Bailey #26 Chocolate Labrador Retriever Female 8 Years Old ID #3337

About Bailey

Bailey is a chocolate Labrador Retriever who came into Brookline’s care in August 2025 after being surrendered to a shelter. Born in 2017, she is just 8 years old, but years of neglect in her former home—lack of exercise and severe overfeeding—left her obese at 125 lbs. with multiple health concerns, including skin issues, cataracts, and a painful cyst on her tail.

Despite everything, Bailey is a sweet and gentle girl who loves belly rubs and already shows us she wants to move forward. With the help of her foster family, Bailey will begin her journey back to health with vet care, steady weight loss, and love.

December 2, 2025

Bailey’s Big News: She’s Ready for Her Forever Home! 🌟🐾

Bailey is absolutely shining these days, and her foster family could not be prouder of how far this sweet chocolate girl has come. The transformation in her energy, health, and spirit over the past few weeks has been nothing short of remarkable.

Bailey now has real pep in her step—and sometimes even a little jog! She’s been joining the resident dogs for the early 5:30 a.m. walk (no more sleeping in for this girl!) and has even tackled eight full blocks in one morning. She follows their lead, gets genuinely excited to head out, and keeps up beautifully. And when she spots the car or a “friend” she wants to follow? Look out. Bailey can really move when she wants to!

Her appetite has blossomed too. She now eats with gusto and has even started enjoying a bit of kibble mixed into her meals. She’s been treating herself to yak chews, and best of all, she’s confident enough now to hop up onto the couch for a cozy snooze—a small joy she didn’t give herself permission for early on.

Health-wise, Bailey continues to impress. After weeks of healing from her ear infections and stubborn MSRP skin infection, she looks fantastic. Today was her long-awaited dermatology appointment, and the specialist confirmed what FM suspected: Bailey has healed beautifully. No signs of lingering infection, no setbacks—just a healthy girl ready for her next chapter.

The dermatologist did confirm she has allergies, likely seasonal, and provided a simple maintenance plan to keep her comfortable:

• Transition to a consistent, steady diet (FM will begin transitioning her from Farmer’s Dog to Royal Canin Labrador)
• Wipes three times a week
• Regular ear cleaning
• Twice-monthly medicated baths
• Thyroid level recheck to confirm her dosage

The vet also aspirated the cyst on her tail and found no signs of cancer—a huge relief and truly wonderful news.

And now for the BEST update of all…

Bailey is officially ready to find her forever home. 💛🏡

Her foster family will miss her deeply—Bailey has woven herself right into their daily routine—but they know she is ready to thrive with a family who will love her as much as they have. She’s come so far, and she is absolutely deserving of a home where she can settle in, be adored, and enjoy the good life she’s fought for.

Stay tuned… her adoption post will be live in the next day or so!

Bailey fans—this girl is ready. Let’s find her the perfect home.

November 15, 2025

Bailey’s 3-Month Update: Lighter, Braver, and Blossoming ❤️🐾

Today marks three months since Bailey padded her way into our home and into our hearts as our foster, and what a transformation she has made. This sweet chocolate girl has worked so hard—body and soul—to heal, trust, and discover comfort again.

Let’s start with the good news: Bailey’s weight loss has been phenomenal. She was 125 lbs. when surrendered to the shelter, 119 lbs. when she arrived at our home, and just 97 lbs. at her last weigh-in two weeks ago. Based on her steady pattern of dropping two pounds per week, FM suspects she’ll be 94–95 lbs. at her vet appointment on Monday. Her goal weight is in sight, and she’s feeling lighter and moving more easily every day.

Speaking of moving—Bailey’s walks have become more consistent, though she still has her signature “Bailey moments.” Sometimes she plops down and refuses to budge because she spots a person or a running car and wants to give them the chance to greet her. It’s heartbreaking when people pass her by without a second glance. Other times? Well… we have absolutely no idea why she’s stopping. She’s a complex woman! Thankfully, the resident dogs are endlessly patient, waiting calmly while FM coaches her forward. Some days she stops twice; one day, she stopped ten times. It’s all part of her charm.

Now onto her health journey, which has been a marathon of setbacks and small victories. We’ve battled double ear infections—she’s on another round for her left ear, but things are looking clear, and FM is feeling hopeful. She’s also had an ongoing chin infection and draining tracks on two paws. At her November 1 appointment, her chin was cultured, and we finally got answers: Bailey has a stubborn and rare infection called MSRP, which explains why previous antibiotics didn’t help. Thankfully, she started a sulfa-based antibiotic and topical cream last Sunday. The first course is 21 days, and we are crossing our fingers (and paws!) that this is the treatment she’s needed. Side effects can be rough, but so far—knock on wood—she’s handling it beautifully.

Through it all, Bailey remains the sweetest dog, adored by every single person she meets. Her relationship with the resident dogs has blossomed—they peacefully coexist and have recently begun lying near each other for companionable naps. Bailey has also claimed her dog bed as her personal sanctuary. It’s where she curls up each day, right beside FM’s desk, content to snooze while FM works.

Stairs are still intimidating for her, so she avoids them indoors, but FM has a system: Bailey walks around the front of the house so she can stay on the main floor and remain part of the family action. And let’s not forget her absolute favorite thing: car rides. Bailey LOVES the car so much that she often doesn’t want to get out when the ride ends. Now that cooler weather has arrived, FM has been indulging her with little car naps before gently helping her out.

Bailey also has an upcoming appointment with a veterinary dermatologist on December 1, and we’re hopeful it will help crack the code of her ongoing skin issues. With any luck, this will be the final piece of the puzzle and she’ll be ready to begin her search for her forever home—a home where she can finally settle, feel safe, and be adored the way she deserves.

Three months in, Bailey has already overcome so much. She’s lighter, healthier, happier, and learning that life can be soft and kind. We are so proud of her progress… and we cannot wait to see what her next chapter holds.

Need more Bailey updates?  Follow her on Instagram @bodacious_bailey_daily

October 30, 2025

Miss Bailey has given us 12 days of fun and laughs as her FM and FD take a much-deserved vacation! We were all curious how she’d do as a solo dog, and the official verdict is: she enjoys it! But really, I don’t think she prefers either way.

Bailey is the most chill dog–totally neutral to living creatures of all kinds. We have two dog-savvy cats, that will now walk, lay, and nap near Bailey, as they know she would never hurt them. On walks, Bailey is thrilled to have a sniff fest with any and every dog she encounters, from friendly adult dogs to hyper puppies.

It took about 3-4 days for Bailey to really settle in. She was definitely sad when Nancy left, and cried for much of her first evening. I spent those first few nights on the couch with her, and I work from home, so she laid right under my feet. If I had to walk away for a moment and was out of her sight, she would cry. But, after that trial period, she settled in beautifully. We now let her snooze in the living room by herself, and she’ll sleep in until someone wakes her up.

Our steps were a point of contention for her first few days–they are concrete and steep, and she slipped her first time. Getting her up her portable ramp was a two-person job, but now she’s great.

Bailey will nap the vast majority of the day, but she loves her walks. We’ve been averaging 1.5 miles a day! Of course, now that she’s comfortable with us, she helps herself to plenty of breaks. This is why we’ve nicknamed her “The Boulder”, she will NOT budge if she isn’t ready. She’ll lay down when she sees a car that looks like Nancy’s (hoping she’ll emerge), when there’s a dog across the street, when it’s above 65 degrees. But that’s okay! She loves being outside, and just wants to feel the sun on her face. Bailey demands we stop for pets with every stranger we meet on walks, and folks are delighted to oblige. I think THIS may be why she enjoys being a solo dog–she gets to go at her own pace and make demands!

The biggest hurdle is all of Bailey’s medical spa treatments. Luckily, she is SO sweet and mild-mannered when receiving them. She has lots of skin issues, cysts, and infections from her years of medical neglect, and it’s a whack a mole situation. Luckily, Nancy is SO good about staying on top of these things, and we’ve done our best to continue that care. Her chin stuff is STUBBORN.

Bailey was THRILLED to go on an adventure yesterday. We invited her into our car for the first time, and she hopped right up! It’s a sedan, and all she needed was a little boost to the bum to get up there. We drove to Lancaster and gave her plenty of time to stick her head out the window. Then, she got to solicit pets from about 30 people for 2.5 hours. Bailey’s dream! She was a little bossy, and barked at folks for pets, but fortunately, everyone thought it was charming and somehow followed our instructions to not give her human food! She loved getting attention from a toddler!

We loved pet sitting Bailey, and we’re excited to see her reunite with Nancy this week! She’ll be happy to have her FM back!

October 13, 2025

Bailey’s 8-Week Update: The Sweetest Soul on the Mend 🍫🐾

It’s hard to believe that Bailey has been in foster care for eight weeks already! This bodacious chocolate Lab has come such a long way, and while her journey to full health issues, her sweetness never wavers.

Bailey’s ears are about 90% healed—a huge win—but she’s still battling some stubborn health issues. She now has a couple of draining spots on her paws, an infection under her chin that’s proving pesky, and some irritation in her feet. Poor girl! She’ll remain on antibiotics until her next recheck on November 1, and she’ll continue with ear meds for another week, along with regular wipes and scrubs to soothe her skin.

Despite all of this, Bailey keeps her gentle, loving spirit. She takes her meds like a champ, enjoys her Farmer’s Dog meals (though her vet is testing out a hydrolyzed protein diet to help with her allergies), and continues to lose weight safely and steadily. She now weighs 103 pounds—down from 125! Her goal weight is between 85–90 pounds, and at this rate, she’s right on track.

Next up for Bailey: a little vacation of her own! While her foster parents take a trip, she’ll be spending time with another awesome foster couple. This will be Bailey’s chance to experience life as a solo dog, with two friendly cats as her companions. Her foster mom suspects Bailey might enjoy being the only dog in the home—she’s quite dog-neutral and adores human attention—so this will be an interesting little experiment.

Bailey’s walking continues to be inconsistent, but we think that’s just her body telling us she still doesn’t feel quite 100%. Through it all, she remains the same calm, affectionate, and gentle soul who has captured everyone’s heart.

Every week brings new progress and new hope for this special girl. She’s one of those dogs who reminds us why fostering matters—because sometimes love, time, and good care can change everything. 💕

Stay tuned for Bailey’s next update after her vet visit in early November—here’s hoping she’s feeling better, lighter, and ready to take her next big step toward finding her forever family.

Follow her on Instagram for daily updates at bodacious_bailey_daily

September 23, 2025

Bailey’s Five-Week Update 🐾

Bailey has been in foster care for just over five weeks now, and she continues to amaze us with her progress!

This past weekend she had her biggest adventure yet: a getaway with friends at their beach house.

They have two English Labs, and Bailey fit right in with them—wherever they lounged, Bailey wasn’t far behind, soaking up their calm energy. 🐶🐶🐶 All the dogs peacefully coexisted, and it was such a joy to see.

We were nervous about the stairs since their home has full flights to enter—but Bailey surprised us all. She tackled them like a champ! 💪 Not only did she manage the entry stairs, but she even climbed two full flights up to their rooftop deck to watch the sunset. 🌅

She also loved exploring their fenced grassy yard (a treat since ours at home is stone). She was amazing all weekend—happy, relaxed, and clearly thriving.

Health Update 🩺

On Monday, Bailey saw her favorite vet, Dr. Heather. FD brought her along, and Bailey enjoyed every moment of the car ride over.

Unfortunately, she was there for some tough issues: a massive ear infection, a UTI (the smell of death and fish gave it away), and a rash on her belly. Thankfully, Dr. Heather gave her the best care and plenty of meds:

Nightly ear drops + morning cleanings for the infection 👂

A strong antibiotic to fight off her UTI 💊

Spray, powder, and shampoo for her rash 🛁

Dr. Heather suspects food allergies. We’ve eliminated chicken and turkey, sticking to beef and pork Farmer’s Dog meals. Honestly, it’s surprising—given her condition coming into the shelter, you’d think food allergies would’ve shown up sooner! We’re hoping this turns out to be seasonal, but either way, Bailey’s already looking and feeling better with treatment.

She’s also now on a joint supplement and probiotic fiber to support her walking and digestion. Walks are improving—she consistently completes the full loop around the block, though the number (and length) of her breaks varies. Progress is progress!

And the best news? Bailey now weighs 107 lbs.—down 18 lbs. from her intake weight at the shelter! 🎉 Her goal weight is around 90 lbs., so she’ll be ready for surgery to remove the cyst on her tail once she gets there.

Bailey is a trooper, and her transformation is inspiring to watch. We’ll check back in with Dr. Heather on October 1, and we’re hoping for a clean bill of health so she can officially be posted for her forever home. Stay tuned—this bodacious girl’s best days are still ahead! 💕

September 7, 2025

Three Weeks with Bailey 🐾

Bailey had a big week! She visited the vet on Tuesday and was the perfect patient. 🌟 Everyone was so impressed with how great she looks and her progress—she’s down 6 lbs., now weighing 113! 👏 Bloodwork confirmed her thyroid meds are working, and she charmed the entire staff with her belly rub requests. She also got some extra TLC: an allergy shot, drops for her goopy eyes, and a spray to soothe her belly and armpits. FM jokes that it feels like Bailey is running her own doggy spa day at home! 🛁✨

But the week wasn’t all smooth sailing. Bailey made her first trip to FM’s city home, and it was a tough adjustment. She was stressed, panting, and walks were a real challenge—one even took over an hour to get her back home, with FM juggling work calls on her phone. Bailey wasn’t her usual flirty self with strangers either, even when friends came over for the Eagles game. 💚🏈 It’s clear she still misses her former owner, and moments like these tug at the heartstrings.

Friday brought a return to the beach—yay! 🏖️ Bailey perked up right away. FM’s Mom helped with the trip, and Bailey surprised everyone by happily hopping out of the car and following FMM into the house. She spent the entire day at her feet, perfectly content. Maybe the cane reminded her of her former owner, or maybe she just knew she’d found a new buddy. Either way, FMM was thrilled to have Bailey by her side all day. 💕

The weekend brought more visitors, including FD and two houseguests, and Bailey relaxed right back into her happy groove. She’s improving with meals, now eating two square ones a day, and she even walked twice around the block—progress! 🚶‍♀️

Bailey remains the sweetest, calmest girl, with not a mean bone in her body. She still has no interest in toys and is picky about which treats she’ll accept, but her journey is steady and full of hope. Next up will be a reevaluation to see when she can have the cyst removed from her tail. Watching her slowly transform into a healthier, happier version of herself is such a joy, and we can’t wait to see her personality continue to shine. 🌟

August 31, 2025

The Bailey battle continues! 🐾

Eating is still a challenge. FM splurged on Farmer’s Dog for her, which Bailey seems to like… but if there’s even a speck of kibble hidden inside, she’ll pick it out and stop eating altogether. 👀 Pills? Forget it. No cheese, peanut butter, hot dog, or pill pocket can trick this girl. FM has to pill her the old-fashioned way, which is no small task since Bailey’s on a lot right now:

• Thyroid meds twice a day on an empty stomach
• Antibiotics twice a day with food
• Prilosec once a day

She even gags a couple of times a day, which FM thinks may be GI upset from stress and all the food changes. We’ve got a vet visit on Tuesday and are hoping for some good guidance.

Walking is still hit or miss. Some days, Bailey is a champ, making it around the entire block with just one stop. Other days, she makes it 4 houses and decides she’s done. That’s when FM’s new game comes in handy: “solicit strangers to walk Bailey home.” And let’s just say—Bailey loves it. She’ll pop right up and follow a stranger like they’re her long-lost BFF. Earlier this week she spotted two twenty-something girls, barked at them like they had to know her, and sure enough, once they gave her pets and walked her home, she was all smiles. (FM was very grateful—they saved her just in time for a work call!)

This weekend we’ve got three guests and a visiting pup. Bailey is loving the extra pets and attention, and she remains totally dog-neutral, which makes life easy. Last night, for the first time, she hopped up on the outdoor couch with FM for some snuggles and pets. 🥹

She’s still sweet, still stubborn, and still transforming a little more each day. Baby steps, but she’s worth every one. 💕

Follow her adventures at @bodacious_bailey_daily for your daily dose of this big, beautiful girl.

August 23, 2025

One Week with Bailey – Sweet, Stubborn, and a Total Flirt!

It’s hard to believe it’s already been a week since Bailey left the shelter and joined her foster home. She is sweet as can be… but let’s just say she has a serious stubborn streak!

When Bailey decides she isn’t going, she isn’t going. She’ll even turn her head away from FM like, “Nope, not today.” Yesterday was full of “Bailey moments”:

🚪 Morning standoff: Bailey refused to move the 12 feet from the driveway to the deck. FM had an idea—opened the car door—and Bailey hopped right in! She spent two hours lounging in the cool car, even ate her breakfast there, and then went for a little spin around the block. (We’re convinced her former owner took her through the drive-thru!)

🚦 Afternoon drama: On a walk at lunchtime, Bailey made it four houses down before lying smack in the middle of the street. Thankfully, it’s a quiet road—only two trucks had to go around her. But when neighbors walked down with their dog, Bailey immediately popped up and happily followed them the entire block.

👷 Evening antics: That night, FM tried again, taking Bailey and Melissa on a walk. Five houses in, Bailey laid down and would not budge. After 15 minutes of coaxing, FM called out to four men nearby—and wouldn’t you know, Bailey jumped right up and proudly followed them home. This girl knows how to work a crowd—she is a total flirt!

🍽️ Eating is still hit or miss. Yesterday she did pretty well, today only half her food. But with more time to decompress, FM hopes her appetite (and willingness to walk in the intended direction) will improve.

One week in, Bailey has made it very clear—she does life on her terms. And honestly? We kind of love that about her. 💜

August 22, 2025

Bailey’s Test Results & New Discoveries

Bailey’s test results are in! 🩺 She’ll be starting thyroid medication tomorrow for her low thyroid, but otherwise, her urine and fecal tests were clear and the antibiotic she’s on should help with the cyst on her tail and her skin. All in all, we’re feeling really good about her road ahead!

Now for the fun part — what we’ve learned about Bailey in just a few days:

✨ She’s a guy’s girl. Bailey loves men and wants to greet any we pass on our short walks. We’re pretty sure her former owner was a man.

🚗 She’s a car enthusiast. Spot an open car door? Bailey’s ready to hop in and go — no invitation needed!

💪 She’s determined. Bailey insists on walking with the other dogs. She doesn’t go far, and when she’s had enough, she just plops down to rest before rallying again.

🥘 She’s a foodie… with opinions. Forget rotisserie chicken, hot dogs, peanut butter, broth, or cheese — Bailey says no thanks! What she will eat? Baby food and rice mixed with her kibble. The catch? She’s a super messy eater, scattering rice everywhere as she takes her sweet time. She also prefers dining off the floor or a plate instead of a bowl. We think she was probably used to sharing whatever her owner was eating. Right now, FM’s just happy she’s getting enough calories to keep her on track with her meds.

🌟 And the best part? Bailey is officially on Instagram! Follow her adventures at @bodacious_bailey_daily for your daily dose of this big, beautiful girl.

August 18, 2025

Day 3 – A Big Day at the Vet

FM loaded Bailey into the car this morning for a full veterinary workup. The vet confirmed she is indeed 8 years old, though her years of neglect and lack of exercise have sadly aged her more quickly. She tipped the scales at 119 pounds today — down from intake but only because she hasn’t been able to keep much food down. The vet assured us we’ll create a careful plan to get her safely back on track.

A lump near her ear was aspirated and sent for testing, and her ears were swabbed (no infection, but they’ll need regular cleanings). The vet also noted other lumps, including a cyst on her tail, that we’ll keep monitoring. Bailey even had a much-needed pedicure (nail trim) and blood drawn — she was a tough stick but such a trooper!

Because of her arthritis and the strain of excess weight, Bailey was given an injection to ease her sore joints. FM will continue these treatments twice a week for 8 weeks. She also came home with anti-nausea medication, which took some time to kick in. By early evening, she finally ate some rice and chicken — just enough to get her evening meds down.

Through it all, Bailey was the best girl at the vet. Everyone who met her fell in love with her sweet nature.

Since her appointment, Bailey has mostly been sleeping with only a few short potty trips outside. She’s tired, and understandably so — the past three days have been a whirlwind for this brave girl. We’re hopeful for a more peaceful night tonight and excited to see more of her personality shine through as she begins to feel better.

Now we wait for the results of her diagnostics — hopefully tomorrow we’ll know more about the lumps, her bloodwork, and what else this sweet girl needs so she can get back to feeling her best. 💛

August 17, 2025

Day 2 – Bailey’s First Full Day

Bailey’s first full day in foster care was still stressful for her little system. She did manage to take her morning meds, but unfortunately, she vomited them soon after. Around lunchtime, she nibbled some rice and broth, only to get sick again an hour later. Finally, at 6 p.m., she was able to keep down a meal of rice, broth, and a little kibble — a big win for our girl! She got her evening meds at 7, and the whole pack — FM, Bailey, and the two resident dogs — camped out together on the first floor for the night.

At midnight, FM heard Bailey moving toward the back door, and soon after she vomited again. Poor girl didn’t fully settle until around 2 a.m. By morning, Bailey wasn’t interested in breakfast or much of a walk, only a quick trip outside to pee.

It was clear she needed a thorough vet check to figure out what was going on.

August 16, 2025

Bailey’s Journey: Arrival & First Morning

Bailey had a hard time settling her first night. She didn’t sleep at all, and neither did my husband, who stayed downstairs with her to keep her company. This morning, while he finally caught up on some rest, the three resident dogs and I played calming music for Bailey as she relaxed in the cool AC.

She still hasn’t shown interest in food—she turned down scrambled eggs—but she did take her medications with butter. I do worry about an upset stomach without food, but she’s drinking plenty of water.

Today we have her first full vet appointment scheduled, where she’ll have bloodwork, urine, and a fecal test. We’re hoping for answers and a clear path forward.

Even with all she’s endured, Bailey remains such a sweet girl, already asking for belly rubs. To our surprise, she’s motivated to walk and even managed the back deck stairs on her own. The vet recommends a slow but steady weight-loss goal of about 2 pounds per week.

Please send bodacious Bailey all the Brookline mojo you can—this girl deserves every bit of love and support on her road to transformation.

August 16, 2025

Arrival & ER Visit

I drove to the shelter to pick up Bailey yesterday. I could not leave her there another night, knowing how uncomfortable and neglected she had been.

The car ride home (about 1.5 hours) was tough for her—she didn’t settle the entire time. But interestingly, when we later drove just 30 minutes to the animal hospital, she relaxed within 5 minutes, and on the way home she was completely calm. We expect that car rides will be a breeze for her moving forward.

Once we got to the shore, Bailey received a much-needed bath and several brushings to help remove her old undercoat. She seemed relieved and already looks more comfortable. She is smitten with her foster dad and loves to lean in close for affection.

Later that evening, we made an unexpected trip to the ER because Bailey had a large cyst on her tail that was weeping blood. The vet believes she likely bumped it, and since it’s on her tail, it’s difficult to keep wrapped. She was prescribed an antibiotic and carprofen to reduce the risk of infection and keep her comfortable.

The vet also noted several concerns: multiple lumps, a skin condition with patches of crustiness, cataracts (possibly linked to diabetes, given her age), and sagging elbows with fur loss—all connected to her severe obesity and neglect.