Bailey's Story

This is Bailey. We know he's in real bad shape! Bailey was rescued on Thursday, April 20th. His owners decided that they didn't want him in the house as a house pet so they put him outside were he proceded to bark. Of course, the neighbors didn't like him barking and complained. The next place Bailey found was going to be his inviting, comfortable home was the basement of his family's house. There he remained for approxmately 1 1/2 years. His mom got sick and his dad didn't really care for dogs so he was the last on their list of things to care about. A call was, October 2005 from a concerned person that the dog was living in the basement and she believed that he needed help, real bad! A visit to check on the dog and his living conditions but at that time the owners were not receptive to her help so she had to leave and go home. Now 6 months later, Bailey's mom called and asked for help...When we arrived, we were both "a little upset" when we saw the condition that Bailey was in. His mom & dad told us that they believed that he had either whip worms or hook worms, "that's why he is so skinny." What bothered us was, if Bailey's owners thought he was sick why didn't they get him to the vets, get him some medicine and help him get better? Who knows!! After explaining how Ark of Hope Rescue would handle Bailey's care and his future, his mom signed him over. 

The next morning we had an appointment to take him to the vets for a check up, fecal exam, and answers to why this dog was so thin. The vet was a little surprised to see a dog come in in such a poor condition. Bailey weighed 42 pounds, a Golden Retriever with his height and length should weigh around 90 to 95 pounds! After the vets examination, he stated that Bailey DID NOT have any worms or any other health condition that would explain why he was so terribly emaciated other then he was not properly fed! In other words, he had been practically starved to death. His owner claim that he fed Bailey, if he did, he sure didn't feed him near enough.

We have been feeding Bailey puppy food three times a day and on Sunday, April 23rd Bailey was weighed again, he weighed in at 44 1/2 pounds! He gained 2 1/2 pounds in only three days! He is on the road to recovery, although we know it will be a long road!!

May 18th: Baily is doing SO WONDERFUL! Bailey has gained 19 pounds in just under a month!!!

Today: Bailey has been adopted! Bailey is one of the greatest dogs! He now weights 105. He's about 5 pounds over weight, but 5 pounds over is nothing to 60 pounds under weight! He has a great home and is very much loved!!! Yeah Bailey!!!

Check out * Happy Endings 2 for more pictures of Bailey.

You can help sponsor a dog or cat at The Ark Of Hope Rescue by sending your contribution to: Ark of Hope Rescue, 13400 Arctic Ridge Lane, Oldtown, MD 21555  or by clicking on the "Make a Donation" below. Thanks!