WHO GETS CUSTODY

The man had the very small ratty poodle/something dog by the scruff of the neck and was spraying her liberally with Raid Ant and Roach Killer. I was wearing Power Company ID so I chose my words carefully.

"Ah, do you think that is safe to do?"

"I don't know," he answered, " but she is absolutely covered in fleas and I didn't have the heart to just let her be."

"She is not your dog?" I asked knowing the answer.

"Naw," he replied releasing her to roll in the sand, sneezing. "Someone dropped her off and she has become a neighborhood dog. We all put food out for her."

I gave him my card and offered to take her, get her vet checked and find a permanent home for her. That is how I met Bailey.




These pictures are not mine nor of Bailey but accurate representations.

She was matted, wormy and anemic from so many fleas and hook worms, but for all her woes, was a sweet natured dog if quite unattractive. I had only had her a few days when two of my sponsors dropped in for a visit. I had known Bill and Mary since I had come to Okeechobee. They lived on and operated a really nice RV park on about 15 acres so they basically worked at home.

Bailey, in all her rattiness, was all over Bill and Mary as I told them her story. Mary really wanted Bailey the instant she saw her but Bill was adamant that they did not need another dog. They had a darling little aging terrier all ready. They drove off arguing but came back the next day. Mary was beaming and chatty while Bill glared in stony silence. Mary announced they wanted to adopt Bailey. I looked at Bill and though he nodded, he said nothing. He had lost this battle and was not amused. They again drove off, this time with Bailey on the seat between them.







First thing they did was get her groomed and my what a difference. It is often said that a good groomer can carve a show dog out of a pile of hair. Bailey was carved into a really cute apricot poodle. She remained toy size and totally won over Bill. M & B's children were grown so Bailey and the terrier Scamp, filled the empty nest. Several years passed and Scamp passed of old age. That left Bailey in total rule.

They started taking separate vacations just so that one of them would always be at home to care for the dog. Their whole lives revolved around that little dog. One day, Mary and I were having coffee at a local coffee house when she dropped a bomb. She told me that she and Bill were getting a divorce. I knew they squabbled but had no idea they were considering a split for they had been married 25 years. Then Mary teared up and said, " I don't know what we will do about Bailey." It seems neither would relinquish custody.

This was a job for King Solomon and I don't mean cutting the dog in half. I wish I could say that I came up with a brilliant solution but I was stumped. Eventually, they decided to live in separate homes on the property, eat together and work together but go to the separate homes at night, alternating Bailey every other night. They told me they were very careful not to argue in front of the dog. I have heard of parents staying together for the children but this was a first for me regarding a dog.

The odd thing is that when Bailey died at 14 , Bill and Mary were so used to the living arrangements that they continued exactly as they had when Bailey was alive. A peaceful coexistence. As far as I know, they are still kind of together, which has made their two legged kids very happy.

Bailey was a powerful source for peace. She taught them that if they wanted something bad enough, it would take compromise to keep it. Now if only our politicians and all those rival nations around the world could relax into such a simple solution. Dream on Patti.