Happy Fourth of July to everyone! Today is the day we Americans celebrate the birth of our great nation (and, yes, despite the economy, you have to admit, it IS a GREAT nation)!

But here at our house, the Fourth of July has a more sentimental value -- today is the day we celebrate the birthday of our beloved Bailey Lee -- a Yankee Doodle Doggie!

Bailey was born on July 4, 2004, and we rescued her eight weeks later. We were still grieving the death of our first Bichon Frise, Buffy, also a rescue, who died suddenly July 22 off acute liver failure (at the age of only 4). I was devastated. My parents bought Bailey for me, hoping that a new pup would be just what I needed to get on with life.

We noticed the constant scratching immediately. Bailey had little scabs all over her body from her razor sharp nails. So we bought baby undershirts for her to wear to prevent any more wounds.

At her first checkup at the vet, she was diagnosed with a severe case of mange. Our vet was appalled that this 8-week-old pup was suffering from a disease that, left untreated, could kill her. Most of the hair on her tail had fallen out after a week, yet this poor little girl was still full of happiness and love.

Because she was so young, a "lyme dip" was prescribed once a week for six weeks. This consisted of mixing the foul-smelling lyme (think sulfur) with a gallon of water and pouring it over the puppy. Then placing the pup in her crate until she dried because the lyme will stain everything it touches (clothes, jewelry, anything metal, etc.). Easier said than done. So the first time we did it, we looked like we were going into the O.R. for surgery (gloves, hair nets, scrubs, etc.). While the actually "dipping" didn't bother her, Bailey did not like being locked in her crate at all and cried the whole time.

After that first time, we would bundle her in a towel and hold her till she dried.

After many weeks, the mange cleared up, but not before the whole family caught it. Yes, although we were told it was not contageous to humans, we all started getting little red bumps under our skin and itched. I had to (bravely) go to the doctor and get a prescription for a cream that wasn't easy to find. Wal-mart had to special order it in the quantity we needed (for 4 adults), and we spent a "stinky" weekend together. You see, once we showered and applied the cream, we were not allowed to shower again for 48 hours! Oh, and I forgot to mention, that our other dogs (our Maltese Oscar and my mom's Maltese Kacie) had to be treated as well because they had been in contact with Bailey. But at least, since they were older, they could take an oral treatment, we didn't have to dip them.

I remember thinking thru all this, what is this dog going to look like ... well not to worry, Bailey turned out just fine -- and, if I can say so, absolutely beautiful! We cherish our girl. She is the the best guard dog. No one gets to close to our house without setting off Bailey's "alarm." And she is also the sweetest little lady. After all we went thru together, I think we needed Bailey (to mend our broken hearts) more than she needed us. I wouldn't trade her for anything.

And I don't think her "little sis" Lexie would either ... So Happy Birthday Bailey, and I hope you have many, many more!!