b'A Dogs PurposeJust Be Here Now, AndLick The Ones You LoveBy Anna CookePhotography by Laura Allen StudiosTheunexpecteddinnerguestwaskindof frozenicecreamtreat,madeonlyoffreshhomeless. Soon after arriving, right in front of yogurt, honey, peanut butter and banana. everyone, she tried to steal a piece of cake. Im not an overly-protective dog momThen, she jumped on the lap of one of the (kinda),butIalwayschecktheingredientsotherguestsandfartedonhim.Veronica beforefeedinganythingtoBailey,saidAlfaro Sanchez fell in love. Veronica.Lestyouthinkshegravitatestowards Baileyhashadchronicandsevereskincolorfulcharacters(shedoes),inVeronicas issues since she was very young. They tried alldefense, she said of this particular character, sorts of diets for her, which didnt work. ThenWell, she was very much in her puppy stage they began treating Baileys symptoms withat the time. That was almost 11 years ago. medications, which she would be on for theWearesoblessedthatBaileystillhasa rest of her life. I wanted to avoid the obviousstrong personality, said Veronica.long-term side effects of the meds and decidedBefore Veronica met Eduardo, the man toreallyresearchfood,saidVeronica.she would marry, she had been seeing some- We began with an elimination diet. Nothingonewhononchalantlycommentedonher seemedtowork.Finally,Iendedupjusthaving a dog. He said of Bailey, Oh, you cookingherfoodandmixingitwithhave a dog. Cool. and I said, What do you HonestKitchen.Success!Noallergies,nomean, cool? I knew, eh, this isnt going to ear infections.work out, laughed Veronica. Bailey, who has the sweetest most calmThings were different between Bailey and demeanor,becameacertifiedtherapydogEduardo. They instantly liked one another, with Project PUP in 2020, just before thesaid Veronica. Now shes even more excited pandemic. Unfortunately, they havent had ato see Eddie than me! Im the mean mommie lotofopportunitiestodotheirvolunteerand Eddie is the fun dad. therapy work. However, from time to time,Oneoftheirfavoriteplacestovisitis Veronica will bring Bailey along during herLowes. Its like her second home, Veronica Meals On Wheels volunteer work.said. We let her sniff everything and love the There is someone on my route who hadjoy she brings to other people when they meet to give up her two dogs and she misses themher. Another of their fun places to visit is terribly. Bailey gives this person her dog fix. ITheLoopBrewery inLandOLakesand bring carrot sticks for Baileys treats so she canUlele in Tampas Seminole Heights neighbor- feedher.JusttoseethegentlewayBaileyhood.Thecouplerecentlydiscoveredthe interacts with this person is something veryUlelemenuincludesahomemadedoggie special, said Veronica. gContinued on next page36 THE NEW BARKER'