Beth and Bailey

We got Bailey in January 2014 and from that moment on, he changed our lives.  He came to visit us before we were told we would definitely get an Assistance Dog.  From that day he brought sunshine into a house that finds it hard to see the sunshine.

Beth has a degenerative disease which is slowly robbing her of all her muscles called Friedreichs Ataxia.  From her legs to her hands to her eyes and even her heart.  She could ride her bike six years ago but now she is totally wheelchair bound and struggles to do anything for herself.  Beth struggles with severe fatigue and as a teenager rarely finds a reason to get up in the morning, never mind smile.

Bailey has not just given her that reason, he has given all of the family a reason.  He meets us every morning with a lick and a tail wag.  A morning of struggling to get dressed changes to a huge smile and a laugh when Bailey comes into the room.  He knows Beth’s mood and often goes up and licks her and puts his head on her knee as if to say I know it’s shit Beth, but I am here!  He hears her cry and runs to her immediately, he will nose her leg and look up at her.  If she calls during the night, he hears her before I do and alerts me.  If she drops anything he picks it up and gives it back to her.  She drops something every few minutes, so this is invaluable.  He opens doors for her on command and drawers and will help her pull her coat or jumper off.  He lies in the car with his head on her knee while she hugs him and feels safe that he is there.  I can go out now and leave her for maybe an hour or so as he stays beside her, and she feels safe he is there to protect her and help her and help her if she should fall.

As for me, the mum, he is my best friend.  He makes a terrible day just drift away with one look of those big brown eyes.  Walking him gives me time to just enjoy him and the countryside and helps me escape the terrible reality of watching my daughter deteriorate.  Bailey is something that Friedrichs can’t take from me or from Beth and believe me it takes everything.  Getting bailey is the best thing we ever did, and I swore I would never have a dog in the house, ever.

On the 13th May 2016 the news came through that Bailey had been knocked down and killed by a ‘hit and run’ driver. Everyone was devastated, we had lost a beautiful dog, Beth and her family had lost their best friend.