Adopted Dogs · Happy Endings · Rainbow Bridge Memorials
A beautiful blonde showed up at my house this afternoon…and if you know my household, you will know there aren’t any blondes around here. Well, now Bailey is here. She met my two guys with no issues and has totally ignored the cat…much to the cat’s chagrin. Bailey’s vet records from a year ago say she weighed 71 pounds, so for now, we’ll stick with that. She is wider than either of my guys, but they are the dark red field Golden types, so my “big” guy only weighs 65 pounds. She is nine years old.
The woman that transported her commented that she loves to look out the windows of her SUV…well, we went to PetCo this afternoon and Bailey does LOVE to watch out the windows as we drive. She even waited in my SUV while I ran into a store and I could see her blonde head watching the door.
She is an owner surrender and she lived with that family for her whole life. She has settled in well here, she even ate her dinner. She had a nail trim and I trimmed up the fur on her front feet…I’ll do the back feet in the next day or so. Also, I’ll update more as I get to know her and after our trip to the vet sometime this next week.
This photo is of my dog who is the same age as Bailey...it shows how blonde she actually is.
A couple more pictures of Bailey hanging out.
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Bailey has been at my house for a few days now. She is an extremely low maintenance dog. She has been to the vet…she weighs 76 pounds but otherwise is in very good health. All her tests came back within the normal range. Her heartworm and fecal tests were negative as well. She’s ready to find her permanent home. She takes a pill in the morning to regulate her thyroid…which I just stick in a bit of canned food that I mix with her kibble. She has cataracts in both eyes which are related to age…right now she sees but there is a possibility the cataracts could progress. But for now….no worry.
As I said in my earlier update, she loves to ride in the car….I suspect she had a car in her previous life as she doesn’t really get the idea of jumping in and out of the tail-gate part of my SUV…she always goes to the side doors. But she stands in the back and watches the world go by and she seems very content.
She also does not enter the bedrooms of my house…I suspect she also did not have access to the bedrooms in her previous life. I’ve been encouraging her to come in, but so far, she stands at the door and wags her tail and eventually just lies down in the hallway.
She has found the toy-box and seems to like the real bones best…no nylabones or stuffed animals for her.
She ignores the cat…now you need to know that my cat thinks she’s a 10 pound, calico colored Golden Retriever. Last night Bailey was chewing on a bone and my cat went over and batted the bone away from her….hoping for a little action. Bailey just picked up another bone that she had laying by her. At that point, the cat rolled over on her back and just stayed there for awhile, occasionally batting at Bailey with a paw before finally giving up.
If you are looking for a mature Golden, someone that can go with the flow and adjust to whatever comes her way…Bailey just might be the one for you.
Bailey continues to do well in foster care. She is very laid-back and quiet, hardly any trouble to have around at all. She eats well, potties outside and is just generally a typical mature Golden Retriever. She’s been on a few walks, she walks nicely wearing a Gentle Leader….no issues at all with me walking three dogs at the same time, even with all the ice we’ve had lately. We’ve gone a couple of miles at a time, she seems fine when we get home.
She made it through a work-week with no problems. I work close to home so can always stop home during the day for a while, usually an hour, but at least enough time to let everyone out. No accidents that I’ve noticed.
She still won’t enter the bedrooms, despite coaxing, but she has decided that the leather couch in the living room is a good place to sleep at night.
She goes with the flow. On Friday, I noticed the neighbors young dog was outside yapping when we got up…. I heard her periodically while I got ready for work and when I went to leave at 7:55, I noticed she was still outside, sitting by the door, shivering…it was 6 below zero that morning. So, being the worrier that I am, I grabbed a leash out of the car, ran over to their gate, called the little thing to me….she came gladly, then…I went into my house with this little dog….through three VERY excited Golden Retrievers, put her in a crate in the basement family room….and flew off to work. I wondered off and on all morning about the noise level in my house (wondered just how much I was irritating the neighbors)…went home around noon and all was quiet as I walked up the path. I let the Goldens outside and went down and got the little dog…everyone said hello with absolutely no problem at all. Soon after, the owner had come home, found my note and came to reclaim her dog…who had played keep away in the yard long enough that my neighbor was forced to leave her out there and go to work at 6:30 a.m. Now my two dogs are used to me and strange dogs coming and going at all times…but Bailey hadn’t experienced that yet….she did just as well as my guys and this was her first time…and it wasn’t even another Golden.
Today we attended the PetSmart event in Eagan….I took my young guy along in case Bailey decided to be shy….she did just fine. She charmed several people and even gave some kisses. She seemed just fine with the mob of dogs and people and certainly didn’t miss out on any chances for a good pet. She met lots of puppies, and other dogs, as well as lots of kids and adults…and loved them all!
I’m already in love with her and will enjoy her as long as I can…but if you are interested in a perfect, move-in-and-belong type dog…email placement@ragom.org and request to meet Bailey.
Bailey will be at the Plymouth PetSmart on Saturday, March 15th.
Another week has gone by and Bailey is nicely settled into my home. She has claimed the leather couch in the living room as hers at night and when I’m gone. That same couch had been the favorite sleeping spot for my first Golden who died two years ago at a very advanced age….so sometimes when I spot her white face sleeping there I have a flashback – it’s an odd feeling - then I remember. She has a very mild temperament and I believe she is still mourning the loss of her family. She sometimes looks very sad….then you talk to her and she comes alive and cheers up.
She did well with another work week…I still haven’t tested her with a full day alone. It was a rather boring week as far as her life went…she seems like she’s okay with it. She continues to eat well, likes to putter around the yard and loves to go for walks or car rides.
Today we attended another RAGOM event, today's was in Plymouth…22 miles each way according to Mapquest….she stood in the back of my SUV for the whole trip, both ways. Once again I brought my young guy along. I can’t tell if she likes him or thinks he’s a pain, but I did catch her resting her head on his back a couple of times, so she seems to enjoy his company. She also seemed to enjoy her visiting and once again seemed very sweet and engaged with the people she met, she gave several kisses. By the end, she was pretty tired and once we got home, she crashed on the couch for about an hour.
This coming week will test her…I will be dog-sitting. Over the next ten days, we will have two or three extra dogs…all of them around two years old. I’ll let you know next week how she does with all the young guys…as I’ve said before, she totally ignores my young guy when he tries to get her to play (he’s given up trying). I wonder if one of the visiting dogs will have enough charm to get her to play.
Bailey will be at the Highland Park PetCo this Saturday, March 22 -- see you there!
Bailey is still here and still doing well. It has snowed a lot and we’ve had more dogs here but otherwise, this week was no different than last week. She is very Velcro with me, she usually stays fairly close. She also isn’t bothered by having a herd of dogs around her. This week we have two extra Goldens staying here….both about 2 ½…so there are three dogs about the same age here…all three are always ready to play at something, whether it be tug, chase or wrestle. She also attended the Highland PetCo event today. She charmed several people but I don’t think anyone plans on adopting her.
Her coat has become beautiful, I think as a result of the quality food she’s been eating as well as the regular brushings. Today she had her nails trimmed and she did just fine. We also are into brushing her teeth, something I do regularly with my own dogs….so now Bailey gets to join in….she does well and allows me take my time and do a good job.
I’ve attached a picture…Bailey is the only blonde…the other four are dark red, she’s also the only female, not that that matters. She is obviously not bothered by them in any way and hasn’t even growled at anyone…I just wish my older resident dog would be so nice.
If you are looking for a mature dog that is ready to move into your home and instantly become part of your family, you need to inquire about Bailey.
Everything quieted down towards the end of last week and now it’s only my two guys and Bailey. She continues to be one of the easiest fosters I’ve ever had and I’ve been doing this for almost 10 years. Nothing new to report really. We went to PetCo in Eden Prairie on Saturday and she stood in the back of my SUV for the whole trip….so I guess she must think she needs to stand in the car rather than sit or lie down….it’s odd but if it works for her, it’s okay by me.
I haven’t yet left her home for a full work day and don’t think I’ll need to this week either….but she’s been alone for 5 or so hours and has been fine. I think she enjoys listening to classical music (MPR) all day as sometimes when I come home, she’s the last one to greet me at the door.
She just loves to be talked to and petted…just a typical Golden in all ways. She’s just a gentle soul who is patiently waiting for that perfect family to come along.
Another slow week for Bailey. She has been on several walks and we are going further each day. She still can’t go as far as my own dogs go, but I don’t think she had many walks in her past life so that’s to be expected. I take her separately and we are working up to a mile a day. She likes to be encouraged along and does much better when I talk to her. She doesn’t potty on walks which is different from what I’m used to….a nice change.
Today she and my young guy represented RAGOM at the University of Minnesota’s Vet School Open House….she was a great ambassador and made lots of friends.
I still haven’t tested her with a full day home alone, but since she makes it all night and sometimes doesn’t even want to go out the last time before bed, I have no doubt she could make it for a full workday.
As far as requirements for her new home, I really think she could go just about anywhere. Fence or no fence, kids or no kids, other animals or no other animals….as long as the people gave her plenty of loving and talked to her and gave her belly rubs I think she’d be fine. She is one of the easiest dogs I’ve ever fostered. Her two “quirks” are she stands in the car and she won’t enter the bedrooms. She is truly a move-in and be settled type of dog. Email placement@ragom.org if you are interested in meeting her.
Bailey had a very boring week. For one thing, she had a slight cold for a few days and coughed on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. She must have caught a bug at one of her outings with us. She is totally recovered and nobody else seems to have caught it. Between her coughing during the first part of the week and the really rotten weather over the last part of the week, Bailey hasn’t been on a walk all week. We vow to do better now that the weather is improving.
She continues to be one of the easiest foster dogs I have ever had. She is just so very sweet and just wants to be included. She has boldly ventured into the bedrooms on more than one occasion especially when my own dogs are getting snuggled.
She also now hangs out regularly in the bedroom that doubles as computer room and the rabbit's room. Bailey is very gentle with the rabbit and lets Lilly come up to her and nuzzle her. Because of the dogs coming and going, the rabbit has a secure cage (extra large wire dog crate) inside a room that can be blocked off if the visiting dog is too interested in her…ie is looking for a tasty snack. Bailey, being the gentle creature she is, has been allowed to be in the room while the rabbit roams. The bunny, having lived here for several years, knows when she should avoid a dog and when she can approach…and with Bailey, she approaches. It’s very cute.
This coming week, we will be babysitting a young wild guy (making two young wild guys in residence). I’m expecting Bailey will do just fine as she seems to adjust to whatever comes her way.
I’ll check in again next week if she’s still here.
Whenever I contemplated calling an applicant, I couldn’t make myself do it. I’ve fostered for 10 years and, except for my very first foster dog….Lucky, I’ve placed them all. I could not do that with Bailey. So, today, in honor of my first dog George, who died two years ago today, April 22, I am officially adopting Bailey. There is something about her that reminds me of him….not sure what, but something….I think it’s her gentle nature.
She fits in here like she’s lived here her whole life. She seems to be very happy. She and Lucky have hit it off and of course she’s pals with my young guy…he loves everyone. So, instead of disrupting her life again by making her readjust to a new home….she stays. She will still attend RAGOM events, she is a great ambassador for RAGOM. She will most likely become a therapy dog and other than that, she can just hang out with us.
Greetings from Bailey's forever family...
Bailey, Bail's, Sweety, B-8 is doing well. She just celebrated her eleventh birthday back in April. Bailey's eyesight has been failing the last few years and she is about 90% blind. Not to worry, it does not slow her down much. She will bump into the other dogs once in a while, but they get used to it. It has not affected her sweet and kind nature one bit as she is a happy girl. She has adjusted to the lack of sight very well and walks wonderful even without a Gentle Leader.
She has gotten over her not going in the bedroom deal she used to have. But still has to stand in the car if the motor is running - funny girl. She also has taken a liking to soft toys and will, as most Goldens do, destuff them once in a while. She also likes her rawhides. But her favorite toy is a stuffed Bamby. She will carry that one to bed with her. She has been wondering why she can't find Bamby of late. Truth be told, foster dog Sully 09-213 gave it too good a chew and Bamby is in the shop for repair or replacement at the present time. She has another soft toy as her favorite of the moment.
She still loves her real bones too. The pooches all got large natural bones last Christmas and her and sister Bailey plunked down right next to each other and gave them a good chew. I know, two Baileys, we manage that fine. She still attends events once in a while and really enjoys all the attention and is a good will ambassador for Ragom. A friend of the neighbor's kid has taken to stopping over to to say HI to the pooches. And while polite with Zoey and the other Bailey, she ONLY has eyes for Bails!
Bailey is a sweetheart and we are very happy to have her in our lives. Thanks for reading about Bailey.
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Bailey/Bails 4/19/98--9/22/11 It's my sad duty to report that Bailey VIII has gone to the Rainbow Bridge at the ripe old age of 13 and a half. Bails came into Ragom in the winter of 2008 shortly before her tenth birthday. Bail's was adopted on April 22, 2008.
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