March 25, 2022

Bailey is my Protector. In her usual quiet way she puts herself between myself and anything she deems might harm me. No fuss, no drama, she is just where she needs to be.

I do not know where the notion began that the best way to "claim" me is to stand as close to me as possible, but it has become a "thing" with the White Dog Army. Every pup from Zsofia to Diva maneuvers for positions against my side or back. When those coveted spots are taken, there are my shins to lean against. And when that somehow does not seem close enough, there is standing on the top of my foot.

I go barefoot through the day so when Lilly decides to place her paw on my right foot and lean her 65 pounds onto it, I yelp in pain. When Opal goes from sitting at my side to standing in front of me, it is by jumping on my little toe and dancing around to find a foothold that does not cause me to wince. 

It is generally about then that Bailey calmly shoulders her way past the others, carefully placing her feet, and settles her belly across my toesies forming a Bailey Barrier to shield me. She looks up to make sure she is in my comfort zone. 

Displaced, the others take up less bruising posts to await treats or attention.