Michigan named Daisy is living a life many pets could only dream of, complete with her own room, her own swimming pool, and a social media following in the hundreds of thousands.
However, behind the viral fame is also a story about the care, cost, and emotional commitment that can come with welcoming an unusual animal into a family, according to WXYZ.
What's happening?
Howell resident Steve Spisz told WXYZ that he wanted a pet that wasn't a dog or a cat.
That decision eventually led him to rework part of his house for Daisy, his nearly 4-year-old capybara.
"We had a couple of dogs and I wanted to get something different," he explained.
WXYZ noted that capybaras are semi-aquatic, are related to guinea pigs, and are the world's largest rodents, so their care differs sharply from that of a typical pet. Spisz said he adopted Daisy and her brother George after researching exotic animals.
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Meeting those needs meant making substantial changes at home.
According to WXYZ, Spisz set up a dedicated room and installed a personal swimming pool for Daisy.
"She should be thankful for everything I did for her. I didn't re-do the house for the dogs, but I did for her. She's got her own swimming pool," he said.
WXYZ reported that Daisy and George also became familiar sights around town in pink and blue leashes, and the pair built a following in the hundreds of thousands.
Why does it matter?
Daisy's story shows what exotic pet ownership can demand.
Animals like capybaras are not simply oversized guinea pigs. They need specialized living spaces, access to water, and close daily attention.
WXYZ reported that George had spent his whole life alongside Daisy, going back to when she was a 10-pound baby in the bathtub.
Spisz and Daisy were both saddened when "misfortune struck"; the outlet reported that George had "recently died."
After George's death, Spisz said Daisy's behavior changed noticeably.
"For the first two or three weeks, she'd just go sit on the deck and not do much at all," he said.
What's being done?
Spisz said he is focused on helping Daisy adjust after George's death by giving her more social interaction and introducing her to new people.
Rather than making another major decision, he said getting another capybara is a possibility, though not something he is ready to commit to.
Daisy's setup is built around her natural behaviors rather than a standard pet arrangement. In this case, that has meant providing space, water access, and a stable home life for a species that needs much more than a food bowl and a backyard.
"Basically, like owning a teenager," Spisz said. "She's stubborn at times. If she gets mad at me, she'll go stare in the corner for 20 minutes."
Still, he made clear how quickly and thoroughly Daisy had become part of the household.
"Once she walked through the door, she was like a family member."
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