Category Archives: talking dogs

On The Journey Which You Have Led Me…..

26 Sunday Feb 2012

Posted by 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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 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

Happy Birthday Mommy…

19 Sunday Feb 2012

Posted by in animal families, Birthdays, border collies, cancer in dogs, coincidence, Dog walking, dog/human relationships, dogs, Dogs named Bailey, letters, loving dogs, loving life, missing your dog, Petfinder, Poetry, rainbow bridge, rescue dogs, second chances, Senior Dogs, talking dogs, The Rainbow Bridge, Uncategorized

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 HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOMMY!,

Of course I am bringing my favorite bone to you for your birthday present one day early, because I HAVE to be the FIRST one to wish you a happy day even thought it’s not until tomorrrow!. I KNOW you must miss me bringing you the bone all the time, so I thought this would be a good picture to share, right? Of course I am right! Sorry it took me so long to get back to you it is just that I have been so busy with my classes! They have become increasingly popular since Onwen put the word out and furry people are coming from many different towns.

One question people are asking me is when the book coming out. I keep telling them you are working on it. I think you are waiting to get to a certain number of pages to print our “first edition,” right? Please let me know so I can tell everyone who asks, okay?

So, since you have been busy writing I thought I would be creative as well (you know how competitive I am! Border Collie!!). You didn’t think I would just give you this picture did you? Well, I know you will love it of course, but I wanted to do something special so I wrote you a poem and this is your special Birthday Present. It’s also your first birthday without me in a long while. I love you so much and if you close your eyes you will feel me giving you a big kiss on your lips like I always did. Here is my poem. I hope that you love it ’cause I love it and I love you more and always – Your Special Bailey Girl….xoxoox

 

Our Bones

Toy Bones

Chew Bones

The Bones of my soul

-touched by dirt and me

Carried over to another side

On me, your touch

I feel

in movements so sparse

moments so large

Blurry “birthdays”

that meld into One Day

The one on which we met.

My Bailey Valentine…

11 Saturday Feb 2012

Posted by in animal families, border collies, cancer in dogs, coincidence, Dog walking, dog/human relationships, dogs, Dogs named Bailey, Florida, letters, loving dogs, loving life, missing your dog, nature, parks, Petfinder, rainbow bridge, rescue dogs, second chances, Senior Dogs, talking dogs, The Rainbow Bridge, valentine's day

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My Dearest Bailey Girl,

I was so proud after reading your letter about the class you are teaching. It did not come as too big a surprise that you would be telling people how to love because you are so great at it! You are a perfect role model of what a doggie girl should be. I have never understood why a dog is called “Man’s Best Friend,” when they are truly “Woman’s Best Friend” as well. Nothing made me happier that walking with you in the park – or any of the many places we made tracks in the world, whether it be in sand, snow, leaves or mud. Our imprints are forever.

I will bet that more and more furry folk sign up for your class and I cannot wait to hear more about it! Did Onwen take the class or is he helping you? I bet you had Barkley there! I don’t know if you would want to do this since it would be very personal, but perhaps you could share one or two of our letters with the class, so they could understand how writing can help them adjust to their new home situation. A day does not go by when you are not talked about. Even while I was cooking my Chocolate Soup today at The Fresh Market, your name came up. Maybe some of the people in Hyfryd would want to know their people on this side are probably talking about them as well.

Dr. Victoria and I have talked a lot about you as well. I know you must have made me find her and Joy – there is no other explanation about how all these things happen. Your sense of place here is so profound and just because physical space separates us, it does not make us any less apart. You know Valentine’s Day is Tuesday and though the “holiday” has been turned into a very commercial one, the true meaning behind it has always been my favorite – to honor love and I have always been so happy to be born in the month of the love! I came into this world ready to give a lot of it to those who truly deserve it. You my Bailey, are my true valentine and really, aren’t all these letters between us valentine’s? They are love letters, that is for sure.  Write me one soon.

Happy Valentine’s Day My Sweetest Girl – With Love Deep in my Heart

xoxoxoxoox, mommy

Loving You 101…

07 Tuesday Feb 2012

Posted by in animal families, border collies, cancer in dogs, coincidence, dog/human relationships, dogs, Dogs named Bailey, Florida, letters, loving dogs, loving life, missing your dog, nature, Petfinder, rainbow bridge, rescue dogs, second chances, talking dogs, The Rainbow Bridge

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  Dear Mommy,

This picture is one of my favorites because I had never been on a boat before this particular day and it was so much fun to feel the wind in my fur and to smell the air and the salt water in Florida. I loved seeing the other boats whiz by and just feel so free on our boat.

Since Valentine’s Day is approaching, I wanted to tell you that I am leading a class which I sort of named with you in mind. It’s called Loving You 101. Since arriving here in Hyfryd I’ve become a role model to some other doggies. Of course I think this happened too because I am writing this book with you and everyone thinks I am sort of a celebrity or something. I still just think I am Bailey Maddick, but I remember how you sometimes thought I was a diva. And Wes, at the dog park, always called me “the movie star.” I secretly loved when he called me that!

The class is how to love even though your true family is on the other side of the Rainbow Bridge and you cannot see them. In my class, I have talked about how writing can be very helpful, even if you are not a good writer – I mean you are teaching me more and more as the time goes on and I love it. I just started the class, that is why it took me almost a week to write you back, because I was busy preparing and I wanted to write and tell you the news! I have held two classes this week; each were 1 hour-long. The first class had 22 “students” and when word got out about it, the second class had nearly 50! I was so happy that people enjoyed the class.

Being a Border Collie, I am a natural-born leader right? Of course you know that! haha! However, YOU taught me so much about true love. I got to observe it every day with you, daddy & Safari and when you adopted me, it was like I never lived anywhere else. Just like you knew the instant we met, I did too. So my class is all about love, the signs of love and for us on this side, how we can maintain love now that our family cannot pet us, hear us bark with happiness or wag our tails with joy at them. This is an adjustment. Sure it is beautiful here. We are all healthy and free of illness of any kind and we look and feel young and strong, which is wonderful – but the hard part is that we cannot share that with the people we loved so very much and writing these letters with you has made me think more deeply about love and spirituality and how we continue on.

For those of us who are still very connected in a deeply personal way, like you and I, it’s more difficult I think. Those are the types of folks who came to the classes so far. They need a reason here to exist and excel with a purpose; not just live every day to play and simply have fun. Mommy, you know I am a working breed. I need to do something and I think I have found my niche! I am sort of a new doggie philosopher and honestly it’s because of all the unconditional love you gave me right back.

So I wanted you to know about the class and my new job and I know you will be so proud of me. And I am proud to have left that side of the Bridge as your furry daughter – I have learned much and wish to teach others now who might need a loving paw on their shoulder. You always said that love is all that really matters and you are so right but I knew that as soon as we met. Our time was not as long as we wanted, but oh, what a great time we shared because we learned so much from each other.

That brings me to the next point. Joy. Yes, I know all about her. Petfinder and my face led you to come and see me and I wanted to make sure that Petfinder would lead you down the next path as well. Think about it, if it were not for www.petfinder.com we would have never found each other! They should know that! I see you sit at your computer and think about missing me and wanting another doggie girl, so I made sure your little hands typed on the page that led you to see Joy’s picture. Of course she is beautiful like me and I must say I am just a teeny bit jealous cause she is so young too, but that will be a good thing I am sure. I know you cannot meet her until May since you are in Florida, but I just know you will hit it off. She has that face that called to you just like me. I knew you would print out her picture and write to Miss Victoria. In May, when you go to meet Joy, I will be beside you. I will plan a class around this topic, for those of us over here, we just want to love and have our families feel love again as well. With you, I know your love for me has never stopped for even one second. I feel that in the moon and trees and wind and stars, everyday. I will teach the other doggies all about this and how the strong ones can continue their connection and help those they love like I help you. I will never leave your heart or mind mommy because we will always be one.

All My Love and Millions of Kisses,

Your Sweet Bailey Girl

 

Loving Laps….

30 Monday Jan 2012

Posted by in animal families, border collies, cancer in dogs, coincidence, dog/human relationships, dogs, Dogs named Bailey, letters, loving dogs, loving life, missing your dog, nature, rainbow bridge, rescue dogs, second chances, talking dogs, The Rainbow Bridge

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MOMMY!

Good Monday Morning to you…I am SOOO sorry for not writing sooner since my last letter, but Onwen and I took a little trip to see his cousin Taffy who is an older Border Collie and he lives in the town of Seren. I suspect you might have been outside last night because I felt you looking up at the stars – it was a very clear night, wasn’t it? The sky was so clear that I thought I saw you sitting on the chair outside in the cool air last night. Were you looking up? I thought you were. Did you notice that the belly of the moon’s smile shape made a larger smile? I saw that I am sure you did too.

I think that happened because were in Seren and guess what Seren means? STAR! Like you always told me, everything happens for a reason, we just cannot figure out one thing and that is why we have to be separated from our loved ones. When someone figures that out, let me know cause they will probably get the Nobel Prize or something.

I wanted to send you this picture I have up in my den. I LOVE this picture of us. I really always wished I was a lap-sized dog, cause I was always trying to cuddle up with you, but somehow you always made it work; see how happy you look holding me in this picture? We look so content together. Laps are so good for love. They are cuddly and comforting and who would not want to be huddled in a lap?I LOVED YOURS, but of course I would since you loved to hug and squeeze me and I must admit I enjoyed that so much. That is another thing I miss here in Hyfryd. I do not have YOUR lap, but I have carried on your tradition and let Barkley get into my lap when she wants. I know I really do not have much of lap like you do, but I let her snuggle up to me really close, she is so funny. She loves love like I do. It must be a girl thing, right mom? We are all girly girls like you always said – especially ME!!!!

So Onwen’s cousin Taffy is a handsome lad. He’s a black and white boy and he’s 12 now, but here over the Rainbow Bridge, age does not matter. You always feel good – that is one positive thing I can tell you. Onwen and Taffy grew up as little pups together but then his parents wanted to be closer to their sibs who lives in Seren. It’s a pretty cute town, not as nice as Hyfryd. We have more open space and rolling hills. Seren is a bit more condensed with den after den. It’s in a an older section, so there are more doggies and kitties there. The other thing I noticed is that they have TONS of squirrels there, which are really fun and playful. I talked to a couple named Lisquit and Bisquit! How funny is ?  They are twins!  Did you know that squirrels are the 7th smartest animal? They told me that. Is that true? Can you look that up for me? I think us Border Collies and many dogs are WAY smarter!! (of course!). I told them they can come visit anytime. Barkley did not come with us on the trip since it was about a 15 mile walk and she is too small for such a long haul, so I told the twin squirrels they need to come meet her because Jack Russell terriers LOVE squirrels and she would have a lot of fun with those two comedians!

I promise to write back much faster after I get your letter, okay? At least I had some adventures to tell you! I have to go clean my den and go doggie food shopping – my FAVORITE ACTIVITY. Well, my favorite was always loving you and I always will mommy!

Missing your kisses, your lap and your smile,

Your Sweet Bailey – just look toward the stars and they will light your way to see me….xoxooxoxoxo

The Moon and a Smile…

25 Wednesday Jan 2012

Posted by in animal families, border collies, coincidence, dog/human relationships, dogs, Dogs named Bailey, Florida, letters, loving dogs, loving life, missing your dog, nature, rescue dogs, second chances, talking dogs, The Rainbow Bridge, Uncategorized

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My Sweet Bailey,

Everyday when I turn on the computer this picture appears, along with one other picture of you and two of Safari as well.

I say, awww, that is my girl and I continue to miss you so much. I have come to the realization that I will never not miss you, I will only have to come to terms with not living with you and that is hard.

So each day, there is something that happens it seems. Last night, after the sun set, we ran an errand and I noticed the moon was a crescent, but it was unusual in the fact that the belly of the moon was lit. The crescent was a sliver of a smile amongst the dark sky and clouds. I knew that was you smiling at me, just like you are doing in this picture.

I have perhaps more than 500 pictures of you (at least!) and in so many of them you are smiling – almost all of them. You are such a joyous person. You made me laugh and smile all the time and perhaps that is what I missing, because, honestly, I feel amiss without that love of yours because it was simply very special.

I have met many dogs in my lifetime, but none like you. When Zoe, or Zo Zo, as I like to call her, comes over, she has that shine to her like you. She is an energetic little redhead who I do adore. She is always loving and sweet and she gives as many kisses as you. I know that she knows I miss you and I still think that she kisses me extra for you. She is a charmer, much like you and for that and her love, I am truly grateful. I do not think anyone around me realizes how much I miss having you in my life and how teary-eyed I get when I write these letters to you. The good part however, is that we can do this and perhaps teach others that it is okay to have these feelings and a spirituality between us. We have that without a doubt and it is a great gift.

I know you never thought YOU would become a writer, but you have done an excellent job and hopefully you will tell me you learned everything from me, your writer mommy! Since I have been one my whole life, it is no surprise that you, my sweet girl with who I have everything in common, would be one too! And that reminds me that you are slowly getting some friends on Facebook. I plan on working more on it tomorrow as I will be home all day, but I am sure you know your page is up and you are looking good my cutie.

It is late now and I should go to sleep so I can get up early and get to work on some more writing for you and work on our book project. I know you are excited and so am I. We are a team you and I, on and above the earth forever shall we be. I will look forward toward your next note.

Good night My Sweet Bailey Girl. I love you so,

Mommy xoxooxox

The Year’s Last Letter

03 Tuesday Jan 2012

Posted by 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

Not a Merry Christmas….

05 Monday Dec 2011

Posted by in animal families, border collies, cancer in dogs, coincidence, dog/human relationships, dogs, Dogs named Bailey, letters, loving dogs, loving life, missing your dog, nature, Petfinder, rescue dogs, second chances, talking dogs, Thanksgiving, The Rainbow Bridge, vacation

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Dear Bailey,

My screen saver seems to be a never-ending kaleidoscope of your many faces, actions and antics. I see you not only in my heart everyday, but in pictures everywhere. With Christmas approaching, I am further reminded that you will be having your own party over the Rainbow Bridge with your friends and that I will be here without you by my side at the Christmas tree which you loved to dig your toy presents out from under. I am going to miss that.

We are leaving on our cruise this Friday. Daddy and I need a vacation after this difficult year, so I won’t be able to write until I get back, but I will have lots of adventures to write about afterwards.  Of course I am taking yours and Safari’s picture with as I always did. I feel bad for him too since you are not there to watch over him like you did so well, but I have two people doing so! I loved the way you protected him always.

You remember Rodeo right? I took him for a walk the other day. He was so happy to go but he was wondering where you were and so were Lola and Courage. EVERYONE around here misses you so much – you were everyone’s favorite girl, especially mine of course! I wish people would stop telling me to “get another dog.”  No one understands that my Bailey set VERY HIGH standards and I keep telling everyone that I am awaiting your decision about that at the right time and the way you have been communicating with me, I know that you will send me a clear sign.

It was nice of you to meet Gracie at the Bridge. I appreciate that. It was a bad day for me and I knew that you would! When daddy was watching football yesterday, I was talking about you and all of a sudden I see the back of the Dallas Cowboy named what else–BAILEY! I just happened to walk in at the very second he appeared on-screen, so I imagined that you were playing ball in Hyfryd. Were you? I wish I was playing ball with you. I miss that so much.

I really don’t want to bother with the tree since this is a longer trip and Christmas will be soon after we return, but I have to for Safari. He loves a tree and knocking down those ornaments. Everytime I go into Petsmart without you it’s just so weird. All the people there asked about you and miss you. Everything is a constant reminder that you are not with me and it’s just very difficult. I wonder if you miss me as much? I know we are still connected in many spiritual ways, but how I long to touch your beautiful, long fur and brush you after I bath you.  Your constant kisses are a lack that I cannot stop thinking about. You are just so adorable and your love is so unique.

Anyway, sorry I sound like this. I do not mean to. I just miss you. I will write after the trip. If you want to write before I leave, please do I LOVE to hear from you my Sweet Girl! I know you will….

Nose to Nose,  xoxoxoxooxoxox

mommy

My Side of Thanksgiving….

24 Thursday Nov 2011

Posted by in animal families, border collies, cancer in dogs, Dog walking, dog/human relationships, dogs, Dogs named Bailey, letters, loving dogs, loving life, missing your dog, nature, parks, Petfinder, rescue dogs, second chances, talking dogs, Thanksgiving, The Rainbow Bridge

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Dear Mommy,

That last letter you sent was so beautiful and it made me cry thinking about how much you miss me. I feel exactly the same you know but I don’t want you to be sad. You have to celebrate the love we shared everyday from now on, okay? I mean, it’s okay to msis me and cry too, but I rather you be smiling like in this picture, which I love of us. You are holding me so sweetly, like you always did – like a mom who loves their furry child the VERY MOST!!! – YES! That would be be ME!

Let me tell you why I am thankful, since this is my favorite holidaytoo especially cause it involves my favorite food- Turkey!

I am thankful for you finding me and giving me the BEST home in the whole universe.

 I am thankful that you helped me get rid of a lot of different health problems from the very start.

 I am thankful that our cat, Safari liked me so much and let me herd him around.

I am thankful that you worked at home and got to be with me 24/7!

I am VERY thankful for getting to have two big houses with lots of room.

I am thankful for everytime you brought hom new food, you were thoughtful and brought me some new veggie bones and a new toy.

Can you imagine how thankful I am for all the turkey you gave me – not the deli stuff either – you only gave me the real cooked stuff – so delicious!

I am thankful that you never got mad at me when I gobbled down Safari’s food when I first came to love with you and daddy. I LOVE cat food!

You mentioned all the zillions of miles we logged on foot and by car; SO TRUE! I am so thankful for that – not to mention the doggie parks in PA and Florida AND OUR FAVORITE PLACE TO WALK – BUHL PARK!!!!

I am thankful you always took me shopping in FL – Those gals at Bath and Body Works and Dillards really loved me!

I am thankful for my very special Red Maple tree in Buhl Park and the beautiful dedication that honors me – I am sure I am the ONLY dog in the 400 plus acres that has their own tree!!!

Mommy, I could go on and on and on and my list would probably never end because our family was the BEST family. You could be a dog because you are such a loyal person. I see how you treat daddy too and how much you love and care for him and of course Safari too! That is just who you are, as your friend Jennifer likes to say. Loyality is very important to us dogs and it’s nice to see that some people have that too – it’s just that you go above and beyond – And, by the way, I KNOW this is true, cause I read all the cards you got after I crossed over the Rainbow Bridge and EVERYONE said that in their cards about you and how well you took care of me! You never put yourself first and you are a very thoughtful person and I love that about you. I knew it the minute we met and THAT is why I kissed you immediately so you would take me home and see, you did! I knew right then you loved kisses too!

Today Mommy, I want you to think of all the things you and I have to be thankful for. I’m thankful for www.Petfinder.com  who helped you find me! Had you never been searching for Border Collies on there, we would have never met, so I have to say I AM VERY thankful for that. Remember that we have much MORE to be thankful for than not and most of all I am simply thankful for US!

Barkley, Bingo and I are having Thanksgiving with Caru and Onwen. I am so excited. There is PLENTY of turkey up here for everyone. We are having it at my doggie den. I am making a beautiful table like you enjoy making- you taught me everything! 

I love you so much. Write me back soon because I love your letters and I know you love mine. What’s not to love because they are from each other!!!

Your Loving, Smiling, Sweet, Bailey Girl (kisses! nose to nose!)

 

 

 

 

The Two Sides of Thankfulness…

21 Monday Nov 2011

Posted by 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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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