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Bailey's Journal

~ The Adventures of Bailey, A Senior Border Collie That was Rescued

Bailey's Journal

Category Archives: New Year’s Eve

Bailey’s Christmas Visit

24 Thursday Dec 2015

Posted by Sherri Maddick in animal companions, animal families, Christmas, coincidence, death, Dogs named Bailey, Florida, Journaling, joy, letters, memories, missing your dog, New Year's Eve, rememberence, rescue dogs, spirituality, The Rainbow Bridge, Uncategorized

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animal rescue, Bailey dogs, border collies, Christmas, Christmas Eve, dogs, faith, love, magic, rainbow bridge, rainbows, spirituality, the beach, unconditional love

 

little bailey
rainbow shells

Tonight is Christmas Eve. Two connected things happened this week of Christmas, always a magical time. I had posted on Facebook how much I was missing my Bailey. The next day, this rainbow appeared in my front bathroom over the shells that have been collected on the beach over the years.

I had a free day and planed on Christmas shopping and taking some me time, but after dropping off my husband and his friend to the marina for a day of fishing I stopped back home, looked at Joy and said, let’s go to the beach. It was so early I figured I could make her happy and get in some me time as well.

Joy was so excited as I put money in the meter and we walked onto the beach. The surf was high and made beautiful windy water sounds. A woman was there with her cute daughter Ava, and this little gray dog. We started chatting and because our dogs wanted to meet so badly they were whimpering in sync. She complimented Joy on what a beautiful dog she is and I replied that her dog was cute and asked her the dog’s name. “Bailey,” she said. I knelt down and I said, “Of course you are Bailey coming to visit me Christmas week.” I petted her and she just looked at me so sweetly. We chatted for a while longer and we realized we were also part time resident in Pennsylvania. I in the West, and she in the Eastern half of the state. Yes I was sure it was Bailey.

Since Bailey crossed over the Rainbow Bridge in the Fall of 2011, she continues to be with me in different forms. We wrote our book together, Letters to Each Other, which grew out of this blog.

I hope people embrace the thought that this is probably not all there is. How else do you explain deja vu? I think those feelings you get that something has happened before or some act feels familiar, are in between places where true loves never dies . BAILEY FAV PIC SMALL

As we move toward 2016, I wish everyone peace on Earth and a true connection with those you love and always keep them in your heart.

Bailey's Santa Look!

I know I am the best!

 

 

 

 

 

 

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And Another Year Goes By…

27 Friday Dec 2013

Posted by Sherri Maddick in amazon.com, animal families, border collies, dog/human relationships, dogs, letters, loving dogs, missing your dog, New Year's Eve, rainbow bridge, rememberence, rescue dogs, second chances, The Holidays, Uncategorized

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animal companions, border collies, Christmas, dog communication, letters, loving dogs, missing dogs, older dogs, rainbow bridge, senior dogs, spirituality, talking dogs, unconditional love

letters from bailey cover

MOMMY!

I think you have been wondering if I would write before the new year haven’t you? I know, I am terrible, but ’tis the season for over-business but who cares about that? I want to tell you something.

I am so proud of us for getting our book out this year. That was a goal we set and accomplished and I think we should reflect on that for at least a few minutes! I cannot tell you how many people have read our book here in Hyfryd. It’s a lot! Of course I have been using it in my class, Loving 101. It is so popular.

You know, I can see Papa has not read the whole book through yet. I heard him tell you it was because “it’s a sad story” and you told him it wasn’t, really. I knew what you meant because he does not believe in any sort of life other than the one he knows now. That is unfortunate. I know you have tried to explain that Buddhists prepare their whole life FOR the life that comes next. Papa does not believe in that at all and that is okay. Don’t try to make him read the book, maybe it is too hard for him. I know you want him to for all the right reasons–especially since he bugged you about writing your book for SO long!

I just think it is so great that we were able to write it together and finish it and so all the work that made it a reality – well, you more than me, but you could not have done it without me! ha!

 I know you have been missing me around the holidays because I look so darn adorable in a Santa hat, but I have missed you as well. You will be proud to know that your little girl has the most beautifully decorated den and STREET in Hyfryd. We light up the sky here so beautifully it looks like a magic light show!

Instead of being sad, I just wanted to tell you how much I love you. How VERY much I love and miss you and that the book meant the world to me. I do not care if you and I are the only ones who ever read it. I am just proud that we write, read and shared it with others. I know we have some great reviews on http://www.amazon.com and that makes me so happy.

I love you Mommy. The New Year is almost here. I know you will write before or on New Year’s day as you always do. In the next letter I will tell you all about some news at the school – it;s very exciting and you will have more reasons to be proud of your Bailey girl.

I hold you heart in my paws always and I am sending you kisses,

xoxoxo, Bailey

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100 Letters to Each Other – Book One

31 Monday Dec 2012

Posted by Sherri Maddick in animal families, border collies, cancer in dogs, coincidence, dog adoption., dog kisses, dog/human relationships, doggy kisses, dogs, Dogs named Bailey, Doing Your Best, Journaling, joy, kisses, letters, loving dogs, loving life, missing your dog, New Year's Eve, rememberence, second chances, Senior Dogs, spirituality, talking dogs, teaching, The Rainbow Bridge, the wind, Working Dogs

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animal communication, animal companion, animal rescue, Bailey dogs, border collies, cancer in dogs, communication from beyond, dog communication, dog kisses, female dogs, letters, missing your dog, pet companions., pet parents, rainbow bridge, seeing dogs after death, talking dogs, the loss of a pet, unconditional love

Bailey looking so gorgeous
Bailey and me on the day she was adopted
Bailey and me on the day she was adopted
hmmm that villa angus beef is great!
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me-my-mommy-feb-9
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bailey looking up
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Dear Mom,

I get to go first because the book is really all about me, right? Ha! This is our 100th letter, can you believe it? I can hardly imagine all this time has passed, 429 days since we last saw each other to be exact. Where does the time go? If you would have told me that I would have gone from being your simple, walk-in-the-park-meet-people-Bailey Girl, to a very busy teacher who helps dogs, cats and other animals deal with their new life over the Rainbow Bridge, I would have told you that you were crazy! You and I were always busy riding around in the car or going into the stores in Florida together (I loved that!) and I sat by you while you wrote; now I have to write all these things for classes that I never dreamed of teaching. It’s funny how things work out sometimes.

I am so happy you had this idea to write to each other. Of course this was bound to happen because we are so close it truly is amazing. The fact that you always receive my signs and rainbows and sense the moments in the breeze when I am near is astounding to me and I want others who are so close on earth to know that when they are separated by one’s passing, they can still be together. It is beautiful here in Hyfryd, but our life was beautiful together on earth as well. I am happy I found you Joy and that she is a good dog that follows in my paw steps, because she did have big paws to fill! haha!

I go back to work on the 7th and I assume by then you will be arranging for the book to be published, RIGHT? You had better be because everyone here wants copies and I promised to bring it to class. I am sure you will be able to arrange for a special delivery to get me some, since I am its star character! I know this will take a little bit of time, but not oo much! Get busy! I know you will, you are as excited as I am, of that I am sure.

So there is only 90 more minutes until 2013 and that means our book will be published and the second one commences! I could not have anything more exciting to look forward to. Please kiss Papa, Safari and Joy for me. I send you my love and doggy kisses via the wind and I know you do the same. Okay your turn. Write me back before midnight. The year is to be a great one. I love you more than anything.

xoxo00, Your Sweet Bailey Girl

SSPX0012
Bailey looking so gorgeous

Dear Bailey,

Happy New Year my sweet girl. I always seem to have a story for you. I was cleaning out the desk drawer the other day when I cam across a tiny sim card, which I guess is from old, not-smart phone. I put it into the thingy that connects to the computer so I could see what was on there and those two sepia tone pictures of you and two videos, one of you and one of Safari were on it. The two pictures were from the first week you were adopted. I can see one is at Dr. Crago’s office when I brought you in to be checked out after adopting the sweetest senior girl on earth. You look emaciated in those early pictures so it’s amazing what you wound up looking like later after you got good food, love and care from us –  that is why I put those next to each other for you and all to see. I always saw your gorgeous face, even when you were so ridiculously underweight and in need of  a little medical care.

It was your big brown eyes,  and the kiss you gave me at the shelter. That one true  kiss said, “Take me with you, please. I have been here for a whole year and even though I am the office dog I hate sleeping here with other barking dogs. I want a soft place to sleep and people to love me.” What did it take me? Five minutes to tell them, I wanted to take you home? Maybe less. We belonged together that is for sure. I had no doubt in my mind just as I had no doubt that when you left me that we would continue to love each other and communicate forever and share our story with others. I want people to know they too can be connected no matter where they are physically. Love, after all, is a state of mind and heart.

Yes, yes I will begin to put the wheels in motion to get the book published as soon as possible. We are ready for book 2 now. I cannot believe so much time has passed but not a day goes by when you are not spoke of. I got the stats on how many people read this blog this year and I am dumbfounded. People from all over the world read our letters, so I am hopeful that more people would receive our message if it was in book form. If we help only 1 person that would be amazing, right? I want to hear how your first day of classes goes in this new year, so write me after that, okay and I will give you a report on the state of the book which needs a lot of editing.

I miss you everyday my sweet girl; our story will continue.. I am sending New year’s love to  You,  Onwen, Tarzan, Cheetah, Freedom, Lucky and everyone else. You are my lovely inspiration and it all started with a true kiss between us.

Here is to the next 100 letters…… My Forever Love,

me…..xoxoxoox

SSPX0014

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My Rainbow In Your Sink…

26 Wednesday Dec 2012

Posted by Sherri Maddick in animal families, Christmas, coincidence, dog/human relationships, Dogs named Bailey, Journaling, joy, letters, loving dogs, missing your dog, New Year's Eve, Poetry, rememberence, Senior Dogs, spirituality, talking dogs, teaching, The Rainbow Bridge, Uncategorized, Working Dogs

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animals, anniversaries, Bailey dogs, books, border collies, Christmas, dog adoption, dog communication, dogs named Bailey, female dogs, letters, life with dogs, love, rainbow bridge, seeing dogs after death, spirituality, teaching, the rainbow bridge, writers

IMG_2000

Hi Mommy!

So you saw the Rainbow I sent you. I did not mean for it to land in the bathroom sink, but maybe that is where it was supposed to land since that is where you were at that exact moment! That was my other Christmas present to you. I am sure that you liked it because you sure rushed to get the camera! ha! The day was not that sunny, so it probably did not last too long, but I thought it was a great gift to give you, the colorful light of my energy.

I just realized that this si the 99th letter! Wow! So I guess one more will make our 100th and here we go to the bookstore!  WOOF! It’s going to be a lot of editing work that is for sure! A new project for 2013! I am so excited. I guess we might have to split letter 100, l okay? Then we will BOTH have the last word of the first book! haha! I like that idea. We have to do it before 2012 ends, right. Right!

Christmas with everyone here was quiet, much like at your house. I prefer it that way – a good time for reflection and you have always been one to write about a year in summation – me too. We will have a great 100th letter. Let’s think about what we want to say and meet back here this week and finish our work for the book. I cannot wait!

I love you forever,

Your Bailey Always xoxoxoox

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On The Journey Which You Have Led Me…..

26 Sunday Feb 2012

Posted by Sherri Maddick in adopting a new dog, animal families, border collies, cancer in dogs, coincidence, dog adoption., Dog walking, dog/human relationships, dogs, Dogs named Bailey, Florida, letters, loving dogs, loving life, missing your dog, nature, New Year's Eve, Petfinder, rainbow bridge, rescue dogs, second chances, Senior Dogs, talking dogs, The Rainbow Bridge, Workign Dogs, Working Dogs

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adoption, animal companion, animal rescue, Bailey dogs, border collies, cancer in dogs, Cats, coincidence, dog adoption, dog communication, dogs and cats, dogs named Bailey, letters, life with dogs, love, loving cats, loving dogs, missing your dog, older dogs, pet parents, seeing dogs after death, senior dogs, spirituality, talking dogs, the loss of a pet, the rainbow bridge, unconditional love, working dogs, www.petfinder.com

 Dearest Bailey,

I am so glad to hear that your Loving 101 class is so popular! I am still going ahead with our book plans, but you were correct, we need the right number of pages….what do you think? Of course I want your imput. It has to be perfect like you!

If anyone could teach about love it is you my darling child. How I miss you. So many things here remind me of you. No matter where I am I think of you constantly. Dogs are running around the house here all the time and this season there are many more outside cats to chase away and I don’t have you to protect Safari’s lanai and he misses that.

This past week he started sleeping behind the chair at night – your spot. He truly does miss you and having his pal by his side–not as much as ME of course, but none the less he does. And that brings me to the next point. Do you remember that  I told you about Dr. Summers and Joy? You do? Oh good. I just heard you say that in my head – your amazing that way and I am sure you have wondered about it. Well, Joy is in Ohio, about an hour and half from the house and we plan on meeting her when we return to PA. Dr. Summers assures me that she is ready for a good home like we can give her and that she will like us. I keep hoping that she will. She has a friend named Shawn there and I hate to think that I am going to break them up. I don’t want her to be upset with me for that. I am hoping that all the things she will get to experience will make up for that. This is her picture:

Certainly we will give her so much love and attention…Isn’t she cute? That is Kernie holding her. He lives there at the place where she is at now which is very beautiful. She is only 2 years old and sadly, she had her puppies taken away from her immediately!  Thankfully,  she was rescued and she needs a home that will give her a lot of love and fun. I think you led me on this journey Bailey because you always have me looking at Petfinder – our special place where I found your sweet picture online and that is how I found Joy and Dr. Summers, who I am so looking forward to meeting in May. I cannot help but think how much she would have loved you. Who didn’t? Complete strangers loved you! As I always said, “Everyone loves Bailey!”

So I wanted to show you Joy, even though I suspect that you have already seen her and maybe you whispered a thing or two in her ear by now, knowing you. Adopting animals in life is so important for one’s soul, we will never live without animals in our lives. Safari continues to crack us up. Yes, he is still in love with his expensive shrimp – thankfully I get my discount at TFM! He is so adorable and lately he has been wanting to spend more time outside on the leash. The weather here has been unseasonably warm – the warmest February on record they say. I think his outdoor interest has a lot to do with Stripes, Midnight and a little yellow kitty and of course Princess, Twinkie and your arch nemesis, Polka Dot, running around the yard constantly. I wish these people around here would not leave their cats outside. I always fear for their little lives. I still and will always believe that domestic cats belong inside or on a screened-in porch. Here is a recent pic of him out in the yard on his leash of course you can pin it up in your den!

This was taken on new Year’s Eve and the light was kind of interesting. He is just so handsome – someone online said he looks like royalty he is so gorgeous! All my fur kids are gorgeous and sweet and I like to think that is because of all the love and good care that fills our home, right Bailey?

That is all the news on the doggie/kitty front. I wanted to run all of this by you but you are the one who led me to Joy I am sure and I think together we are on the same doggie book page!. Just make sure that she likes us when me meet! You gave me that one true kiss just like Russell did the second we met. Your little kiss reminded me of his; so sincere and perfect just like the two of you. I want Joy to feel welcome, loved and safe and not scared to leave her current surroundings.

Dr. Summers is creating a program for seniors to help fund the care of their dog when they are on a fixed income. I think that is such a great idea and I am going to help her and Kernie with anything they might need from me. You know how we loved our older folks!  Dr. Summers says Joy loves people and that makes me happy – just like you my love.

Well, we have some chores to do, but I wanted to start the day with a letter to you my sweet. Give me more news. I want to know what you and Barkley have been up to and Onwen as well. Have you been too busy to go explore more towns? I think you will become the official celebrity of Hyfryd I am sure, especially since they are all anticipating the release of our book! Much work to do! Border Collies, right! I guess if I were a dog, I would definitely be one – a working dog – the very best kind, indeed!

With all my love, heart, and wet nose kisses, Your devoted mommy xoxoxoxoxooxo

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The Year’s Beginning (without YOU!)

10 Tuesday Jan 2012

Posted by Sherri Maddick in border collies, coincidence, Dog walking, dog/human relationships, dogs, Dogs named Bailey, letters, loving dogs, loving life, missing your dog, nature, New Year's Eve, rainbow bridge, rescue dogs, The Rainbow Bridge

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adoption, animal companion, animal rescue, Bailey dogs, border collies, cancer in dogs, dog communication, dogs and cats, dogs named Bailey, letters, life with dogs, love, loving cats, loving dogs, missing your dog, older dogs, pet parents, rainbow bridge, senior dogs, the loss of a pet, unconditional love

Dear Mommy,

I know you must be wondering why I have taken 10 days into the new year to write to you when you have already written. I have wanted to, but this time (and I know I have told you not to do this) I am the one having a hard time. I was thinking about 2008, when you came into my life and how fun it was. Oh, don’t get me wrong, Hyfryd is beautiful and I have so many friends and my den is very nice, posh and diva like (of course) but I was thinking as the year began that the one thing that was missing was you. Well, actually 3 things were missing – you, daddy and safari. Although I have been entranced with my new life up here, as 2012 began it sort of hit me that this was MY first year without you in 3-1/2 years. You are my family and always will be and I miss you so much.

I see how much work you have been doing on Facebook  in regard to help in rescuing dogs, especially ones at high risk. Keep up the posting I hope that it helps!~ Yes, we have doggiebook up here and they just told us that soon I will be able to post on your site. It would help if you set me up an account on your dogbook they said, so work on that, okay? I know that makes you want to rescue another dog and I know daddy is not ready and I certainly don’t think that safari is. I saw how he was when Zoe came rushing into the house – and she’s a tiny dog! He was not too fond of Rodeo and he’s my size! I really want you ALL to be ready together. I know you, you would rescue everyone if you could – your heart is always in the perfect place. It certainly was on June 20, 2008 when we found each other.

So I was having a hard time as I sat down to write you under my favorite tree. I think it just hit me that this year will be our real first year of physical separation and I long to push my nose into your face and kiss and lick you and walk with you and drive you crazy! haha! I was running with some friends the other day and I was winning and I was remembering as I slowed in my running with you up our special path you would ALWAYS says, Bailey Wins! Bailey Wins! You always let me win at everything. You are the perfect mommy and who would not miss their perfect mommy, so that is why I did not write sooner. I will admit it, I was a little sad. You know, Border Collies are strong though and JUST like you, I am a strong female, so I thought about not ever telling you all of this, but I can’t help it. I have to be honest.

I personally did not do much of anything to ring in the New Year because of all of this. Barkley was here and we shared some good hamburgers and some potatoes. He misses John and Tracy and we commiserated about all of this. Onwen and company came over later and we barked some songs and fell asleep before midnight. I know – none of you made it either. My tree looked good but I took it down on the 1st just like you did and I hung your picture on my tree like you did there. Aren’t we just the same, you and me? I know we are so if you were a dog mommy, you would be a high energy Border Collie – everyone said we had the same dark brown eyes!

So that is about all since the New Year. Today is the 10th and it feels like more days have gone by. And, by the way, when are you ordering the book? I am so excited! Do it tomorrow! I want to be the star of the blog book (of course). Red cover, right? Good!! I cannot wait! That will cheer us both up – or maybe it will make us cry? Ahhhh, either way, it shows that we are forever connected no matter what year it is, so that is one thing that IS the same in this New Year. In our hearts we are truly one. Always and Always.

Write me soon, mommy! I love you way up to the stars xoxooxoxox

Your Sweet Bailey Girl

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The Year’s Last Letter

03 Tuesday Jan 2012

Posted by Sherri Maddick in animal families, border collies, coincidence, dog/human relationships, dogs, Dogs named Bailey, loving dogs, loving life, missing your dog, New Year's Eve, rescue dogs, second chances, talking dogs, The Rainbow Bridge

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Mommy!

HAPPY NEW YEAR! Look at this picture I have sent you. Me kissing you RIGHT on the lips like I always did. I love this picture so I thought since you were talking about the many doggie kisses you are receiving you might like THIS picture of one of our kisses. Remember, our story started with a kiss – one TRUE kiss! And I want you, in the new year, to remember that real love stories never end – they only continue, whether they are physical or not.

Just because we are in different places, does not mean we are not together. OF COURSE I have been talking to little Zoe and I made sure that she comes over often enough. Didn’t you notice how she kissed you right on the lips, just like me and even Rodeo was kissing you like that the other day when you walked him AND Munchkin did yesterday! I saw all that – and heck, Munch has not even seen you in a long while! You have to know you are like a female version of Dr. Doolittle or something like that. Dogs and cats just gravitate to you. You seem to have a sensitivity we can pick up on and trust and we know these things. Yes, I am putting out feelers for another doggie for you, but I know he/she needs to be special for you to make the jump – after all – you HAD ME!!! Who could better? haha!

I miss you just as much as you miss me, but life is a circle. We are born, and we die. But the good news is that like the years go on, we continue – even after you get old and think you are done with life, you go on. Just think of the shape of a heart, it’s a closed shape that connects on all sides – just like we will always be connected from every side you can think of. The little things that you have been sensing (like the Border collies on Christmas Eve and the Bailey Dog on Christmas day) are very real and it is because I am your heart, just like the ruby one you wear around your neck that daddy made for you in my honor. I love that you wear it every day. You will always be my mom and the one I love and treasure most. Our connection does not stop in the new year it only grows stronger and deeper through our new means of communication – letters to each other. This is the last one of 2011, but we have a lot more to look forward to in 2012 – which starts in a few hours! Like you , I am sleepy and will go to bed before midnight, but I wanted to get this letter to you, so I can sleep well and think of the next beautiful letter I will get from you.

With all my love forever,

Your Sweet Bailey Girl

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The Two Sides of Thankfulness…

21 Monday Nov 2011

Posted by Sherri Maddick in animal families, border collies, cancer in dogs, Dog walking, dog/human relationships, dogs, Florida, loving dogs, loving life, missing your dog, nature, New Year's Eve, parks, Petfinder, rescue dogs, second chances, talking dogs, Thanksgiving

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adoption, animal rescue, anniversaries, border collies, cancer in dogs, Cats, dog communication, dogs, holidays without your dog, life with dogs, loving dogs, missing your dog, older dogs, rainbow bridge, rescues, senior dogs, thanksgiving, unconditional love, www.petfinder.com

My Sweet Girl,

Oh, how I miss you. With Thanksgiving coming up I am conjuring up images of you and the pleasure you derived from Turkey. Of course you ate your turkey everyday, but you always knew it was my favorite holiday and for the first time in many years, and perhaps in protest, I am not making my favorite dinner this year.  Instead we having it with friends at their club. Perhaps it was fortuitous that Ronna asked us this year to join them; I am not feeling in the holiday spirit by any means. It just does not seem like the holiday season without you and I am thinking of skipping the tree as well because without you here to search under it for a new ball, bone or toy, what fun would it be?

I know I should go through it all for Safari, he loves the Christmas tree and knocking off the ornaments, so maybe I will, but I am not feeling the seasonal glow, let’s say. Then there is New Year’s Eve and I will be thinking about how I really hate 2011 because of losing you and then it will be 2012 – a new year without you in it. I am not sure this will ever get any easier for me, Bailey. We were just so joined at the hip and so perfect for each other – I cannot imagine another doggie bearing your greatness. My friend Jeff told me not to think of it that way and I know he is right. he said, just like people, doggies are all different and no two will ever be the same. I understand that logically, but mentally I am not there. He just went through it with Marlowe and now he has Harper and they are very different and he loves her very much, but I still think he has an extra soft spot for Marlowe that will always be there. I never even met Marlowe and I can just feel it from talking to him about it. I think Marlowe was much like you – tenacious and feisty, smart and beautiful and attached at the hip.

So the question is to give thanks or not? I cannot give thanks for you getting cancer. I cannot thank God or whomever is in charge of taking you from me at your young, senior age of only 10. I guess I can think of some things to be thankful for. I am thankful that you still ate like a horse to the very end! I am thankful you NEVER looked sick- EVER! You are the most beautiful dog on or above the planet.  I am thankful that I got more than a year of fun with you after your diagnosis. I am thankful for your Red Maple Tree we have dedicated to you in Buhl Park. I am thankful for the thousands of miles we logged on foot and by car. I am thankful for all the doggie friends we made and the people that we met along the way. I am thankful for all the fun we had going shopping together at our many stores in Coconut Point. Most of all I am thankful that we found each other through Petfinder, kissed each other literally thousands of times and shared a love that most people never feel as strongly. We were lucky for sure, just not for long enough, but as you said, Bailey, we had a lot of quality time together and that is more important that quantity.

I still cannot help but miss you so don’t ask me to. I do love hearing about all of your adventures and I am VERY thankful for your letters and I am thankful you are having a blast in Hyfryd and have met good dog friends and that you are taking care of little Barkley – who I miss as well as Bingo. So keep those letters coming my sweet girl. Know that you are are very much missed in so many ways, but I carry you with me in the Ruby heart necklace and earrings Russell had made for me in honor of you. Your leash stays with us always in the car so you travel with us in spirit and we celebrate you everyday in our thoughts, pictures, magnets on the car – you name it – we are still attached maybe not within physical reach, but in the most spiritual way, in our hearts and especially mine.

Thankful for your love always – Mommy

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Another Year to Say I Love You, Bailey…

31 Friday Dec 2010

Posted by Sherri Maddick 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…

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