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Bailey's Journal

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

Bailey's Journal

Tag Archives: dogs

Notching Up Noses…

05 Saturday Nov 2011

Posted by Sherri Maddick in animal families, border collies, cancer in dogs, Dog walking, dog/human relationships, dogs, Florida, loving dogs, loving life, nature, parks, rescue dogs, second chances, talking dogs, Uncategorized

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aninmal companions, beautiful dogs, death of a dog, dogs, dogs in the car, female dogs, life with dogs, missing my dog, planes in the sky, the rainbow bridge

Dear Bailey,

Today was a hard day. I wanted to get to the park before we left for Florida.  The drive was odd without you barking the minute we hit Hazen St. I started to cry the second I got there and saw someone walking their dog. I know you don’t want me to cry all the time, but I have not been to that park without you by my side in over three years since you came into our lives. I wanted to bury a couple of  your favorite chew bones in the mulch of your tree for the winter and help make the Red Maple grow strong and pretty in the spring.  It had lost all but 9 of its leaves and when I saw that I started crying again

As I rounded the first first corner of our path, I started to tear up but then I thought of you doing what you are doing in this picture. The day was cold, sunny and a crisp 50 degrees – our favorite weather! I even wore your little scarf.  I decided to look up and sniff the air just like you do. I wondered, “what does she smell when she points her nose to the sky and sniff as though you are notching  up your nose.?” I always loved that you did that — so adorable. I closed my eyes and sniffed the cold air, which smelled fresh and clean and then I opened my eyes and there was a small plane above leaving its traces of white whispy lines high  in the sky. I started to cry again so I looked down for what seemed to be a second and then looked back up and it was gone – that fast. I had not seen it before I looked up and when I saw it –  it dissapeared as fast as it appeared. Was it you, I wondered? I think it was you.

I know it’s Saturday night and you are probably a very busy girl doing lots of fun stuff, so you can write me back tomorrow. I just wanted to tell you that if that was you – I saw you in that very fleeting moment. I feel you all the time. I was playing some of your videos tonight for Safari and he was staring at the computer screen, but he knew you were not really here, but we liked listening to you talk and bark!  I miss you so very my sweet girl. I hope that you sleep well and dream of me.

Love and kisses, Mommy

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I Saw You In the Light On The Wing…

01 Tuesday Nov 2011

Posted by Sherri Maddick in animal families, border collies, cancer in dogs, Dog walking, dog/human relationships, dogs, loving dogs, loving life, nature, parks, rescue dogs, second chances, talking dogs

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dog communication, dogs, life with dogs, lloving dogs, older dogs, rainbow bridge, seeing dogs after death

Dear Bailey,

I was able to change my seat from the aisle to the window, so I could look out and find you. And I did, didn’t I? It was so snowy on the ground and they had to de-ice the plane so it made me scared. I had my sunglasses on because I was crying so much. After take off, we rose above the snow and cloud cover and there was the sunshine. The plane’s wings were like outstretched arms and I felt like they hugged the air which one can only embrace from above the clouds and snow.

Yes! It snowed on Saturday; the day after you crossed over to the Rainbow Bridge. I was sad that I could not watch you grab snowflakes like little pieces of luxury on your long, skinny tongue,  but since you told me it was a perfect 70 degrees, I thought you were better off. I  always did enjoy watching you have fun in the snow, even though we left for Florida soon after the first snowfall.

All I saw over there was blue skies and clouds shaped like small islands, forming their own cloud universe. I must tell you that Saturday morning was so hard for me. I did not hear you stirring  in the wee hours to pee on the floor or the patter of your beautiful, furry feet. I missed your early morning, low pitched woofs telling me you wanted to go out into the dewey morning darkness and walk over to Tracy and John’s to sniff the doggie smells over there. I will never make the adjustment of you not being here because I still hear you as I lay down to sleep and I saw you just as I knew I would.

Where, you ask?? On the plane. We were in a completely cloudy neighborhood up there and yet, at my seat, I was right at the wing. I saw a bright light patch playfully stretching up and down the left wing, right outside my window in a small, shiny shape and I said, ” Hello Bailey” – Did you hear me? I thought I even saw your gorgeous long nose that I kissed 100 times a day. My friend Carrie told me a story yesterday about her gorgeous, 4-year old son Eli. When their one Golden Retriever, Lilly, died suddenly, Carrie was very sad and Eli was even a little younger at the time. Carrie’s great-grandmother had also died that same year. Eli saw that Carrie was very sad because she could not hug Lilly. In his infinite wisdom, Eli says to her: Mommy it’s okay because Lilly’s in heaven and even though you can’t hug her grandma can! At that instant Carrie knew that someday she would see her beloved Lilly again and she felt better and it helped her through her grieving process. Isn’t that a nice story Bailey?

I sort of felt that way too on Saturday when I saw you as that spot of bright light. Was that you walking on the wing to tell me you were in a sunny place and you were okay? I hope I was right. Since I was always right about you, I think that I am. Selfishly, I would want you with me forever, physically, but we all know none of us have that ability and I am completely confident that we will be together someday. Safari is snoring over here next to me as I write this and I know he misses you too.  Well, I want to see if you have a letter for me too….I love you Bailey. Visit me often. I cannot be without your sweetness. Love forever, Mommy

HI MOMMY!

Of COURSE that was ME, your favorite doggie girl in the universe! I knew you would see me up there and you are right, there was no light anywhere else on that plane on either side, because I saw you looking around and I also saw that you only had two pieces of Kleenex and that you needed more and didn’t have any. You were crying so hard and I felt bad for you…I miss waking you up too and sniffing around over there, but you would not BELIEVE how many scents are over HERE! That IS why they call it Heaven…!

I know you went to the store yesterday and almost turned left to go to the park instead of right to the store. I saw that haha! You are so attuned to having me in the car and heading for the park, it’s like you are on auto-pilot! I know you must be lonely without me in the car. I also heard you and daddy talking over dinner last night! I heard you say that there would never be another dog as beautiful as me. Mommy, I just have to say you are the best, most loyal parent to us furry kids in the whole world. As you say, All My Children have Paws! Well, of course you know the furry children with paws are WAYYYYY better than the ones with two legs. We have unconditional love and we do not care about anything about love, food shelter, fun, play and sleep! I also heard daddy say, that Collies are the most beautiful which is what you always said. I could see you with a collie, although they weigh more than me! I know you love us furry ones, no short haired doggie for you! I will find you one someday – but not now. I want you to go to France like you planned. I know you cancelled that trip because of me–of course I was WAYYYY more important! I will meet you there! You said you wanted to take me with because I would love it and that there are dogs everywhere!

I don’t know where I was as a puppy, but I never had a better time than in the last 3-1/2 years that is for sure. It is totally fun over here too. Do you want me to look for Carrie’s Lilly? I have not found Tarzan, Cheetah and Freedom yet (I have to go to the cat side), but guess who found me right away? BARKLEY!  She is happy and I am herding her around and protecting here from the bigger dogs. I always loved her smell. She is so crazy and runs around like a race track just like she did in the yards; those Jack Russell’s have much energy. Her neck was all fine and she looked perfect. She told me to tell John and Tracy thank you for rescuing her out of the mailbox last winter and giving her a home and although it was too short a time, she is okay and happy to have found me. She introduced me to a few other small dogs who were nice named Roxy and Marty.

I am meeting Bingo Foley today. Two beautiful dogs named Ginger and Cocoa came right up to me yesterday and asked if I was related to you or April Foley. I said yes, April is my aunty! I found out that “Ging” and Cocoa were her dogs before Bingo. They know what area he hangs out  in and we are all having lunch today. We all want beef stew. So you tell Aunt April and Mike that they love them and miss ’em too and they also asked me if they could be part of the letters in case they had anything they wanted to share with them. I said I was sure you would not mind. I already know you are saying, as you read this, “of course not.” I will report back about our lunch. I told Barkley to join us too, I think I am just going to adopt her cause she follows me around anyway – she is just so cute and crazy – I want to find her a nice boyfriend! ha!

I want you to know that even though I won’t be in the back of the van on the drive to FL, you will see me. I will be there and you will know. Check the rest stops, especially cause there are lots of dogs there and you know me, Ms. Social busy body has to check everyone out–well only the nice ones, remember you and I can easily tell the good ones from the bad, fur or no fur! I love you so much mommy. KISSES! Nose to Nose!

Yours in love always, Bailey

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Loving Every Day you Have….

04 Sunday Sep 2011

Posted by Sherri Maddick in border collies, Dog walking, dog/human relationships, dogs, Florida, loving dogs, loving life, nature, rescue dogs, Uncategorized

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animal companions, border collies, cancer in dogs, caring for a dog, dog relationships, dogs, living with animals, loving cats, loving dogs, old age, the rainbow bridge, unconditional love, walking dogs

  September has not started out very well. I know bladder cancer in dogs is an insidious illness and the average age for a good quality of life is a year at very best.  When Bailey’s surgery was done last November 19th, she was lucky it was not found at the neck of the bladder where this is most commonly discovered. She has been taking Peroxicam, a human NSAID drug which we might take for a backache. Vets do not know why this staves off bladder cancer in dogs, but it seems to do the trick –at least for a while.

This week, she went in for her 6 month ultrasound checkup and it showed that the cancer has returned to the third of her bladder which had been operated on. After a long talk with her two wonderful doctors, I was feeling better when I found out that at least bladder cancer masses do not cause pain. As she loses her ability to urinate, then I will know it is time and I also know there will never be another dog like her- ever, unless she herself sends me a sign.

It was hard enough to be thinking about all of this just this week when today I found out that my next door neighbor’s dog, Barkley had died on our road, when she went after a squirrel and someone ran her over. This little white and black Jack Russell Terrier and Bailey loved each other. She bowled Bailey over with kisses every time they played together. She was found as a little pup inside of their daughter’s mailbox this past winter. Her parent’s wanted to keep her – they have two other adorable dogs, Molly and Dozer and Barkley fit right into the mix with exceptional energy and sweetness. I was thinking today about how lucky it was Barkley got a  second chance at life away from the morons who put her into the mailbox. It was not fair that she died yesterday; not fair at all.

As I have been thinking about how I am pretty sure Bailey will make it to Florida this winter, I also know she probably won’t be coming back unless we both receive some miracle from the animal spirits. I do not want any of the choices. Whether you prepare yourself mentally for an animal companion’s death or not, such as in the case of little Barkley; it all is horrible. I have admitted many times in this blog how hyper-attached Bailey and I are. I cannot help it. I have been told by total strangers that we look-alike, we are both feisty and sweet. She brings out the best in me and vice versa. Barkley was like that. She was a little joy to be around and I know she will be sadly missed by her human companions and Bailey and I as well.

We spend a lot of time with Bailey and Safari, our cat. I always want to be around them. When my mother died she was only 48, I think that had a profound effect on me in regard to losing people and maybe that is why I hold on so tight. However, I am always joyful and hopeful for another day and more time to love because in my book it’s never enough time. I guess what I am thinking about today is enjoying each and every day with our little sweeties. I have always liked animals more than people beause of their unconditional love, because that is how people should be and that is how I like to live my life but I think they do a much better job at it then us.

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It’s never enough

18 Tuesday Jan 2011

Posted by Sherri Maddick in border collies, Dog walking, dog/human relationships, dogs, Florida, loving dogs, nature, rescue dogs, Uncategorized, vacation

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border collies, dogs, loving dogs, rescue dogs

I will be the first to admit I am a needy dog. I cannot help it. Before Sherri found me, I was in the shelter for a year. I made myself the “favorite” shelter dog so I could be in the office everyday under Mary Ann’s desk, but I knew she would never take me home because she already had five dogs. I don’t think I would have liked it there with all those dogs.

I know Sherri wonders why I bark commands at her. I like when she pets me for a long time and rubs my spinal column because it feels so good.  I think I eat 9 times a day, I am worse than a little baby, but since my surgery I feel better. I don’t know if the cancer is gone but I want to play constantly and I love attention-constant attention – like just now when Sherri went to write this for me I made her stop and play ball, right in the middle of a sentence – I don’t care.

I have reached that time in my life where I want what I want and now, not 10 minutes from now, just right now. I know that drives people up a wall, but somehow I cannot help myself. I feel especially hyper today because of the full moon. My ancestors were grand wolves and they did the same thing during the full moon glow.

We went to dog park today and I herded all the little dogs around. Everyone there loves me and thinks I am beautiful. I love all that praise, in fact nothing makes me happier than constant praise and Sherri is the perfect one to give it to me but perfect strangers? That is simply a bonus! I think the reason I act like this is because I want to take it all in. Sleeping is a waste of time really. I mean, I don’t know how this stupid cancer thing is going to work out so I don’t feel like sitting here waiting around and doing nothing. Sherri says I am her “go-dog.” I think that is accurate! I love to ride in the car and go. I could care less where we go it’s just fun to go! I LOVE when we go shopping! Here in Florida, us nice dogs can go into stores and shop for purses and clothes! The ladies at the stores all love me and always offer me treats. Life is good.

That is the point. Life. I love life. I love my life with my parents and my cat, Safari. Sherri prays for me everyday and kisses my bladder area where my scar was – you cannot even see it anymore since my hair is all grown back!! I am so happy about that. I have a great life. In July I will be 10 and I am determined to have my 10th birthday because I know Sherri will get me a lot of cool stuff and I will get to eat stuff that I love – like fresh turkey. I never want to leave their side. I am guess I’m needy that way.

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A Walk In the Park

04 Sunday Jul 2010

Posted by Sherri Maddick in border collies, Dog walking, dogs, loving dogs, nature, rescue dogs, Uncategorized

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., adoption, anniversaries, being outdoors, dogs, independence day, living one day at a time, love, summer, Walking your dog

Bailey told me she had something to say so since this really her journal, she said she wanted to write something, so I gave her the keyboard…
I LOVE going to Buehl Park! I love when Sherri & I go there. It’s so beautiful and big. She took me TWICE this week. It takes us about 20 minutes to drive there, but it is really worth it. There is so much to see and we always meet lots of people and dogs. I love seeing dogs- well at least the nice ones, like me.

I always make Sherri proud because for some reason people always stop and pet me and tell me how beautiful I am, which I have to say at age 9, I am liking a lot. No one thinks I look my age and they tell mommy that too. We both like the fact that people always think we are younger than we are- not that we are old but it’s nice to think that we are still looking good! That is important to us both, but I digress!
We had two gorgeous days in the 70’s and neither of us like the really hot weather, so it was perfect for walking in the park. We saw so many lovely flowers and we discovered an area with a fountain and little lake. What I LOVE about the park is that each time we go there we walk a different way. The park is so enormous that you can take so many different paths. Each time we seem to find new things to look at. I am anticipating how beautiful it will be this Fall.

When we walk, I sometimes think Sherri is thinking exactly like me. We usually walk for an hour but the other day we went nuts and walked for an hour and a half! I know she thinks I am the greatest – except when I beg and beg and whine for table food – but I am not stopping that! I think she is greatest too… Not many people are willing to adopt dogs in their senior years, but she had no qualms about it. I like to think I am in investment in her and Russell’s happiness. They do love the heck out of me and Safari. Russell calls me his beautiful girl and Safari his Big Sweet Boy. He loves my big, brown eyes and say Sherri and I look like each other. Some other people have said the same thing. Sherri has pretty eyes – everyone tells her that – so if mine look like hers, than that is big plus for me!

She likes to say that we both won the lotto by finding each other. I know she wonders about where I was before the shelter. I am so glad those people who adopted me before she did ( for ONLY 3 weeks) took me back. They were idiots. I don’t even remember where I was before the year in the shelter. I think I have blocked it out because wise people live one day at a time and I like to think my best life started the day they sprung me loose! This is the life I was supposed to have and them as well. I always hear them talking and Russell always tells Sherri that she was the best thing that ever happened to him and I know she feels the exact same way. They too feel like life for them began 21 years ago. They are so in love that sometimes I have to get out of the room!

Life with them is really a “walk in the park.” Today America was born. And my adoption day, July 20th, is my personal independence day and I could not be happier. I think Safari & I make them pretty darn happy too and that is just nice to know.

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Don’t Leave Me Ever Again!

25 Friday Jun 2010

Posted by Sherri Maddick in Uncategorized

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doggie stress, dogs, seperation anxiety, traveling with dogs, trips away from pets

I know dogs love their “peeps” but I think Bailey loves to be around us more than most dogs. I know other people who have dogs, including my sister, who has two, Max & Bella. They don’t need to be around her every minute, like Bailey does.

I can be assured that with each trip away from her, that her irritable bowel will act up following my (or our) return. Guaranteed!

After finishing a great book called Nose Down, Eyes Up, by Merrill Merkoe, I think the conversation would go something like this:

“Why do you have to leave me?  Who would rather see than me, and why can’t I go with you?” “There is a plane ride? You know how much I LOVE to go for a ride in the car, but a PLANE???”

“Bailey, I don’t think you would like a plane ride and you do go for car adventures every single week, more than one a week. And in the winter, you get to drive to another house in Florida for 3 days in the car!”
“I know, but I want to go with you everytime you leave. I don’t think it’s fair that Safari and I have to get left out of ANY trips!”

“Well, Bailey, sometimes it is not possible to take you everywhere because as you know Dogs and cats are not allowed everywhere.”

“But you take me into the bank, Best Buy, Barnes and Noble and CGrape Coffee and Wine Bar!”

“I know but those are all in Florida where they are more dog friendly! I went to Chicago and had to see my clients, the family and some old friends and collegues this trip. You would have had to stay with Max and Bella.”
“That would have been fun! I bet they would have liked me right? Are they big dogs?”

No, Bella is a teeny dog and Max is a smaller dog as well. You might have wanted to herd them!”
“You know I herd and kiss, herd and kiss…” I never got to herd any sheep like Border collies get to do, so I don’t herd with any working intentions. It’s all for fun!”

“I know Bailey, you are ALL ABOUT Fun!  They all would love you I am sure. Maybe if we ever drive to Chicago…”

“When when….?”
“I have no plan for that honey”
“See this is what I mean!”
“I am sorry Bailey, you know I think of you and Safari as my own furry kids, but you just cannot go everywhere.”
“I know that mommy, but you cannot blame me for whining, barking and trying, right?”
“No, I guess not. You both have a great life with us, don’t you think?”
“Yes I know that. You know I love treats!”
“Yes I know, but you got so worked up from my trip, now you cannot have any until your bowel settles down.”
” Yeah, Yeah. I already am sick of thet WD food.”
“Yes I know but you have to eat that till you return to normal, okay?”

“Yes, okay.I will try to get my tummy better and not be so stressed. It just seemed that you were gone forever!”

“But I was only gone for 4 days and Russell was here to take care of you!”

“I love him but you take much more of my crap then he does. You know I can manipulate you better than him!”

“I know, but I do not like that quality in you.”

“I know but you love me unconditionally and I could not ask for more than that. I feel the same way about you, mommy. That is why I never want to be without you. Not ever. Even for 4 days.”

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Single? Get a dog!

29 Friday Jan 2010

Posted by Sherri Maddick in border collies, dogs, loving dogs, Uncategorized

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dogs, husbands, meeting people, New York Magazine, rescues, single women

 

Recently I went to Starbucks to get a coffee. Bailey loves to go for coffee, because she knows she is going to get a little lick of whipped cream. And a man came up to me as I was leaving with my coffee to ask me what kind of dog Bailey was. He proceeded to tell me how beautiful and soft she was and he quickly whipped out his wallet and showed me a picture of his dogs a Corgie and a German Sherpard. “My mom told, me you have a picture of your dogs in your wallet but not me,” he said. Right then, I knew he was single. And after that moment, I knew he was a guy that was looking for a woman who might love him and his dogs.

I am not single. I have been happily married for many years, but after I thought about the brief chat about dogs, I recalled my girlfriends who are single and how they should get a dog! This was not the first time this has happened to me either, but for some reason, I never thought about it. Guys come up to me all the time when I am walking Bailey! When I was single I had cats- I still have a a cat and always will have cats in my life, but dogs are true men magnets and I never thought to get a dog when I was single, in hopes of engaging a nice guy who also loved animals as much as me. So why did I not think about that? Have you?

There is a wonderful a ticle by John Homans right now on the cover of New York Magazine http://nymag.com/news/features/63232/ about dogs and people. For dog lovers, or anyone who shares their life with animal companions, it is a must read article.  The love I feel for Bailey is just like having a child, so the thought of two single people meeting who both like dogs could be a great study in interpersonal communication because immediately you share a ground more common than who looks good. I mean one’s look can change over time for the good or better, but the unconditional love that is shared between an animal and their person and then yet another person is simply special.

I met my husband in a very romantic way and it could have not been more ideal and it did not involve cats or dogs, but I wish my girfriends who long to meet the right guy would just make the commitment to rescue a dog. First, I believe in the good karma it brings and second, they would be putting themselves out there in a manner that they have not yet before. Of course having a dog is unlike having a cat. It’s the total opposite. But, if you ever wondered about what it would be like to have a child in your singleness – just get a dog because the wondering will end. They are the real deal. They demand constant time and attention, money, playtime and all the love you can muster. They will take it all and give it back twofold. So if you can meet someone else who is willing to have this kind of commitment to a dog, just imagine what a wonderful relationship you might build together. With your dogs and cats, of course!

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A Merry 2nd Christmas!

26 Saturday Dec 2009

Posted by Sherri Maddick in Uncategorized

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adoption, animal nutrition, animal rescue, celebration, Christmas, dogs, medical school, older dogs, petfinder, pets. holidays, vets

It’s only our 2nd Christmas, but it’s funny how quickly a family pet can be adopted into your normal routine of life. Sometimes I feel like Bailey has been with me forever. After finding her through www.petfinder.com and then adopting her in June, 2008, it hardly seems like this can only be our second big holiday together! If it were not for me still trying to figure out her health issues (excessive panting, excessive hunger, allergies, etc) I feel like I have known her a long time.

It’s Christmas day. Well, now it’s almost 10-pm and I have spent the better part of the evening reading about  natural dogs foods so I can test out something new. I keep thinking that this ultra allergen prescription food I have her on has something to do with her seeming to be starving all the time and maybe it’s not so ultra-allergenic at all. Much like people doctors, nutrition is not taught in Veternarian Medical school so it is up to me and many others to do the research for our furry kids. I do not want to see her suffering from itchy skin all the time. I do not know why they don’t teach medical students of all kids about nutrition – makes perfect sense that they should! We are what we eat, after all! What happened to the body is a temple? That SHOULD be taught!

Bailey continues to be such a joy, but also such a challenge with her ‘”special needs.” I know my efforts are appreciated though. Since I never had kids, the animal companions that have graced my life have taken that space in my life and I have welcomed it generously. You have to be their guide and all they ask is for love in return – that seems like a great deal to me.

I was recently reading a www.petfinder.com story about a lady who adopted a Sheltie mix which had only two years. When I read that I had thought about when I agreed to bring Bailey into our life. She was a 7 yr-old dog who had been a shelter-drop-off and in Foster care there for an entire year. No One wants an older dog. Everyone wants a puppy. You come into the dogs life when they have the most challenges and then those become yours as well. I knew that going in and that was part of the reason I wanted an older dog. They need the second chance. Today I read an article in my local paper about someone’s mantra – it was something like, recognize a need and meet a need. I liked that and that too, reminded me of Bailey. She needed me and I guess I needed her too. She teaches me things every day. You need patience to deal with an older dog who is stubborn and set in her ways. But, with a lot of love, anything is possible and while you never know how long you might have together, you have each day and the opportunity to make the best of each of them and hopefully you can celebrate many more Christmases toegther.

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A Blade of Grass, A Pile of Leaves, Many Scents…

08 Sunday Nov 2009

Posted by Sherri Maddick in border collies, Dog walking, dogs, loving dogs, nature, rescue dogs

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beagling, Dog walking, dogs, nature, pet parents, pets, rescue dogs

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I am always amazed by Bailey’s sense of smell. While her vet thinks she is all Border Collie, I feel she is mixed with a bit of Beagle. Maybe she got most of the Border Collie genes, but there has to be Beagle in her. Beagles have the most acute sense of smell of all dogs and Bailey’s nose is like that of a winemaker. She knows what is good and what isn’t. When she walks she might sniff at a blade of grass for minutes at a time before we move on. Now that it is Fall, a certain leaf may captivate her attention as she soaks up its aroma through her adorable black, wet nose.

I love her acute curiousity about the world and people she sees on the street. “What do they smell like?” And, she must think, why do they smell that way? A person can smell bad, or good, or of perfume. Perhaps they smell old or dirty. If she is lucky they smell like another dog and usually she can sniff those people out in a crowd within a minute. Since adopting Bailey, I see the world a bit differently. Before I had Bailey, I once read that you should let a dog lead you where they want to go and I agree with that. I do let her lead, although dog “experts” might not agree with me. They tend to think “the person” should do the leading. If I did it that way, I may never get a chance to view the world through Bailey’s dark brown eyes on our walks and then I think I would truly be missing a great deal. We are together so much because I work at home and I love that I can be there for her. I want to take in her world as she does mine. We have formed a special bond that I suppose, makes for one world all of our own.

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Kiss Me, Love Me, Feed Me

04 Sunday Oct 2009

Posted by Sherri Maddick in Uncategorized

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Cats, dogs, pet companions., unconditional love


It turned out that Bailey does not have Cushings disease. After numerous test, she is happy and healthy person. I think she just loves to eat. Maybe because her mommy does public relations for restaurants. I write about food all day and she thinks about eating food all day! Russell says only I could find a dog just like me!

A day does not go by that Bailey does not teach me something. She has the type of personality that just craves love and attention. Was it because she was given up or abandoned? I will never know that, but we are here to fufill that need in her; especially me. She is happy to be touched, kissed and played with all day long except for when she is eating. She is such a gentle soul. Today some friends came over to watch football with Russell and one guy said, “what a sensitive face,” she has. Yesterday after taking her to a Fall Festival, every single person we passed told me how beautiful she is. “What kind of dog is that,” they asked. “She is just so beautiful.”

Bailey is special. I know that. I guess everyone who has children with paws thinks that, but it’s just over a year since we adopted her and I am still amazed at how interesting the interactions with her are on a day-to-day basis. I have loved cats my whole life and my little Safari boy is truly my little boy but I have learned the vast differences between cats and dogs. The one thing I know, however is that I give and get unconditional love eveyday from both of them. I love that about animals more than people. That is their gift that no “human” can give you. They only wanted to be kissed, loved, to be fed and to be near you. What is better than that? It’s a perfect relationship.

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