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Bailey's Journal

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

Bailey's Journal

Tag Archives: seeing dogs after death

A Tree-Blushed Kiss…

21 Sunday Oct 2012

Posted by Sherri Maddick in adopting a new dog, animal families, border collies, coincidence, dog/human relationships, dogs, Dogs named Bailey, Fall, Journaling, joy, letters, loving dogs, loving life, missing your dog, nature, parks, Poetry, rainbow bridge, rememberence, rescue dogs, second chances, Senior Dogs, spirituality, talking dogs, teaching, The Rainbow Bridge, trees, Working Dogs

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animal companion, animal rescue, Bailey dogs, border collies, Cats, coincidence, dog adoption, dog communication, seeing dogs after death, talking dogs, the loss of a pet, the rainbow bridge, unconditional love

 Dear Bailey,

You blushed in full bloom. You are a stand-out amongst the hundreds of other trees at Buhl Park, so red and full like a woman’s lips searching for a kiss. And who kissed you more than me?

Today is October 21 and week from now will be one year since you went to Hyfryd and it seems so much longer.  So much longer, yet I am so proud of all you have taught me and all you continue to do there. Our spirits are so aligned and I feel you everywhere. Russell talks about you all the time and you know I talk to Joy & Safari about you everyday. To be honest I still feel sad some days when I think about how much I miss you.  That is how I am. n Cheetah and Freedom and Lucky are always at the top of my mind. Sharing your life with an animal companion is very special because of its very nature and relationship. There is nothing else like it and it is different from humans. Animals of all kinds love without condition – something that some humans have not learned to do with each other. There is just a special sweetness that is unbridled. I know so many people like us too who feel compelled to be part of an animal’ s life, be it a dog or cat, horse or bird. It’s simply part of who you are or not but I am glad I=it’s always been part of me and when we met you became entwined into my soul as I have with you.

Joy reminds me of you in a lot of ways but she truly is a puppy. She is still discovering the world and she has much to learn. She is a lot of fun and she literally makes all of us laugh everyday. Safari and her play so sweetly and truly like each other a lot.  I have to say my working girl, you certainly kept your promise and found us the perfect girl for all of us. She will never take your place, please know that. She simply has her own and thanks to you – with help from Victoria – she found her way here, where she belongs.

I just wanted to say hello after seeing your tree today. I wanted to say I love you, I am with you and thinking of you daily. Your pictures are in front of me and your spirit surrounds us.

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The Changing Leaves…Green and holding

08 Monday Oct 2012

Posted by Sherri Maddick 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,

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Scrapbooks of You…

23 Sunday Sep 2012

Posted by Sherri Maddick in adopting a new dog, animal families, border collies, cancer in dogs, coincidence, dog adoption., dog/human relationships, dogs, Dogs named Bailey, Journaling, letters, loving dogs, loving life, missing your dog, nature, parks, rainbow bridge, rescue dogs, second chances, The Rainbow Bridge, Uncategorized, Working Dogs

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adoption, angels for animals, animal companion, animal rescue, anniversaries, Bailey dogs, border collies, breast cancer awareness, cancer in dogs, Cats, coincidence, dog adoption, dog communication, dogs and cats, letters, missing dogs, rainbow bridge, seeing dogs after death, senior dogs, spirituality, talking dogs, the loss of a pet, the rainbow bridge, unconditional love, www.petfinder.com

My Dearest Bailey,

I was looking at a big scrapbook I made for you and began crying the other day. This picture takes up one whole page. Do you remember it? It was taken by Photographer Rich Cancio at the Angels for Animals Doggy Days Reunion in 2009 when you were healthy and well, about one year after we adopted you from there.

I am not a huge fan of “portraits,” but I love this one because I look so happy holding you and you look so regal like you always did. Rich had donated his servces that day, which made me immediately like him. I love how you won’t look at the camera but posed like a pretty girl…. You were my photographic muse and I have at least a 1000 pictures of you if I have one! I know your den in Hyfryd is covered in pictures too.

Recently, Rich contacted me on Facebook about a benefit dance he was involved with to help with the needs of breast cancer patients, something that his wife, unfortunately had to deal with. So I was thinking about cancer and how I felt when they told me about your bladder. No one wants to hear that and we all deal with news like that differently.  We are always happy to support causes we believe in, so we bought tickets immediately. October is breast cancer awareness month. Pink things are everywhere – you know that is my color!

I remember when Cheetah was near the end of her wonderfully long life, I used to say she was my soul, Tarzan, my heart and Freedom my spirit. I always thought you were a lot like Cheetah because you loved everyone and you had a true love of life. I can understand why you chose Joy for us. She embodies all those characteristics that I love and don’t you find it so ironic that her name was Joy? I mean, you really went all out to make sure that we got our Joy back – literally and we are so grateful to you for that.

I miss you each and every day but you are always there in so many things that happen. Your Red Maple has grown so large in just a year and as the Fall slowly sets in, the tips of the leaves have recently started to turn red – your color!

But you knew that already. You are red and I am pink and pink is clearly a derivative of red. Of course that makes so much sense. We are of each other, mind and spirit -no matter where we are physically we will never be without each other. We love you, Bailey.

Write me Soon….xoxooxox, mommy

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Scrapbooks of You….

23 Sunday Sep 2012

Posted by Sherri Maddick 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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adoption, angels for animals, animal companion, animal rescue, animals, Bailey dogs, border collies, breast cancer awareness, cancer in dogs, dog communication, dogs named Bailey, female dogs, letters, life with dogs, loving dogs, missing dogs, missing your dog, october, older dogs, pet adoption, pet parents, rainbow bridge, remembering a loved one, seeing dogs after death, the loss of a pet, the rainbow bridge, unconditional love, volunteerism, www.petfinder.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Back to School…

06 Thursday Sep 2012

Posted by Sherri Maddick 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

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Nearing the Year….

24 Friday Aug 2012

Posted by Sherri Maddick 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 life, missing your dog, Petfinder, rescue dogs, second chances, Senior Dogs, spirituality, talking dogs, teaching, The Rainbow Bridge, Working Dogs

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adoption, animal companion, animal companions, animal rescue, anniversaries, Bailey dogs, border collies, cancer in dogs, dog adoption, dog communication, dogs and cats, dogs named Bailey, missing your dog, older dogs, pet parents, rainbow bridge, seeing dogs after death, spirituality, the loss of a pet, the rainbow bridge, unconditional love

Dear Bailey,
Safari & Joy are sleeping behind me as I write this. We are headed out soon to start the Russell’s b-day festivities. First on the list: A Pirates game! As the end of this month approaches I am focused on the fact that Fall is just around the corner. I was looking at this picture of you when you were so healthy and crazy for adventure, just like Joy is now. When I think of last year at this time I was so sad. Sometimes Joy makes me so happy I almost feel badly about it! I know I know, that IS crazy.

You know i am very grateful because you did a lot of research in finding Russell, Safari & me the purrfect dog and you did. You did even better in giving me a new friend in Victoria and I love you so much for that and I know she does too. How many times a week do Joy and I visit your tree? A lot! Each time I think how much people loved you at the park. You loved them too. No one did not love you the second they met you.

Everywhere i take Joy they think she is so cute and pretty just like they did with you. She is quite the adorable one. She has a sparkling personality and today she went in the car with NO BARKING! She is learning that she does not have to worry about people attacking us! Yesterday, she met some really cute little dogs and had fun kissing them. She is a BIG kisser – just like you. I think you found me her because in many ways she is just like you – a bold personality, full of fun and craziness – but hey – you ARE BORDER COLLIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I heard you tell me yesterday at the tree to wish Russell a happy birthday for you. I will. This is his first without you in many years. Tomorrow we will be up at the lake – I cannot wait. Well, I just wanted to say that I was thinking of you and that I miss you so very much. I always try to be positive but sometimes I get caught up in the fact that you are in Hyfryd and not with me. I am so glad you are doing such great work. I know you are so busy now that school is in full session! Fall is my busy season too, that is for sure. New clients, Joy, Safari & Russell all keep me very, very busy. Seems there is never enough time in the day! So here is to you my dear….thinking of you and hoping that you will write me soon and let me know how your first full week of school was. Give Onwen my love as well. We are only pages away from the book being complete! Love always, Mommy

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When You Strive For the Best….

12 Sunday Aug 2012

Posted by Sherri Maddick 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

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Joie de verve….

29 Sunday Jul 2012

Posted by Sherri Maddick in animal families, border collies, dog/human relationships, dogs, loving dogs, rescue dogs

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animal rescue, Bailey dogs, border collies, coincidence, dog communication, pet parents, rainbow bridge, seeing dogs after death, senior dogs, spirituality, the loss of a pet, the rainbow bridge, unconditional love

My Darling Bailey!

My sincerest apologies for being so late with my letter. At least I talked to at the tree 3 times this week. Amazing I even got there that many times with the way the weather has been. As you saw, Joy goes crazy at the park chasing her squirrels or even hunting for one that may never appear! Sometimes I am secretly happy when she does not find one because at least my arm won’t be pulled out of its socket that day!

I was SO VERY proud to hear about the success of the Finding Joy class! Of course I always expect the best of you because you never gave me any reason not to. I love this picture of you. Those big brown eyes of yours always were so full of life and warmth.  I loved that you never barked at anyone unless you got barked at first!

I knew that class would be very helpful. I just read something tonight on Facebook that someone read the book A Dog’s Purpose to help them get through the passing of their god and they finally were able to get a puppy. I read that book too after you went over the Rainbow Bridge, but I do not think it helped me. Being a writer and having our very close connection just naturally made us write letters to each other. It was interesting to hear about all the different stories from the animals that they brought to the class. Just like in people’s lives, there is so much tragedy and  pain in the animal world as well and that makes me as sad as I am for the people too. I am glad that in Hyfryd you are very happy and there is no pain and bad things that happen. I think people have enough of that when they are here! Of course there is always good, but there is always stuff to deal with. Hopefully for most, the good outweighs the bad, but I am sure that is not the case for abused people or animals. I can tell you that I am very proud that you are doing good work there and helping people. No one appreciated being rescued more than you so it is natural that you would want to help others. What is so great is that you put yourself in that position because you could. If more people here on earth would do that the world would be such a better place.

I know that your class is much-needed and that you will tell me a lot more about the new students you are helping and I cannot wait to hear about them. After hearing from a girl who reads your blog (and is a big lover of Border Collies) I was thinking we should have a class like that here too. I know there are support groups for people who lose their animal children, but maybe people are afraid to go to them. It would be nice to have something online – who knows maybe there is something like that already? I was thinking about how I could help like you do? Maybe you can help me on that one – let me know, okay? I want your opinion on that one my sweet teacher!

I have to get up early so I am going to sleep. I love you so much and am so proud. I was trying to think how many more classes have taken place since you write? I am thinking two more, right? Let me know. Again, sorry for being a little late, but you know I carry you in my heart every minute and your charm on my purse. Like we always said, we will never be apart. I love you girl. xoxoxoxox

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The Giving and Getting Go Hand in Paw…

29 Friday Jun 2012

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

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adoption, animal companion, animal rescue, Bailey dogs, border collies, cancer in dogs, dog communication, dogs and cats, letters, life with dogs, love, pet parents, petfinder.com, rainbow bridge, seeing dogs after death, senior dogs, spirituality, the rainbow bridge, unconditional love, www.petfinder.com

Dear Mommy,

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

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

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

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

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

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

Write me soon! I love you so….

Your Sweet Bailey Girl xoxoxoxoxoox

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Precious Two….

21 Thursday Jun 2012

Posted by Sherri Maddick 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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adoption, animal companion, animal rescue, Bailey dogs, border collies, Cats, dog adoption, dog communication, letters, life with dogs, love, loving cats, loving dogs, missing dogs, missing your dog, older dogs, pet parents, petfinder.com, rainbow bridge, seeing dogs after death, spirituality, talking dogs, the loss of a pet, unconditional love, www.petfinder.com

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….

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