Bailey James Brown

Bailey James Brown

4/28/08-9/26/22

Bailey was born into a life of esteemed service, first as a Guide Dog for the blind and then as a Therapy Dog at the Syracuse VA Medical Center. He served twice as a Guide Dog and then was medically retired for adult-onset food allergies. As a Therapy Dog, his head and tail would pop up with pride as I put his service vest on him as he was always eager and proud to work.

He made his own connections and relationships with people. He enjoyed so many that passed through his life, his Puppy Raiser family, relatives, neighbors (always a big fan of all fire pit events) and Grandpa’s caregivers to name a few. He went on to form strong relationships with staff and volunteers at the Syracuse VA. He would always let volunteers “teach” him something that he feigned not to know for which extra snacks (carrots) were surely guaranteed. I remember when we came into the VA one day and a veteran stopped us on the ramp saying, “That dog saved my life!”. I’ve always been the proud human at the end of his leash.

He was a great communicator and had incredible patience until you “got it”. He excelled at letting you know when he was due for a snack and enjoyed cooking. He was quite the opportunist in the kitchen. Due to his allergies, carrots were his staple, but his true love was French Fries. Peanut butter made for a lovely dip to accompany any snack and for him had a kryptonite quality. He was the kind of dog who had to smother you daily with kisses until he was done. Domenick, his protégé, had such a patient mentor. Bailey “B”, my love, I will miss you beyond what is expressible.

Donations in Bailey’s name can be made to:

The Guide Dog Foundation: Bailey 6023

https://www.guidedog.org/GD/gd/GDF_DonateNow.aspx

Syracuse VA Medical Center

Recreation Therapy Department

800 Irving Ave.

Syracuse, NY 13210

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