Baily – Two Times the Love
Bonita Springs – Baily is one lucky dog. Not only does he have a caring owner in Laura Pascal of Bonita Springs, but he is the beloved pet of two families. Laura received Baily, an eight-week old puppy, as a gift; but Laura’s working hours as an association manager left her little time to enjoy her new companion. Baily, a Maltese and poodle mix, thrives on love and attention.
What started as a favor from her parents, Susan and Charles Aufdehaar, also of Bonita Springs, became four wonderful years to date of sharing Baily. Just as many parents pack their children off to school or babysitters as they leave for work at 7:00 in the morning, Laura takes Baily to the Aufdehaars every weekday and picks him up at 5:30 to go to his other home. This may be a new solution for working owners – sharing their pet with retirees.
“When Baily bounds through the door he brings unbridled enthusiasm,” said Charles Aufdehaar, “and he doesn’t come just for play but definitely has a job he feels serious about – to protect us from any threat that he sees coming including the door bell, strange people, other dogs, and for some reason he barks at the Progressive Insurance sales girl on television.”
Sharing a pet has many advantages for both families and their pet. Aufdehaar’s have their evenings and weekends without the responsibility of dog care while their days are full of the joy delivered by their loving companion on shopping trips, walks, carefree days at the beach and general activities that they love sharing with Baily.
When Laura is home after a long day’s work, she and Baily enjoy each other. Weekends are their time for play activity. When the family gets together, Baily has no loyalty issues; he simply basks in the attention!
The American Kennel Club describes the Maltipoo, Moodle, or Malt-A-Poo, the Maltese Poodle hybrid as a “designer dog” cross between a Maltese and a Toy Poodle.
It is highly intelligent, sheds very little, and stands approximately 10 to 14 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown. It weighs anywhere from 2 to 12 pounds, coming in a wide variety of colors. Maltipoos are spunky, active dogs who love people. They are also loyal, affectionate, playful and energetic.
In general, Maltipoos are good with children and the elderly due to their friendly nature. They are often used as therapy dogs in nursing homes or hospitals to interact with patients. Maltipoos also tend to be good with dogs and other pets (provided that they have been socialized with these other animals).
“There are life lessons that we are learning from Baily,” said Aufdehaar. “He greets each day positively not looking for problems.
He lives “one day at a time” and “in the moment” not worrying too much about the past and probably not at all about the future. He doesn’t have an agenda and doesn’t gossip. He is just there to love and be loved by us. And when he gets tired he clunks down and goes to sleep without stress, without sleep aids, without thinking of any future problems. Isn’t that a nice way to live?”
Category: Dog of the Month
