Bailey Belle

I haven't posted in a while, even now, I am in the midst of midterms in each and every single class of mine but I yearn for venting, & I resort to public venting,

awesome.

1. Almost 2 weeks ago my roommates and I found a dog on our porch, shivering in the cold, hungry and with a gaping wound located on the neck of this poor golden pooch. A leash was hanging off of her that had been obviously chewed through to escape, no tags were attached to her worn collar. She was also missing about half of her tail that may have been bitten off in a dog fight or worse (this was healed but not a favorable fashion for lab-looking puppies). We immediately led the puppy inside, searched the fridge for dog-approved lunch meat and called the vet. Realizing it was a mere 7 am, most vet offices did not open until later and we were left to entertain this dog without any good idea of where she had come from. After a few hours we got to take the dog into the vet, where she seemed extremely nervous and achey. The doctor ran multiple tests and revealed the results soon after:

Heart worms: Negative
Fleas: Negative
Mange: Positive ...aside from her neck wound.

So, they allowed us to look under a microscope to recognize her (for now) mild case of mange defined as Dermidex. We were informed that we would be spending hundreds of dollars to keep and treat this skin condition. With the price of the tests, treatment and medication we spend over $250 in the first vet visit alone.

Bailey came home in a cone. Did I mention that in the duration of this long waiting/testing process we named this puppy Bailey? Yes, Bailey Belle. And have you ever heard that once you name something you get attached? Well, this is true.

In the morning we had waken up to a cone covered in blood from the wound that had previously been scraped and cleaned and coned. We were forced to remove the cone to clean both the wound and the cone. Attempting to putting this cone back on was a living nightmare. This poor puppy didn't know or trust us as we put gloves on and tried to hold her down and rub medication into parts of her body that ached the most: her neck. We soon realized that this would not be allowed by her and gave up.

The following night went much differently than the first. Having bought puppy food, a big doggy bed, an A&M blanket, a "comfort collar" and many toys we had pretty much accepted Bailey into the family and wanted to make her as comfortable as possible, given the situation. We had already starting opening our hearts to this poor puppy and were broken hearted to hear her scratching the entire night. We were terrified to see Bailey in the morning after a long night of scratching at her wound...again, feeling guilty that we didn't try harder to put the cone back on in fear of her biting someone.

At this point we feel helpless. We say a prayer and begin searching for no-kill shelters that could take her and be able to afford better treatments that would heal this horribly itchy condition better than a few "starving" college student could. We call one and got no answer. We then come across a place located on a ranch in a nearby town called "God's Little Angels" that take in rescue dogs, treat them and then find then loving homes. We call at 6 am and finally get a response. We tell this woman that the situation and how much we already love Bailey but cannot afford the long-term treatments she will need. This woman tell us that since she has mange she will not be able to keep her but that if we would keep her she will pay ALL of our vet bills for anything she needs for however long it takes to treat her conditions. We graciously accept and promise to bring Bailey by to meet her as soon as her treatments start to pay off.

The next day we go to the specified vet and get Bailey vaccinated and schedule her first treatment. She looked a lot better.

Now, knowing little to nothing about our sweet, sometimes overly protective Bailey, we started from scratch. After only a few short weeks, Bailey seems like a new dog. She is no longer timid or hungry. She is spoiled with toys, many of which she has already ripped to pieces. Bailey is potty trained, sitting and is working on more tricks. She is scheduled to continue treatments every other week and has been doing great!

The Lord answers prayers and brings that make you joyful to you when you are in need. Bailey brings joy.

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
Matthew 7:7-8