A Popular Girl

Several of my dogs have a favorite toy. Fudge has a leopard, Sky has a turtle, Lola has a bunny and Sebastian has a duck, but Bailey has a whole group of friends and she has one with her most of the time.

You all know Old Monkey. He was Bailey's first love and though he's in retirement now, he still sleeps in her crate with her every night. He was a naughty monkey when he was younger and that may be why he was destuffed, as punishment.

Now New Monkey is in Bailey's life and gets to go outside to play on a regular basis. Although he's one of Bailey's favorites, he'll ever really replace Old Monkey in her heart.

The new special friend that goes with Bailey most often is Bear. It's a shame that he's light pink because it means that he gets frequent baths, but while he's drying, bailey has lots of other friends to keep her company.

There is Duck, who often goes outside when Bailey wants to run with her sisters. He's quite compact without long legs hanging to trip over.

When Duck isn't available, Bird usually is. Bird is becoming more popular lately for some reason that only Bailey understands.

You have all heard of Flat Stanley. Well, this is Flat Puppy. He used to be a more normal looking puppy until one night last winter instead of sleeping, Bailey destuffed Puppy. It's OK though because she still loves him and often carries him around.

Another friend that is just starting to make trips outside to play is Big Ted. Big Ted is a little heavier that the other friends and only goes out when Bailey feels like lying under a tree. He's much too big to run around the yard with him in her mouth.

Bailey also has a fish that always stays in her crate. I don't know why he doesn't go out to play , that's Bailey's decision. I would have called this creature Fish or Charlie, but she came with a name embroidered on her tail. Her name is Ethel.

Bailey likes to have her friends in her crate with her when she sleeps. If we forget to toss at least one or two in, she'll bark till we bring them. When Tsar was with us, he sometimes would babysit Bailey's toys. She'd put them close to him as he sat on the hill and he'd watch them till she came back for them. Once or twice he beat Monkey up, but never when Bailey was watching.

Yesterday Sebastian encountered the wrath of Bailey. She had settled Bear under a tree and walked away to see what Norma Jean was doing. Sebastian, seeing Bear on his own, decided to pick him up and play with him. Unfortunately, Bailey saw this and came flying at him snarling and snapping to defend her friend. Norma Jean was right behind her and both girls pitched into poor unsuspecting Sebastian. He quickly dropped Bear and came running to me. Bailey grabbed Bear and carried him inside, still very annoyed with Sebastian. I feel sure he won't make that mistake again.