That’s a terrible thing to say about this great dog.

This is Bailey. She looks deceptive. My first view of her was when Mary brought her along with the usual three dogs (Cargo, Cooper, and Gracie).

I saw Bailey head on from about ten feet away. I thought she was a slender-framed puppy about a year old.

She’s a thirteen-year-old Labradoodle. She probably weighs a solid sixty pounds. My experience with Labs has been they are more solid looking (some are downright overweight.) Bailey is in perfect condition and great shape.

This rear view of Bailey gives you a fairer comparison of her actual size compared to Cooper, Chris, and Bernie (getting a pet from Mary.)

I know it is Cooper and not Cargo on the outside of the group because young Cargo is very possessive of Mary and would not let Bernie get that close to Mary. Cargo is ranging somewhere ahead.

Bailey is a mix of Labrador and standard poodle. In this case, she has the poodle’s fairly tight curly coat.

It is a tossup. Both Labs and Retrievers are extremely popular for their wonderful dispositions and intelligence. You can’t beat them as family pets.

They are a kid’s favorite plaything. Youngers pull on their ears, put their hands in the dog’s mouth, jump on them and otherwise abuse the heck out of them.

And the dog lays there and takes it. These breeds are very protective and loyal. However, they are not perfect. They shed like crazy. <sigh>

That’s one reason why the ‘doodle’ was chosen. Poodle doesn’t shed. The real reason, though, the Poodle is one of many hypoallergenic dog breeds. They are suitable for those who are mildly or moderately allergic to dogs.

Mary is a full-time dog sitter. Because owners are away on a cruise, Mary will stay in owner’s home. While Bailey’s owner is out of town, Nancy’s husband keeps Bailey in their own home.

When I was in the hospital with my leg wound for almost a month, my next-door neighbors took care of Bernie and Chris. They fed and exercised them.

My dog door and tiny fenced back area allowed both dogs freedom for their bathroom tasks. This wonderful arrangement took all my dog ownership worry off my mind.

Thursday involves a Dog Therapy visit to a nursing facility. This facility caters to wheelchair clients. A large room allows clients a lot of freedom to visit Bernie and Chris. Both dogs are free to roam and are large enough for people to reach down and pet them.

 About one o’clock, November 9, 2017.