Author Archives: Sherri Maddick

Happy Birthday Bailey

20 Friday Jun 2025

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June 20, 2008, is the day I walked into Angels for Animals looking for you after searching around on their site. There you were in your cage, so happy someone would come visit you and take you for a walk outside. You were 7 years old and had been returned twice. Why that was, I can never imagine. I took you for a short walk outside, and I think it took only 1 second to fall in love with you, my first dog with the biggest brown eyes in the world. Happy eyes. I walked back in and said that I wanted to adopt you. They literally said, “You want to adopt Bailey?” They were seemingly in shock and went and got some papers for me to fill out, and they said they would have to make a phone call to someone to let them know. They called Maryann, whose desk you used to sit under, and as I was writing the check for your adoption fee, they told me that Maryann said that I had better be good to you or she was going to come after me. I remember telling them to assure her that you would have the most amazing life with us! And you did. I miss you every single day, my darling daughter. Your leash is always in the car, so you are always with me. Your pictures are everywhere, and we have our book, Letters To Each Other, which we wrote together and published. I know you were there for Joy when she came over the Bridge on April 2nd. Thank you for being there, I knew you would. I got the sign you sent, and I guess you both decided awfully quick that Shadow would be the next one to rescue.

I just wanted to tell you that I was thinking about you and wanted to wish you a Happy Birthday up in Hyfryd. Yes, I know you are still the friendly Mayor and watch over everyone. I chose these pictures of you to illustrate your beautiful transformation. I have thousands of pics, but the first one is the day I adopted you. The second is when your fur started to grow back in, and the last one is simply you in all your beautifulness. We never had enough time together, but your years with me were your best, you said. I am glad I could make them shine for you and even though we are not on planet Earth together right now, I will be with you and Joy, Tarzie, Cheetah, Jane, Safari, Freedom, Sabie, Shauna and all the rest some day and again, thanks for taking care of everything up there for me. I hope that you got to eat a lot of sweet treats today. I am thinking of you today on your Birthday as I do every single day. Love, your mama.

Such a Big Tree Now…

29 Thursday Aug 2024

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Dearest Bailey,

While I talk to you every day in my head, when I visit your tree at Buhl Park, I know you are there with Joy and me. I am so amazed at how large it has become, which just tells me that so many years have passed since you have been gone and as we know, time does not stand still. Your branches, once young and small are so large and sturdy. It’s funny how that enclosed dog play area wasn’t even there when it was planted, yet now you have the best real estate in the park to watch the doggies run and play in whatever weather comes their way. It’s been so hot lately, that not too many have taken advantage of it, especially because there are no trees in the space for shade! I miss you every single day and think about you as I speak your name in my prayers daily. I know you are in beautiful Hyfryd taking care of Sabie, Safari, Tarzan, Cheetah, Freedom, Lucky, Jane, Winky, Barkley, Angel, and ZoeZo. Your pictures are always around me and Joy continues, as now age 15, to be the true Joy in my life and I still believe you sent her to me. She is getting older, as am I, but we live life with all the same love you and I did. And you would love little Ava, a Bobtail mix rescue kitty, who I am madly in love with and is so sweet to Joy, grooming her and kissing us. Here is a picture of her and a recent picture of Joy too. No one believes that she is 15! Oh and another thing! After 13 years, I finally did a DNA test and she is 93 percent an Aussie and only 7 per Border collie. And here I was thinking the opposite, but you know me, I couldn’t care less because she is 100 percent Joy! So I just wanted to update you. I love you so very much. Always and Forever your Mommy. xxoo

Fall Reminds Me…

21 Saturday Oct 2023

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Dear Bailey,

I was at your tree today by myself after I got my flu shot. It was drizzling and 52 but your tree, as always, looked so beautiful against the moody sky of today’s fall day. I took several pictures to show you. I always miss you, but Fall was your favorite, just like it is mine. Joy has not been able to enjoy it as much since her bout of pneumonia. I cannot take her out in damp cold weather because I don’t want her relapsing. Florida is calling and soon she will be back in her sunshine hopefully it won’t be too hot for her as she does not like it hot and humid either. Who does that remind you of? We all know if I was a dog I would have been one of your pack for sure. Our personalities are identical. This is how your tree looks today, October 21, 2023. In a couple of weeks, I am sure all the Red Maple leaves will be gone. It’s supposed to get warm next week and I will try to get Joy over to visit, but the ticks are horrible this year, so I have been careful as we have already had a few incidents! I hope you are taking taking of all our babies in beautiful Hyfryd. You, Safari, Sabie, Tarzan, Cheetah, Freedom, and all the others are never out of my thoughts but I am happy that you are watching over everyone. I am sending you love, hugs, and kisses today and every day. I received notice the other day that someone bought our book. Do you know people buy our book from all over the world? That always makes me happy and I hope it helps others. I love and miss you my sweet Bailey girl. Love, Mommy.

Missing My Bailey

07 Wednesday Dec 2022

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Dear Bailey,

I always miss you, but especially around the holidays because you loved Christmas so much, just like Joy does. I always think of you because there are beautiful pictures of your everywhere and I feel your presence always. I hope you are having fun in Hyfryd and think of me as often as I think of you. When we left your Red Maple tree had shed all its leaves for winter and went to sleep, but I know when I return in the Spring, it will be sprouting all the fresh new leaves that it proudly bears in the warmer months of Summer. Red was your color and Christmas features so much red that I see you everywhere.

I just wanted to tell you that I love you, miss you and tell you that you are here with us in spirit at Christmas and always.

Love always and 4ever,

Mommy

A Poem From You to Me

22 Saturday May 2021

Posted by in adopting dogs, dogs, Dogs named Bailey, loving dogs, rescue dogs, talking dogs, Uncategorized, Working Dogs

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Dear Mommy,

I am finally writing you back. I saw that you posted that cool picture of me from 10 (count em, 10!) years ago. I often think where does all the time go? Hard to imagine that I found Joy for you 9 years ago, after I left to come here to Hyfryd, over the Rainbow Bridge.

So as I was doing some Spring cleaning, I found one of the many beautiful poem you wrote for me. Now I have it hanging up. I think you will remember it. I just wanted to say you are here with me everyday in my heart and soul and I am with you. I see that you saw our tree at Buhl Park the other day right after you returned. I just wanted to you to recall this poem and say how much I think about you and Joy. Sabie sure is a character! Also, Safari, Tarzie, Cheetah, Freedom and all your babies are here in Hyfryd with me having fun and playing together. They send their love and kisses too. xxoo, Love you, Bailey

PS: I really love this poem xx

My Tree is so pretty!

Baileys Everywhere

05 Friday Feb 2021

Posted by in adopting a new dog, adopting dogs, amazon.com, animal companions, animal families, birds, dog kisses, Dog walking, dog/human relationships, dogs, Dogs named Bailey, faith, letters, missing your dog, The Rainbow Bridge, Uncategorized, Working Dogs

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Dear Bailey,

We must try to keep up with our letters! We have been been bad, although we talk and talk, don’t we? In the park, at the sky and the moon. There is currently a commercial on lately with a dog that reminds me of you. I see “Baileys” everywhere.

Your loving sister Joy says woof/hello. Today I have to take in Sabie for his echo on his little heart. Yes, he is still a little biter and yes, I have tried and tried, it’s just who he is, though he has gotten better but he is only 5, coming up on 6 in the summer. Here are some current pics for you.

How are things up in Hyfryd? We have this crazy thing called a pandemic all over the world. It’s a very bad virus that is highly contagious and because of that we cannot travel. Someday, we will be able to do that again and it is my goal to get to Wales especially Aberystwyth which is on the ocean. Border Collies descend from there as you well know, and I would like to visit some while there and see them herding on the vast farms that are there. Joy just herds Sabie all over the places. She likes to herd ducks in Pennsylvania and birds no matter where we are. And she now barks constantly at the postwoman and all delivery trucks. Yes, we are still snowbirds ourselves. I want to hear more about how you are doing and please let me know about all my other kids, especially Tarzan Cheetah, Jane, Freedom and Lucky. I thank you for taking care of them over the Rainbow Bridge.

Well, you write me back as soon as possible and I will watch for your letter. Recently a few people bought our book, I get notices from Amazon each time someone does. It’s nice to know because I feel our book helps people!

I love and miss you my Sweet Bailey and just like when you and I walked the planet together, everywhere I go without fail, someone tells me what a beautiful girl Joy is, which always reminds me that the same comments were always made with you as well. I know you are with us on every walk in every motion in every micro atom in which we exist. xoxoox, Mommy

Happy Birthday Bailey

20 Wednesday Jun 2018

Posted by in adopting a new dog, adopting dogs, animal companions, animal families, birthday kisses, Birthdays, border collies, dog adoption., dog kisses, dog/human relationships, dogs, Dogs named Bailey, joy, love, loving dogs, loving life, parks, rainbow bridge, rememberence, rescue dogs, Senior Dogs, spirituality, trees, Uncategorized

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Dear Bailey,

Today is your 15th Birthday, How much do I wish you would have lived past age 10? There is not a day that goes by when Joy and I don’t talk about you. Here we are a few days ago visiting your dedicated tree in Buhl Park. We could not go today due to the rain, but we will get there tomorrow, it’s supposed to be a nice day. How you loved Buhl Park! Look at you sitting like the beauty you always were. I love you so very much and I know part of you is inside of Joy.

I sometimes wonder what it would have been like to have both you and Joy together, what a fun pairing that would have been.  Joy would have loved you and you would have loved her too. I do not know what it is about you Border Collies but it is special. I actually cannot imagine not sharing life without that energy that surrounds me. I still feel yours and Joy has enough for 10 BC’s.

I wanted to wish you a Happy Birthday and hope all is well in beautiful Hyfryd and that you are taking care of Safari, Tarzan, Cheetah, Jane, Freedom, Luck, Angel, and all the rest of our friends. You owe me a letter and I suspect I will get one this week. It’s been much too long since our last letters and I know you are thinking, okay Mom, I will write to you this week! I love you beautiful and always will. Someone just bought a copy of our book the other day. I hope that they enjoy it. You have fun today little lady. I love you so much and always will. Love, Mommy xxoo

The Color of Bailey

06 Monday Nov 2017

Posted by in animal companions, animal families, border collies, cats, Christmas, dog/human relationships, Dogs named Bailey, faith, Fall, Journaling, joy, love, loving dogs, loving life, missing your dog, nature, parks, rescue dogs, Senior Dogs, spirituality, Starbucks, The Rainbow Bridge, Working Dogs

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Screen Shot 2017-11-06 at 10.19.12 AM.png

Dear Mommy,

I know you keep visiting our tree and I keep telling you that I would write to you but I haven’t and I feel badly, so I wanted to take some time to do that this morning!

I just am always so busy with taking care of everyone and working here in Hyfryd. I have messages from Safari, Cheetah, Tarzan and Freedom! They all have been bugging me to write to you so they could relay how much they love and miss you. Of course I do too but I have all this responsibilities being the Mom here. Basically I am you up here. There is always so much to do. They are all doing great and I am too.

Can you believe how big our tree has grown at Buhl Park? Wow! It looks so pretty in the Fall with the beautiful red leaves (my favorite color) but when they start to fall off it looks so skinny doesn’t it? I think they tree’s growth shows us how time moves right past us with such subtly. Do you notice how I make the wind blow every day when you come visit? I know you plan on coming today in the rain after your appointment and I cannot wait to see you. I feel you when you kiss the leaves too. I like watching the dogs in the doggie park. Only you could have picked the perfect spot for the tree! Remember when there was no dog park? Now it’s even more joyful!

Hyfryd is getting ready for Christmas too. Yours truly is in charge of all the decorations in our section of town. Oh! I forgot to tell you the best news! How could I forget? Three months ago I opened two businesses. Well, of course everything here in Hyfryd is free. Remember how I used to knock over your Starbucks so I could get a taste of coffee? I know I was not supposed to do that but I just could not help myself sometimes! Anyway I opened Bailey’s Pup Cup Coffee Cafe! That was another reason I was so busy. Of course we can drink or eat anything here without getting sick – that is one really cool thing that everyone LOVES! We don’t have to be worried about fat-free, grain-free or anything. We are really free to enjoy everything! And right next door is the Kit Kat Kitchen, which of course is headed up by Tarzan and Safari and Cheetah and Freedom work with the customers! All our food and drinks are so yummy! The Hyfryd News rated both places 10 starts out of 10!

So all is well up here Mommy. I have pictures of everyone in our family on the walls of both places, including these favorites of yours but I think we have about 10,000 pictures!Screen Shot 2016-12-09 at 4.02.46 PM.png

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I love you Mommy! I miss you every second of every day and you know a little of me is inside Joy – you know that and feel it every time she rolls around our tree in the park the second you arrive. I am there too, right next to you, smiling. Give Joy and Sabie a kiss for me. Safari told me to tell you to tell Sabie quit the biting. I know, you told him too 1000 times, I think he is improving, but he is still a baby. Keep working on him says Safari.

I promise to write more often and you do the same! I am sending you a million hugs and kisses from me and the kitty crew.

All My Love,

Bailey Girl

The Joy Beneath Your Tree

02 Saturday Sep 2017

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Source: The Joy Beneath Your Tree

The Joy Beneath Your Tree

01 Friday Sep 2017

Posted by in adopting a new dog, adopting dogs, border collies, coincidence, death, dog/human relationships, dogs, missing your dog, rescue dogs, Senior Dogs, spirituality, The Rainbow Bridge, Uncategorized

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Screen Shot 2017-09-01 at 8.08.58 PM.pngJoy always stands beneath your tree, the second we arrive at your  special place in the park. There, she rolls in the grass each time with such glee, Part of you is part of her. I just know it.

I was thinking about how your personalities differ and how they are similar. Both Border Collies, you love intensely and you were very smart, just as Joy is. There is a strength in Border Collies that I much admire but their intense drive to love is what I love the most.  You were the kindest dog to everyone you met. Joy loves meeting new people but she is more choosey than you were. I think of you everyday Bailey, Joy and I have never been to the park without visiting your tree. I continue to feel your love fro the heavens above and envelopes me in a beautiful way that allows me to see you through Joy. I love you and am so thankful I was the one that got to rescue you and give you the senior life you deserved. We are only passing through this earth but I am sure glad that you were my daughter. I will love you always. Write Soon Bailey!