Category Archives: Florida

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

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, Uncategorized, vacation

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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.

An Upcoming Birthday…

22 Saturday May 2010

Posted by in border collies, Dog walking, dogs, Florida, loving dogs, nature, rescue dogs, Uncategorized, vacation, Vacation by car

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This is a picture of Bailey at our private dog park that was taken after her hair started to grow in. When we she came into our lives in July, 2008, she was shaved except for her tail and around her face. May 24 is her birthday. Well, that is the day it is celebrated because that is the day she was returned to Angels for Animals in Canfield, Ohio for the second time. As I bathed her yesterday I was thinking about the paperwork I looked over when I went to see her at the shelter after getting an email from www.petfinder.com.

The papers stated that she was adopted for about 3 weeks but the young couple returned her because “she did not get along with their other pet and because she was not housebroken.”

Such lies. Bailey gets along with EVERYBODY! She loves other animals and would never hurt a fly, literally! She was incontinent, if they would have done some research or taken her to the vet as you are supposed to do when you adopt a new friend, they would have learned that she was spayed too early and most female dogs who are spayed  early will become incontinent at an earlier age. She will be turning 9 years old on the 24th and Safari will also be tunring 9. Oddly, his actual birthday is May 23th and we took that as a sign when we adopted her!

How anyone could have returned her is so beyond me. Everyone Loves Bailey! People stop us in the street to tell us how gorgeous she is and what a sweetheart of a personality she is. It’s so exciting to see her so happy and loved. She was at Angels for a year before she had the trauma of being adopted for only 3 weeks. It is no wonder she follows me everywhere and loves to be with us. She is needy in that way, but it is understandable. She thought after a year she was going to have a new home and then she gets sent right back to the shelter. Even the people at Angels loved Bailey and in July there will be the Angels for Animals Doggie Day Reunion and we will be there! Bailey loves a celebration!

We will celebrate both Safari’s and Bailey’s birthdays next week and I think how lucky we were that those stupid people did return her. They missed out on knowing and loving the most wonderful little lady on the planet. She gives us so much joy and love and makes us laugh daily with her “spin tail” and big smiles…Happy Birthday Bailey & Safari!

Riding Through Hurricane Ida….All the Way to Florida

28 Saturday Nov 2009

Posted by in border collies, Dog walking, dogs, Florida, loving dogs, nature, rescue dogs, Uncategorized, vacation, Vacation by car

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Are we in Florida Yet?

Hurricane Ida’s tears were punishing. From the time we rode into West Virginia, through Virginia and both North & South Carolina, the wind increased and the rain fell harder. A trucker told to to avoid the 15 mile backup on I-77 by taking Hwy 20, which we did not know wound through and around The Jefferson National Forest and was worse than if we had steered the course on 77.

But Bailey was perfect. Her second trip by car down to Southwest Flordia since her adoption in July 2008. I just think  she is so grateful for experiences in her senior years. It’s as though she just retired and is spending her pension doing new things. I am her fund through which she withdraws her adventures, the sights she gets to see. We are here two weeks today. Tomorrow is her favorite activity, The Saturday Farmer’s market, where other dogs come to strut their stuff amongst cucumbers and heads of lettuce and freshly made baked-goods. She always looks for crumbs from the popcorn maker, the bagel guy and the key lime pie creator. She knows where to look and she stops at many a booth where people tell her how soft she is, how beautiful she is and how sweet a personaliy she exhibits. There is is nary a dog who loves praise as much as she.
 
She loved the ride down here and the stops at the two hotels. Now that Bailey is a member of our furry family, we stay at suite-hotels so we have more space. Safari always keeps us up at night. The first night was bad but he behaved the second one. I dislike having to stop twice. We probably won’t do that on the way back to PA in in the Spring. At least I hope not.
 
But Bailey is a great traveller. I wonder if all dogs are? I appreciate the quality in her that makes her ready to go on any adventure. Almost daily we go to our little independent coffee/wine shop, CGrape, here in Bonita to see Mai & Drew, the owners. They have two dogs. Bailey gets to walk right in. I get my coffee and she gets a little, 1/2 mini dixie cup of whipped cream. She LOVES that she gets to go inside a “people” place. For some reason, dogs are allowed inside all kids of  places. Yesterday there was a Boston Terrier riding in the cart at Home Depot!
 
Thanksgiving just passed and I am so thankful for Bailey and Safari, of course.  There are certain women out there who think you are nothing if you don’t have a child. They are usually over-the-top people who I don’t care for anyway, but it is amazing that they think they are superior to us women whose “children” have paws and fur. I prefer it that way. My “kids” appreciate all that I do for them. They love unconditionally. We communicate without words and that takes a special ability and I am proud to have that in my soul. My greatest passion aside from loving my husband as much as I do, is my love for animals and it always will be. The ride down here is simply part of the journey of the many furry kids that have touched me.  I don’t need a special time of year to be greatful because it’s part of who I am.