Category Archives: border collies

We Will Always Be Together…

28 Friday Oct 2011

Posted by in animal families, border collies, cancer in dogs, dog/human relationships, dogs, Florida, loving dogs, loving life, nature, parks, rescue dogs, second chances, talking dogs, Uncategorized

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  Letters to each other – Okay, I will let you go first…

Mommy,  the ride over the rainbow bridge was easy. It’s beautiful here and it’s just like you said it would be. It’s very green and a perfect 70 degrees–OUR kind of weather! The first thing I saw in the sky was a beautiful rainbow; and I hope you can see it way up in the sky tomorrow when you fly over on the plane because I will be watching.  In fact, I will be watching you forever and I know you will be too. I thought we could at least write letters to each other from now on so I could tell you what I am seeing, thinking and feeling  and you could do the same. I know you will want to cause you love to write letters and you already taught me how to write on here, so I am ready.

I want you to know that I am thinking about how we did not have enough physical time on earth together, but it is said that quality is better than quantity and certainly we had that didn’t we? The only thing I remember in my life is the year before we met when you rescued me from Angels for Animals. It was hard being there for a year, because as you know I am very social, but there were too many dogs barking there all the time. We might have only had 3 years, 4 months and 8 days but every single one of them was better than the 6 I spent without you and I know you feel the same way…

 There could never be enough time with you because you took the very BEST care of me. I know I had health problems from the get go but you helped me get rid of those but no one has cured cancer yet and I don’t know why I had to get bladder cancer but you helped me through it and get over the Rainbow Bridge, which was just as hard for you, I know. I am glad I don’t have to pee every 5 minutes anymore! I can run and jump just like you said, my legs feel great and I don’t need those stupid pills which were affecting my stomach, but you already know that. You knew every nuance about me and my body usually before I did. I always said you were very smart!

I am going to miss you giving me my treats but here there are bowls of them everywhere for anyone to take, but I still loved when you fed them to me. I was thinking about how you did everything for me. You cooked for me, cleaned for me, fed me, bathed me, groomed and brushed me, walked a lot with me  at Buhl Park. (I LOVE my Red Maple Tree! ) – we did everything together didn’t we?! Most of all you loved me better than anyone. By the way, when I was getting sleepy, I heard Dr. Crago tell you how you went beyond the call of duty and no one else would have been so good to me. You really did. You are a very loyal person – Daddy has told me that too, by the way – he LOVES that about you! Well, so am I. You always said we are a lot alike and I agree. So, I will stay in your heart forever and even though I am not there where you can see me (except you do have 10,000 pictures of me!)  – I am there in your mind, your heart and our souls are forever connected. I will help you select another dog, but not immediately! I appreciated you sending me off with my favorite bones, treats and toys. Tell Aunti April thank you so much for the pillow she had made with yours and my picture on it. I loved that and it made me comfortable. I took it with me over here but that is something I cannot share because it’s so personal to me.  Did you see that I left a bunch of toys in the basket that I bequeath to the next lucky dog who gets to share their life with us. Of course NO DOG will ever replace me, I know that. I am your first doggie love and certainly the best! And only I GET A BLOG….

So now we will write letters and keep this adventure going mommy. I know you didn’t want it to end and neither do I. You and I will never have an ending, only a new beginning…With all my love and kisses, Bailey xoxooxox

Bailey it is true, we will never be apart. I am trying so hard not to put a question mark where there is a period.  Already I see you and feel you around me in everything and yes, we will continue to write each other letters – that is the perfect idea my lovely girl. I am glad you liked the tree I got you at Buhl Park – certainly this was our very special place of peace, exercise and social activity and I will visit your Red Maple all the time when I walk there. It will be awful lonely walking there without you, so when you find a dog someday for us, please make sure it likes to walk as much as you and I did, because we logged hundreds of miles and you know how I love to walk in the park. And of course you added to it’s beauty. I am so proud that each and everytime I took you there (and everywhere) we were stopped, quite literally, by people telling me how gorgeous, how soft and sweet you are. Yes you are all of that and so much more.

When I was crying my eyes out this morning ( and for the last month) and told you that you are the best dog, I loved that each time I said it, you kissed my lips right at that very moment. You KNEW you are the best girl ever. Just like when I met Russell, you too gave me a one true kiss and then I knew – just like I did with him. You are so right, there will never be another you as you are my first and forever my doggie love. Again, I will await the sign from you, because you chose me too you know, so we both have good taste and we can easily recognize the good people from the bad ones.

We were so lucky to find each other. You know, many people do not take a chance on a senior dog, but I am sure glad we did. More people should but I can understand that it can be very hard to not have the quantity of time one would like to have, but the quality is something I would never trade. You have taught me so much and I can never thank you enough; well maybe I did. You got to have a great senior life and that was the goal. You got to go for 10,000 rides in 2 different cars, trips to FL, two houses, and countless rotisserie chickens, and low sodium turkey, your own doggie beach and boat and we made many, many doggie friends along the way. If only I could have taken you on a cruise that would have been the best! Someday I think there will be something like that!

Speaking of which, remember I told you to look for certain people: Barkley is there – find her because you two loved each other and I know you miss her because you were sniffing over at John & Tracy’s everyday since she went over the Rainbow Bridge so kiss her too for me….Also find Bingo Foley and Marlowe Sulski and if you can find Tarzan, Cheetah and Freedom for me – yes they are cats, but you like cats; especially their food and I know they would share with you!  Give them all my hugs and kisses okay?  You never got to meet Bingo or Marlowe, but I know you would love them. Bingo is a boy and Marlowe is obviously a girl, like you. And according to her also-very-devoted and very special Daddy Jeff, much like you! Feisty, tenacious, beautiful, loyal and loving – one rarely experiences all those great qualities in people – but those of us in the know – realize that you all have it going on way better than humans do. No one loves unconditionally like a dog; especially you, my perfect one.

It’s been a long day for both of us my sweet girl. I will look for you as I fly the sky tomorrow. I will be wearing red, just like you, so look for me and we will send a sign to each other. Goodnight for now my Bailey. Here is to our new beginning..

 We both love you so very much xxxoxoox

PS:  Safari is sitting here next to me on the desk as I write to you. He wants me to tell you that he did not eat much of his dinner cause he is not sure where you went; it might take him a while. You know, as I like to say, a cat is and dog does.

Loving Every Day you Have….

04 Sunday Sep 2011

Posted by in border collies, Dog walking, dog/human relationships, dogs, Florida, loving dogs, loving life, nature, rescue dogs, Uncategorized

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  September has not started out very well. I know bladder cancer in dogs is an insidious illness and the average age for a good quality of life is a year at very best.  When Bailey’s surgery was done last November 19th, she was lucky it was not found at the neck of the bladder where this is most commonly discovered. She has been taking Peroxicam, a human NSAID drug which we might take for a backache. Vets do not know why this staves off bladder cancer in dogs, but it seems to do the trick –at least for a while.

This week, she went in for her 6 month ultrasound checkup and it showed that the cancer has returned to the third of her bladder which had been operated on. After a long talk with her two wonderful doctors, I was feeling better when I found out that at least bladder cancer masses do not cause pain. As she loses her ability to urinate, then I will know it is time and I also know there will never be another dog like her- ever, unless she herself sends me a sign.

It was hard enough to be thinking about all of this just this week when today I found out that my next door neighbor’s dog, Barkley had died on our road, when she went after a squirrel and someone ran her over. This little white and black Jack Russell Terrier and Bailey loved each other. She bowled Bailey over with kisses every time they played together. She was found as a little pup inside of their daughter’s mailbox this past winter. Her parent’s wanted to keep her – they have two other adorable dogs, Molly and Dozer and Barkley fit right into the mix with exceptional energy and sweetness. I was thinking today about how lucky it was Barkley got a  second chance at life away from the morons who put her into the mailbox. It was not fair that she died yesterday; not fair at all.

As I have been thinking about how I am pretty sure Bailey will make it to Florida this winter, I also know she probably won’t be coming back unless we both receive some miracle from the animal spirits. I do not want any of the choices. Whether you prepare yourself mentally for an animal companion’s death or not, such as in the case of little Barkley; it all is horrible. I have admitted many times in this blog how hyper-attached Bailey and I are. I cannot help it. I have been told by total strangers that we look-alike, we are both feisty and sweet. She brings out the best in me and vice versa. Barkley was like that. She was a little joy to be around and I know she will be sadly missed by her human companions and Bailey and I as well.

We spend a lot of time with Bailey and Safari, our cat. I always want to be around them. When my mother died she was only 48, I think that had a profound effect on me in regard to losing people and maybe that is why I hold on so tight. However, I am always joyful and hopeful for another day and more time to love because in my book it’s never enough time. I guess what I am thinking about today is enjoying each and every day with our little sweeties. I have always liked animals more than people beause of their unconditional love, because that is how people should be and that is how I like to live my life but I think they do a much better job at it then us.

An Adoption Anniversary…

19 Tuesday Jul 2011

Posted by in animal families, border collies, cancer in dogs, Dog walking, dogs, Florida, second chances, Uncategorized

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 Tomorrow is July 20th. Three years ago it was a Friday and my husband and I were in the middle of getting a screened in porch added on to our home and we were planning to adopt a dog. I had a picture from Petfinder sitting on my desk with two Border Collie mixes, one named Bailey with a wonderful smile, who was estimated to be 7 and a young one, whose name I now cannot recall.

I got in my Honda CRV late in the afternoon to head out to Angels for Animals in Columbiana, Ohio, where these two dogs seeking homes were living. Arriving by myself, I asked to see the young one first but immediately they told me that she was going to be a very large dog, so I asked to see Bailey instead. I told them that she had to get along with cats because I had a 7 year old cat whom I loved with all my heart.

I could not know then, what I know now, of course. I truly believe that Bailey could have only wound up in my care. She has not been the easiest of dogs. She was slightly incontinent when we got her, leaking a drop here or there, but not a big deal. She’s IS a Border Collie, so she is on the hyper side of hyper, but from the moment that girl jumped into the back of my CRV with such exuberance, she has been happy – sometimes a whiner, but happy to have people who work from home and can take of her and love her.

This past November she had her surgery for bladder cancer. Lucky for her and us, that it was located not at the neck of the bladder, (where it is commonly found) but far at the other end, making her a great candidate for Dr. Larry to operate at Estero Animal Hospital in Estero, Fl.  His compassion, patience and skilled hands made us a little less crazy and her recovery quicker. She takes her peroxicam daily, although some days we skip it if I feel her tummy is upset.  A smaller bladder equals more urination and the disease makes her so thirsty, so it’s hard to withhold water. Kind of a vicious cycle.

I’m a Pisces. It is said that my sign is the most compassionate and that we make the best mothers of all the signs. Since all my children have had paws and fur, I can only go by my experience, but I am like that. A recent visit from my dear college friend, named Catherine, told my husband that I was always taking such good care of my cats – even when I worked 2 jobs and went to school full-time. Somehow my personality allows me to juggle a lot, well. Bailey commands that time and attention as well as Safari because they are both sweet seniors.

So as tomorrow approaches, I can hardly imagine only 3 years have passed by. Today when we went to see Kari at Petsmart for a nice sanitary cut, she could not believe it was only 3 years since Bailey graced our lives. Bailey just leaves an impression on everyone – that she does.

A Walk in the Park

15 Wednesday Jun 2011

Posted by in border collies, Dog walking, dog/human relationships, dogs, loving dogs, loving life, nature, parks, rescue dogs, second chances, talking dogs, Uncategorized

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When the weather finally decided to cool down, Bailey and I planned to take advantage of the crisp air and head for our favorite park in Sharon, Pennsylvania. My husband commented to me that I was like “an old person because all you want to do is go to the park, walk Bailey and go out to lunch.” Although I laughed, half-heartedly, I quipped back that he did not realize all he was missing by walking in this beautiful, expansive park.  He said “It’s just a park.”

To us, Buhl Park is not simply “a park.” I revel to see new things there each and every time we walk and this particular day would be no different.  There is a man, we have been seeing in a  motorized scooter most recently who is there fishing with his not-fancy pole, catching catfish. He has an American flag attached to his chair and carries his fishing equipment in a bright green Shop & Save reusable bag. We have chit chatted the last few walks and he is a very nice gentleman. I think he is a miltary vet, and next time I plan to ask him his name. He likes Bailey, as does everyone she comes into contact with, and she makes him smile, which in turn makes me happy.

As we walked toward the one small play area, we saw a set of three siblings flying high on the swings, with the sychronized pushes of their parents. As we got closer, the mom had sat down to take a break and said, “what a beautiful dog you have. Gosh she is pretty.” “Thanks I said, on behalf of Bailey.” “Doggie! Doggie!” one of the little ones screamed out as the wind swept her hair behind her tiny blonde . head. “Hi doggie!”  I waved to her, acknowledging her joyful greeting.

Later when we would circle the entire park, we decided to make one pass around Lake Julia, where the ducks and the big geese  have recently all had babies and the big white Swans are so used to dogs walking through the park, they just sit there and let you say hello up close. We had seen the young boy in the stoller staring upward toward the sky as we walked inside the park, but now his young caretaker –could have been a brother perhaps, was sitting on a bench with the young boy  in the stroller. I think the boy smelled Bailey because he started to stir in his chair and I noticed as we approached he was about 11 or 12 and he was blind and had cerebral palsy. Bailey has always gravitated toward wheel chairs, so I moved her closer. I was not sure the boy could even hear  but I told him she was a beautiful dog named Bailey and was very friendly. I gently took his twisted-up little arm and helped him stroke Bailey’s soft fur. Immediately he was wrangling around in the stroller and, upon feeling Bailey, he gave out a crooked little smile, with all the muscles his little crippled body would allow.  Bailey did not realize it, or maybe she did, that she made a little boy’s day and certainly she made mine because all it takes is a walk in the park….

The Second Time Around…

23 Sunday Jan 2011

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Like we always do, with Bailey at my feet and Safari on my lap, we watched CBS Sunday morning this morning. A ritual I have maintained since the show first aired more than 25 years ago. One of the stories today by reporter Barry Peterson http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/01/23/sunday/main7274728.shtml?tag=cbsnewsTwoColUpperPromoArea was very poignant about his wife who has Alzheimers disease. He remains very much in her life, even though he now lives with his new mate, a widow who kindly said, “I always knew it was a relationship of three.” I loved that comment.

How that relates to this blog is because it made me think of second chances. It was something I was able to give, of myself, to my beautiful dog Bailey – one of the few truly loving people I have ever known. I will never know what the first 5 years of her life were all about – as a writer and former reporter that drives me crazy. I know her 6th year was spent at Angels for Animals in Canfield, Ohio and then I came along soon after her 7th birthday.

Second chances have been a continuing theme in my life, when I think about it. First, as a person who endured a short, kind of pointless marriage right out of college and then fortunately met the real love of my life later on when I was 30. When we met we talked about second chances and have always agreed that love is better the second time around…I am not dismissing those, like my sister April, who has been happily married to her husband forever, but for those who made a wrong turn, second chances are vital and somehow hold a greater strength within.

I have always had cats. I still do.  My ultimate favorite cat in my life thus far has been Cheetah, a calico so sweet you could just not find a more perfect personality. Anais Nin, the great erotic writer, had a female cat to whom she was so close that after the cat passed away she vowed never to get another cat. That is how I felt about female cats after Cheetah’s life with me after 18 years ended. Bailey is a girl, but not a cat. Oddly, she has a very similar loving way about her. Cheetah was not needy like Bailey – after all, she was a feline, but  people simply felt her love. That is how people feel when they meet Bailey. It warmed my heart yesterday at the farmer’s market when a perfect stranger let Bailey lick him right on the mouth, giving her kisses right back. His wife said, “he is a true dog lover.” He summoned his adult kids to come over and meet her and feel “how soft and sweet she is. She acts as though she knows me!”

Another second chance in my life is when I saved my entire family from being killed by carbon monoxide. Had I not stayed out late one night (against my dad’s wishes) while home on Thanksgiving break during college, they would have all died, all at once and my life would have changed forever. Although everyone lived, my life was still different after that day. I appreciate life more than most people I know, except perhaps my dad, who is another person for who second chances made an impact.

After my mother died at age 48 of breast cancer, he was able to meet the love of his life at age 50 and get married at age 52. He got the perfect second chance with Harriet, with who he seems happier than anytime I can recall my parent’s marriage – and for that I am so grateful.

There are so many people who do not support second chances. Examples would be those that choose to go to a breeder instead of rescuing a cat or dog from a shelter. There are the kids of first marriages who are forever pissed off that their parents are remarried after death or divorce, instead of being happy for them. There are people who don’t want to help someone with connections after they lose a job because they are protective of their own. The list goes on.

Bailey and I are so happy for second chances because we are each other’s – my femme fatale, who rides in the car with me everywhere I go and expects goodnight kisses and a treat before bed. Love is better the second time around… perhapsbecause you appreciate it and cherish it so much more.

It’s never enough

18 Tuesday Jan 2011

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I will be the first to admit I am a needy dog. I cannot help it. Before Sherri found me, I was in the shelter for a year. I made myself the “favorite” shelter dog so I could be in the office everyday under Mary Ann’s desk, but I knew she would never take me home because she already had five dogs. I don’t think I would have liked it there with all those dogs.

I know Sherri wonders why I bark commands at her. I like when she pets me for a long time and rubs my spinal column because it feels so good.  I think I eat 9 times a day, I am worse than a little baby, but since my surgery I feel better. I don’t know if the cancer is gone but I want to play constantly and I love attention-constant attention – like just now when Sherri went to write this for me I made her stop and play ball, right in the middle of a sentence – I don’t care.

I have reached that time in my life where I want what I want and now, not 10 minutes from now, just right now. I know that drives people up a wall, but somehow I cannot help myself. I feel especially hyper today because of the full moon. My ancestors were grand wolves and they did the same thing during the full moon glow.

We went to dog park today and I herded all the little dogs around. Everyone there loves me and thinks I am beautiful. I love all that praise, in fact nothing makes me happier than constant praise and Sherri is the perfect one to give it to me but perfect strangers? That is simply a bonus! I think the reason I act like this is because I want to take it all in. Sleeping is a waste of time really. I mean, I don’t know how this stupid cancer thing is going to work out so I don’t feel like sitting here waiting around and doing nothing. Sherri says I am her “go-dog.” I think that is accurate! I love to ride in the car and go. I could care less where we go it’s just fun to go! I LOVE when we go shopping! Here in Florida, us nice dogs can go into stores and shop for purses and clothes! The ladies at the stores all love me and always offer me treats. Life is good.

That is the point. Life. I love life. I love my life with my parents and my cat, Safari. Sherri prays for me everyday and kisses my bladder area where my scar was – you cannot even see it anymore since my hair is all grown back!! I am so happy about that. I have a great life. In July I will be 10 and I am determined to have my 10th birthday because I know Sherri will get me a lot of cool stuff and I will get to eat stuff that I love – like fresh turkey. I never want to leave their side. I am guess I’m needy that way.

Another Year to Say I Love You, Bailey…

31 Friday Dec 2010

Posted by in animal families, border collies, cancer in dogs, Dog walking, dog/human relationships, dogs, Florida, loving dogs, loving life, nature, New Year's Eve, rescue dogs, talking dogs, Uncategorized, vacation, Vacation by car

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Dear Bailey,

I thought for the new year, I would just write you a letter for your blog. July marked our second year together, although I feel as though you have always been a part of my life, that is just the kind of girl that you are. You fill up each day with endless amounts of energy and love for me, Russell and Safari.

You consistently remind me of a man I once did public relations for.  He always said “leave a little piece of you wherever you go.” What he meant by that is that something as simple a grocery store clerk should be acknowledged by her badge name. “Hello Susan, how are you today? My name is Max and I hope that you are having a great day!” That was the kind of guy he was.

You remind me of him because you do that. There is so much Bailey all over Western, PA, Northern OH, and Southwest FL, everyone remembers you! Your personality alone makes people stop and talk to us – every single day. Your kind, gentle manner as well as your stunning beauty –which everyone compliments you on daily–is contagious. It worked on me the very first day I met you. One kiss – much like Russell–and I was hooked. One true kiss. So very enchanting…

This was a tough year for me with you because of the discovery of a bladder  mass in November, but you sailed through your surgery here in Florida. Remember how I slept on the floor next to you the whole night and  to the amazement of Dr. Larry, you are feeling terrific!  Our new friend Carrie gave me the idea to sleep on the floor with you, because that is what she did with her dog after its surgery. I am glad she told me that story because I know you appreciated beging snuggled up together when you felt like crap after the surgery. You and I live everyday to it’s fullest and most enjoyable capacity. I kiss your bladder everyday and we tell  it to go away now, don’t we? 

You know deep in your heart that you could never have found a better partner than me, for you. Russell thinks we are so much alike and it’s true. The two social gals…you are my assistant in all we do and they even love you at Dillards Dept. store! Kids beg to feel your soft silky coat, men and women compliment you on your perfect disposition and aside from your begging for food at the dinner table you are simply perfect.  We love you so much Bailey. You bring us laughs and joy every day and I know that we do the same for you.

Today we had fun at Doggie Park with all the big dogs, wishing them all a happy and healthy new year! Then we got home and you ate your special turkey and had a great bath. Now you will be clean and fluffy for the new year!  We will have many more fun days! We are two, middle-aged girls in love with life and I feel so blessed that we can share that life side by side, together. My wish for you is a HEALTHY 2011. I already know it will be happy because we give that to each other daily!

We get older everyday, that is true, but we can take each day to it’s splendid limits, wrap it in your boundless energy and take joy in that as we welcome in a new year with more laughs and more smiles and always, another day to say I love you Bailey…

Some Girls Simply Have Tenacity

05 Sunday Dec 2010

Posted by in animal families, border collies, cancer in dogs, Dog walking, dog/human relationships, dogs, Florida, loving dogs, loving life, nature, rescue dogs, talking dogs

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Many people have told me that Bailey is just like me. She is strong willed and ahe has endless amounts of tenacity, my sister observes. She is right. She is kind and loving, affectionate and playful. She is so social that she will never understand why another dog would even bother to bark – that is not her style. She has beauty and grace and now she has cancer. But she doesn’t know she has it nor does she act like she does. There is a chance that her operation- which she came through beautifully–could have saved her, along with the pill I give her daily, and maybe all the mass was removed but it is hard to know. We will wait three months for the next ultrasound and x-ray tests. She acts like she always does. She barks whenever we eat, her appetite is fantastic and she loves us and Safari like no one else. She is the most grateful person I have ever known. I know few people as loving and grateful as Bailey. She continues to go wherever we go and wherever that is, the story is basically the same. “She has the sweetest disposition,” She is just the most beautiful girl.” “What a sweetheart.”  I do not think that a day has gone by in more than 2 years since we adopted her, that some stranger has not talked about her in some positive manner.

She is easy to talk about that way. Her easy going manner and loyal, loving ways continue to amaze us daily. How many people do that in your life? Maybe your sibling  or parent (mine does) or maybe a husband (mine does), maybe your cat (mine does), and maybe a few great friends ( you know who you are)  but that list does not extend too far beyond that. It really does not have to. Quality is much better than quantity, although I would take 20 Bailey’s into my home if I could because she is simply that special.

I told her that she will be fine. I told her not to break our hearts because she makes me, at least, a better person everyday. We learn from each other and the one thing I have always said since I was a young kid, is that the two most important things in life are good health and love and I think they need to go hand in hand to work well.

We celebrate all the seasons here so we can soak up all good blessings, with a little luck and all the love we have to give, we put our faith into the gift of good health – for that is only present we need.

Bailey’s Prayer

19 Friday Nov 2010

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My Dearest Bailey,

I am taking you in for surgery tomorrow for a mass on your bladder wall. I am praying that it is not cancer and simply a cyst.  Dr. Crago does not think it’s cancer since you are asymptomatic, but you have always been my mystery girl since I adopted you as a middle-aged lady. And such the Lady you are. All girl, my femme fatale, so full of love and kisses—  how you love to spoon and play catch. Today I saw this early Hannukah gift and thought the bone was a blessing for you. How excited you were when I took it out of the bog! You love a new toy so much and I love to provide you with them.

I would do anything to make you better, you know that. You are my girl, my Lady Bailey. So many people are sending you good thoughts for tomorrow, but no one more than me.

All the love I have to give you,

Mommy

My Turn to Write….

09 Saturday Oct 2010

Posted by in animal families, border collies, Dog walking, dog/human relationships, dogs, Florida, loving dogs, loving life, nature, rescue dogs, talking dogs

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 I love to walk in Buhl Park and when we were walking the other day, mommy said I could finally have a turn to write on here. I mean, it’s called Bailey’s Journal, not Sherri’s Journal! I think I want to write from now on!

We get to the park about 3 times a week. I think she feels guilty if we can’t go for whatever reason. Mommy is a busy person, but thankfully she works at her desk at home, because I would go crazy if she didn’t. I am a Border Collie and I get bored quickly. She tells me that “I always want something” and that is the truth! Usually I want food, but I am taking it easy since I just had a very bad urinary tract infection. I have to take antibiotics for two weeks which gives me the loosey goosies….One more week to go. The infection is all gone because I went for my follow-up appointment yesterday and everything checked out perfectly. I cost my mommy & daddy so much money this week and I feel bad about that, but I am 9 years old now and I require extra TLC and heck, they don’t have to send me to college or buy me a car, so they don’t mind. Mommy works very hard to give me, Safari and daddy the best of everything. It’s not my fault I got this stupid infection! Who knows how you get these things? Dr. Wendy says they are the same when women get them and I am all woman!! A Femme Fatale! Yes I am! I love being a girly girl and that makes me exactly like my mommy.

Sometimes I wish I could tell her where I was before we met because she constantly wonders about it even though she will never know – that’s the reporter in her. I cannot even remember anymore because frankly I do not care. After a year at the shelter, I had enough of sleeping in a kennel. I was the special office dog, but offices get boring too. But where was I before that? I am sure it was nothing compared to the life I have now especially since I don’t remember. Maybe I wanted to forget!  Now I get to live in two places and always bask in the sunshine. Who knew when they came to adopt me that would be the case? Certainly not me! I am a very lucky dog girl. No one would have EVER taken better care of me, of that I am sure. My parents are so loving toward each other, it’s really nice to be around them. They kiss me all the time. He calls me “his little girl” and she sings me a song she made up about me and kisses and hugs me and Safari constantly. I try hard to bring joy to their lives and I must be succeeding. She says that everyone loves me – it’s true, I must say…Everywhere we go someone stops to say how sweet and cute I am and what a nice personality I have.  I am very polite in public because I think you should be gentile. They are both extremely polite individuals. I am not polite at home when it comes to food, I admit that. I love food and I can’t believe that mommy is a food publicist! She is always talking about food, cooking food and writing about food! I love food! even Dr. Wendy told me the other day, “You sure found the right home!” I sure did.

Soon we will be travelling to our winter home in the south. I love the trip in the car more than they do! I love to stop at all the gas stations and rest stops because there are so many other dogs travelling as well and I get to meet a lot of people! My bones won’t be achy from winter’s cold which is good because because my left back leg has been bothering me. I guess I am going to start taking some Cosequin as soon as I am done with the antibiotics.

Mommy did a lot of work this morning cleaning out the garden before we went for our walk. After we went for our walk she stopped at the grocery store to get some ingredients she needed to make another pot of chicken soup since daddy has a nasty cold. She made that, made a bread and the other day she tried making a pie for the very first time and it did look just like in Country Living magazine! She was amazed herself! I only had a little drop of crust, but it sure did taste good! Now she is on load four of her laundry. She emptied the dishwasher, cleaned up the kitchen and I think she is getting tired. Oh! And she made a card for their friend’s wedding tommorow! Makes me tired just thinking about everything!

Our walk today was so beautiful. All the colors are turning in the park now. We will go on Monday again. The roofers start the big job that day- that is going to be fun to see! I have to go have some dinner now. Mommy said I could have some chicken and carrots out of the soup, mixed in with my food. I LOVE food. What else does a girl dog need? Love, Kisses, Safari, Shelter, the Park, Rides in the car and the Wind in my face. I love my life and my family more than anything.