Tag Archives: life with dogs

The 44th Day Rainbow…

20 Tuesday 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, The Rainbow Bridge

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My Dearest Bailey,

You never disappoint me. You said you would be with me and of course, you were. After two days at sea, as we travelled South in the Caribbean Sea, there was the rainbow I hoping to see someday. It took only 44 days to appear after you crossed over that Bridge that, I am sure, leads to many rainbows which light the sky beautifully for all the wonderful furry children that people like me, your mommy, miss so dearly.

As I sat on our balcony I thought of you many times. I thought how much you would love to go on a big ship and see lots of people and be near water and beaches, pools and sun. This trip was not that sunny really, we actually had a lot of cloud cover, but it was still warm and partly sunny. Aside from seeing the 8th wonder of the world, the rainbow was the very best thing I could have seen because once again, I knew you truly were there with us. As sure as I know my own name, you are with me every step of the way and for those that do not believe in a another place, I feel sorry.  It’s like you said, we can’t be together physically, but we can be spiritually and you and I have always had a mental interaction that I do not feel with most people, so now it just presents itself in a stronger way.

I wear the Ruby heart necklace and earrings daddy had made in your honor and I love them, as I love you. Aruba was our first stop and it’s where your rainbow appeared.  Daddy bought me a beautiful ring made of Hawaiian Topaz there. It’s gorgeous like you. I wore it out of the store, so I never looked inside the little bag until we got back on the ship. Of course, you sent yet another sign that you were with me. The little ring box was red. How that made me smile. Saw several doggies on the trip in various counties, but they all looked like they had a hard life and I felt sorry for them. I take so much solace in the fact that I was able to give you everything you needed or wanted. Safari too. I cannot tell you how much he missed us – like never before. He was just squealing with delight upon our return. He slept in bed with us last night all cuddled up and he was so happy to have company again. That was his first time being alone without us and without you and I knew it was going to be difficult but he did okay. I had two different friends watch him so he would get extra attention. He misses you so much like I do.

What can I tell you my Sweet Girl? You are missed because you are so loved. We see things that remind us of you always and I know it will always be that way because you are special. I put up the Christmas tree and tonight we lit the Chanukkah candles. It’s that spiritual time of the year, but I do not need a holiday to bring on that feeling because you brought it into our world from the day we met, June 20, 2008 at 6:30pm. – exactly 3 years and six months ago today, when life would change for the better because of you Sweet Bailey. I cannot wait to hear of your holiday plans in Hyfryd. Write me tomorrow. I know you want to!

With All My Heart and Love,

Mommy xoxooxoxox

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

You Are Surrounded By Me…..

01 Thursday Dec 2011

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

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Mommy. Hello!

Do you see how I GAZED into your eyes in this picture? I LOVE this picture because it shows how I can look deep into your soul!

I know you had an upsetting day yesterday. Do you think it was by coincidence that the ONLY dog waiting at the vet in the lobby was named Bailey – AND it was an OLDER dog – a male yes, but a Bailey dog! And did you not think it was ODD that they did not even stay for their appointment? I heard her say she had to leave for work so she could not wait any longer and the Bailey’s legs were better.

So, that left you in the waiting room with that little stray cat Gracie, who you so kindly took to the doctor because you knew she was feeling bad. You amaze me mommy, you are always there to help the injured or sick. It’s like you are the animal nurse to wayward furry souls! I saw the look on your face when that Dr. Mark said she was dying and could not breathe. Here, I have only crossed over to the Rainbow Bridge a few weeks ago and there you were dealing with death of a furry girl – again. Even though she was not your cat, you helped her cross over and I just love you for that. Of course there was a Bailey dog there cause it was really me although I am NO SPRINGER SPANIEL and I am way prettier! haha. (Although that Bailey boy had nice brown eyes like me – not AS nice, but sweet.)

I was there to help you through the trauma, Mommy and I made sure they let Gracie live close to me here in Hyfryd. I met her at the end of the Bridge yesterday and I told her who I was. She said hello and could breathe fine. again. You were right she is very pretty and social like me. Funny, you had just mentioned her in the last letter and now here she is with all of us. I told her how special you are and that she should hang with us and she was so happy to have made friends with me, Onwen, Caru and Barkley of course. So just so you know, we have taken her in and she is safe. Here is here picture:

She is very beautiful with those emerald eyes! Not as special as my brown ones, but hey you and I are “brown-eyed” girls – they made a song about us! I am sorry you had to go through such a bad day. I know it was shocking that she was so sick and you did not know until he told you, but honestly, Mommy, you did the right thing for her. She is going to be lots of fun here. She already came over for a bowl of Friskies today. Yes, I keep my den stocked, because for some reason, cats just love me. I have to introduce her to these other cat friends in due time: Shauna, Emid and Emyr and Risari – those are a few of my favorite cat buddies who stop over to chow and chat!

How is my Safari? I miss him – he is the sweetest – bet he misses me too. I know, he does! Yet, it is YOU I miss the most. Daddy too. Yes, it has been a month of missed kisses and hugs and petting my beautiful fur- don’t forget that, please!  I had planned on writing you about my adventures, but I will save that for next time, since all this came up with Gracie, I thought that was more important. I wanted to tell you all was okay with her. She will be fine and her crossing was peaceful because of you. Know that and feel it mommy. You see, I was with you and you will always be surrounded by me. We are inseparable!

With The Very Most Love Always,  Your Sweetest Bailey Girl xoxoxoxoxooxoxox

A Month of Missed Kisses…

28 Monday Nov 2011

Posted by in border collies, dog/human relationships, dogs, Florida, loving dogs, loving life, nature, rescue dogs

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Dearest Bailey,

Today is one month since we said goodbye to our physical relationship. I carry your lock of hair and a treat of yours with me in my purse. Today I pulled out the treat to smell it like you did, with a sense of vigor and interest.

I am glad you were going to have a nice Thanksgiving. We did too and whenever I eat turkey I think of you. When don’t I thtink of you? If I see something you would like, I think of you. You never are out of my mind and I know I am not out of yours either.

It poured rain late in the day and we are supposed to experience some cooler weather. Ralston was here – he misses you, as does Mai, working on some landscaping in the front of the house. You would really like this cat Gracie that hangs around. I named her that. She is very loving and sweet and VERY social like you…sometimes I wonder if you sent her here? I keep thinking that I could never meet another dog like you. There is sometimes a bond so joyous and special – like what Russell and I have. People always tell us that they wish they had a relationship/and or marriage like we have. Sometimes you just know something is right for you and you and I were just like that. Safari is that way too. I can never imagine him having anyone else to care of him but me. Since you crossed over the Rainbow Bridge he has been extra close and loving. He misses you too.

I just wanted to tell you that I love you so much. All those pictures I took of you now are hanging up here. They look so great because you are just so gorgeous! Write me soon of your adventures. I do not have anything too exciting to report and I am sad today without you. I cannot believe I have lived without you for a whole month. I can’t stand it. I hear your woof and bark and see your smile in everything that perfect. I miss your kisses.

Nose to Nose with all my love,

Mommy

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

Hello From Hyfryd!

17 Thursday Nov 2011

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

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Dear Mommy,

Did you know that Hyfryd means lovely in Welsh? I think you probably looked that up by now, knowing you. Turns out that I met some of my ancestors here from Wales.

 I know you know that us Border Collies originated from the borders of Wales and Scotland, so it seems, that as I was exploring Hyfryd a lot more I was meeting a lot of Border Collies, including a couple of my cousins,  Caru (pronounced like kayroo) and Anwen (like Onwhen). I asked them why they had such unusual names and they said because they are Welsh names. Caru means love and Anwen means “very beautiful,” not JUST beautiful but VERY beautiful! Let me just say that Caru is a boy and Anwen is a girly girl like me, so we get along great! I am so happy to have met my cousins from Wales. Anwen is so gorgeous – like you always told me I was and Caru is a great , handsome guy.

Caru really thinks Barkley is so much fun. I think that little Jack Russell must have some collie in her, because she just loves to be with me. It’s like she is my little side kick. She never leaves my side, just like I never left you. Barkley is always making me laugh, zipping around in her bullet-like manner. She has met of  named Tobie and Cyria that she likes, but she prefers to hang with me and my crowd.

Turns out that when you cross the Rainbow Bridge, you wind up living where you are most “related to,” so that is why there are a lot of Border Collies here in Hyfryd. Since we descend from Wales, there are many of us here. I think they do that to make it easier to find your relatives because it’s so vast and it’s beautiful everywhere, but I have to say I am happy with my neighborhood and I think Barkley wound up with me because we knew each other and lived as neighbors in New Bedford and I am happy to have her with me – always loved how she smelled!

I have not found that dog Bagels. Like I said, it’s pretty vast up here and he was from Chicago, so I do not know if I will, but I have the word out. They group like 3 neighboring states together, so I think Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin animal people  all live in the same vicinity and I have not met a lot of people from there yet. We might need to do a tour over there on Air Floatie.

I bet you just said, what is Air Floatie? It’s like a oblong shaped thing that flys around and takes you to other areas if it’s too far to walk. It’s always busy! Sort of like those airplanes you are not so fond of.  Since us animal folk are smart enough not to care about possessions, we have no baggage and can just pick up and go, so that is why The Floaties, as they call them, are always packed. I have not taken it yet, but I hear they give you very cold (yum) water and ask you if want liver or beef treats that part I LIKE!  You know me, I rather be on the ground like you – who liked to go in the car MORE THAN ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Well, Caru and Anwen loved cars too. There are no cars here which I miss, but then there is no pollution either! The air floatie thing runs on wind power only…

Speaking of Anwen and Caru, don’t you have a good friend who is part  Welsh named Emlyn? I bring it up because A) I never got to meet him and you like him a lot I know because I could tell when you talked to him on the phone all the time and B) Caru has a friend named Emlyn – that name is from an ancient city!

So I am learning all about names, but guess what? There is one name that is my VERY favorite: MOMMY!!! That is what I told everyone. MY MOMMY has the best name: Sherri! I know you said several times that I probably never knew what your name was, but I would hear daddy calling you by that, so I knew!

I love you mommy and I cannot wait till you write your next letter. I love letters and I know you love real letters too. It’s a lost art, but we will keep it alive.

My Love is With You Always,

Your Gorgeous Bailey Girl!

 

You Keep On Giving…

15 Tuesday Nov 2011

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

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My Sweet Girl,

I took the last of your Newman’s Organic Dog food to Petsmart yesterday to donate to homeless dogs who live at a shelter just like you did before we met in 2008. Did I tell you that I had read on Facebook a shelter in Charlotte, NC that needed heartworm medicine and I still had five doses of your Revolution, so I mailed it to Amber at Ruffed Up Rescue – isn’t that a sweet name? I was thinking that since you crossed over the Rainbow Bridge, you still keep on giving – but that is the kind of gal you always were and still are, I am sure over there in Hyfryd.

The stationary I had made with your picture came today as well and a big magnet bearing your name so it’s like you are still taking rides in the car with us only sadly, I cannot turn around and have you there barking at me. I miss that so very much. I meant to tell you to ask around for a collie mix named Bagels from Chicago. That was my dog for one week when April and I were kids. Our mom gave him to my grandmother though because he peed once in the house. He was only a little puppy and we were heartbroken, although we got to be with Bagles almost every weekend at her house. I only have a couple of pics of him, but he was a collie mix and so sweet. If you see him you might want to be friends, he would be a good friend I am sure.

Today I worked on some projects and then ran a couple of errands – not too much to report to you. I did want to tell you that I wrote you a poem which I thought came out really well – you can read it and let me know in your next letter how you like it. I wrote it in New Bedford one night after sitting on the rocks staring at your grave, The moon was full and new and your mums were still in bloom. It was a cold clear night and very beautiful. You always inspire me….I will await your next letter….Love and kisses, nose to nose, mommy

For Bailey

Red Maple Winds
Skip Leaves at my feet
Yours I hear
… in their landing

New Moons;
Full moons
Enlighten senses
of your place beyond me

Slipped into Fall
The Colors of you
Shed life with leaves
that fall fast as my tears

Miss You Too…

13 Sunday Nov 2011

Posted by 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

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Mommy! I miss you too! I know you were crying when you were alone in the car today – I always see you – just know that. Well, the first two weeks here in Hyfryd have been a ton of fun. I am always busy – and as you know us Border Collies LOVE to be busy; especially me! BUT, I have to say that during your drive to FL I was thinking how I wish I could have been with you. It kind of all hit me that I will have to settle for these letters. I too wish you could reach out and kiss me and hug me and stroke my fur like you always did so sweetly. I keep thinking that our 3 years, 4 months and 8 days were the best years of my life EVER and TRULY. As I told you I do not even remember what my life was like before the year I spent in the shelter. I think I have blocked it out of my head. Whoever had me first were jerks because who would want to give me up to a shelter? YOU Never would have even when I did not listen as well as I should have.

When I look back at those pictures you took when I first came to live with you, I was so scrawny and I had nolong  hair cause they shaved me stupidly! You know I HATED having any hair cut! You took such good care of me – you really did. I always felt that there was nothing you would not do for me. I knew that and as a senior dog when we met, that was so important to me – you must know that.  Our senior years are never as easy as our youthful ones, so having someone love you so much and take such great care is truly such a gift you gave me. I know you loved me (and STILL DO I MAY ADD!) more than anything and I felt the same from minute I kissed you at the shelter. I kissed you because I knew I was supposed to be with you. I remember how fast you made your decision and the folks at the shelter said, “you’re really taking her tonight?” You said, “Yes I am!”  It’s funny, I entered your life on a Friday and I left our life together on a Friday – We came full circle at least, even though it would have never been enough time, Mommy. You put more love and energy into that time then ANY doggie could have ever asked for, and for that I am so very grateful and proud to call you mine. I will always be with you like you said. I know everyone is telling you to get another dog to make you feel better – but do not listen to them. I will let you know, I promise I will. You would not feel any better just because you had another dog and you know that and I know that. The reason you have all these feelings is that you do carry me in your heart and we will never be apart – even when you get another dog – cause I will be giving you some of my sage advice – hehehe.

I want you to know that no matter how much fun it is here in Hyfryd over the Rainbow Bridge, I miss your touch and scent and all the love you bestowed on me every second of the day, but you are with me too, because I carry you inside me as well. True love stories Mommy, never really end and ours never will. I really wanted just to tell you all this tonight instead of writing about what is going on. But, I can tell you that Cocoa, Ginger and Barkley and I had lunch again yesterday under a RED MAPLE tree that was way bigger than the one you bought me at Buhl Park, since here it has been growing for years. It’s Fall here too. yes the colors change here, but then you get summer again – you would love that right! We get the changing colors to the Fall colors but then they turn green after a month – the leaves never fall off they just change magically somehow back to Green – it sounds very interesting. Hyfryd has a lot of gorgeous trees just like at Buhl Park, so here I am with my very beautiful red Coach Collar you got me, the most stylish girl in town! You have the leash and we will always be attached.

With all my love 4ever and ever and ever, Your Sweet Bailey Girl xoxoxoox

Notching Up Noses…

05 Saturday Nov 2011

Posted by 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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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

I Saw You In the Light On The Wing…

01 Tuesday Nov 2011

Posted by 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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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