Category Archives: nature

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

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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

bailey buhl fall 4.jpg

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

Happy Birthday Bailey Girl…You little “deer”

20 Monday Jul 2015

Posted by in animal families, Birthdays, border collies, coincidence, death, deer, dog kisses, Dog walking, dogs, Dogs named Bailey, faith, letters, love, loving dogs, missing your dog, nature, parks, rainbow bridge, rememberence, rescue dogs, Senior Dogs, spirituality, summer, The Rainbow Bridge, walking, Working Dogs

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , ,

bailey buhl fall 3  2011, Buhl Park, Sharon, PA

Dear Bailey,

Today would have been your 14th birthday had your bladder not gotten the best of you. Joy and I went to Buhl Park, exactly where this, and so many pictures of you were taken as we shared beautiful summer days and cool evenings wandering this park where your dedicated Red Maple Tree stands so tall and proud.

Right after Joy and I got to your tree, we walked across the way and we heard a rustle. There was a beautiful little cotton tail deer looking right at us. Joy was so elated she could have pulled my arm out of its socket! i figured it was you. Birds talk to me by your tree, owls hoot, something is always happening when we visit. You are omnipresent that is for sure, I have always said that. I took these pictures today to share with you:

Lake Julia
Joy n me
Bailey’s Tree

The park was particularly perfect today. After days of high humidity and high temps, your birthday was perfect and as you can see, Joy was still looking around trying to see if we could not spot the deer (you?) again.

Of course I talk to you at the tree all the time (and in my mind) but I am long overdue for a letter from you…just a thought from your mommy.

I wanted to send you love and hope you are having a lot of whipped creme today with Safari, Tarzan, Cheetah, Freedom, Lucky and Barkley! Are you having a little cake with the whipped creme? I hope so and it should have pink frosting because you are the girliest girl ever – well you and Joy, of course. You never would have sent me anyone who was not all girl!

I love you Bailey and I know that deer was you; prancing through the brush and dodging out to say hello and I love you too.

xoxooxoxoxooxox 4evernever

 

 

Naked Leaves

31 Friday Oct 2014

Posted by in animal families, border collies, dog kisses, Dog walking, dog/human relationships, dogs, Fall, kisses, letters, love, loving dogs, loving life, memories, missing your dog, nature, parks, rainbow bridge, rememberence, rescue dogs, second chances, Senior Dogs, sky, spirituality, The Rainbow Bridge, the wind, trees, Uncategorized, walking, Working Dogs

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , ,

baileys tree fall 2014 naked leaves 4baileys tree fall 2014 naked leaves 2baileys tree fall 2014 naked leaves 2

 

Dearest Bailey,

It’s that time of year. Three years and three days ago we were robbed of being with each other physically on earth together. But really we have never missed being with each other, have we? I must admit i loved to fluff up your long thick hair and kiss your long nose, but when I kiss Joy’s nose it’s just like yours. You Border Collies have that certain something – a cuddle factor unmatched by any other breed of dog child.

So we wrote the book together and just recently I was in Chicago and a girl who I had not seen in a long time, asked me to sign her copy. That was nice. You are everywhere, even when I travel. Today it’s Halloween. The weather was too rainy to get to the park, but it’s supposed to snow tomorrow, so even if it’s yucky, Joy and I will drive over to the park to see the snow there. I’m sure all your leaves will be gone by now.

Several days ago when I took these pictures of your tree at Buhl park, it was a gorgeous day, with air so crisp like a Winesap apple. Joy was having so much fun crunching in the colorful leaves she turned around twice just to jump up on me and kiss me as though she were thanking me – in fact I know she was- she was so happy to be there on such a nice day!

Each time we go I kiss one of your leaves until there are no more. I do not know why I feel your presence so much more there then in the yard in your special spot. I feel you come alive in the park so easily, through the wind and the way it blows, and motions that Joy makes either by rolling around in the grass by your tree or smelling spots exactly where you did. Not a day goes by little girl that you are not in my mind and heart. I wear your necklace and never take it off. You will always be there in many different ways and I just wanted you to know that I am always thinking of you! It’s your turn. Write me back. I hope you and everyone in Hyfryd are doing something fun for your Howl-O-Ween! Love, Mommy xoxoxoxoxox

Image

Thankful Thoughts of You, Bailey…

20 Wednesday Nov 2013

Tags

, , , , , , , ,

bailey's tree leaves fall 2013

Joy looks up at baileys tree

Dear Bailey,

Before we left Pennsylvania, Joy and I visited your tree many times. I took these pictures on the last day we went and your tree is beautiful and growing so tall. Look at how Joy is looking up at it in admiration!

I am so thankful for the tree that was planted in your memory. I don’t know why I feel more of an affinity for this place in the park than your actual “special spot” in our backyard. I think it is because you loved being at Buhl Park so much and we walked there so often. I also think of you being free within the landscape of this beautiful park filled with trees, flora, foliage and wildlife.

With Thanksgiving coming up I always remember you telling me how thankful you were for us adopting you as senior and giving you a better life than you ever imagined you could have. I can tell you it was our pleasure. I also recall telling you how thankful I was for www.petfinder.com which allowed me to find you. I love Petfinder and I could not love you more.

I wear my ruby necklace that Russell had made in your honor and I see it everyday in the mirror, just as I see your reflection in everything that I do and I too am grateful always for your love. With those thoughts I think of thanksgiving and its true meaning for me.

As Tania likes to say, I love you with my whole heart. And my whole being.

Love, your mommy

Posted by | Filed under adopting dogs, animal families, border collies, dog/human relationships, dogs, Fall, Journaling, joy, letters, loving dogs, loving life, missing your dog, nature, parks, Petfinder, rememberence, rescue dogs, second chances, Senior Dogs, spirituality, Thanksgiving, The Rainbow Bridge, www.petfinder.com

≈ 1 Comment

A Tree Grown With Love…

23 Wednesday Oct 2013

Posted by in animal families, border collies, dog kisses, dog/human relationships, dogs, Dogs named Bailey, Fall, Journaling, letters, loving dogs, loving life, missing your dog, nature, rememberence, rescue dogs, second chances, spirituality, talking dogs, The Rainbow Bridge, trees

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , ,

 

Baileys tree fall 2013Bailey looking so gorgeous

Dearest Bailey,

Your tree in Buhl Park looks so beautiful this third week of October, 2013. It has started to blush more frequently with its beautiful Red Maple leaves. Red of course was your color, although you always looked brilliant and all colors became you.

I think of you everyday of course, but the 28th is the second anniversary of you leaving us for over the Rainbow Bridge and not a day goes by that you are not with me. You know that and I just had to tell you. Joy reminds me SO much of you except you had no fear of people like she still does of some. I am sure she knows how to sniff out the ones I do not like anyway. She is such a little lover girl and is very happy with her life. Like you, she has the great life that you left behind, but I know you are having lots of fun with Tarzan, Cheetah, Freedom, Anwen and all your pals and students that love you so much in Hyfryd.

I meant to ask you something. Has Molly found you all? I wished a special thought that she would find her way to your neighborhood. I know if she did you have welcomed her to the pack. John and Tracy miss her and so  do I – somehow it is not the same without her barking next door when she sees us pull into our driveway. I always liked that she said hello. Please let me know about her okay?

Our book, Letters To Each Other, is selling well. If anyone who reads this blog is interested they can find it here: http://tinyurl.com/n4jzkgw

 It makes me very proud that we finished the book, but it really is a continuing story and it will never end, really. Love is infinite and so are you. On my mind, in my heart and in my soul. I love you Sweet Bailey. Write me soon.
Love and Kisses,
your mommy

 

Buhl Day Can Be Any Day….

02 Monday Sep 2013

Posted by in border collies, dog kisses, Dog walking, dog/human relationships, doggy kisses, dogs, Dogs named Bailey, loving dogs, loving life, missing your dog, nature, second chances, spirituality, The Rainbow Bridge

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , ,

IMAG0771

“The Farm is to be used as a playground and a place of cultural enhancement for the public in general and especially the residents of the community.” – Frank H. Buhl 1914

 

Dear Bailey,

Today is Buhl Day, one of my favorite activities of the year and it was certainly one of yours, of course. We will see how Joy does with all the many people who come out to hear the music, eat the food and simply enjoy a celebration of a park that is steeped in history. http://www.buhlfarmpark.com/bfp/buhl-legacy/   which includes the fact that Frank and Julia Buhl never had children, but instead make a lasting and loving commitment to their community by donating their farm estate to the town of Sharon, PA. It is because of them that I was able to spend so much time walking in the park with you and of course Joy, your spirit sister.

Buhl Day means a grilled hamburger for Joy and she will be so excited just like you were to gobble it up!. Many dogs will be there to enjoy this special day. This picture of you is right next to Lake Julia. I think I have 1000 pictures of you at Buhl Park. It’s such an amazing place and I feel lucky to be able to spend time there, exercising, walking and taking in its beauty. Like the Buhl’s, not all families are “traditional.” Your Papa and I might not have had non-pawed children, together, but he sure enjoys the furry ones we have devoted our lives to helping and taking care of. We of course will visit you tree as I do numerous times a week on our walks. It’s growing so big in just three years.  Yes, it’s almost 3 years since I have been able to stroke your big mane and play with your fluffy tail. I know you miss me too.  So far everyone who has read our book, Letters to Each Other, has loved it and we have had some great reviews – all five stars! http://tinyurl.com/mwkjn22.

I just wanted to tell you that I am thinking of you strongly today. I am wearing your Ruby earrings Papa gave me, which matches the necklace that stays on always. You are always with me and always will be, especially in Buhl Park. Even though today is “Buhl Day” I really think everyday is Buhl Day when I walk with you in my heart.

Love you Bailey,

Me

A Tree-Blushed Kiss…

21 Sunday Oct 2012

Posted by in adopting a new dog, animal families, border collies, coincidence, dog/human relationships, dogs, Dogs named Bailey, Fall, Journaling, joy, letters, loving dogs, loving life, missing your dog, nature, parks, Poetry, rainbow bridge, rememberence, rescue dogs, second chances, Senior Dogs, spirituality, talking dogs, teaching, The Rainbow Bridge, trees, Working Dogs

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , ,

 Dear Bailey,

You blushed in full bloom. You are a stand-out amongst the hundreds of other trees at Buhl Park, so red and full like a woman’s lips searching for a kiss. And who kissed you more than me?

Today is October 21 and week from now will be one year since you went to Hyfryd and it seems so much longer.  So much longer, yet I am so proud of all you have taught me and all you continue to do there. Our spirits are so aligned and I feel you everywhere. Russell talks about you all the time and you know I talk to Joy & Safari about you everyday. To be honest I still feel sad some days when I think about how much I miss you.  That is how I am. n Cheetah and Freedom and Lucky are always at the top of my mind. Sharing your life with an animal companion is very special because of its very nature and relationship. There is nothing else like it and it is different from humans. Animals of all kinds love without condition – something that some humans have not learned to do with each other. There is just a special sweetness that is unbridled. I know so many people like us too who feel compelled to be part of an animal’ s life, be it a dog or cat, horse or bird. It’s simply part of who you are or not but I am glad I=it’s always been part of me and when we met you became entwined into my soul as I have with you.

Joy reminds me of you in a lot of ways but she truly is a puppy. She is still discovering the world and she has much to learn. She is a lot of fun and she literally makes all of us laugh everyday. Safari and her play so sweetly and truly like each other a lot.  I have to say my working girl, you certainly kept your promise and found us the perfect girl for all of us. She will never take your place, please know that. She simply has her own and thanks to you – with help from Victoria – she found her way here, where she belongs.

I just wanted to say hello after seeing your tree today. I wanted to say I love you, I am with you and thinking of you daily. Your pictures are in front of me and your spirit surrounds us.

The Changing Leaves…Green and holding

08 Monday Oct 2012

Posted by in animal families, border collies, cancer in dogs, coincidence, dog adoption., dog/human relationships, dogs, Dogs named Bailey, Doing Your Best, Journaling, joy, letters, loving dogs, loving life, missing your dog, nature, parks, rainbow bridge, rescue dogs, second chances, Senior Dogs, spirituality, talking dogs, teaching, The Rainbow Bridge, trees, Uncategorized, Working Dogs

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Dear Mommy,

Did you see that I am holding on to my green leaves? Only a couple of red tips so far, that is all you can see. October is not my favorite month and I know it is definitely not yours either. I don’t really want to focus on how I left you this month because  “the sad-day date” is still far off yet, but a year has sure travelled fast hasn’t t? I know you feel it has as well.

I did NOT want to leave you, but my body did not want to perform anymore I guess and the best way to continue my love, kindness and good work was to wind up here in Hyfryd, where I am doing great in all those departments. Since teaching the classes on life after the Rainbow Bridge, I too have realized so much about life on earth versus life on Hyfryd. I love that my body feels so good all the time here. I often think, is that worth not waking up next to our bed anymore? I try to make sense of those type of thoughts but realize that life is just life, filled with happiness, sadness, rewards and expectations, but what is most important is love and knowledge. There is nothing more important than love and as you know, there is nothing so pure and simple as the love between a man/woman and their animal companion. Nothing.

I love that you planted our tree in my honor and I love that you visit it constantly. I know the visits to the tree at the park are more meaningful than my special place in the yard.  You know why, don’t you? Of course it is because you and I loved walking in that park together, just as you do with Joy now. The time we spent there – each moment was perfect (except for the couple of times you fell! That was funny sorry!) and happy. My special place is of course right outside the door to our sweet home, but Buhl Park, while it is everyone’s home, can be your home in the minutes and hours when you walk there.

So for now I am holding onto my green leaves. Even though my color is red, I am not shedding them for winter quite yet. I am staying as green for now just for you, with just that tinch of red. Like the tree there, I have grown here in Hyfryd. You taught me how to be grateful and mostly –  loved unconditionally. I try to pass on all those qualities to my students. They tell me I am doing a good job because they are learning how to live here without their families and when you first arrive it is a difficult adjustment, but if you can find ways to contribute then it becomes acceptable, sort of. I will never not miss you and I know, by watching you every single day, that you  feel the same.

It was funny in Chicago the other day when your cousin asked you about how you came to love dogs when you had cats your whole life (and still do, of course!) and you mentioned April’s influence and Marla, your former vet. If I never did, then I have to thank April for that because if it was her love of us dogs that originally rubbed off on you then good for her because she did a great job of making you crazy about us! Ha! Of course I know you would be anyway because, as Marla always said, it’s a different relationship. It is. Especially me and you.  One of extreme kindness, caring and endless love.

Your Sweet Bailey, Forever and Ever…..Write me soon! I love you,

Scrapbooks of You…

23 Sunday Sep 2012

Posted by in adopting a new dog, animal families, border collies, cancer in dogs, coincidence, dog adoption., dog/human relationships, dogs, Dogs named Bailey, Journaling, letters, loving dogs, loving life, missing your dog, nature, parks, rainbow bridge, rescue dogs, second chances, The Rainbow Bridge, Uncategorized, Working Dogs

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

My Dearest Bailey,

I was looking at a big scrapbook I made for you and began crying the other day. This picture takes up one whole page. Do you remember it? It was taken by Photographer Rich Cancio at the Angels for Animals Doggy Days Reunion in 2009 when you were healthy and well, about one year after we adopted you from there.

I am not a huge fan of “portraits,” but I love this one because I look so happy holding you and you look so regal like you always did. Rich had donated his servces that day, which made me immediately like him. I love how you won’t look at the camera but posed like a pretty girl…. You were my photographic muse and I have at least a 1000 pictures of you if I have one! I know your den in Hyfryd is covered in pictures too.

Recently, Rich contacted me on Facebook about a benefit dance he was involved with to help with the needs of breast cancer patients, something that his wife, unfortunately had to deal with. So I was thinking about cancer and how I felt when they told me about your bladder. No one wants to hear that and we all deal with news like that differently.  We are always happy to support causes we believe in, so we bought tickets immediately. October is breast cancer awareness month. Pink things are everywhere – you know that is my color!

I remember when Cheetah was near the end of her wonderfully long life, I used to say she was my soul, Tarzan, my heart and Freedom my spirit. I always thought you were a lot like Cheetah because you loved everyone and you had a true love of life. I can understand why you chose Joy for us. She embodies all those characteristics that I love and don’t you find it so ironic that her name was Joy? I mean, you really went all out to make sure that we got our Joy back – literally and we are so grateful to you for that.

I miss you each and every day but you are always there in so many things that happen. Your Red Maple has grown so large in just a year and as the Fall slowly sets in, the tips of the leaves have recently started to turn red – your color!

But you knew that already. You are red and I am pink and pink is clearly a derivative of red. Of course that makes so much sense. We are of each other, mind and spirit -no matter where we are physically we will never be without each other. We love you, Bailey.

Write me Soon….xoxooxox, mommy

When You Strive For the Best….

12 Sunday Aug 2012

Posted by in animal families, border collies, coincidence, dog/human relationships, dogs, Doing Your Best, Journaling, letters, loving dogs, loving life, missing your dog, nature, parks, rescue dogs, second chances, Senior Dogs, spirituality, teaching, The Rainbow Bridge, the wind, trees, Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Dear Mommy,

WOOF! I have been so busy, I am late with my letter. Onwen said to me last night, “you had better get your letter posted to mommy! He calls you mommy too. He feels like he knows you. If you would meet him, you would love him so much. He picked this picture of us to send this time. He was looking at it in my den and we started stalking about how lucky I was to have the best mommy and in our conversation we spoke of how people like us always strive for the best. Onwen is very much like me only in boy form! He likes everything so-so.

We were talking in our classes about deserving the best even if the best had not been the experience of someone’s life. There is this sweet Standard Poodle, named Cuddles in my new class and she is a good example of what I mean. Cuddles told me that she came from a home of 3 dogs and she was the oldest. she came over the Rainbow Bridge simply because of old age.  However, she felt neglected by her family as the senior dog, because they had her for many years then they got a puppy and then a few years later, another puppy. Soon, they did not play with her as much and she was kind of left to be on her own.

I know that you have a soft spot in your heart for seniors and that is why you adopted ME!!  Sadly though, many people don’t think like you do. Cuddles was not harmed in any way but she just wasn’t loved like she was when she was first adopted as a puppy. Some people want the “puppy” experience and then they tire of it. Cuddles, like so many of the folks taking the new Finding Joy class, have had that experience and it makes me sad. I think that when people adopt a cat, a dog, a horse or any animal companion, they should give their very best to them, like you did and all your friends do.

In turn, we should expect the best in life and then I think we get it. If we think we are not deserving of it, then maybe we will not have that experience. When I looked for a dog for you guys, I wanted you to have the best dog. That does not mean she is a perfect dog – none of us are perfect! It just means that she is the best dog for you at this time in your life. From what you have told me and from what I have seen, I think I accomplished my goal with great success! Joy is an interesting soul. She is going to be very interesting to watch grow up. I think she is doing amazing taking in account the horrors she has been through in her puppy-hood. She is safe with you and so loved. She expects the VERY best, the little princess that she is! I find that so miraculous since she never received the best until she went to Indian Summers. As Dr. Victoria has said, even that is not a real home. It’s a safe haven, yes. But now she is where she belongs. That is what I mean.

I think people can apply this thinking too! Maybe life has not always been perfect, but there is always a chance to make it brighter. If you are the best and demand the best from others, you shall receive it in return and that is what I am doing here in Hyfryd with my classes. I know you are proud! So that is my letter for today. You taught me so much about love Mommy, maybe you are not even aware of that, but you did. You are the best and so am I and that is why WE were a team and will always be one! Love forever and ever – Your Sweet Bailey Girl! WRITE ME SOON!!!!!!!!!!!!

PS: OF COURSE I RUSTELED THE TREE!!

PSS: I hear you are going to renew your vows at our tree! I LOVE THAT! I can hardly wait! Write me all about it! xoxooxoxox