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Bailey's Journal

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

Bailey's Journal

Tag Archives: vets

If It Weren’t for Bailey…

03 Saturday Oct 2015

Posted by Sherri Maddick in books, border collies, coincidence, Dog walking, dog/human relationships, Doing Your Best, faith, Fall, Pope Francis, the elderly

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animal communication, animal rescue, animals, Book about dogs, border collie, border collies, Dog walking, dogs, fall, older people, Pope Francis, Service, spirtituality, vets

Dear Bailey,

While Joy and I visit your tree so many times a week, I often think about how positively our lives still intersect. I always knew they would, I just wasn’t sure how but things just seem to happen because of you. It’s just the kind of dog you were here on earth.

I am sure you and everyone over the Rainbow Bridge heard about Pope Francis coming to America. After all, he took the name of the best Saint, St. Francis of Assisi, the one known for his love of animals. It’s no wonder everyone loves him he seems to be more progressive than previous Popes and he enjoys people, just like you did.

When the Pope was here, I watched him and listened to things he was trying to convey to people. One was to be of service and do simple things, one of which was to help an older person who lives alone. And that got me thinking that recently, my friend Cathy, had asked me if I had seen Mr. Bruce. Remember Mr. Bruce? We talked about him on the back cover of the book. He was the Vietnam vet in the wheelchair we would always see fishing around Lake Julia at the park. You sure loved him and he loved you too.

Well, I never told Cathy on Facebook that I did go to see him a month ago and was happy to know that he was still alive but when I saw him he was on oxygen now due to COPD and Emphysema. His tiny apartment in the senior building where he lives, was quite a mess with a lot of mail and junk piled up. He had captured a large snapping turtle and had it in his bathtub. I told him the next time he went to the lake, which he was planning to do that day, to please take it back because his tub was filthy from the turtle poop! It was a big mess and needed some organization. I asked him if he wanted my help because I did not want to impose my wanting it to be clean unless he wanted it. He did. I told him I would call him.

About three weeks went by before I could get back over there and it truly was the Pope’s message that forced me to make the time to go there. I called him on a Sunday morning and he said, “Hi! I was expecting you!” I asked if he would be home and he said he would stay home if I was coming over. His only personal mode of transportation is his motorized wheelchair and this man does get around. I told him I would be over in 20 minutes or so.

Armed with natural cleanser and garbage bags, I went over to see him. Before I looked in the bathroom, I asked if the turtle was gone. “Yes, I put him back the same day after you told me to. Do you know when I put him down, he turned and looked back at me and then went into the water,” he said, smiling. I know he enjoyed the company of the turtle. This is a man who had companion dogs when his wife was alive.

Piece by piece, we went through piles of paper on the makeshift coffee table that stores everything from pills, to junk mail, cell phones that don’t work and one that does, fishing things and Coke bottle caps. In essence, Bailey it was a lot of filth and  junk. So we went through it and he did good, letting me throw a lot of junk away and organizing the rest. I moved his TV to a higher shelf so he could see it better and I dusted the whole area. When I was able to actually see the coffee table and clean it the paper towel turned black instantly.

Of course when our book, Letters to Each Other came out I had left him a copy and he pointed out that he had found it and had put on the shelving system where the TV was. I told him that it was only because of you Bailey that I was there. I don’t know if he and I would have ever talked while he fished had I not been walking you all the time. You were always the conversation starter because of your amazing aura of friendliness. Everyone wanted to meet you and stroke all that soft fur of yours. You were always willing to let people touch you and love you up. I am hoping Joy will take on the characteristic with such a fervor in her later years. She is still a pup.

So Bailey, we did some good this Fall. I wanted you to know that, although I know you were there with me I am sure. You, along with a little nudge from the Pope, inspired someone to get some help and truly it was Cathy’s thoughts about Mr. Bruce that got me going to begin with. We thank her for that Bailey.

I cannot reach out and stroke your fur or give Cathy a hug because we do not live close. The closeness is always accessible. Even if someone is far away Bailey, good thoughts bring us together in action and love.

Love you always,

Mommy

Joy rests at your tree
Joy rests at your tree
Mr Bruce
Mr Bruce
The start of Fall 2015
The start of Fall 2015
Beautiful Bailey
Beautiful Bailey
Our Book
Our Book

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You Are Surrounded By Me…..

01 Thursday Dec 2011

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

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Tags

animal companions, Bailey dogs, coincidence, dog and cat relationships, dog communication, dogs, dogs and cats, dogs named Bailey, life with dogs, loving cats, loving dogs, missing your dog, older dogs, rainbow bridge, the rainbow bridge, unconditional love, vets

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

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A Merry 2nd Christmas!

26 Saturday Dec 2009

Posted by Sherri Maddick in Uncategorized

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Tags

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

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

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

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

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

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