We are saddened to report that Bailey Clement, the original grief therapy dog of the Long Funeral Home in Camden, died on June 7, 2020, just several months before his 16th birthday. In recent years, he had been dependent on insulin, eating a special diet, yet never missed a day at work.
In August of 2005, Bailey was transported from Arkansas to Portland through the rescue of Dogs Deserve Better. He was adopted by Bill and Julie Clement of Rockport and became the companion of their year old yellow lab Maggie who needed a playmate.
In typical miniature schnauzer manner, Bailey was overjoyed with the many mice, chipmunks and red squirrels in his new neighborhood. After the backyard was fenced in, he enjoyed his protected space learning the art of excavating from Maggie digging multiple holes in search of chipmunks and mice.
One morning at the funeral home Bailey turned up missing. After searching the neighborhood, he was discovered in the kitchen at the Windward House B & B. Evidently he smelled bacon being cooked for breakfast that day leading him to the B & B.
A strong desire to eat people food, Bailey had athletic ability to reach great heights in order to access food. He was discovered one day with his entire head in a large soup kettle on the table at work. He looked up at us with orange colored whiskers then dropped his head back into the kettle. No shame whatsoever! Especially fond of carbs, one day he managed to stretch reaching the kitchen counter and eating the heels off several loaves of freshly baked banana bread at home. A tall task for a little schnauzer boy!
Bailey enjoyed many fun times at the family camp on Washington Pond where he endured baths in the lake and an occasional shampoo in the lake. Having only a short stubby tail and a very round mid-section, he did not float well in the water but tolerated the water.
His keen ability to know when his services were needed at the funeral home was amazing. Bailey would join many funeral arrangement meetings knowing just when to make an appearance, roll onto his back and expect a belly rub in return. He calmly approached people providing an important level of comfort to the public and to his family. In addition, he was intuitively keyed to his mother, Julie, knowing her every mood and responding appropriately with his playfulness or undivided attention.
Bailey will be greatly missed by all who knew him and is now playing with Maggie over the rainbow bridge.