Bailey ~ May 28, 1999 – May 6, 2011
We got Bailey when she was four months old. She was quite a character and very energetic (that would be the Border Collie in her). When we met Bailey she was about to jump on her then person’s couch and the lady said, “Bailey, get off my couch and get on your own couch” which was just across from the couch she was thinking about getting up on. Bob and I looked at each other and then told the lady that Bailey won’t have her own couch if we take her home with us. We introduced Bailey to our 4 year old Rhodesian Ridgemont, Beasley, to see if they would get along – yup, all was good so off Bailey goes to start a new life with us.
I love to hike and so did Bailey! We hiked very often, we were even in a hiking club for awhile. If we weren’t hiking then we were speed walking somewhere. I tried to take Bailey close to water for our hikes / walks for a drink but as well for a swim. Bailey didn’t really like to ‘swim’ but she did love the water and as long as her feet were touching the bottom she was good.
During the summer months it gets very hot and dry here in the West Kootenays. We would set up a kiddie pool for Bailey and she would lie in it. I called it “Bailey’s cold tub”.
Bailey loved to snack. When ever someone would come over Bailey would quickly start chatting at them about the cookie rule. You must give Bailey a cookie upon entering our house. I had her cookie jar right there on the counter and Bailey would look at it after her little chat with whomever. Everyone loved to give Bailey a cookie (s).
Bailey was quite a story teller ~ she loved to chat up a storm with Bob and I when we would come home. Bailey had a very loving personality and was extremely loyal (to me especially). She had wonderful manners and was most gentle (although a certain pizza delivery guy may not agree since he claimed she bit him). It is true that when a stranger came over Bailey let them know that she needed an OK from one of her people before they could go any further.
Sadly Bailey is no longer with us. Bailey was very much loved. I miss her dearly.
I think a little sparrow has inherited one of my passed on dogs’ spirit.
We have a bird feeder that cost us a fortunte in Sunflower seeds (their favourite) that we keep full all winter long. We have so many birds that enjoy the feeder and keep me totally entertained. Many different kinds of birds too that all get along except for the couple of big Morning Doves that just bully their way in there from time to time and spread all of the seeds every where – I don’t get it.
Most days when I get home from work there is a little sparrow that is just so excited to see me. This little sparrow if first on the big planter box closest to the house just above the dog’s outdoor bed {hmmm}. Then she (all my dogs were female) hops on over to to the top of a snow shovel as I turn my car off. When I get out of the car she jumps on over to the hand railing leading up to the deck. As I get closer, she then either goes under the deck or up into the Willow tree. In the mean time, Bailey is going crazy hearing all the commotion that this sparrow is creating and Bailey is still on the inside of the house behind a locked door.
This little sparrow better be careful because Bailey just recently ate a bird (then puked it up in the living room – lovely) that was just a little to relaxed waiting for me to come out.
Susan and I are saddened to say that we had to put Beasley to rest this morning. Very early this morning she suffered a stroke that left her unable to walk without our help. While she has been unable to run for quite sometime, and walked slowly, she enjoyed a dignified and happy last year of her life in retirement as she had handed over the responsibilities to Bailey. I’m sure she is now being guided by Shadow once again as she was as a puppy. She joins Whiskers and Mabel as well as Shadow and Nicky now. I thanked “The Beas” this morning for taking such good care of us and our home. I’m so very grateful for all that Susan has done in the last 2 years, along with Dr. Kelly, to help her along in her senior years to live with medical conditions that allowed Beasley to be happy and retain a quality of life. We are so very sad today.
Thank you so much Beasley for making our lives better.
Bailey, Susan and Bob
Bailey ~ May 28, 1999 – May 6, 2011