Tag Archives: loving dogs

Another Little Birthday Note….

20 Wednesday Feb 2013

Posted by in adopting a new dog, animal families, Birthdays, border collies, coincidence, dog kisses, dog/human relationships, dogs, Dogs named Bailey, letters, missing your dog, rememberence, rescue dogs, second chances, Senior Dogs, spirituality, The Rainbow Bridge

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744 PS I LOVE this picture of us!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO You!

I just had to write ON the day. My note last night was very short, I know, but I told you that I would write today as well and I am keeping that promise.

Since the first fo the year, classes have been very busy. There seems to be a lot of bad things going on down on earth with animal abuse and we find it very sad here in Hyfryd. We have seen too many of our animal friends coming to the classes, especially Loving You 101, to find about why they were harmed there. I have had to enlist Onwen and Telwyn to assistant teach and Barkley of course. Tarzan, Cheetah and Freedom and Lucky have taken over the cat version of the class and actually rewrote some of the lesson plans to be more fitting for cats specifically. They are doing an excellent job – all of them, but of course they would because they were your babies!!

When are they going to pass some real legislation on earth to prosecute the criminals who perpetrate these evil acts against harmless creatures? I mean these are the lowest of the low, right? I know you agree but it is very hard to get the abused to realize that is had nothing to do with them. The good news is that they are all happy they are here because they have fun all day and have lots of friends and all the food they want and no one is hurting. Their bodies are “PUUURFECT!”

It’s just all so sad. So I have really been working hard on that class in particular and I wish it did not have as many participants as it does!

Enough with all the sad stuff though. I wanted to say that I know it was just 9 months on the 12th that Joy came to live with you and I see she is doing well and is VERY happy and playful. I wish she would stop the itching, as I know you want to help her and you have done so many different things. I do think you will find that it’s the just the environment; plants and things in nature. She will be fine. Joy si a tough one I can tell. She has a real spirit to her. She reminds me of you SO MUCH! I knew she was perfect for you and that is why I led her to you. This is your first birthday with her in your life too! I cannot believe that you are 54. You look good though!

My wish for you mommy is to always have good health because if you have it then you can take care of everyone because they need you to and you are SO GOOD at it!!!

So I wish you a very, happy year ahead and this is OUR year for the book! YAY! I am so excited. You have GOT to finish the editing already! I know, that is your least favorite part, but it is work that needs to be done so get busy! You are almost done but I am thinking you are scared to be done with it. Don’t be. We are already working on book 2 in the series. We will never lose this EVER! I will always be next to you, near you and in communication and so will you. It is just us and part of who we are.

I love you so much. I hear you talk about me all the time and I do the same here in Hyfryd. I hope that you had a great day. Write me soon.Nose to Nose Kisses from your Sweet Bailey Girl! xoxoxo

 

 

Happy Birthday Mommy…

19 Tuesday Feb 2013

Posted by in animal families, Birthdays, border collies, coincidence, dog kisses, dog/human relationships, dogs, Journaling, joy, letters, loving dogs, loving life, missing your dog, rememberence, Senior Dogs, spirituality, The Rainbow Bridge, Working Dogs

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Bailey Joy Wind

Happy Birthday Mommy,

I am starting to write this at 11:31pm. At midnight it will be your birthday and even though your dad and sister already called tonight I wanted to beat everyone else for tomorrrow.

I am sorry I have been so late with my letter as well. Looks like we are both guilty of that, but I know how you have been so busy with the book and can i even EXPLAIN HOW EXCITED I AM???

This is your birthday gift, this picture, Bailey and Joy’s Wind. I know you took it, but I wanted to make it a part of our story. Look at how cute we are! I want to write more and I will tomorrrow, but I had classes today and am so tired.

I just wanted to say I love you and I will update you on everything ON your birthday. I could not have been luckier to get any other mom in the whole world. I miss you so very much, but remain inside your heart just as you wear my ruby heart around your neck. We are always together. Always. Till tomorrrow! Good health and joyous days to my sweet mommy…. Love from yoru sweet Bailey girl!

2013, Our Letters Are Late!

06 Wednesday Feb 2013

Posted by in animal families, border collies, cancer in dogs, coincidence, dog adoption., dog kisses, Dog walking, dog/human relationships, doggy kisses, dogs, Dogs named Bailey, Journaling, joy, letters, loving dogs, loving life, missing your dog, rememberence, rescue dogs, second chances, Senior Dogs, spirituality, The Rainbow Bridge, Working Dogs

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Bailey sweetness

Dear Bailey,

WOW! We have never been so late in writing back. It’s a new year and it is already February 6th! I think we are both guilty, but I have a great excuse which will make you very happy.

I am almost – ALMOST – done editing the book. We are on our way, or shall I say, you are on the way to being the famous doggie diva you have always wanted to be. The person we are working with is Sara Ann. She is very nie and isn’t it funny her name is Sara, even spelled the way I like? Remember I told you that it was going to be a lot of work and as it turns out it really is! The key has been finding blocks of time for editing and after I get all the pages done I have to do the painstaking task of choosing pictures to go into your book. The fact that you are so beautiful does not help matters, but I have to limit the number we can use.

The other thing I had to do was change the theme of this blog and I had taken just about forever to make a decision until I found this one, which oddly is called Chateau. That seems fitting for a Princess like you. I felt the next series of letters should look different on here at least.

So to say things have been crazy busy is an understatement and I am sure that your classes are well under way since you said you were going back to school on the 7th of January and here we are a month late!

I wanted to bring you the exciting news about the book. I am working as fast as I can! Write me back and let me know how the new year started for you my sweet girl. I feel like there have not been enough signs lately, except Sara’s name- which I truly knew was  your doing and I love you for it. The title is Letters To Each Other.

We took Joy on the boat for the first time and I took a picture just like the one I have of you. In the next letters I will send them side by side. You will like it. I miss you sweet girl. Write me tomorrow, please. I long to hear from you.

Always with love….me

The Changing Leaves…Green and holding

08 Monday Oct 2012

Posted by in animal families, border collies, cancer in dogs, coincidence, dog adoption., dog/human relationships, dogs, Dogs named Bailey, Doing Your Best, Journaling, joy, letters, loving dogs, loving life, missing your dog, nature, parks, rainbow bridge, rescue dogs, second chances, Senior Dogs, spirituality, talking dogs, teaching, The Rainbow Bridge, trees, Uncategorized, Working Dogs

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Dear Mommy,

Did you see that I am holding on to my green leaves? Only a couple of red tips so far, that is all you can see. October is not my favorite month and I know it is definitely not yours either. I don’t really want to focus on how I left you this month because  “the sad-day date” is still far off yet, but a year has sure travelled fast hasn’t t? I know you feel it has as well.

I did NOT want to leave you, but my body did not want to perform anymore I guess and the best way to continue my love, kindness and good work was to wind up here in Hyfryd, where I am doing great in all those departments. Since teaching the classes on life after the Rainbow Bridge, I too have realized so much about life on earth versus life on Hyfryd. I love that my body feels so good all the time here. I often think, is that worth not waking up next to our bed anymore? I try to make sense of those type of thoughts but realize that life is just life, filled with happiness, sadness, rewards and expectations, but what is most important is love and knowledge. There is nothing more important than love and as you know, there is nothing so pure and simple as the love between a man/woman and their animal companion. Nothing.

I love that you planted our tree in my honor and I love that you visit it constantly. I know the visits to the tree at the park are more meaningful than my special place in the yard.  You know why, don’t you? Of course it is because you and I loved walking in that park together, just as you do with Joy now. The time we spent there – each moment was perfect (except for the couple of times you fell! That was funny sorry!) and happy. My special place is of course right outside the door to our sweet home, but Buhl Park, while it is everyone’s home, can be your home in the minutes and hours when you walk there.

So for now I am holding onto my green leaves. Even though my color is red, I am not shedding them for winter quite yet. I am staying as green for now just for you, with just that tinch of red. Like the tree there, I have grown here in Hyfryd. You taught me how to be grateful and mostly –  loved unconditionally. I try to pass on all those qualities to my students. They tell me I am doing a good job because they are learning how to live here without their families and when you first arrive it is a difficult adjustment, but if you can find ways to contribute then it becomes acceptable, sort of. I will never not miss you and I know, by watching you every single day, that you  feel the same.

It was funny in Chicago the other day when your cousin asked you about how you came to love dogs when you had cats your whole life (and still do, of course!) and you mentioned April’s influence and Marla, your former vet. If I never did, then I have to thank April for that because if it was her love of us dogs that originally rubbed off on you then good for her because she did a great job of making you crazy about us! Ha! Of course I know you would be anyway because, as Marla always said, it’s a different relationship. It is. Especially me and you.  One of extreme kindness, caring and endless love.

Your Sweet Bailey, Forever and Ever…..Write me soon! I love you,

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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Back to School…

06 Thursday Sep 2012

Posted by in adopting a new dog, animal families, border collies, cancer in dogs, coincidence, dog/human relationships, dogs, Dogs named Bailey, Doing Your Best, Journaling, letters, loving dogs, loving life, missing your dog, Petfinder, rescue dogs, second chances, Senior Dogs, spirituality, teaching, The Rainbow Bridge, trees, Working Dogs, www.petfinder.com

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Dear Mommy!

I have been so busy since my classes went back into full doggy tail swing last week. I reallllllly have been meaning to write, but I have more students than I expected and guess what? I added a new class! What is the new class about you MUST be wondering. Well, it’s called Timing is Everything. Let me explain.

In case any of your friends wonder about this you can explain it to them. By the way – I am sending THIS picture because we already are happily having beautiful FALL-LIKE weather here in Hyfryd and I hope you get some soon, since I know its your FAVORITE!!!! I know too, that you LOVE this adorable picture of me wearing your beret. Did you know I stole one of your berets and have it here with me? Well, I am a professor you know, so I needed one.

Timing is Everything deals with the emotions that we VERY intelligent animal creatures deal with when we find  out our families have adopted a new animal companion. Yes, you can tell everyone – we know. We know and see everything when we are just simply watching. Sometimes we are too busy to notice – but I spend a portion of every day watching you, daddy, Joy & Safari. I have to say I am highly amused by Joy’s antics. If you would not have adopted me as a senior dog, and had seen me as a young pup like Joy, you would have experienced much the same craziness. Joy is VERY energetic and when you said to me at our tree the other day the comment about keeping you lean and fit by finding Joy…..how true! She will do just that! She will keep you running – not that you are not almost as hyper as her, but I think she beats you out! HA!

Sometimes the folks here get sort of upset when they see a new friend has kind of “taken their place.” My job is to convince/persuade them that it is only part of the circle of life and that everything will come back around.  I want them to feel happy about their family’s decision to adopt a new companion and I talk about the importance of animal adoption of course and how people need to do that because there are so many folks that needs homes whether they are a dog, a cat, horse or a bird. So far in there have been several people in class that have really been upset because they see their families having so much fun with a new puppy, kitten or whatever…So, that is my new task. The subject fits perfectly into the Time For Joy Class and Loving 101. I am very happy with the classes I have created. Since starting them as an adjunct teacher, I am now a full professor because of all the positive comments from the students! I know, I know you are proud of me. Of course! I am your Sweet Bailey Girl!

I think I am good at this job because of my ultra-sensitive nature. Hmmm, who does that remind me of? HA! Well, now you are updated. I wish you would finish our book. I know we are close.I guess if we did not have other jobs we would have been done by now, right? Oh and by the way, congrats on all YOUR new clients. I know you love what you do and I am very happy you are helping Dr. Victoria with the benefit and the website too!

I love you Mommy. You are my role model and I think we just simply inspire each other. I miss Daddy and Safari and I sure would love to tangle with Joy! Give them all my hugs and wet doggy kisses. I am always close by. I know you know and feel that. Send me a new picture of our tree next time. I know it must be getting big a whole year later.

I could not love you more,

Your Sweet Bailey…..xoxooxox

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

Forever Young….

19 Thursday Jul 2012

Posted by in adopting a new dog, animal families, border collies, cancer in dogs, dog adoption., dog/human relationships, dogs, Journaling, letters, loving dogs, loving life, rainbow bridge, rescue dogs, spirituality, teaching, Uncategorized, www.petfinder.com

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 HELLO MOMMY!

Well, I have SO much to tell you. First, I thought I would give you this picture of, well, who else? Me! I know you love this picture. Do you remember when you rescued me how I had no hair cause those dingbats shaved all my beautiful fur? I like this picture too because it was when all my fur started to grow back and plus I look so happy, like I am now. I was young and happy – and THAT gets me to my point!

My new class, Finding Joy, was a great big SUCCESS this week – Did you expect ANYTHING less from your Sweet Bailey Girl? One of the many things I found people to be concerned about was aging. Here is an example of what I mean. Telwyn helped me teach this particular group which included:

Symoen – a beautiful Golden Lab, who crossed over the Rainbow Bridge at the too young age of 7. He had heart problems.

Trilee – a sweet, white toy poodle who crossed at age 16! She simply died of old age.

Patience – a big black tabby who was 18 and also simply died of old age.

Aleena – a strikingly beautiful draft horse who was worked too hard on a farm and his legs finally gave out. He was 6.

This was the first class we taught, so we wanted to keep it small. We have taught it since and the list keeps on growing for more people who want to take the qualifying test to be in it. That tells me that there are so many people who come here, not understanding their situation. Why don’t they? Well, that is something we talked about.

Telewyn and I always talk about all the rescues we meet here. It seems that they have a much better “feeling” for life and death in general. I think that what I am learning is that those are ones who are the most grateful for their lives and the least happy about leaving their people. However, once they get here and see that you have no more pain and you get to be ageless – they are accepting and fine with it. We all become each other’s comfort and there is strength in numbers, as the say – although for me, personally I might not agree with that wholeheartedly. I liked belonging to just our family which was the perfect for me. I would not have wanted to been in a home with a bunch of dogs and kids because I was already a senior when you found me, so that is a personal choice. We talked about our various situations. We all know we have to pas son eventually – nothing is forever of course Since death is the unknown it is scary for people because it is something so out of their control so they fear it. For us dogs, cats and other animal creatures, we are dependent on our families for everything, so we are even more scared because we never had to do much for ourselves to begin with, so everyone thinks: Now what? Who is going to take care of us? Love us? Feed us? Hug and kiss us?

For Patience and Trilee for example, the reason they took the class is because they are truly missing their people so much. When you spend so many years with your family, you really do not know how to live without them because that was their only experiences. They were with their peeps since puppyhood. In Telwyn’s and in my own life, we were adopted in our later years and then lived our best lives last, so perhaps we were better prepared. I also think it has to do with personalities as well. For Aleena and Symoen, they died too young.  Especially Aleena, a horse should never have to work so hard that they literally worked to death. He was at an Amish far and I immediately thought of Joy being in the Amish Puppy mill. We know all Amish are not bad. I told them I used ot go visit some Amish people in Pennsylvania, but Allena would have nothing of my tales. He is very mad about his deck of life-cards and Telewyn, coming from the racing life, totally gets it. When animals are used for something to benefit others, such as racing or farm work, they do not like it too much once they have had the chance to stop and reflect upon their lives. Telewyn talked to the class about his racing days and how the owners are all proud of their wins and mostly their money but he does not feel like they love the animals at all. He says it’s really all about them and that is a shame. Horses want to run and be free and they want love as much as a dog or cat or any other animal. Showing horses in a 4-H club or teaching kids how to ride a horse is one thing, but working a horse to death is another and it will take more classes of talking about it to help Aleena through this.

Symoen, being a simple, sweet and loving lab, just does not understand why he had to have heart problems. I told him why did I have to get bladder cancer? I had the greatest life EVER! Sometimes we cannot help what happens to us and of course we all want to live our happy lives as long as possible and for some of us 7 or even 10 years is not enough because we are so happy. So, we talked about how Symoen can do good work here in Hyfryd and get his giddy-up back. He is a sweet guy and very handsome – I am really liking myself! ha! You always told me I was sweet like a lab! Maybe I will invite him to my den for a pup-cup of yogurt! So while everyone wants to be forever young, we talked about that not being the case, except for when they cross over. THEN you can be ageless and most of all HEALTHY! You always told me the greatest thing you can have everyday is good health. Here that is true but the sacrifice is the separation from your people until you see them again and with that the conversation in the Finding Joy class will continue. So that is my news!

I saw you at our tree the other day. Yikes it was so hot. I saw you sweltering there with Joy but you saw me rustle the leaves! She is SUCH the squirrel chaser. Don’t let her break your little arm!  Yeesh! She has an enormous amount of energy – just like me when you rescued me – although I think she has a bit more being that she just turned 3. Yep – you have your hands full! haha! I gave you good Border Collie training! You are the best mommy ever in the world and I will let you know about this week’s class. I am so busy teaching and I spent the summer break getting ready for the class! Well, once a working dog …..doing good work and giving love – that is what it’s all about….You were my example and I carry it in my heart and pass it on……

Forever and Ever, Your Sweet Bailey Girl…..Write Soon! I love you so!

Bailey

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….

A Wistful Wind and So Much Love…

03 Sunday Jun 2012

Posted by in adopting a new dog, animal families, border collies, cancer in dogs, coincidence, dog adoption., Dog walking, dog/human relationships, dogs, Dogs named Bailey, Journaling, letters, loving dogs, loving life, missing your dog, nature, parks, Petfinder, rainbow bridge, rescue dogs, second chances, Senior Dogs, Spring, talking dogs, teaching, The Rainbow Bridge, trees, Working Dogs

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Hello my Bailey Girl!

So it happens again – a wistful wind blows through my fingers each time I go to your tree. It still feels like you are with me. Joy is so much like you in many ways. She is very loving – I mean sooooo loving. She just jumped up for a hug and I hugged her and told her I have to write with Bailey right now and she sat right down by me! She is very well-behaved except for barking at people who are next to us in cars or when she thinks I am threatened! In that case, she is nothing like you. I use to worry that you would go along with anyone who tried to grab you up because you trusted everyone!

You did find us the perfect little princess to pamper that is for sure. Russell loves her soooo much. He is so loving toward her and vice versa  – it is wonderful! So tell me how many people have signed up for the Time For Joy class which, of course is an amazing idea –  you knew I would love it, right? I do think that it takes special animal companion relationships to be able to grow beyond the depths of superficial feelings and I think you are the perfect girl to teach how to do that. You have a deep sensitivity toward people and other animals and they seem to flock toward you. You just have that certain something that everyone loves. It was always so nice to talk with you and never have to worry about any confrontation! Joy’s walk in the park yesterday was flawless and I am very proud of her. She did not bark at one person. tomorrow is supposed to be a very cool day. If it does not rain I will get there again.

So are you working on the lesson plan for the new class already? How are the interviews going. I would have loved to meet Onwen and I know I will someday. Give Barkley a squeeze for me. John and Tracy miss her a lot as do we – such the little smiling sweetie – I bet she is well-liked in Hyfryd. I want to hear all about the progress of planning the class and who you choose to sign up. You have to write to me and tell me about all these special souls! I have been meaning to tell you that I would like you to put the word out to see if anyone knows where Winnie and Hope live – like in which town? Those were Victoria’s very special dogs and I think they would make excellent additions to your class because she is a very spiritual human being and loved them very much, as they did her. I am sure they would love to learn techniques to keep in touch on a more regular basis. Victoria is so busy helping so many dogs and trying to take care of herself, that she has little extra time, so see what you can find out – their last name is Summers. She mentioned the word Hyfryd to me once and I nearly jumped out of my skin! She has some connection to that word, so maybe they live around there or maybe you already know them and you never told me! They are both Border Collies! Let me know!

Your brother says hello. Joy likes to kiss him a lot and you know the mister loves the newly found attention up to a point – pretty funny. They sit together just like you two did. It is so very sweet. I love cats and dogs that love each other – makes me smile. Your Da says hello as well. he talks about you all the time. Well, I will stop by the tree again and I will say hello. I love you my angel of love. I expect a long letter next time highlighting all the details of the class and while you are at it, you can tell how the other classes are going as well. I imagine they are purrrfect, like you!

With all my heart and love, mommy