Category Archives: the wind

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

Gallery

Spirits Touching

07 Monday Jul 2014

Posted by in animal families, border collies, coincidence, dog/human relationships, dogs, Dogs named Bailey, Journaling, letters, love, loving dogs, memories, missing your dog, rememberence, rescue dogs, The Rainbow Bridge, the wind, trees, Workign Dogs

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This gallery contains 3 photos.

Dear Mommy, I know you love it when I make the wind blow hard when you visit my tree at …

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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

100 Letters to Each Other – Book One

31 Monday Dec 2012

Posted by 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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Bailey and me on the day she was adopted

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

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

Scrapbooks of You….

23 Sunday Sep 2012

Posted by in adopting a new dog, animal families, Birthdays, border collies, cancer in dogs, coincidence, dog adoption., dog/human relationships, dogs, Dogs named Bailey, Journaling, letters, loving dogs, loving life, missing your dog, Petfinder, rainbow bridge, rescue dogs, second chances, Senior Dogs, talking dogs, teaching, The Rainbow Bridge, the wind, trees, Working Dogs, www.petfinder.com

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When You Strive For the Best….

12 Sunday Aug 2012

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

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Dear Mommy,

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

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

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

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

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

PS: OF COURSE I RUSTELED THE TREE!!

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

And We Begin Anew…

08 Sunday Jul 2012

Posted by in adopting a new dog, animal families, border collies, coincidence, dog adoption., dogs, Journaling, letters, loving dogs, loving life, missing your dog, rescue dogs, second chances, spirituality, summer, teaching, The Rainbow Bridge, the wind, trees, Working Dogs

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Dear Bailey,  So glad to hear that your new class this week. I have told Joy and she is very proud that you named the class after her. She is thankful and grateful and as you can see everytime we visit the tree, she is crazy as all get out even in that hot heat we have had. That is the reason I have not been to the park in 4 days, which never happens but the heat was just awful. You could barely breathe outside it was so humid and stuffy!

I am going to like hearing about this new class as I think it goes hand in hand with our book in helping to teach people about The Rainbow Bridge and the opportunities that might seem impossible to people until they understand that there is work beyond what we see. Good work to be done by those, like you, who are amazing and understand. We are getting so close, Bailey, to finishing the book and I am so excited. I am guessing it will be complete by the end of August or early September! This is our dream come true! So we are both working very hard together as always!

Ms. Joy is very sweet. She is very funny in so many ways. This girl LOVES love more than anything and when she eats she TOTALLY reminds me of you. Snarfer! I do not know how to slower her eating down. She truly enjoys her food immensely just like another little girl I know! You could not have found a more perfect little girl for us, Bailey. You are always so right with the world. I cannot tell you how much you have taught me. As I have said, it is no surprise that you continue to be a working dog in a teaching capacity.

I am sending this picture of us. It’s a little fuzzy, but I sort of like it. I love that I have a billion pictures of you. You loved the camera and were, and still are my perfect muse and I think I am yours as well. I wish more people could see how to do good and be good in the world. They need to pay attention to creatures and not “things.” You teach us much. By the way, Howie crossed over the Rainbow Bridge on Saturday. I do not think he will be found in Hyfryd, but I just wanted you to know. I think P&J are sad.

Time to go relax and unwind now. This is a busy week for Russell and I and you have a new class to teach tomorrow and I will await hearing all about it. I will see you at the tree tomorrow for sure. The leaves will rustle and I know you are there. I love you with all I got to give sweet Bailey girl xoxoxooxox ,mommy

 

 

The Giving and Getting Go Hand in Paw…

29 Friday Jun 2012

Posted by in adopting a new dog, animal families, border collies, coincidence, dog adoption., dog/human relationships, dogs, Dogs named Bailey, Journaling, letters, loving dogs, loving life, missing your dog, nature, parks, Petfinder, rescue dogs, spirituality, summer, teaching, The Rainbow Bridge, the wind, trees, Uncategorized, Working Dogs, www.petfinder.com

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Dear Mommy,

How I have missed you this week because I have been working on getting the syllabus ready for the Finding Joy class which starts this month already! Although I have been busy with that, I, of course, have been lamenting about the meaning of the class and after interviewing so many people it’s all I can think about. Onwen and I have had deep discussions about animal companions and their peeps – lot of them!

One thing I have been thinking about is how people who choose to share their lives with us fur kids are very special. They are very important because they adjust their life for us. You need ot let people know how important that is. Adoption is all about giving and getting. I know you are always mumbling to yourself thinking about how much you give to others and it is true – you do so much of that, but you have spent most of your adult life giving to various animals and look at what you have gained.

There are people who will never adopt a dog, for example because you have to take us out to poop or pee and that requires a schedule that meets our needs, perhaps more than it meets theirs. Those people will never get it I am sure, but for the ones that do, I think they gain so much in return. The interesting thing about this is that both sides give and get. Since I shared my life with a cat and Joy does too, as dogs (and I will speak for her correctly I am sure) we simply want love, to be with our peeps, food and shelter. We are very basic in our needs. You are person who gives your companions lives of Princes and Princesses and no one could be more grateful than I and I am sure Safari & Joy as well. What I love about you is that while you are a complex thinker, your needs are fairly simplistic. I know you have always told me and everyone that nothing is more important than good health and love. Obviously health is needed to enjoy anything, especially love.

Mommy, you are so right that love is everything. Here in Hyfryd, we don’t have to worry about health because we are all purfect!!! That is the trade-off I guess. We are separated by space from the ones we love, but what we receive in return is perfect health. On earth, you can have both and until I got sick, I enjoyed every second – that is why I did not sleep that much because I wanted to pack in as much fun time as possible and I think we accomplished that and it looks like Joy is too. Safari has loved you the longest obviously – you knew he was a prince the second you saw him, didn’t you?

This is one of the things I plan to discuss in class, so I wanted to tell you.  The giving and the getting go hand in paw. When you give of your heart to us and we to you, we all get back so much more in return. You always said that it was funny that God is Dog spelled backwards. There must be a good reason for that.

So that is what I had to tell you. Sorry I did not get back to you sooner. The class starts next week. Guess what? We skip 4th of July because none of us really liked fireworks so they do not exist here! YAY! I saw you visited the tree twice already this week. Did you like how I made the leaves blow everytime you touch them – not a coincidence! I am there – always next to you. Forever just like you predicted when we first met. I am your Bailey girl always. You could have 100 more dogs and cats and I will always be your heart dog and vice versa. I love you so much and think of you every single day and I know you think fo me too. Try to stop calling Joy by my name too, huh> You will give her a complex – at least she now knows “Bailey’s Tree” when you visit. She is pretty darn smart. I told you I would find you a perfect girl. You are a giver, Mommy and for that you will get goodness because I am sending it in many forms.

Write me soon! I love you so….

Your Sweet Bailey Girl xoxoxoxoxoox

Precious Two….

21 Thursday Jun 2012

Posted by in animal families, border collies, coincidence, dog/human relationships, dogs, Dogs named Bailey, Journaling, letters, loving dogs, loving life, missing your dog, Petfinder, rescue dogs, second chances, Senior Dogs, spirituality, summer, talking dogs, teaching, The Rainbow Bridge, the wind, trees, Working Dogs, www.petfinder.com

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Dearest Bailey,

I am so proud of all the pre-qualification work you have already done in planning the new Finding Joy class. It makes so much sense that you have become a teacher – a working dog must always have a job and certainly because you passed at only 10 young years, you had more work to do. Nothing stops my tenacious Bailey!

I came across this picture of Safari and you and it’s one of the few pics I have of the two of you sitting very close. When you did, it was so sweet and I find that Safari really had missed your company, as he likes to sit close to Joy when she is not acting like a wild Border Collie! Because you were a senior dog and Safari, a senior cat, I think Safari finds this new experience a lot different with  baby Joy. She totally keeps him on his toes and I think that is a good thing, considering he likes to simply chill. The only time he runs around is when he should be sleeping at 4am, waking everyone up! The funny difference is that you did not care if he was up running around. Joy, on the other hand, says, What? Why is he up? I think I will herd him back to sleep! She is like you in the fact that she is very sensitive to noise and she is VERY protective over us.

She is a definitely a great one. I know, you are thinking, “of course she is! I found her!” Yes you did and I would not expect anything less of you. I do have to work with her all the time on the barking at men, however. With you I always thought it was so nice I could take you anywhere and you never cared who touched you, talked to you or petted you. Joy has not had worldly experiences, although each day she is getting more. She is very nosy with the neighbors! She needs to know what is going on at all times; I think that is part of her protectiveness too. That will never change. Already though, she has stopped barking across the way, which is nice. It will just take time.

Here is a picture of them together before the room was redone recently – it looks great by the way! I have a new office, which of course is where the kids like to hang out just like you and Safari did in the picture above! Sometimes when I only catch a glimpse of Joy from the back, she looks just like you. She is   bit less furry and smaller than you, but she is loving just like you. You did good my girl, you really did. In fact I was thinking how much good you put onto this planet – now you are just doing it in a different location of the planet – Hyfryd – you are the Princess of Love! You certainly are my Princess of Love and now I have two, thanks to you with  help from the beautiful Ms. Victoria.

Well my sweet girl, I am pretty sleepy. I have a tiny cold so I want to go lie down and get away from the computer as I had a long day and got a lot of work done – lots of crisis management PR today! Write me more and let me know some of the folks you have qualified. I am sure you have chosen some people by now as you only have a little more than a month till the new class begins and you are still teaching all your other classes! Whew! You are a busy and beautiful working girl! That is my girl! We would not have it any other way….

With a ton of love from here and many kisses thrown through the air, I love you….