Bailey is a 4 year old mixed breed who weighs about 15 lbs. Many of you may have followed Bailey’s story but for those who didn’t, we will start at the beginning.

Bailey is a local dog found semi-conscious on the side of the road one winter day by a good Samaritan.  It was originally thought he might have been hit by a car and he was taken to the shelter for care.  Once at the shelter, they realized Bailey was alive and did not appear to have any injuries to him. They did the normal testing, blood work etc., and found that he had elevated liver enzymes.  With the elevated liver enzymes and his odd behavior (twirling), it was concluded that Bailey may have a possible liver shunt.  The shelter, knowing this was more medical care then they could provide reached out to rescues for help.  We gladly took him in, I mean have you seen that underbite?  We did do a DNA on Bailey and he is quite the mix.  We did post the picture so you could see the results. 

Bailey was then sent to our medical foster in Tennessee so he could be seen by the specialists at the University of Tennessee (much like our Cornell). He started having seizures while in TN and was started on medication for those (about 20 dollars/month).  His first visit at UT was for an Ultrasound to see if the liver shunt was operable BUT much to everyone’s surprise he had a completely normal liver.  He was then referred to neurology for further workup and an MRI where again much to everyone’s surprise he had a normal brain.  In the meantime he also had repeat lab work so he could have these procedures where it was noted his previous elevated liver enzymes had returned to normal.

Long story short Bailey has had a complete work up and no one knows why he acts the way he does.  It could have been a past injury, he could have been born that way, no one will ever truly know but that’s okay we love him just the way he is. The good news is that as long as Bailey's seizures remain controlled with the medication he is expected to live a completely normal life.

Bailey is a joyful, bouncy, loyal, loving, free-spirited dog.  Nothing bothers him, he loves everyone, he gets along with everyone and he is just completely happy. Bailey is VERY affectionate and sometimes that affection comes out as “mouthing,” but he is really unable to apply a lot of pressure so it doesn’t hurt.  He also likes to curl up in a ball on the couch with you when you watch TV and with a slow initial approach he will accept all the petting you have to offer. Bailey LOVES kids who are respectful of him and his quirks. He has been around a baby, a toddler and an 11-year-old and loves them to pieces.  He shares his toys with the baby, or rather shares her toys, and is very sensitive to her needs.  She has cried when he has taken something and he has actually given it back to her or set it down near her so she can get it. He will lay with her in a dog bed or blanket on the floor or on the ottoman and watch TV.  He does have some quirky habits like pulling the babies curls, taking bows out of her hair and if she has a tutu on, he is in heaven walking by and giving it a little tug but it is all in fun as Bailey doesn’t have a mean bone in his body.

Bailey loves other dogs, he is very playful and although not required he would love to have another dog his size to pal around with in his new home.  He has learned a ton from the other dogs in his foster home.  How to play, how to bark (no he never barked before), all about toys and dog beds. Due to the fact that bailey cannot wear a collar as he has neck stiffness and pain when pressure is applied, and with his physical/medical needs, he will need a fenced-in yard in his new home. He is however doggy door trained and does extremely well with that.

Bailey's ideal home will be someone who is retired/works from home and can be with him often.  As stated above Bailey has epilepsy.  He is on medication but he does have breakthrough seizures at times.  Bailey needs to go to the bathroom frequently and does have some accidents in the home even with the doggy door.  We are working on using washable (not disposable as he plays with those) pee pads overnight and he does nail them for the most part.  He does not lift his leg so that is a plus. Bailey does twirl and more so when he has to go to the bathroom or when he Is excited or afraid.  For this reason he cannot be crated, he is gated off in a large room in his foster home overnight and does well with that. He does have accidents overnight, every night, that is not something we have been able to stop so his room would have to be cleanable, ie no carpet or rugs.  Bailey has some depth perception issues so when you reach out to pet him he does duck initially and prefers for you to start out underneath his chin as opposed to the top of his head.  He can do a few stairs in and out without any problems but then sometimes he goes to jump on the couch and well….he misses…lol.  That is just Bailey.

Bailey does shed despite being a mix of a lot of non shedding dogs.  He needs to be groomed as he has a thick undercoat and he will need an experienced groomer.  He does wonderfully but he cant have the loop around his neck and he would walk off the table if not held. His twirling, constant movement and inability to be in a crate may be a challenge for a new or inexperienced groomer.  Our groomer here absolutely loves him and says he just takes a little extra time, love and patience but he is well behaved (for Bailey).

We know Bailey needs a very specific home and he may be with us for a while and that is totally fine with us. We also know that there are a lot of loving families in Buffalo and that there is a home out there somewhere for him.  In Bailey’s best interest he is available for adoption but he will remain with his medical foster in TN until the perfect application comes along.  We feel that he has been there for a very long time and that moving him to another foster home and then a forever home is not fair to him.  He is comfortable there, very much loved and his veterinarians are all there should he need something. When his new family comes along we will arrange for him to make his way to NY and into his forever home.

Bailey is neutered, up to date with vaccines, microchipped and tested neg.for heartworm.  His adoption fee is $200