Farewell to 2009

Never in a million years did I think that 2009 would be the last time I snuggled Bailey - so tonight is a little bitter sweet.

Baileyism
2005 marked the first NYE that Joe and I were together. We had been dating for 3 1/2 months and opted to stay in for the night, hang with Bocci and Bailey and enjoy a three course fondue meal. We found an awesome bread and placed it on a platter in the family room in preparation for our first course of cheese fondue. Oddly - the bread disappeared. It took us a while to figure it out...thinking...did we put the bread someplace else as there is no way Bocci or Bailey would eat it - they never steal food??? Bocci is outside and Bailey is in the formal room...licking her chops! WHAT! For whatever reason, Bailey felt the bread was hers and she ate the entire loaf. She then became a carbo queen and would go crazy at the smell of fresh baked bread. Such a funny girl!

Here is a picture of my favorite snuggle bug.

Two months

My heart is heavy today and I'm missing my sweet Bailey girl.

Joe and I talked last night about loving animals - they bring amazing amounts of joy to the world and capture the hearts of many. The unfortunate exchange is having to say goodbye much sooner than desired. Sigh....

Baileyism
Dog's have a fascinating internal time clock. I remember my childhood dog, Susie, would wander to the front yard at 3:00 and wait for me to come home from school. Bailey was very much the same as she would wait patiently by the back door for Joe to come home from work. She sure did love her dad! Here is a picture of both Bocci and Bailey stalking the door around 5:30pm in hopes to see their dad.

Mental Block

I was talking with the new vet yesterday at Banfield where Basil was getting a routine vaccination. We got on the subject of Bailey (her picture is hanging in the exam room) and the vet asked what type of cancer she had....my mind went totally blank. I could not think of the type of cancer to save my life. It wasn't until she listed several types and said Hemangiosarcoma that it hit me. So odd - I lived the nightmare of Hemangio for several months and now that Bailey is gone, I've completely blocked it out of my mind. Even writing this note...I went blank trying to recall the name. I suppose it is my mind trying to heal.

Baileyism
No one will deny - Arizona is beyond hot in the summer. A few years back, I decided to have Bocci and Bailey shaved in hopes to help them keep cool. Five years later, and I cannot stop laughing at these pictures. Bailey doesn't look too bad, but Bocci - OMG. The best part, they were both incredibly shy (almost embarrassed) by their new haircut. That was the first and last time they received a shave job.

Showtime

Bocci is such a good girl. She is so laid back an easy going - especially when it comes to Bailey and Basil who both need(ed) the spotlight. Bocci has been a Saint with Basil and her crazy puppy habits. While Basil is biting at Bocci to play, Bocci softly turns away and goes about her own business. I wish I had her level of patience!

Baileyism
Bailey was an entertainer and was constantly putting on "Showtimes" to keep us laughing. Here is a brief production. The best part, she would always make sure there was an audience and often did an encore performance.

Coming Home

I wish I could say the gloom has gone away. I have not "felt" Bailey's presence for several weeks so now wonder if it was really her or just wishful thinking. I was sharing with a close friend yesterday that the thing I miss most is being Bailey's BFF. Perfect example, we just returned home from being gone for several hours. Bocci and Basil were desperately waiting for us by the door, but primarily because it was dinner time. They both ran in the house, past me, and toward the kitchen. I've been home for quite a while now and neither have come looking for me. If Bailey were here, she would have skipped dinner just to be with me. She would be sitting right here on the bed next to me. I know that sounds silly (and likely pitiful) to many, but think of it as the warmth you feel when you're in a room with someone and know that you're the most important thing to them.

Baileyism
This picture speaks to my message above. Bailey and I were each others favorite thing. Here she is snuggled next to me in bed as I surfed the Internet. I've said it a thousand times and I'll say it again, I'd give anything to have Bailey here with me.