My Senior Dog Bailey

This page is dedicated to my Senior Dog Bailey who I rescued October 21st 1995. She is one of the best dogs anyone could have asked for, but being a Senior Pet now we have seen many changes in her and know our time left with her is limited.

Even though she has 8 Furry siblings and is the second oldest to our cat Bugsy (now passed 1/2010) she seems to be the mother figure to them all. Bailey is Queen of our castle and always will be.

Having a Senior Pet comes with the territory of being a pet owner and at times is not easy.

Currently I am the proud owner of 9 pets - and I am also happy to say they are all rescues. I am a big animal lover and have room in my home and heart for many more, but for now I am good. Or am I?

You never know when I might decide to bring another pet into my home. If I could I would adopt them all. Each one is considered my child - just furry. They are all spoiled rotten - just like my own Human kids.

Two of the nine pets in my home are Seniors - Bailey being one of them and Busgy my cat who is older.

This page is for Bailey one of the best dogs in the world who has brought so much joy to my life and given us many stories and memories that will last a lifetime. Oh and may I mention fur balls - lots of them!!!

We are not sure what breed Bailey is, when we adopted her it said Lab Mix on the tag. I may do a Pet DNA test one day to find out, because I think it would be really neat to know for sure. She was born in Florida where we lived when we adopted her.

When Bailey was a pup she was full of energy like most are. She chewed all my shoes, my furniture and pretty much anything she could get a hold of. Her favorite things to do as a puppy was to play with sticks larger than her and she loved a big real bone to chew.

She loved to jump, go down slides at the playground and traveled with us anywhere we went. She has a deep bark and is very protective and most people would get scared away just from the bark alone. But really Bailey was a typical Pup who loved everyone who wanted to give her attention.

When each of my children were born Bailey would sit by their bassinet and protect them and was always next to them like a mommy bear. What a good dog.

When we adopted Bailey we rented an apartment in Florida with some Dog Rules - only small dogs allowed. Bailey was small when we got her and we had no idea just how large she would get. We tried to hide her, we took her out at night to run her on the Golf Course we lived on and she loved that. She would run faster than lightening. Of course as I said above the golfers were not happy to see some of their turf marked up in the morning. Oops!!! The day came when we were asked to leave because we broke the dog size rule. So our choices; Roof over our Heads or Dog - of course we chose Dog.

So we then moved to a house rental which was more suited for a dog her size - Bailey was now about 90 Pounds.

at the time this was written

Well we adopted Bailey in October of 1995 - she was about 5-6 months old at the time. So with that I would say she is about 14 dog years old.

It is said that 1 Human Year is equal to 7 Dogs years. That is not the most accurate since dogs reach their adult years within the first couple years.

The latest Formula is: 10.5 dog years per human year for the first 2 years, then 4 dog years per human year for each year after.

So confusing - no one really knows for sure, but this is the best way to estimate.

Using this method Bailey would be 69 in Human Years.

Here is the Calculator I used:

How old is your Dog in Human Years?

Arthristis - Hips and Knees

Bailey developed Arthritis in her hips and knees as most large breed dogs do. There was a point a few years back that we thought we may have to put her down. She went to the vet and we started her on Glucosamine and some pain meds being she was having trouble getting up and limping as she walked. I did not find that was working to well. With some online research I came across

GlycoFlex III, and after some time on this she seemed to improve - I swear this saved her life. I recommend this to anyone whose dog has arthritis or problems with their hips. She still limps and has trouble, but no where near what she had before.

A comprehensive line of joint support formulas from Vetri-Science featuring glucosamine, green lipped perna mussels, their patented DMG, and in level II and III additional beneficial vitamins and antioxidants.

Click on the Photo to Order

At night I will sit with Bailey and give her massages. She loves this and will rest her head in my lap while I massage her legs, hips and back and neck area. Like us humans it feels good and I will do anything to help her feel better and to make sure she is comfortable. I also use a Pet Massager that vibrates and brushes her at the same time - she also really likes this too. It is also a great way to bond with her telling her how much I appreciate that she is in my life.

As Bailey got older she developed Fatty Tumors also known as lipomas - one on her side is so big we call it her alien. It has been tested by having a needle biopsy to get the fluid out and it is nothing to worry about. She has had that for years, as well as, others on her body. They are ugly to look at - big bumps all over, but she is not in pain and they are not hindering her ability to walk or anything else - so no surgeries were required.

If you see lumps starting to appear on your older dog - Don't Panic it could just be a Lipoma. BUT don't assume - always bring your dog to the vet and have them checked.

Of course she has a lot of gray around her mouth which shows that old age. She also sleeps a lot - she is not very active anymore. Her eyes also show her age with Cataracts and that dull haze. Her hearing comes and goes - although sometimes we think she plays the old card to get special treats. Her breath is deadly and her teeth show wear just from being old. We do not give her dogs bones much anymore - only an occasional treat - they make her gums bleed a little now. Her fur is not as smooth and silky as it had been in the past and she sheds like crazy - more than ever.

Bailey has seen so many pets come and go in our home. She welcomes each one with open arms - sometimes I think she says in her head "Oh No Not another one"

1. Dino - Our Leopard Gecko who lived over 15 years, but is now in lizard heaven.
2. Hubcap - Our Cat who is now in heaven from Renal Kidney Failure
3. Bugsy - Who was adopted the same year and is older than Bailey - Bugsy is our Senior cat and still with us.

   Photo Below - Middle Row Right (Passed 1/2010)

4. Paws - Paws is also in heaven
5. Sticker - Our cat that showed up on our doorstep one night and never left

   Photo Below - Bottom Row Right

6. Rosco - The dog we adopted so Bailey would have a friend in hopes that he would help her get up and get moving. It really helped, but Rosco had so much energy he needed a friend so then came..........

   Photo Below - Top Row Left

7. Dodge - Rosco"s side kick and a dog full of energy - Rosco and Dodge cannot be without each other. Bailey just watches them with big eyes and laughs.

   Photo Below - Top Row Right

8. Fang - Our big Maine Coon Cat

   Photo Below - Middle Row Middle

9. Scar - Our Lover Boy Cat

   Photo Below - Middle Row Left

10. Sushi - Our little Blue Eyed Siamese Ragdoll - who has some attitude for a cat that is still the size of a kitten full grown.

    Photo Below - Bottom Row Left

11. Cyber - Our Persian mix - who is a fluffy ball of purrs

    Photo Below - Bottom Row Middle

12. Fish - We have a 100 Gallon fish tank that is always full of fish - so she has seen many of them too
13. Razor - Our Newest addition - a Tiny Chinese Crested Powder Puff Minature Poodle Mix.

Over the past year Bailey has had some issues with holding in her poop. I know it sounds gross. It is almost like her muscles have given out back there and at times without her control she will drop a couple. It is an old age thing and this happens according to my vet. Even when she goes outside to go she tends to not walk far into the yard anymore and goes close to my patio.

I never get mad at her for this, because I know it is just part of her aging.

Bailey like most dogs has some funny habits and things she does that makes her very Unique. Bailey is no doubt a one of kind!!

• She hates to have her nails trimmed. Bailey has what looks like Bear Claws - it is just how her nails have grown since a puppy. Until just recently she would have to wear a muzzle to have any one clip her nails. Now she is Ok with just my husband holding her.

  There was a time years ago in her youth where the vet had her on one of the metal tables to do the clipping - the kind that lifts the dogs up - well she was not happy and somehow broke it - uh oh.

• Bailey Talks - she has always had a way of communicating and talks in a fun growl that has always scared people until they know she is talking. Sometimes it sounds like she is saying - Rut-Row like Scooby Doo.
• Bailey's Gross Habit - she eats Tootsie Rolls - aka: Cat Poop. She will go down to the litter box even though she knows she is not suppose to and eats cat poo - Weird???
• Bailey's Gas - In her older age her gas has gotten bad - not only does it smell so bad, but you know she is the one who made the smell because she always smells her butt right after.
• Bailey and Thunderstorms - When there is thunder there is Bailey barking - she will bark every time she hears the thunder and this will go on until the storm has passed. When younger and if Bailey was outside - she would run as if she could catch it.
• Her Barks - When Bailey barks it is very deep and can sound very scary, but if you watch her bark both her front legs will lift off the ground.
• Bailey loves the Wind - There is nothing Bailey loves more that a windy day. She will sit at the edge of the patio and lay on the grass and feel the wind on her body - she loves that.
• Bailey is the Boss - Bailey's favorite spot is on the couch and if one of the other animals is in her space - she will take her paw and tap the cushion - give them a look and they will actually get up and off the couch so Bailey can go up. Must be a respect thing.

I am not sure I would ever consider cloning Bailey even if I had the money. My husband would in a second. BUT, there are people out there that are doing it.

Bailey loved her Mean Kitty Toy - BUT Mean Kitty is now gone - and Why you ask? it was chewed up from love. My dogs are chewers.

This is not my favorite subject to talk about, but there will come a time when I might have to make the decision to put Bailey down. I have to come to terms with it now, because I know it will not be an easy thing to do. We will not let her suffer or be in any kind of pain - so I watch her very carefully. When she is ready to cross Rainbow Bridge we will know that one day we will be together again.

I think Bailey will tell me when it is time and until then my job is to keep her happy, comfortable, spoiled and enjoy every day I have left with her. I make sure to give her extra Hugs and Kisses - because she deserves them!!

It is 9 am on the day I will say goodbye to one of my Furry children, We have made that dreaded call and her appointment is at 1:10 pm. It is that call all of us Pet owners hate to make and also one of the hardest.

It has taken us a very long time to say it is time with Bailey. She is still all her, she is eating and drinking, BUT her back legs have really given out and her quality of life is not all at what it should be.

She is at the point where we need to help her get up and for the past few weeks she has be doing what I call Phantom Barking. Sometimes it is to tell us she wants something and other times it is just random. And even though she is on Pain Meds she has to be feeling pain and she needs to be freed of all of that and able to run again in Heaven.

I am very sad of course and she will be missed, but I have to also remember that she is over 16 years old and it is very rare that a dog her size has a life that long. She has been spoiled rotten and loved more than anything. I am happy that she was with us for one last Christmas.

I have decided not to be in the room with her when she goes, my husband will. I had a very hard time being there with my cat Bugsy and cannot do it again. I plan to say my goodbyes and leave her with my husband. She has always been his Baby and I think it will be best for both of them.

Bailey has now crossed the bridge and I know she is running again and free of all her aches and pains. On the way to the vet we stopped at Mc Donalds and got her 5 Burgers which she loved. She ate some in the car and them some at the vets office. The car ride sucked for me - the knowing what was coming is so hard. Bailey enjoyed the car ride and looked out the window the whole time almost like she knew it would be the last. WE arrived at the vets office and were taken back to a room where they had a nice blanket set up on the floor for her. She laid down and was calm. The Vet came in and I told her I did not want to see any needles or anything else. She could take all that stuff out when I left the room after my final goodbye. We all talked about Bailey for a bit and gave her lots of hugs and kisses. I said my final goodbye and gave her a Great Big hug and told her to be a Good Girl. My husband stayed behind to be with her as she crossed over. I cried like a baby as I sat in the car waiting for him to come out. When my husband came out I cried even harder seeing him crying as well. Our baby of 16 years was now gone and we both felt a big hole in our hearts.

We drove home holding hands knowing we did the right thing and showing Bailey our last act of kindness. It was not easy at all, but we knew it was what we needed to do. I am very sad and miss her so much already - even though I have many other pets in my home it feels empty without her here. BUT I feel a sense of peace at the same time knowing she is pain free now.

Bailey will have a private cremation just like my other pets who have passed before her and when it is my time to go their ashes will be mixed with mine. My pets are such a big part of my life and Bailey was the Best Dog Ever !!!

Here are some great rescues to start looking...

PetFinder

AdoptaPet.com

1-800-save-a-pet

Pets 911

A Puppy's Friends Rescue - Located in PA - they do great work to help save as many pets as they can - check them out

I hope you enjoyed reading about Bailey. I know some of you that have read this may already have or had a senior pet and understand all about it. For those who have young pets keep an eye on them - be in tune with them and watch for changes. Always bring your pets for senior wellness check ups and be a good pet parent. And for those thinking of bringing a pet into their home - know it is a long commitment and expense.

I am happy to be a RocketMom. I also head up the group RocketMom's Furry Children - Our Pets. So if you are a member and have a pet of your own - stop by and join me.

This has been my first assignment with the RocketMoms and I look forward to many more - what a great bunch!!!

Want to learn more about the RocketMoms? Click Here

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