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

Bailey's Journal

Category Archives: Senior Dogs

Happy Birthday Bailey

20 Wednesday Jun 2018

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

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bailey buhl fall 420180525_132618

Dear Bailey,

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

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

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

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The Color of Bailey

06 Monday Nov 2017

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

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

Dear Mommy,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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The Joy Beneath Your Tree

01 Friday Sep 2017

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

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

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

 

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The Purpose of A Dog is Love

19 Monday Sep 2016

Posted by Sherri Maddick in adopting a new dog, adopting dogs, books, border collies, dog adoption., dog kisses, Dog walking, dog/human relationships, dogs, Dogs named Bailey, joy, love, loving dogs, missing your dog, rescue dogs, Senior Dogs, spirituality, The Rainbow Bridge, trees, Working Dogs

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Bailey girl
20160905_125145

 

Dear Bailey,

Tomorrow is the day 5 years ago you left us in physical spirit but not a day goes by without your life beating in a large space in my heart and I am sure part of you in inside Ms. Joy. When I was walking her today at the park and visiting your tree I thought about the book, A Dog’s Purpose, which I read after you went over the Rainbow Bridge. Well, they are making a movie of the book and I will be the first one in line on January 26th. Of course the book begins with a dog names Bailey.

I remember thinking after I read that book not only do I totally agree that every animal we rescue takes on the spirit of the former fur child, but that a dog’s purpose is simply love and you and I loved each other so much even though you were a senior when I found you and we did not have as much time together as we would have liked, but I think I crammed at least 15 years of fun and love into the 3-1/2 years we enjoyed together. You were such a pleasure to be with and you shared your love so freely.  Joy is learning to do that more and more with others and I am certain you are helping out with that, and I am proud of her and you for caring so much about Joy, who is, like you a special girl who I am madly in love with.

I just wanted to say that you missed physically every day Bailey but you are with me and I am with you always and forever in our hearts and souls.

With all my love,

Mommy

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Bailey’s Tree Becomes Prime Real Estate

18 Tuesday Aug 2015

Posted by Sherri Maddick in animal companions, animal families, border collies, dog adoption., dog kisses, Dog walking, dog/human relationships, dogs, faith, Senior Dogs, spirituality

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adoption, animal companion, animal rescue, animals, Bailey dogs, beautiful dogs, doggy parks, dogs, loving dogs, parks, spirituality, trees, Walking your dog

 

Bailey's Tree Aug 2015

Bailey’s Tree, August 2015  

bailey's buhl park real estate

View of the area where the doggy park will be behind her tree

Walking through Buhl Park the other day, I learned that Bailey’s tree is now prime real estate, since they are building a doggy park right behind her tree!

When I heard this news from a man working over there I was elated. Bailey always brought so much happiness to everyone she interacted with that it just figures that the doggy park would be nearby. Like in Hyfryd, where she, Safari, Tarzan, Cheetah Freedom, Shauna, Lucky and Jane and the rest of her furry friends reside, over the bridge, there will be happy barks and yelps, smiles and laughs from all who go to the doggy park area and she will be there to see all the action.

When I looked for a sapling to dedicate they showed me different trees all around the park. For those of you who have read this blog, or our book, Letters to Each Other, you know the tree is a Red Maple and its type was chosen because of her red Coach Collar, which she wore so proudly. I chose the location because it had a view of Lake Julia and the country club. Being that Bailey was a diva (deservedly so) I thought it was the perfect spot. Bailey enjoyed the finer things in life and we were always happy to give her everything.

As a senior adoption, you especially never know how much time you have and  a lot of time was something we could not give her yet the 3-1/2 years she shared our love and home, were her best – that I know – it’s what gives me comfort. Even though she crossed the bridge and I can’t see her physically, I always see her at the tree. Although she is buried in our yard, I always think of her as being at the tree. The park is my peaceful place. I spend a lot of time there and I spent a lot of time with her there, as I do now with Joy. It’s one of the most beautiful places on earth and now it will be even more lovely with the addition of the doggy park, right in Bailey territory.

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Happy Birthday Bailey Girl…You little “deer”

20 Monday Jul 2015

Posted by Sherri Maddick 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

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Bailey dogs, border collies, dogs, dogs and cats, female dogs, letters, love, older dogs, pet parents, rainbow bridge, spirituality, the loss of a pet, unconditional love

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
Lake Julia
Joy n me
Joy n me
Bailey's Tree
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

 

 

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Naked Leaves

31 Friday Oct 2014

Posted by Sherri Maddick 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

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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

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Good Food Makes People (And Dogs) Happy!

18 Friday Apr 2014

Posted by Sherri Maddick in border collies, dog/human relationships, food, Journaling, joy, missing your dog, rememberence, Senior Dogs, spirituality, Starbucks, The Rainbow Bridge

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bailey fall 1Dearest Bailey,

I have missed you much of late but then again, I always do. I love that this picture and one of Joy slurping a Starbucks puppy latte (whipped crème) comprises my Twitter page background @sherrifood. Chef Didier Durand’s motto is Good Food Makes People Happy, but I would take that one step further and include dogs as well. Joy certainly shares your passion for dining and I find it funny how some dogs I know are “picky” eaters! Really? There is such a thing?  There are probably NO picky Border Collies! The fact that you both loved food so much and that I am a chef/restaurant publicist is amusing!

Joy continues to live on in your princess slippers but I have to say that she likes to eat very healthy. She loves her veggies so much that I give them to her everyday at lunch. When we returned from the cruise it gave me pleasure to get back to my little routine of feeding her and Safari. Although breaks are nice, I actually like doting on fur kids and I think they like it too. I miss taking care of you as well. I hated when you were so sick and that cancer took you over the rainbow bridge but you are here everyday with me. By the way, our book (Letters to Each Other for those reading this the first time) recently sold some more copies and there are some new reviews on Goodreads! We always did work well together and even now that we have to work far away from each other it’s like I can reach out and touch you and many times I feel you doing just that too. Love you Bailey Girl.

xoxox, mommy

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Santa Bailey I Love You…

11 Wednesday Dec 2013

Posted by Sherri Maddick in animal families, border collies, Christmas, dog kisses, dog/human relationships, dogs, Journaling, letters, loving dogs, loving life, missing your dog, rememberence, rescue dogs, second chances, Senior Dogs, The Rainbow Bridge, Uncategorized

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santa bailey 1
santa bailey 2
santa bailey 3

Dearest Bailey,

The tree, the ornaments, the lights, the color red, most of all. Red was your color. The color of your Coach collar and leash. The holidays are all about red and I cannot help but see and feel your energy everywhere. Little Joy reminds me of you. I never knew you as a young pup, but I always think you would have been just like her. You Border Collies are so similar in your sweet dispositions and great energy – and Joy has amazing energy that I wish I could bottle and give to people everywhere. I love that about her. It’s so joyous and positive.

I need you to write me a letter very soon and tell me how you are doing. I need to know how everyone is in Hyfryd. Anwen, Tarzan, Cheetah, Barkley, Shauna, EVERYONE! I need a holiday report. Have you decorated the den yet? Is it sparkly? I hope so. Tell me everything.

I love you the most in the Universe my Sweet Bailey. Write me soon. I need it.

Mommy xoxooxx

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Thankful Thoughts of You, Bailey…

20 Wednesday Nov 2013

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border collies, dog communication, older dogs, rainbow bridge, spirituality, the loss of a pet, thnaksgiving, unconditional love, www.petfinder.com

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

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Posted by Sherri Maddick | 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

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