For Bailey

 This One Is For You

As many of you know, my dog passed away last week; My sweet, precious, baby girl. It was very unexpected and I received the phone call while half way across the world in Saipan. Words could not even describe the hurt, sadness, and pain I felt.

She was my best friend, my constant companion, and my joy. 

I did not realize how much I needed Bailey till she found me. 

I did everything with Bailey and she happily did everything with me. 

Although my heart hurts right now, I want to remember her for the good because she only made life even sweater. 

I write this as a way for me to keep the things I cherished most about Bailey close at hand and never to be forgotten. 

This one is for you, Baby Girl!

1. She always slept with me because I was too afraid to sleep in my room alone. Of course she faithfully guarded me by scaring anyone off with her incredibly loud snoring fits. 

2. She would always be the first to greet me with a sloppy wet kiss when my alarm went off in the morning (Yes, she knew the sound of my alarm). 

 3. This is hard to admit and a little embarrassing now, but I would sing to Bailey every night before we went to bed...I knew it helped her sleep better...even if my family made fun of me.
 

4. Every time I would come home from college I would look forward to her running down the drive way with her tail going a million miles an hour. When I stepped out of the car she would be so excited that she could hardly contain her excitement and run circles around the parking lot to let out her energy. (My family called them happy circles).

 

(Also, the way she would never want me to leave to go back to college.)

5. She faithfully went on car trips to the store when I had to go alone. 
 
6. She comforted me when life brought me down and she rejoiced with me when life had its ups. 

7. Bailey ALWAYS knew who to look to when food was out as I never failed to sneak her a piece of my food no matter what meal it was. (I always told her to eat it quietly so Daddy would never notice.) 

 

8. I always looked forward to the end of vacations because I knew I would get to see Bailey.

9. When I was sick in bed, Bailey was "sick" in her bed all day long as well. She was always looking for an excuse to lay around all day.

10. The joy she had day AFTER day for the same walk around the lake reminded me always to find joy in the routine of life. 


11. I have learning disabilities and for me, reading aloud helps to retain information. I can confidently say Bailey was very knowledgeable in Science, History, and any other college textbook I had to read. 


12. The fact that every time we went to the lake Bails would try SO hard to catch a fish and not once in her life did she ever catch a fish. She reminded me to have persistence in life no matter how many times you fail. 

13. Bailey hated photos. She always ruined family photos with her hatred for the camera.

(Find Bailey....No I don't have a tail.)

14. She put up with a lot with my family....She had patience, Guys! 

 
15. The photobooth galore that she put up with.

17. The way she always came to the front door and whined until we let her in. Our door had two perfect little eye holes for her!

18. I even skyped her whenever I was away!

19. She put up with all the children that I was a nanny for. Again, she had patience! All the children loved her and she was the best companion for them.

20. Bailey, you completed my life. 

Although I am sad now, I am so thankful for the memories I have with you and the lessons learned from you.