Losing Bailey

Losing Bailey

I remember well the day I lost my best friend. I remember the feeling that for the first time in 10 years no one understood me, that for the first time since I was six years old it really was me agents the world. Who would greet me at the door with a smile? Who would stay up late and listen to me talk? Who would comfort me when I felt so alone? I’ve lost a great friend and yet for some reason people dismiss it as nothing more then an animal dying. “She was getting old after all” they would say. No one said that when my grandma died, or when my dad passed away, so why would they dismiss the death of my close friend with little more then a “That’s to bad.” I wonder sometimes if people understand what its like to be so loved by an animal, I wonder if they know what its like to have someone they could depend on 100% no matter what. For people who have had it then you understand just how truly comforting it is. But if you haven’t the closest example I can give you is that its just like that feeling you get when something makes you laugh out loud. it’s the feeling that life is ok right now, and you have something to smile about. That’s how I felt when I looked at her. After I lost her I felt sick, every time I walked into the door and there was no smile I just wanted to lay down and die. I started looking for a new pet not long after but found myself only searching for her. So what’s left to say about my friend? I miss her very much, and though I love all my animals I will never love another the way I loved her. I will always be thankful for what she’s given me and I doubt that anyone will ever appreciate her as I do.

I miss you Bailey, and I love you.

My Bailey

My Dearest Bailey,
You were more of a sibling then a dog to me, I don't remember a time in my life before now with out you. Thank you for growing up with me, listening to my problems at night, I could always trust you to keep it to yourself. Thanks for sometimes being the only one who could smile at me when I walked in the door, you always waited for me to come home, you made me feel loved. I hope you know I was with you until the end, and I held you until you closed your eyes for the last time, as I know you would have done for me. You will always be one of the best parts of my life, and even though I may have other animals in my life there will never be one that I will love as I did you.

Your Best Friend
Janie

A Poem I Found Helpful

I have this tapped up in my wall, i find it comforting. (For those unware i lost my father, grandmother and dog of 10 years all in 2003) If you dont like it thats fine but when i'm feeling down this helps when i read it.

Comes The Dawn
By Veronica A. Shoffstall


After a while you learn the subtle difference between holding a hand and chaining a soul,
and you learn that love doesn't mean leaning and company doesn't mean security,
and you begin to learn that kisses aren't contracts and presents aren't promises,
and you begin to accept your defeats with your head up and your eyes ahead,
with the grace of an adult, not the grief of a child,
and you learn to build all of your roads on today because tomorrow's ground
is too uncertain for plans, and futures have a way of falling down in mid-flight.
After a while you learn that even sunshine burns if you get too much.
So you plant your own garden and decorate your own soul, instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers.
And you learn that you really can endure...
That you really do have worth.
And you learn and you learn...
With every goodbye you learn.