Entered: 07/06/2009
Status: rainbow bridge
Age: 11
Color: Liver/White
Weight:
Gender: Altered Male
Location: Gloucester, VA
Health: UTD, HW-, treatment for Lyme disease complete, excellent blood work, slight hearing loss
Temperament: Good with people as young as two, good with other dogs, cats unknown
Update 08/07/09: It has been a very difficult few days for Bailey and his foster family. After an unexpected, and steep decline, his foster mom held Bailey in her arms as he passed to the Rainbow Bridge.
Bailey was an awesome, sweet ole boy. His foster parents, and all of MAESSR, were so excited that he was going to a wonderful forever home. Not knowing what his previous 11 or so years had been like, how long he had been living with the Lyme disease, or what other health issues he had faced, it can only be surmised that he was just too weak to battle his illness. He had developed a massive kidney infection, but there also appeared to be a neurological issue manifesting itself in the last couple of days.
To Bailey, God Speed. To his foster family and awaiting family, please consider yourselves hugged by the many who shared your love for Bailey.
Update 07/22/09: All great news for Bailey – he took his last dose of antibiotics for Lyme disease and went to the vet for a recheck on his anemia. The outcome: his blood work was PERFECT! The vet couldn’t believe it was the same dog she treated almost three weeks ago!
Bailey continues to thrive in his foster home, and his foster mom was crying tears of joy when she got the wonderful report today. But in his very clear Springer voice, he was heard saying this evening, “I love you, but I’m ready for my forever home now. It’s time for me to make someone else happy!” He is such a wonderful, loving boy. His foster family is questioning his stated age of 11!
Are you ready to let “Lucky Bailey” bring happiness to your home?
Original: Bailey, or should we say, “Lucky Bailey,” is one sweet, lucky, little boy. He is safe, sound and warm in his new foster home, and recovering unbelievably fast from a bout with Lyme’s disease. He is putting on weight and makes sure there is NO WAY, one will miss him when it is mealtime! He is becoming a true “Velcro Springer” to his foster mom, and “one of the pack” with the resident Springers (and a Springer wanna be) in his foster home. However, when a high-kill shelter in western Virginia contacted MAESSR about this boy, wanting to get him moved as soon as possible, no one had any way of knowing what difference a couple of days would mean in his life.
When he first came to his foster home it was immediately obvious that Bailey hadn’t had a bath or been groomed in a LONG time and had what appeared to be an “old dog” walk. His hair was full of debris, mats, dirt, and grime, but it was obvious he was a real love bug from the start! Before Bailey could be allowed in the house, the only way of grooming possible was to shave him the whole way down! That, and three baths later, he was ready to be introduced to his new temporary home. Bailey was very thin, and it was obvious he had not had as much nourishment recently as his body needed, he was VERY ready for dinner!
Bailey adjusted quickly to life in his foster home. Within days of his arrival, he was running all over the house and yard, up and down the stairs, and doing everything the other Springers did. Within the first week in foster care, he was having difficulty walking and limping on his left front leg. The limping continued and an appointment was made with the vet for the next day. On the day of the appointment, he could hardly stand and only could walk a few steps to go to the bathroom. The vet diagnosed Bailey with Lyme disease. Once he began his course of antibiotics, Bailey quickly started to show improvement and soon he was back to running up and down the stairs with the rest of the pack. He has made continuous improvement ever since!
This sweet senior has shown fantastic house manners with no accidents to date in his foster home. He has the run of the house, and sleeps on a dog bed on the floor of his foster mom and dad’s bedroom. As his health has improved, Bailey has shown signs that he could become a counter surfer! But that’s not so unusual with a Springer! In the car, however, Bailey does very well; he just lies there.
Bailey is showing signs that he knows some commands. He isn’t a “small” boy, even as thin as he was, he weighed 45 lbs. at the vet’s office. When he is where he should be, he will probably end up closer to 50 lbs. After a couple more weeks on antibiotics and a clean bill of health, Bailey will be ready to go to his forever home and an enjoyable, pampered life for his golden years!
Do you have room in your heart and home to turn Bailey truly into “Lucky Bailey?”