Sentence:  [...] to discover they have <WSD>bedogged</WSD> us and were there, at our backs, all along. When catching hold of us again, which is really our re-registering of their vigilance, these contrarians are up and at the bullying they excel in. 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  to refer to or treat like a dog;  to follow like a dog, harass, torment; bully