Tag Archives: pet parents

A New Year Without My Bailey Girl…

30 Friday Dec 2011

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

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My Dear Bailey,

Thank you for your sweet letter. I miss you too – more than you know. When I was a young girl, I used to keep a journal – much like you have! Upon New Year’s Eve, I would write a recap of all that happened that year and what I hoped for the New Year. You crossing over the Rainbow Bridge was the most significant and worst event of 2011, most definitely. I know you did it with ease and you now have a beautiful life in Hyfryd, but it cannot be as good there as it was with me- right? I know, I am being silly. Of course you loved being here with me, because you showed me everyday.

As I reflect on entering 2012, I only think of it as being the first year in more than 3 years, that you will not be part of a specific year. You were with me most of 2011, and now, 2012 will be completely without the beautiful girl I walked with, rode in the car with, kissed, fed, loved, played with and pampered every step of the way and I can tell you that for me, 2012 might be a sort of empty year. Sure, I will have your tree to visit, but I cannot know how I will ever find another dog, boy or girl, who could be as great as you were with me. As you said, you set the bar high – you truly did.

Rodeo has been enjoying me walking him. I think he wonders where you are and Courage follows us too. You know I always loved those two dogs and I think they know I am missing you and want to spend some doggie time with me. Of course your little pal, Zoe loves coming into the house finding Safari and eating a bite of cheese – cheddar is her favorite. Angel likes to play too, but Zoe really loves the heck out of me. You know I love the big dogs, but Zoe gets a soft spot in my heart for such a little girl. At least I get doggie kisses from everyone. Did you tell them that I need them? I think you have because there have been a lot of doggie visits and Safari has no clue what to think. “That’s not my Bailey,” is what I think he is saying when his back arches up and his tail grow fluffy with excitement.

I am wondering if you will send me a sign. Will 2012 be the right time? What do you think? Paris first?  Maybe, but I hate being away from Safari too. The trip was great, but I am always thinking of Safari and getting updates from Paul because I miss him and want to know he is okay. I am going to leave it up to you my sweetie. Yes, 2012 will be an odd year, I have a feeling because it is one that is starting without you in it. Yet, I am grateful – very grateful for all the many hundreds of days we had together. I know – QUALITY is better than Quantity. I keep trying to tell myself that and then I simply cry. I miss your love, and your astounding love, beauty and grace.  I feel you with me everyday. I thank you for the Rainbow in Aruba. I knew you were there and always will be.

Write me back before the new year rings in…

With love always,

your mommy

Our Secret Christmas…

23 Friday Dec 2011

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

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MOMMY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I MISS YOU!!!!!!!!!!!! BUT YOU  SEE I WAS THERE with you the WHOLE TIME! I needed to alert you to my beautiful presence (haha) so I showed you the rainbow as soon as you hit Aruba! It’s amazing how you and I can communicate between the Rainbow Bridge and Earth, isn’t it?  No one in Hyfryd believes me when I tell them how we do it. Maybe none of them had a mommy as wonderful as you. Onwen said he had a pretty great dad but he does not sound as great as you, I have to say, although I am biased of course!

I am sending you this cute picture of myself in my Santa hat that you like. I am willing to BET that you put my santa hat under the tree. I heard you tell daddy this morning that it’s not the same without me there and I feel the same way…BUT I feel like we can have our very own secret Christmas/Hanukkah together Although I love how we “talk” I do miss your hands on my fur all the time. You gave me more loving than any dog anywhere on earth and while I still feel your presence and love every single second of everyday, I loved how we would cuddle and that is what I miss and I know you do too. I feel it. Who else but would carry a dog treat and some my hair from my brush in her purse everyday, not to mention my pictures and your matching Bailey Dog tag!?

I can hardly believe that 3 days after Christmas will be 2 months since I last saw you. I see you crying as you write this–don’t! Or at least try not to…60 days is a long time for me too and I still have not even had a thought about finding you another doggie pal, because I know he or she has to be so special for you because I set the bar high! haha. I know you are reading this and saying, “yes you did Sweet Girl.”  You know Mommy, I know I was a needy person, but I knew you would meet those needs from all my medical needs to all the love and attention I constantly demanded from you. I don’t want you to have that same experience with another doggie. I want to send you an “easy dog,” let’s say. Someone loving like me, but not so needy.  I never felt guilty about needing you though. I wanted you to need me a lot because I never had anyone who loved me like you did in my whole life, so maybe I took advantage but I AM GLAD I DID and so WERE YOU!  I know how you think anyway. You and I are and soul mates – I just am your furry soul mate!

So let me tell you that things here in Hyfryd really look pretty for the holiday season. There are A LOT of pretty lights and Christmas trees all over the place. There are many dens with Hanukkah candles burning bright in the windows and tomorrow in our town, there will be singing in front the “town tree” in the center of our village. Cats and dogs will all join in and sing like the angels we are and I am sure it will be lovely. I was thinking about how you gave me the best gift, by getting me out of pain and having to pee every 5 minutes, not to mention how great my legs are again! I know you would rather me be there with no problems–and I would too but we are both realistic people. My gift to you was the Rainbow in Aruba and you looked out at the exact time it was there and did you notice how it was not there for long, but YOU were in the perfect place at the perfect time to capture it on camera? Do you think that happened by coincidence? Not a chance. I was not going to let you miss my present. But remember, I am with you always. We made a pact that we would be together always and  we always will be mommy – I promise you. Our gift is our connection and we need no holiday to celebrate that.

I Love you forever and ever,

Your Bailey

Positively, Bailey….

08 Thursday Dec 2011

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

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Hi Mommy!!!!!!!! I am sending you this picture…Remember this? This is such a great picture of me, if I do say so myself! Yeah, so I could not BELIEVE that guy in Fresh Market told you that he was going to have a kid and name it Bailey and then when you were watching TV last night – the victim in the show was named BAILEY! You have heard my name more times  than BEFORE I crossed over the Rainbow Bridge, haven’t you….? I cannot say I am not amused by all of this. There is NO WAY you could ever forget ME, of course, but no one else is letting you either and you don’t even know these people!

I am excited you are gong on the cruise. I cannot believe it’s your 21st anniversary! Congratulations, of course I knew I had special, LOVING parents! I know you have my hair from my brush in the little bag and a doggie treat in your purse…you are just so funny. You want to take me wherever you go, because you always did, which I loved of course. Don’t forget my picture now – oh and Safari’s too, of course! I want to hear all about it. Maybe you could take notes and then be all ready to write me a VERY LONG letter when you return. Sounds like a plan, right?

Well, we are gearing up here in Hyfryd for the holidays. I helped decorate the tree in town. It’s 20 feet tall and all the decorations pertain to animals; cats, dogs, birds, squirrels, you name it. There are some very funny ornaments too. There is this one that magically runs somehow. It has a bird feeder and a squirrel chases another squirrel around it. I love watching it but I cannot figure how it works – maybe with batteries? I took a picture of Safari that I had – yes, the one I am sending on here. I put it in a Best Brother Frame and hung it up on the tree.  Everyone here in Hyfryd does that for their animal companions that they miss. I have MANY pictures of you andme,  THAT is for sure. I am glad you are such a crazy camera person!

 I know you probably think that getting a dog home in time for the holiday is a good idea, but we agreed that you needed at least 6 months, so I AM NOT sending you a SIGN until that time, so just get over it. Sure, look all you want at all those doggie pictures but I have to find you the best doggie for you – you know that! And, I will, in good time. Mommy, you went through a lot of stress with my illness and this is your first vacation since last year and you and daddy really need it – so ENJOY it. I want you to, okay? I love you so very much, you know that and you know, the holidays are ALL ABOUT spirituality and you and I could not have a better connection that way. We are together in our hearts and minds and like you said, we always will be. 

That was very nice of you by the way to give $100 to Guiding Eyes for the Blind in my name for the holidays. I love you for that – well, I love for everything, but like your friend Cathy says, you have a big ol’ animal heart! I think that sounds so funny but it’s true. That money will go to good use to help train the dogs for people who need them to love and survive.  That is a beautiful gift Mommy. And, even though you probably have a hard time knowing this, you gave me the best gift by not making me suffer. I hated that bladder tumor and having to pee constantly and the second I crossed over the Rainbow Bridge I was healed and I feel perfect. That must be the trade-off I think. You have to leave the ones you love for a while, but you get perfect health in return. That is a good gift for sure. And of course, my dear mommy, we were the best gift that anyone ever gave to each other – along with you and daddy and Safari of course!  Have a good trip! Travel safe and write me when you return. I will be around you….

A ton of love and nose to nose kisses….

Your Bailey LoveT

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

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

My Side of Thanksgiving….

24 Thursday Nov 2011

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

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Dear Mommy,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

 

 

 

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

08 Sunday Nov 2009

Posted by in border collies, Dog walking, dogs, loving dogs, nature, 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.