Saturday, June 27, 2009

… freckle love


Last week when I posted about Bailey & his new 'mystery' spots on his back . . . I never thought that this wasn't a secluded incident. . . but apparently . . . Bailey has quite a few newly freckled buddies!

I've received some e-mails from a few of you about how your dog has had the same thing happen to their fur & so I thought I'd do a Bailey post & let you see his 'fur journey' & what I've learned so far. . . (&, well, Bailey really likes it when I post about him . . .)

This is a little photo mosaic that I made showing how Bailey looked at 9 weeks & in the first few months that I had him (center & upper right) . . . then at 4 months - after his first haircut (lower right). . . & then what he has looked like in this past year - in his second year (upper & lower left). What a change, yes!?

With every haircut - his coat has progressively lightened, with now just a little of the black & brown on the inside part of his ears. Bailey's mommy is a white Bichon Frise, while his daddy is a black poodle. . . & Bailey also has the dark skin - from his poppa. . . so I thought that his coat was going to always be darker. . .

But pretty much every 6 months or so . . . it just kept getting lighter, & I kept seeing changes.


Here's a photo (one of my favorites!) of his very first bath . . . (look how little he is!!! When Dad's had was extended - it was as big as his body!)




. . . & here he is (such a big boy now!) - at his last bath - yesterday.



As you can see. . . quite a change. . . & his black & brown is pretty much gone. . . .

. . . except . . .

. . . for these!




Can you see all the brown that is appearing. . . & in the past month the amount of brown spots has grown from none to two smaller spots. . . & as you can see in this photo (especially when his fur is wet) - the brown patches are growing!

This past week, Bailey was due for a shot/vaccine, & so when we went to the vets, I took the opportunity & had him check the spots . . . just in case. They have never bothered Bailey - but I wanted to be sure.

When we arrived - the tech - who has known Bailey since he was a pup - noticed his spots right away & said that her dog (a poodle) that was the same age as Bailey (3 years) had also been getting some spots & she was baffled by it too! But, when Dr. Ivan came in & checked his out. . . he wasn't surprised at all (whew!) - & said that - given Bailey's coat transformations already - this was just a sign that he is maturing. . . (who?. . . my pup?), & that he might even get quite a few more!

So. . . we will see what the next six months bring!


Until then, Bailey will still enjoy his baths . . . well once he gets out of the sink part. . . He LOVES the 'after the sink part! - when he gets to wrestle with the towels & an old quilt . . .




Then, when he's pooped himself out, he snuggles in, under the hairdryer (really. . . this little guy just loves the hairdryer. . . )



. . . until he looks like this! (& hey! . . can you see the new brown fur around his nose & mouth?!)



Then after we're "all done" . . . (Very important words in the bath-time process. . . You don't dare say them too early!), it's time for a few spins (& blurry photos) on the kitchen floor because "someone" knows that "someone's" getting a treat. . .



. . . "someone" & his new & ever growing batch of 'freckles'!




So there you have it.!. . . One mystery solved!. . . & now the mystery of what this pupper will look like in another year!

Bailey & I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

xo, Bren


12 comments:

MahQuilter said...

Hi Bren, I am so glad Bailey is just fine. I know how worried you must have been. Looking forward to seeing you real soon and your next project for us to enjoy. Mah

Wacky Woman said...

Hi,
I also have a Poochon, half poodle and half bichon. My Gracie is a rescue and had been abused. She, however, is an albino with pink nose, eyes, lips, and skin. I love her to bits.
Marilyn - in Long Beach, CA

pdudgeon said...

loved seeing all the photos of bailey,how he's grown and changed.
he looks so sweet!

Elizabeth said...

Awww...that in-the-sink shot is too cute!

Vicky said...

What a total cutie! I love the after-bath shenanigans!

Nadine said...

Bailey's waaaaaaaaaay too cute! I noticed you were reading Francine Rivers....have you also read her Mark of the Lion Series? It's my all time favorite epoch.
Nadine

Samantha said...

Oh he is just too too cute! I am just in love with his "puppy bath time" photo! Too bad they don't stay babies forever! (furry children, you know...)

SewAmy said...

Bailey is so sweet. I am a huge dog lover. Love your photos of your baby.

Sandy said...

What a little sweetie!
Mystery spots solved, but always changing...how neat!

Karen said...

Bailey looks exactly like our Mickey .. he was a found dog .. the vet said he believed he was bichon frise and poodle mix as well .. it is like looking at our own dog .. so adorable and I sure very, very friendly ... Karen CA

Red Geranium Cottage said...

Bailey is adorable!! I love the hairdryer photo. And the first one in the sink. lolol

Lynn S said...

I have returned several times to look at sweek Bailey. The pictures are adorable. Give the pup a hug for me too!