Good-Bye to Our Friend Bailey

I am so sorry to tell you all, that again, for the third time in 32 days, we have another loss at Golden Pines.  Today, we said good-bye to our beautiful girl, my confidant, my friend Bailey, who for nearly two years was my constant companion at home.

~Bailey - On our way home - The day we met~ 

Yes, my heart is truly broken and there are no words to say how sad I am about a loss that I knew was coming. But as I write this, I'm not kidding, there is a little wren sitting on the railing outside my window, singing its big song. Maybe it's telling me to not be sad, but to sing and celebrate that what for Bailey, was a long life.  She was more than 14 years old.

I don't know much about Bailey's life before she came to us in September of 2017. What I put together from the papers that came with her, is that she was born in Kentucky, not far from where my own Mother was from. She was part of a family with 2 children and the husband was in the military and was stationed in Germany, where she lived too. Somewhere her life changed and there was a divorce. Bailey lived with the husband, and several other dogs until her owner died.

~Bailey - Stuck in the middle~

I've said before, and it was so true, that Bailey was truly the quintessential Golden Retriever. She was always happy, easy going, gentle, and a good friend, companion and comforter. And I never mentioned it, but Bailey's former owner, took his own life. Of course I don't know the circumstances of any of that. But as my day has ended without my beautiful Bailey by my side, and as she journeys back to the one who created her, I hope she is met on the other side by "Jim" who loved her first - Because if his soul still needs that same comfort and friendship that she always gave me, I know that  she will (again) give it to him.

God-speed Bay-bay...  Through my tears and heartbreak  I am trying to smile and find joy and celebrate the time we had together. You will be missed, not just by me, but by all the dogs who you were a friend to. I will look forward to the day when I'll see you again. Until then, those memories of you are tucked into their own place in my heart that is only for you.   

~A fun outing - Bailey looking at the chicks~ 

And finally, Bailey's color is cinnamon. When I had her at the office several months ago, the daughter of a co-worker thought with all the white in her coat, that Bailey looked like a cinnamon roll. Kids have a way of pointing out the obvious, because Bailey really did look like one. And we all know that nothing says comfort food like a big, fluffy, soft cinnamon roll warm and fresh from the oven - And "soft comfort" was what Bailey was all about.

I will miss my friend.