The Life of Bailey the Dog
It’s hard to put into words how much we loved Bailey. He was our first kid and somehow managed to take better care of us than we did of him. We miss him terribly, though we are comforted by the amazing 10 years we had with him.
Below is the story of Bailey the Dog, the best corgi-lab mix we’ll ever know.
Early Days — The Tucson Years
Sometime in September 2007 (we estimate Sept. 17), Bailey and two other pups were born in the Tucson area, mutts that were some amalgamation of lab, shepherd, corgi and whatever else. The pups ended up at the Humane Society of Southern Arizona.
About nine weeks later, my sister visited Ashley and me in Tucson and schemed to get us a dog. We ended up at pet store that was hosting the shelter’s adoption day. By the time we arrived, Bailey was the only one of his litter left. The shelter originally named Bailey “Musketeer,” which seemed a bit too on the nose for a litter of three.
Bailey’s litter-mates were adopted quickly, the shelter rep said, because they looked like labs. Bailey, on the other hand, had corgi stubs for legs and a short nose, features that had apparently caused others to hesitate to adopt him.
What he lacked in height and lab-likeness, he made up for in personality. He immediately went to Ashley and collapsed into her shoulder as she held him. We were hooked on Bailey after that, subject of course to a name change.
There was the usual puppy hi jinx with Bailey, including foolishly believing that we could train him to sleep alone in the kitchen. He ended up on our bed in a matter of days, a place he slept until he passed.
Bailey was a cuddler, which was amazing when he was small. It became less fun when he grew. But we always loved his snuggles.
Bailey’s early years included travels to Mexico with family. We learned quickly he liked getting his feet wet but would not, under any circumstances, swim. He would freeze in deep water and sink like a stone. So shallow beaches were as far as he would go.
Life with Bailey in Tucson was a mix of dog parks, hikes, and picnics. He was spry and had the heart of lab. So. Much. Energy. We did our best to tire him out and keep him entertained.
The Wonder Years — Bailey Takes Over the Bay
In 2009, Bailey moved out to San Francisco when I started law school. We lived in a house deep in the fog of the Outer Richmond, a few blocks from Ocean Beach and right next to Golden Gate Park.
Ashley later secured a room in an apartment in the Presidio, setting Bailey up with the most incredible backyard. For more than a year, Bailey had daily walks by the beach at either Ocean Beach or Crissy Field. He also had plenty of park time in Golden Gate Park.
When I moved to the East Bay, Bailey started splitting his time between the Presidio and Berkeley. It was a rough gig for a dog.
Bailey occasionally went back to Arizona for the holidays, though it was usually to Prescott and not his native Tucson. He did enjoy playing in the snow and with his best dog friend, Harley.
Bailey always returned to the Bay Area and enjoyed exploring Point Isabel and Tilden Park.
Bailey even attended my law school graduation party, volunteering to be both flag football team captain and mascot. He excelled at both.
Bailey’s summer post-law school was a blur of packing and bar and wedding prep before a move to DC. Though he did get a quick vacation in to Half Moon Bay after I took the bar, documented below.
Bailey made a special appearance at our wedding, though he cut out early to avoid the crowds at the reception.
The East Coast Years — Mr. Bailey Goes to Washington
After I took a job in DC, family graciously offered to drive Bailey across country, the first of two trips he took from coast to coast. It took him no time to adjust to Virginia and East Coast life.
He enjoyed experiencing actual seasons for the first time, long walks around trails and our neighborhood, as well as playing at our apartment’s dog park.
Bailey also spent a day at the Capitol, helping a friend of ours who worked there avert a government shutdown. Legend says it was Bailey’s negotiating skills that saved the day.
Bailey spent three years in Virginia, traipsing through fall leaves, snow, and the oppressive humidity. He even got to dip his paws in the Atlantic, becoming the rare dog to visit both coasts’ oceans.
He also comforted Ashley through the early months of pregnancy, serving as a Doula of sorts.
Despite getting older, some things about Bailey never changed. Including meticulously dissecting his toys and getting into occasional trouble.
Bailey got the shock of his life when we brought Jonah home. He was initially not amused by the newest member of the pack, though he eventually grew to love Jonah. Especially because Jonah sat at the perfect height for face licks.
The West Coast Return — Bailey Comes Home to the Bay
Armed with an awesome job offer to return to SF, we moved from Virginia to the Bay Area in fall 2015. Bailey found himself once more traveling across the country, this time with a toddler. Although there were times Bailey got a front seat view of beautiful Interstate 40.
It wasn’t long before Bailey settled back in to a West Coast life with all of us.
A new bonus to Bailey’s return to the bay: he got to come with me to work most days. To say my office is dog friendly would be an understatement. At work he met a wonderful group of new friends who loved his stubby legs and awkwardness.
Folks at work so highly of Bailey that they included him in the inaugural Guard Dogs of the Internet calendar, available exclusively to EFF employees.
We threw Bailey for another loop when we brought Anna home. She loved his face licks and would often laugh at them. Bailey loved her so much.
Bailey’s cancer diagnosis in the summer of 2017 came hard and fast. We barely had time to process it before the disease caused complications that caused him a lot of pain. We couldn’t stand to see him like that, so we said our painful goodbyes and thanked him for being such a wonderful dog.
