Missing Bailey

It’s been over two years now, and I still miss Bailey every single day. I know I did the right thing letting her go, her body just couldn’t take any more and there was nothing more we could do to help her. The tumors would continue to grow and spread, there would be more pain, the seizure would only increase - leaving her scared and confused. I know all of that, but it doesn’t help the missing her. 

She was a once-in-a-lifetime dog. I was lucky to have her around as long as I did.

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Kathleen Sinnott

I am a software engineer and web designer/developer by trade, with a strong focus on user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) standards, usability, and accessibility. When I'm not living the geek life, I'm playing with my dog.

 

Saying Goodbye to Bailey, My Perfect Little Dog

Bailey was always all smiles.

After she fought multiple medical issues so hard, for so long, I had to say goodbye to my much loved dog, Bailey, on Friday. It comes as no surprise to anyone who knows us, or any pet lover for that matter, that this has been the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do.

They’re Not Kidding, Denial Isn’t Just a River…

When you have so many close calls, you just start to believe that “she’ll beat this one too” - even though logically you know that sooner or later, luck will run out.

In the end, her little body just couldn’t push on any more. Our vet, who had worked tirelessly for us, coming up with solution after solution, said what I already knew, there was no more we could do for her.

Ironically, it wasn’t the congenial heart and lung problems that we’d dealt with all her life that took Bailey from me, it was tumors on her brain and lungs (and probably elsewhere too).

My Little Weirdo

Yes, you read that right, I’m calling my beloved pupster weird, in the best possible ways…Bailey was always her own dog. She wasn’t going to be defined by conventions.

She was never the least bit food motivated, what she really wanted was love and attention from people. Old, young, even wheelchairs and canes and such - things that often freak out other dogs - never mattered to Bailey. If you were a person, she loved you and expected that you would love her too. The only thing that baffled Bailey was people who would pass her by without giving her love. (Me too, for that matter!). And oh, if we went out for a walk or out to run errands and she didn’t score love from at least one person, she would visibly pout about it.

Who could pass up this face?

It always cracked me up when people would try to offer Bailey a treat, and she’d ignore it while staring at them intently. People always looked at me confused. Then I’d explain what she really wanted, and she’d soak up the attention they’d lavish on her.

At the pet store, Bailey’s favorite section was the cat aisle, followed closely by the fish tanks. She didn’t try to get the fish, she just seemed to like to watch them and enjoy the sound of the water.

Bailey loved her pool time.

Water was an all-time favorite for Bailey. It didn’t matter if was a a bath, rain, the beach, the baby pool my friend bought for her, joining me in the shower (uninvited, I should add),or just messing around with hose - Bailey loved water in all forms. Bailey loved her pool time.In a pinch, she’d dunk toys into her water bowl for a bit of splashy fun.

Bailey playing “flower” in the hope I’d “water” her (I did!).

Most of all, Bailey loved snow. She’d run in it, play in it, roll in it, rub her face in it, and even eat it. Bailey got quite skilled at tricking me into believing she needed to go out when all she really wanted was more play time in the snow.

Bailey, my snow bunny

So, of course, when the universe was looking for a way to stomp harder on my heart, it snowed the day after Bailey died. 

There should be paw prints here, but there’s not.

I could go on and on, and I probably will in the upcoming days. But for now I just want to let those who knew Bailey IRL or online know that she’s gone. I need to start to learn how to live without her. No easy task, to be sure.

Hug your pets for us tonight.

My girl, Bailey

Bailey Turned 10 Years Old!

Several years ago, when we were just figuring out just how sick the pupster is, we weren’t sure we’d ever reach this milestone. But, thanks to a team of experts that include her amazing vet and dedicated dog walkers, here she is, letting me know that 1 hour of pool fun was not long enough and that as Birthday Girl what she says goes…

Bailey loves her pool time!

Bailey loves her pool time!

Don't forget, February Is National Pet Dental Health Month!

Have questions about brushing your pet’s teeth?Want to learn more about brushing your pet’s teeth? Check this out: http://tinyurl.com/4mrd8lp Learn more:

For us, the winning combo was a flavored dog toothpaste that Bailey loves (don’t use human toothpaste, it’s not safe for pets!), and the finger toothbrush (see below).

This is our fav!

These are handy too!

Happy 9th Birthday, Bailey!

Pictures of Bailey Then and Now

Today is my furry roommate’s 9th birthday! While birthdays are always a good reason for a celebration, each of Bailey’s birthdays come with an extra level of happy because there was a time when I didn’t know if we’d get to enjoy this many happy days.

There have been health-related scary times, and new health problems have arisen, but for today at least we put those aside and did everything we could to make the day special. There were naps, special meals and treats, time spent doing her favorite things (at least the ones we could safely do in such heat!), and many presents to open (wrapped, of course, since tearing paper is one of the best parts for Bailey!).

Many, many thanks to MB VanWart for the awesome First Meeting and First Day Home photos. I’ve been flipping through them all with a big smile on my face. Such great memories!

Take Your Dog to Work Day is today!

Working from home on Take Your Dog to Work Day (#takeyourdogtoworkday) counts, right? Bailey certainly seems to think so!