Kristen and Bailey *Family Photo 12/22*

[Kristen&Bailey]

Bailey needs another haircut soon. The hair on his feet is getting out of control

[remsleep]

I really like the one with the two big dogs laying down facing each other. They look they had fun!

Great photos, as always.

[Kristen&Bailey]

[Oliver & Henry's Mum]

Kristen, I think that last photo of Bailey is one of my favourites! I love the way the greenery in the background is blurry and the focus is on Bailey. You really are becoming extremely proficient with the camera!

We haven't seen very many photos of Bailey lately. I thought you must be busy with other things. I'm so glad to see a new photo as I do enjoy them so much.

[Kristen&Bailey]

My mom has been on a spree of scanning old photos and posting them to facebook.

Here are some photos of Bear, my old yellow lab. We had him from 95 to 2007, when we had to put him to sleep. He was the (2nd) best dog ever.

















This was Bear's sister Wodahs. My uncle (who lived next door) got her after his previous dog Shadow (can you figure out where Wodahs's name came from?) was hit by a car. We were so impressed by her disposition that we went to the breeder to see if any other pups were available from the litter. We got lucky because they had kept Bear hoping that they could keep him and that their son would be able to have him despite of allergies. Well, the allergies were worse than they had hoped so we got him instead. So Bear and his sister got to grow up together.














and some photos of Mork, our siberian husky. My parents had gotten him before they had me and my brother. He passed away when I was in 2nd grade.

Him and my mom



He won first place in the puppy class at his dog show


He apparently sired a litter and here is him with his puppies

[Oliver & Henry's Mum]

Kristen, thanks for sharing those wonderful photos! Bear was a gorgeous boy and I'm sure a wonderful family companion. I did enjoy some of his more artful sleeping poses. He looked like an absolute sweetheart!

Mork was also very handsome! I must say I was also taken with how attractive your parents are. No wonder you are such a pretty girl.

I love old photographs and those are wonderful. Thank you for sharing. You did look like a very sweet young lady, and your brother looks like a kind fellow. Your parents "done good"!

[RubyJeansMom]

Kristen, I love the old photos! Bear looked like such a sweet boy, and Mork was gorgeous. The picture of Mork with his pups made me smile, so cute.

[Phyrie]

Kristen, have you ever seen this poster? It's been around for years on the Internet. The dog looks just like your parents dog! I've mucked up the swearing, so I hope it isn't too rude. The story is that someone took a pic of this poster where it was on a local telephone pole. I think it's hilarious, and the resemblance of that dog to your parents is uncanny.

Look at this dog2.jpg (133.92 KB) Viewed 1349 times

[cutiepants26]

Bear was very beautiful. His big black eyes made me go 'Awww'. I can't get enough of the picture of him sleeping on his back with his head turned to the side, ADORABLE! His nose turned pink! Does that happen a lot with Labs as they get older?

Mork was very cute and had very cute babies. I love the picture of your mum with Mork, that a really precious photo.

[prajakta]

pics are very cute and your baby is so beautiful and adorable.

welcome dear, by,
Mani & Marshall

[prajakta]

Him and all pics are awesome!

Best luck!
Mani & Marshall

[Kristen&Bailey]

It's been a while since I've done an update on Bailey.

He's been having major issues with one of his back paws. It started out on just licking at it, most likely related to his allergies, then it transitioned to chewing it and becoming completely obsessive about it.

When it first started was around the time that he had his annual check up. The vet wasn't too concerned about it. Month goes by, where he was continuing to chew, got a lot of conehead time and bitter apple foot, eventually going with a sock taped on his foot. During the times he didn't have any of that stuff on, he would sneak in chewing. He has gotten really good at hiding the fact that he is chewing his foot... toy as a decoy, hiding his foot under his front leg as he chews at the tip of it.

All leading up to the end of last week when I took his sock off in the morning, and it just looked so much worse. I was worried about an infection/bacteria/fungus, so I called the vet and they squeezed us in for a Saturday morning appointment.

He had a lot of yeasty build-up between his pads as well as a nail bed infection. The vet shaved his entire foot and between the pads. We left for home with some antibiotics, probiotics (so the antibiotics don't mess with his stomach), and anti-bacterial soap.

He's doing a lot better, with today looking the best so far. He hasn't attempted to chew his foot at all really today and it just looks a lot better. The little hair that he does have left is stained from his saliva, however aside from that it looks a whole lot less red. He is getting his medicine, and then in addition, a variety of soaks and treatments on his feet as well. He gets his anti-bacterial soap soak to clean it. We've found a high concentrated epsom salt soak really soothes his skin also and stops him from wanting to lick. I am also trying out a product called DermaPaw which I ordered online and is a special salve designed by people whose dog had a severe foot chewing problem and they were unable to get relief from vets & medication, however they made the salve with the help of various vets making sure all the ingredients were safe as they "trial and error"ed which ingredients brought relief.

Overall he is doing a whole lot better, aside from his foot looking totally silly. Every time I look at it, I just think of a monkey paw. At least his hair grows fast.

[Oliver & Henry's Mum]

Kristen, I feel so badly for Bailey! This summer has been rather unkind to several of our dogs, Oliver included.

I can only imagine how itchy and irritating it must have felt for Bailey. I'm glad he's on the mend now, and thank goodness he has you for a Mum who leaves no stone unturned.

Please keep us updated. We've been missing your posts and pictures of Bailey.

[Kristen&Bailey]

A family photo from our Christmas vacation down in North Carolina





A little general update as well...

The holidays haven't been good for me healthwise. Over Thanksgiving, I ended up in the hospital and was diagnosed with diverticulitis/osis. Well I got really sick again yesterday, and ended up in the hospital again. I was sure it was an onset of another diverticulitis flare up, however turns out it was a ruptured ovarian cyst this time. I'm feeling better now but I am really looking forward to a holiday vacation where I am not spending it in the emergency room. Yesterday was also Craig and my 4th anniversary, and instead of going out to dinner like we had planned, we had to spend it in the emergency room.

Bailey is doing well. He has been doing a lot of agility recently and is getting very good at it. He has made a new friend from his class as well who we have started to have play dates with. Like Sniffers, his favorite toy (Lamby) has been discontinued as well. I've been on the search looking for places that I can still buy it and stocking up. The places that do still have it at this point have doubled in price so I am holding them off for until I have exhausted all other options. He has 11 back-ups atm, which will last him a couple years hopefully.

[Margie-Rex's Mom]

Kristen, I love the photo! You all look so happy and relaxed.

I'm so sorry you are having such a time, health-wise. Hopefully the cyst issue will be easier to deal with right now that a bout of diverticulitis would be.

Enjoy your time in North Carolina! Merry Christmas!!