Bailey

Bailey — Professional Lap Warmer, Brushie Enthusiast & Certified Attention Hog

Meet Bailey, a 7-year-old neutered Yorkshire Terrier who has spent virtually his entire life as somebody’s beloved companion. He came to Yorkie Rescue Houston through no fault of his own when his owner’s ongoing health problems made caring for him increasingly difficult. Bailey had been with her since puppyhood and even served as her emotional-support companion for several years.

And yes — Bailey knows he was spoiled.

This little man has very specific expectations of his staff.

First: “brushie.” Bailey absolutely LOVES being brushed. This is not routine grooming in Bailey’s world; it is an event.

Then there are the rubbies. Behind the ears. Top of the head. Back massages. Scritches. And most importantly, the legendary “tushie rubs.” If Bailey follows you into the bathroom, turns around and deliberately presents his rear end to you, congratulations: you have just been summoned. His Royal Highness requires lower-back scratches immediately.

Bailey is an affectionate little velcro dog who loves curling up on your chest or wedging himself into the crook of your arm while being petted. And if you make the mistake of looking at an iPad when Bailey believes you should be looking at him, he has been known to paw at it until management redirects its attention appropriately.

Basically, Bailey isn't subtle.

The Bailey résumé

His surrendering owner described him as leash trained, good in the car, playful, affectionate, intelligent, gentle, even-tempered, goofy, eager to please and a serious lap dog. She also reported that he has done well with children.

Bailey was reported as housebroken, although because of his former owner’s physical limitations, he has primarily used potty pads for approximately the last two years. He will potty outside when walked, so his new family should expect to patiently get him back into a regular outdoor routine.

He likes soft fabric toys. Hard and rubber toys? Bailey has reviewed them and declined.

He has had limited exposure to other animals, although his previous owner said he appeared friendly toward dogs encountered on walks. His cat history is essentially unknown, so we would not call him cat-tested.

Bailey also considers himself head of neighborhood security. Vacuums, power tools, lawnmowers, leaf blowers and other noisy mechanical contraptions apparently require immediate Yorkie intervention. He's not frightened by them — he wants to fight them. Even fireworks have historically earned barking rather than hiding. His former owner called him a great watchdog.

About that figure...

Bailey arrived at rescue carrying considerably more Bailey than Bailey actually needs.

His former diet consisted of canned Purina Beneful Small Breed food twice daily, and he has clearly been overfed. At his rescue intake exam he weighed 14.5 pounds and his veterinarian assessed his body condition at 7/9, obese/overweight.

So Bailey is officially entering his Ozempic era — minus the Ozempic.

What he actually needs is measured portions of a nutritious diet, reasonable treats and regular exercise so we can gradually uncover the appropriately sized Yorkie hiding inside his current dad bod.

His excess weight is particularly important because Bailey has a history of bilateral luxating patellas and tracheal collapse, making weight management more than cosmetic.

Rescue is already undoing some deferred maintenance

Bailey arrived with significant grooming needs. His veterinary examination documented severely overgrown nails that had begun curling sideways, along with matting around his paws and rear and fecal material caught in the coat. Rescue had him groomed and cleaned up and those nails trimmed.

His exam otherwise found him bright and alert, walking normally without observed lameness, with normal heart and lung sounds. He does have mild-to-moderate dental calculus and gingivitis that will need appropriate follow-up.

He also received Pr