Category Archives: spirituality

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

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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

Did You See My Rainbow?

26 Monday May 2014

Posted by in animal families, border collies, cats, dog adoption., dog/human relationships, dogs, Dogs named Bailey, Florida, Journaling, joy, letters, loving dogs, loving life, memories, missing your dog, rememberence, rescue dogs, second chances, spirituality, The Rainbow Bridge, trees

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Bailey in Yard so lovely

Hi Mommy!

Did you see the Rainbow I sent you tonight from Hyfryd? I knew daddy would show it to you cause I saw him standing outside right after the rain and I had felt you thinking about me yesterday and today since you are getting ready to go back to PA. I heard you ALREADY telling Joy that you cannot wait to see how big my Tree got at Buhl Park. I am NOT going to tell you so it will be a surprise. I cannot wait for you to visit our Red Maple!  I miss you so much lately. You know how much I loved riding in the car all the way from Florida to PA. I made the trip WAY more fun, didn’t I?  I never complained because it was so much fun to just relax, listen to music and eat treats for 1100 miles! Haha!! Now Joy gets to do that. I see you bought her a den so she will be more safe in the car. I think that was a good idea!

Not too much new to report. School is out now and I have to spend summer preparing for some new classes I want to create. One, I know you will like and I got the idea from our book, Letters to Each Other. I was thinking about calling it Love Communication 101. I will place an emphasis on how the doggies, kitties and all the animals here can learn to communicate better with their loved ones even though we do not share a physical world anymore. I will develop different techniques for them to learn; I still have to flesh it out. You know, some days it is so very hard, not just for me, but for a lot of my friends. Tarzan, Cheetah, Freedom and Lucky miss you so much. They heard you say the other day that you think about them all the time. I know you have their pictures everywhere, just like you have mine. I love that you are a picture taker. When you adopted me as a senior, I bet you took MY picture more than anyone ever took it in the 7 years I lived before we fell in love! I see you always taking Joy’s picture as well. That is good to create many memories. We need them. Being separated physically does NOT mean we forget anything!

Writing the book with you really made me MORE popular than I already was and you know how I could turn a head! Haha! You will be proud that everyone here has a copy of the book here and I do not know how you made that happen, but it’s wonderful just like you Mommy. You are the best Dog/Cat mom in the world! Give Safari boy and Joy a big kiss for me!

Well, I just wanted to make sure you saw the Rainbow I sent with all my thoughts and wishes of love. As you like to say “see you soon Bailey Girl…” In my heart and mind I see you each minute of every day.

All My Love,

Your Bailey Girl xoxoxooxox

Good Food Makes People (And Dogs) Happy!

18 Friday Apr 2014

Posted by 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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Thankful Thoughts of You, Bailey…

20 Wednesday Nov 2013

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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

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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

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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

 

A Leaf and a Paw…

05 Saturday Oct 2013

Posted by in border collies, cats, dog kisses, doggy kisses, dogs, Fall, letters, missing your dog, sky, spirituality, talking dogs, The Rainbow Bridge, trees

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bailey red leaf

Saafari writes to Bailey

 

Dear Mommy,

I am sending you these two pictures. What? You did not know I could Send YOU pictures did you? It’s something new that this really. really cool donkey named Colby invented. People think donkeys are stupid, but they really aren’t. In fact, Colby is super smart and adorable too., You would LOVE him – not as much as you love me of course, but you know what I mean.

His idea is called Rainbow Pic and he heard about all this cloud stuff you all are doing on earth. People put pictures and papers into their clouds, which we think is very funny because we LIVE in the clouds. I saw you looking out the plane when you went to Chicago. You always look at the clouds and think of me – I KNOW! I can see you and I miss you. DO me a favor though and never take that tiny plane again back to Pittsburgh, okay? Good!

Anyway, Rainbow Pic has been SUCH a phenomenon here because everyone is it. We take pictures a bit differently than you do. We just point our paw, claw or hoof at what we want to capture and viola!  We heard that new iPhone has some kind of fingerprint recognition and everyone thinks that is cool. Imagine what they would think of our way. Literally “point and shoot!” ha!

I saw you sit down this morning to do some work and it was funny how Safari was trying to write. I think it was his way of saying hello. He must miss me sooooo much! Joy sure herds him around quite a bit. I do not think he likes it so much but he needs to move around and I do thinks he loves attention – not that he does not get enough from you!

So you like how the one lone red leaf changed? I like to get my tree going slowly! The same thing happened last year, remember? It’s my very special leaf just for you to show you that I am still there with you always.

I know it is been too long since I wrote but classes have been crazy busy. Seems like there is a lot of abuse going on down there and our classes are so needed. No one here understand why anyone would treat an innocent animal anyway but sweetly. The physical world needs more kindness to animals and toward other people! We think it’s hurting the whole earth in so many ways. I mean even the government cannot get along! That is so ridiculous. Here everyone gets along and love and kindness is all that there is. Of course only the nice ones get all this!

Well, I just wanted to say good morning. I love you so much and miss you touching me, but when you stroke Joy’s fur, I know you think of me as well.

Yours forever,

Bailey Girl

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

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“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

Our Book, Letters to Each Other is Published!

26 Friday Jul 2013

Posted by in adopting dogs, books, coincidence, dog adoption., dog kisses, dog/human relationships, Journaling, letters, missing your dog, parks, Petfinder, rememberence, rescue dogs, second chances, Senior Dogs, spirituality, The Rainbow Bridge, the wind, trees, Uncategorized, www.petfinder.com

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IMG_0200letters from bailey coverDearest Bailey, Well, after MUCH hard work, our efforts have paid off. Our book, Letters to Each Other, is now out. It will take a couple of weeks for it to appear on Kindle, but that’s okay they can buy a hard copy now. For all your pals in Hyfryd here is the link:https://www.createspace.com/4161035. Also, I created a beautiful website for it as well so that you can direct everyone to http://www.letterstoeachother.com. I know you and Barkley, Anwen, Tarzan, Cheetah, Freedom and everyone will be helping to promote our book. When is your first book signing? I told createspace to ship you some books! I took this picture of your tree yesterday at Buhl Park, the day the book was published. When I got there the wind came in very strong and this one very dark green leaf was actually waving as though you were saying hello. I loved that. Do you like the cover? I really do! They did a great job with the design don’t you think? I want to hear all of your thoughts because really, the book is all about you sweet girl. Of course we are working girls and I still have much work to do here to help promote the book. I decided to give $1 of each book sold to Indian Summers Border Collie Rescue, since that is where you sent me to find our Joy. If your friends need more information, the website is http://www.indiansummers.org. I love you Bailey. Always and Always. More later. I have to get back to work and so do you!   xo, me

A Bird, a Bug and a Rustle of Wind…

17 Monday Jun 2013

Posted by in border collies, dog kisses, dog/human relationships, Dogs named Bailey, letters, loving dogs, spirituality, summer, talking dogs, The Rainbow Bridge, the wind, Working Dogs

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I KNOW, I KNOW! I AM SO SORRY! It was NOT that I was not excited that the book arrived! I AM SO excited, except it was only the proof copy! haha! Okay, I know I am being terrible, but I know you that YOU KNEW it was me the other day when you felt that bug gently kiss you on the face! Then today I told that bird to chirp and then I rustled the leaves on our tree at Buhl Park! You know that was my apology for not writing sooner. I have JUST been so crazy busy finishing up the den – it is all finished now and it’s so big! Tarzie, Cheetah and Freedom’s place are all attached and of course Barkley – It’s like we have 3 Towndog Dens in one! It is fantastic!!

I really am so excited. I cannot WAIT though until it is finally ALL done and in your hands and at the library and everywhere! Having the summer off is so nice, but I do have some preparation to do before classes start in the Fall again, but it will be nice to just play and have some fun now that the big project is finally done. Our place in the coolest in Hyfryd. Everyone comes by to admire it. I know that sounds a bit braggadocios, but it is really true! haha! We love it. I have to tell you that Tarzan of yours is quite the funny guy. He is a really good worker. He is so feisty, I can only imagine what HE was like as a kitten. Cheetah told me she used to unravel all the toilet paper when she was a kitten. She is so puuuurrrrrfect, I cannot imagine her doing anything wrong. You really have quite a long history mommy of interesting critter characters! Every one of them are so wonderful. Freedom is the most cuddly thing, always rubbing up against me. You could not have had better cats.  Being your first and very best dog (yeah, yeah I know you LOVE Joy too! – It’s Ok!) well, I know I set the bar high because I am a nice girl now aren’t I mommy?

I know I just do not write back fast enough sometimes and I feel especially bad about it since you told me the book was complete. Call them tomorrow and see what is going on with your final edit! I know you will listen to my advice because you have to as I AM THE CO-AUTHOR!

Well, I just wanted to say how much I love you and how proud I am that we will soon be promoting our book – that is the next project! You always have so much work on your desk mommy, sometimes I feel bad for you but I know you like it most of the time, just like me. We girls rather be busy than bored! Write me back soon, even though I do not deserve a letter so quickly – haha! I will be seeing you at the park! I am very jealous of all the whipped crème Joy gets at Starbucks, by the way. I could not have it very often due to my sensitive tummy, but now I can have all I want and it’s ALWAYS in my fridge! It’s so sweet, just like YOU!

I love you so very much and miss you each day,

Your Sweet Bailey Girl

We Arrived and So Did the Book…

01 Saturday Jun 2013

Posted by in books, border collies, dog kisses, dog/human relationships, dogs, Journaling, joy, letters, loving dogs, missing your dog, parks, rememberence, rescue organizations www.petfindder.com, Senior Dogs, spirituality, The Rainbow Bridge, Working Dogs

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Dear Bailey,

It’s June 1st! When we arrived back in PA, the proof of our book, Letters to Each Other, was waiting at the mailroom. After the exhausting two-day drive, I took a break and read through some of it. I have to read the whole thing again to make sure it is perfect. As I started to read it, I thought of everything that happened in our life together and why the book was even written. I started to cry just looking at it. It is beautiful and I am still in awe of the fact that it is a book. I am not sure it has fully sunk in yet. I know you will be excited to hear this news and even though I am so tired, I had to sit down and write you this note.

I plan on reading the whole thing tomorrow, cover to cover. It’s supposed to rain and after the church breakfast that is my plan, so I can call the publisher on Monday. I am so proud of us Bailey. I really am. I was thinking about you so much today. Joy and I were playing with her new soft Frisbee, courtesy of the Marriott Residence Inn where we stayed. It was really windy and the Frisbee is so light it was sailing on the breeze and she was having fun trying to catch it before it hit the ground. She LOVES this new toy and I was thinking how much youIMG_0072

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and her would have loved each other. You are so similar in so many ways. I am sending you this picture of her I took today. We also went to Kraynaks to get vegetable plants and flowers for your special spot. Wait till you see all the lovely red flowers I got! You will love them. Let me know what you think with one of your many signs and I will look toward the sky.

It’s supposed to cool off after the rains tomorrow. I was hoping to get to Buhl Park to see the tree tomorrow. I am so excited to see how much it has grown. The winter here was more rainy than snowy, so I am curious to see what kind of growth occurred. I am sure it is green and lush and beautiful just like you. Safari is sitting right here on the desk as I wrote you this letter, as he always does. I think he likes when I write to you and wants to be close.

Well, I just wanted to tell you that we arrived and so did the book. I was hoping it would be here and it was. Tomorrow is a special day. Maybe I will pick a quiet spot, read it out loud so you can listen along. We have accomplished quite a big goal my sweet girl. I love you so very much and always will….

Written with love and heart,

mommy