By Samantha Kuhn
Payne resident Del Schwab and his dog Bailey do everything together following the passing of Schwab’s wife four years ago. Here, they’re making their daily morning trip to the Genesis House in Antwerp for coffee.
Del Schwab has had three horses and four other Irish setters in his lifetime, but none of them rival Bailey — a beauty with a rich red-brown coat from Akron, Ohio.
The 79-year-old Payne, Ohio, resident has lived quite the life. After spending three years in Germany with the U.S. Air Force, where his oldest daughter was born, Schwab never stopped moving. He traveled Europe, had two more children, and spent 35 years trail riding with horses through the Canadian Rockies, Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming, and Idaho (just to name a few).
After moving from Oklahoma onto Paulding Putnam Electric Cooperative lines in 1972, he retired in 2001 to enjoy his eight grandchildren and five great-grandkids. Motorcycle rides with his wife, Karen, were one of his many passions.
Four years ago, life swirled into a dark gray haze when Karen passed away. The loneliness was nearly unbearable. But Schwab still had Bailey, and slowly, a transition began taking place.
“Karen never wanted Bailey to ride in my motorcycle sidecar, but it turns out Bailey never needed any training,” Schwab recalls. “She was just a good girl and jumped right in. She’s never made a mess, and she always wears her safety goggles.”
Now, Schwab and Bailey can be found together every morning at their favorite coffee shop, Genesis House in Antwerp, where they come roaring in on motorcyle and sidecar — Bailey’s long, shaggy ears and tongue flapping in the wind — to their curbside spot, ready for a nonfat mocha with an extra shot of espresso.
“It’s a perfect day every day,” Schwab says. “Bailey is my life. I read a book and Bailey watches squirrels. The simple life is the life for us.”
The word “sweet” is an understatement when trying to describe the five-year-old tail-wagger Schwab calls his “best bud.” A morning with the duo is full of curious wet sniffs and patient stares through windows from Bailey, returned by moments of long, tender, and thoughtful admiration from Schwab.
Wanting to give back to the species that has given him so much joy, Schwab serves as vice president for Friends of the Paulding County Dog Kennel, where he considers himself their “gofer” by delivering dogs for spaying and neutering appointments.
“I don’t know if there’s anything particularly special about me,” Schwab said. “This story is about Bailey. We do the good we can. I think that’s why I’ve always gotten along well with animals. They can sense if you’re going to be kind.”
In a world that can often feel lonely, Schwab urges people to consider sharing their lives with animals. His advice?
“You really ought to get a dog. It makes a big difference. I don’t know what I’d do without Bailey.”
The Genesis House, 204 N. Main St. in Antwerp, is open Monday–Friday, 7 a.m.–5 p.m., and Saturdays from 8 a.m.–3 p.m. Named a 2018 “Diamond of NW Ohio” business, it sells Epic Organics products, soy candles, and books from local authors like George L. Forrest. Biscotti and muffins are available while sipping espresso drinks, frappes, and teas with decadent flavors like salted caramel English toffee and creme de menthe.
SAMANTHA KUHN is communications specialist at Paulding Putnam EC.
Do you love your pet? send us a photo!
This month, we are celebrating our animal companions by sharing photos and stories of how much they mean to us. Please send your pet photos and descriptions to skuhn@ppec.coop, and we’ll share them on social media. A video of Schwab and Bailey will also be posted online, so stay tuned for cuteness overload! Learn more by visiting our Facebook page or www.PPEC.coop.
