Bailey moving up from runaway dog to canine influencer, El Paso owner says

Maria Cortes Gonzalez, El Paso Times
·2 min read
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El Paso jiu-jitsu instructor Micah Baier sits next to the dog he has lost, Bailey, on Wednesday, Feb 15, 2023, at Gracie Barra Jiu-Jitsu in West El Paso. The dog found its way back to the shelter three days later.
El Paso jiu-jitsu instructor Micah Baier sits next to the dog he has lost, Bailey, on Wednesday, Feb 15, 2023, at Gracie Barra Jiu-Jitsu in West El Paso. The dog found its way back to the shelter three days later.

Bailey is going from former shelter dog turned runaway to canine influencer, according to her El Paso owner, Micah Baier.

Bailey, a shepherd-husky mix, got some media attention recently for unintentionally getting away from Baier on Jan. 29 and showing up three days later at her former residence, the Animal Rescue League of El Paso in Canutillo. The 3-year-old dog had lived most of her life at the shelter.

More:Bailey the dog was lost in El Paso. Then she found her old shelter and rang the bell.

Baier, a jiujitsu instructor at Gracie Barra Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Martial Arts, has since reunited with Bailey and has big plans for his two rescue dogs, Bailey and Bill.

El Paso jiujitsu instructor Micah Baier sits with the former runaway Bailey (dark brown) and his other dog, Bill, on Wednesday at Gracie Barra Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Martial Arts in West El Paso. Baier hopes to make his dogs social media stars. Bailey found her way back to the Animal Rescue League of El Paso in Canutillo three days after running away near Sunland Park, New Mexico, on Jan. 29.

Baier, 29, said Bailey got away when he was trying to put a harness on her and she got scared and took off. He chased her for about half an hour to no avail. He was near Sunland Park, New Mexico, when he lost her and contacted the rescue shelter.

"Bailey can really run, one of the fastest dogs I've ever seen. My dog's quads are more impressive than Mr. Olympiad's," Baier said. "She's a muscular powerhouse."

Baier said he has big social media plans for his dogs, who he thinks can be poster dogs of what shelter dogs can become and promote the Animal Rescue League.

El Paso jiujitsu instructor Micah Baier sits with the former runaway Bailey (dark brown) and his other dog, Bill, on Wednesday at Gracie Barra Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Martial Arts in West El Paso. He is outfitting a van to live in so he and the dogs can take to the road. Bailey found her way back to the Animal Rescue League of El Paso in Canutillo three days after running away near Sunland Park, New Mexico, on Jan. 29.

"We're going to try to make a difference for shelter animals with some celebrity and raise money at some point," he said.

Fi Smart Dog Collar also sent him a trackable collar for Bailey with a free six-month subscription.

He plans to document their travels on their Instagram page, www.instagram.com/billnbailey_exellentadventures.

El Paso jiujitsu instructor Micah Baier sits with the former runaway Bailey (dark brown) and his other dog, Bill, on Wednesday at Gracie Barra Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Martial Arts in West El Paso. Bailey found her way back to the Animal Rescue League of El Paso in Canutillo three days after running away near Sunland Park, New Mexico, on Jan. 29.
El Paso jiujitsu instructor Micah Baier sits with the former runaway Bailey (dark brown) and his other dog, Bill, on Wednesday at Gracie Barra Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Martial Arts in West El Paso. Bailey found her way back to the Animal Rescue League of El Paso in Canutillo three days after running away near Sunland Park, New Mexico, on Jan. 29.

"We're van lifers. We are in the process of setting up the van so we can do cross-country tours. I want my dogs to see everything," he said.

More:Guau-guau! Doggie apparel gets folkloric on border with sarapes, guayaberas and dresses

María Cortés González, whose family recently adopted a rescue named Lucy, may be reached at 915-546-6150, mcortes@elpasotimes.com and @EPTMaria on Twitter.

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Rescue dog Bailey goes from runaway dog to social media influencer