Bailey has had good weeks since he came into foster care.  The meds for his arthritis seem to be working - he plays like a pup in the backyard with the new snow.

Although we knew that Bailey has some special talents - 2 tennis balls in his mouth at one time - crossing his front paws when he lays down - playing ball (he actually returns the ball to you by pushing with his nose or paw) - he demonstrated Christmas Eve that he can unwrap his own Christmas presents.  Bailey has never chewed paper in our house (our other dog Lucy takes care of that) - but last night when the present was put in front of him, he used his teeth and paws to open it, very gently of course.  It was wonderful and he loves his new collar.  Santa brought him some new toys and a big ham bone.  He's a pretty happy dog.

It's hard to believe that Bailey is 11 years old.  Yes, he has some white fur on his face and he has some stiffness in his joints.  But, he is the most well behaved dog I have seen (other than one trained for police work).  And, he's a lover.  You can tell that he was very well taken care of and loved by his previous family. 
Bailey has adjusted very well to our family and I think he would be at home anywhere.  If anyone is thinking that they could give Bailey a wonderful home for his remaining Golden Years, please let your placement counseller know.

Bailey is doing well. He is the most pleasant dog to have around the house. Very polite and well mannered.

Bailey turned 12 on Feb 3rd. He had a birthday party with the two resident dogs and a good time was had by all.

Bailey is having some difficulty with this cold weather. The joints are pretty stiff in the morning. Bailey did have a visit to the vet this past weekend to pick up his renewed prescription for Rymadyl and Glucosomine. He has also lost 8 lbs in the time we've had him - down to a healthier 78 lbs, but he still has a way to go. The vet suggested losing the weight to ease the strain on his joints and so that he can start walking this spring.

Bailey has a lot of problems with fireworks or something that sounds similar. We had a fire and when there was a loud "pop" from the wood burning he started to shake pretty badly. He does have medication for this as well.  We do not know yet if he will have anxiety with storms.

Bailey is a lovable senior that likes to be anywhere that you are.  His previous main caregiver was a woman so he tends to stick with me quite a bit.

We will try to get some new pictures up on the website within the next couple days.

Sorry that we haven't posted updates in quite some time. We're having too much fun with Bailey to take the time to try to find him an adoptive home! Yes, that is true; but we're also working through some medical issues right now.

As Bailey's original owner had told me, the Glucosamine and Rimadyl work great to start out with, but their effectiveness wears off after a few months. We are working on incorporating some exercise programs and Bailey has lost about 15 lbs to get the weight off the joints. We will continue to work with the vet on this.

Allergy season is with us. Bailey has past allergy problems where his family would have him shaved for the summer. So far, we're good. Bailey started with some biting and scratching of himself a few weeks ago when our other Golden did. Since we went through a few years to find a solution that worked with the resident Golden, we are now starting the process with Bailey. So far, things are going well. Hopefully we will find the right mix so that he can keep his fur and have something to shake when he gets out of the kiddie pool or the lake.

It never ceases to amaze me the things that Bailey can do. Did I mention in my previous updates that he plays ball......no, I mean he really rolls it back to you. He also is a great communicator. We have a resident dog - Lucy who is 13 & a Spaniel mix - who knows how to manipulate everyone. The other night my husband told Bailey "Go tell Lucy she's not getting carrots right now." Bailey went over to her and started nudging her nose and letting out some minor sounds. It was so funny to watch.

Bailey is a wonderful senior dog. He loves the people he lives with, especially the women. I guess this is because of the strong bond he had with his original owner. She still mails me a doggie bone once in awhile. Bailey knows when he sees that type of envelope to come into the house. He is very intelligent.

Bailey also has firecracker anxiety. Even a log in the fireplace doing a "pop" will send him to shivers. If not adopted by July, all our windows will be closed and loud music will play so he can't hear them. He has pills from his vet to take, but his previous owner said they "zonk him out" so we don't want to give them to him if we don't have to.

If you are interested in adopting Bailey or would like to sponsor him - let RAGOM know. Bailey needs a family that lives in a one level house and can do his medication schedule and exercise schedule. I would think it best that Bailey be in a family that doesn't have young children - on premise or visiting. We've had a few incidents, but Bailey gets along well with teenagers up to adults. He also gets along well with other dogs. If you have the type of home that Bailey needs to live out his Golden years, please email your coordinator.

I am extremely happy to announce that Bailey has found his forever home.  And the best part of this is that his forever home is with us - his foster family.
 
In the past two years that our family has fostered dogs, we have fallen in love with every one of them that has crossed our path.  But, they have each found their forever home and it was always a home more suited to their personality than our house.  We have always felt overwhelming joy when our foster finds their forever family.
 
We opted to do the transport and foster for Bailey when he came into RAGOM last December.  A Sensational Senior with a glowing personality.  From the time he got in the car, it was as if he had come home.  He became a member of the family almost immediately.  Gets along great with the other dogs and seems to enjoy having a younger golden around to play with.  Sometimes his joints are a little old, but his mind is always young.
 
It was evident from the beginning that Bailey had grown up in a very loving and nuturing home.  He is very well mannered and well behaved in social situations.  From the first time we saw him cross his paws when he laid down, or held 2 tennis balls in his mouth to the time he went swimming at the lake for over 30 minutes because he didn't want to come in - we knew he was unique.  When his water dish is empty, he will let us know by going into the bathroom and staring at the toilet.  I love that he's a "Moms" boy and he always searches me out to lay wherever I happen to be.
 
Bailey has become a member of the family.  The excitement in his eyes when Dad takes him for a walk or a ride in the car.  The fun he has when baby carrots are thrown up in the air and all the dogs go after them like candy.  Playing paw tag with the other dogs - and they treat him gently because they know he's a senior.
 
It will be a very Merry Christmas around our house this year as we celebrate Bailey's first year with us.  We look forward to as many more as he has left.  He was loved immensely in his first home and now he is loved that much again in his new home.
 
Thanks RAGOM for providing a path that we have all found each other!
 
Steve, Deb, & Tom
Lucy, Jake, & Bailey