Bailey 12

---

Updated 12/07/06: Bailey spent a night with the vet during his last heartworm treatment. When his foster mom went to pick him up, she needed to wait to talk to the vet and Bailey, being the character that he is, was “talking” to her the whole time. He had folks in the waiting area laughing as everyone understood that Bailey sure wanted to leave. He will need to remain calm for another 4 weeks, until his recheck, and then should test heartworm negative.

Fortunately, Bailey is good at being calm in the house. He is a really good dog and has had ample chance to prove himself with the extra time spent in foster care. He is totally housebroken and is leash walked at this time when going out for his pit stops. He does pull on the leash at times but is a quick study. With a little more patience and practice, he will perfect loose leash walking. Bailey loves all the resident dogs. He has met little children while traveling and camping with his family and is a perfect gentleman. He does like to chase the squirrels in the yard and also barks directions to the golfers on the golf course outside the backyard. His foster mom didn’t have a clue that a springer knew that much about golf!

Bailey doesn’t sleep in a crate. He prefers to sleep in the living room on the floor where he can really stretch out. He has been caught on the couch a couple times and does get down with a firm “Bailey!” He does know he isn’t supposed to get on the furniture.

One other new experience for Bailey occurred while at the vet’s office. The resident cat was sitting on the counter. His foster mom asked if Bailey could check her out. The staff said sure and he went over and sniffed and then was ready to go home. He really didn’t seem to care about it. This reaction might not work with every cat Bailey meets but was a very good opener for a dog who really likes to keep squirrels in their trees.

Updated 10/01/06: Considering all the bad things Bailey had going on when he arrived at his foster home, he is doing very well indeed. His health is improving and Lyme disease is now behind him. He tolerated the first round of his heartworm regimen and is ready for the next one in a series. He has done fine with the other 4 dogs in his foster home and does get to play some. He is a very laid-back boy who seems to enjoy being lazy but if the group gets too crazy and Bailey is part of it, his foster mom uses a crate for time outs.  Bailey doesn’t need to be doing too much rough housing until he is heartworm free.

While on a camping trip with his family, Bailey met a couple of small children and did fine. He hasn’t met cats yet but once heartworm treatment is over, he may have the opportunity.

Bailey has two habits that his foster parents are trying to change. One is that he does mouth and the other is that he opens the storm door to let himself out. If his family is outside, he will open the door to join them. He doesn’t go anywhere, but he does want to be with his people all the time. Not a bad habit, but Bailey is also a talker. If his foster dad doesn’t work fast enough at getting up in the morning, Bailey talks to him, and if his foster dad is slow with his breakfast, Bailey lets him know. Clearly Bailey is feeling quite comfortable in his foster home and his full personality is shining through.

Bailey loves attention and is great at the wiggle butt routine. He almost bends in half. Despite the large pack that he is part of now, he could be an only dog or enjoy sharing a home with just one canine sibling. Bailey is a great dog and once his health is tiptop again, he will be a great addition to any home.

Original: Bailey came into MAESSR’s care from a shelter in eastern Maryland. He arrived there in kind of a mess because his previous owner had tied him up outside all of the time. The shelter started cleaning him up so that he would look and feel better. What they couldn’t complete, his foster family did.

A trip to the vet for an exam was next for Bailey. The poor baby was rather lethargic in his foster home and some basic testing helped explain his problem……or problems as it turned out. He tested positive for heartworms, Ehrlichia and Lyme disease. He has been started on an antibiotic to treat the Lyme disease and will begin heartworm treatment in about a month. Once his health is restored, Bailey hopes to have the energy and vigor of a normal, young springer.

Bailey is a sweet dog who loves all the dogs at his foster home. He adores the people too and loves to be petted. He knows “sit” and “down” and is good in his crate. Bailey does pull on the leash but his foster parents are working on that with him. When the car keys jingle, Bailey is ready to go and loves to ride in the car. It’s already certain that he will make someone a very good dog. Fortunately for Bailey, only treatable health issues stand between him and life with a loving family who will care for him as a dog deserves. Updates will be added as he makes his way in that direction.