A Dog's Purpose

When I picked up this book at the library, I got to the parking lot before I started reading the jacket. Then I burst into tears - much to the fright of several patrons milling about.

A Dog's Purpose follows the life of Toby/Bailey/Ellie through his/her many lives as a beloved reincarnated dog. The bulk of the story follows Bailey - an ever loyal Golden Retriever and his favorite human, Ethan.

Of course it was the name Bailey that reduced me to sobbing in public. Ethan's Bailey and my Bailey shared many great qualities, and though my Bailey was a Norwegian Elkhound, I still couldn't help but picture him in Ethan's adventures. Bailey's "end" made me feel like I'd relived the ordeal of saying goodbye to my Bailey, which was thoroughly heartbreaking, but cathartic nonetheless.

The dog's dialogue in the book was often quite funny and made me laugh out loud to think of any of my dog pals sharing the same sentiments. For example, when reborn as Ellie, Bailey quips, "A few weeks later I was in the yard, showing one of my brothers who was boss, when I stopped and squatted and all at once realized I was female! How could I, Bailey, be a girl dog?"

Ultimately just as much of a tear jerker as Marley & Me, Purpose is still very much worth an investment in reading 320 pages. I cried. I laughed. I gasped. But most importantly, I was reminded of my latest and greatest friend, and why he was described as such.

I miss Bailey every day and remembering him often brings me a great deal of sorrow, but I also know that he will forever be an integral part of my life.

Bailey is a very special dog. I'm certain he's fulfilling a very important duty on the other side of the rainbow bridge. xo

Best doggie ever

I posted the same on my facebook page on Saturday. A great friend called me Saturday night and we talked about Bailey's passing - not that I need a reminder since I miss him horribly every single day. I love you Bailey! You are dearly missed. Could he be more handsome?

Great old friends

A dear friend called me last night after receiving a Christmas card from me that confirmed Bailey's death. She didn't know about it before then because although I love her we don't get to talk to each other that often. Her call was sweet and wonderful. Blair you are such a great friend - Bailey, Zoe and I thank you for thinking of us! You are a cherished friend - always - someone I (and my canine friends) will love forever. xoxoxoxo

Here's to Bailey!

That's what my friend wrote to me in the card pictured below. I must admit it sent me into a fit of sobbing - calling my mom, who joined me in sobbing - but I do really adore this card. So sweet!

A child's memory of Bailey & Zoe

Abby brought me this drawing on Saturday. It means a lot to me that she still thinks of Bailey so much. He is missed more than anything in my world.

The Lost Dogs

I began crying on page 2; but by page 20 I was weeping so hard that I couldn't see through my tears and page 20 did not hold the most brutal details.

I'm not sorry I'm reading this book, but I know that some of my fellow dog-loving friends will not be able to stomach it. The only way I can really express my overwhelming anger and despair is to say that while I realize my soul will suffer, I wish I could throw Michael Vick and his accomplices into a pit of blood-lusting dogs who would rip them to shreds. Beat them to death. Strangle the life from them in the same way they felt it was okay to shove their "underperforming" dogs into a bucket of water until they suffocated or were nailed to a tree to hang. Or for that one little red dog, to be repeatedly pounded into the ground until she died.

What's more disturbing is what Gorant reveals in his introduction - that many complaints sent to Sports Illustrated after the 12/29/08 issue featuring a sweet-faced pit bull with the title, "The Good News out of the Bad Newz Kennels," revolved around the following sentiment, "Why does it matter, they're just dogs?" For that thought to pass among intelligent human beings makes me sick to my stomach. I am beyond disgusted.

I could go into a crazed diatribe about how wrong that statement is - for so many reasons - but that shouldn't be necessary. Anyone who has ever owned and loved a pet knows that the aforementioned sentiment is absolutely ridiculous and could only be uttered by a heartless person.

I recently lost a beloved pet, a Norwegian Elkound named Bailey, and I miss him more than anything I've ever lost in my life. I was shocked to learn that the Norwegian Elkhound garners the #21 spot in the list of most dangerous canines. Anyone who knew Bailey knows that is beyond ridiculous, which just goes to show that a dog, just like a human, should be innocent until proven guilty.

Losing Bailey was a huge blow, and my family has been amazing, but I am still reeling and no one can really help me with that. Reading about these dogs who were forced to suffer so much brings it all to the forefront. Not because Bailey suffered, because I really don't think he did, but because I mourn for the happiness those puppies could've had - the happiness I know my Bailey enjoyed.

National Geographic's Dog Town admirably covered the extensive efforts to rehabilitate the most aggressive of the "Vick dogs" and truly provided an outsider with a tender look into those poor dogs who were trained to fight - something most dog lovers/advocates know is AGAINST their nature. I recommend viewing it - available on iTunes.

Bailey Flashback

I finished my Bailey photobook, and I hope to receive it next week! Below you'll find one of the puppy pics I acquired via my new spiffy scanner that allows me to scan slides. He's about 8 weeks here. I miss that face!

Quote of the day

I'm currently working on a Snapfish photo book in memory of Bailey, thanks to the suggestion from my brother who recently did the same for Casey. I've got dog books and calendars coming out of my ears, so I've been rummaging through them and found this quote last night that I liked.

"...Beauty without Vanity. Strength without Insolence. Courage without Ferocity."

-Lord Byron, on dogs

All guarded on the Western front

Shortly after Bailey passed, Zoe dutifully took over guard duty at the back of the house. She spends hours under that curtain keeping watch on the sidewalk close by. I try not to scold her too much when she scares the crap out of me with a barking fit since I know I'm better off with a little doggie alarm.



It's very hard to catch Zoe under the curtain because she has bat ears - another great trait in truth. Here she is having caught me trying to catch her on guard duty.



This is what I usually see - just her hiney and fluffy tail. She's a superb watch dog!

Abby's Bailey and Casey angels

Abby brought me this drawing on Saturday so I could enter it in the kid's drawing contest at my local vet's office. I love the little angels in the clouds that represent Bailey and Casey watching us from over the rainbow bridge!

From Bailey to Zoe

After I lost Bailey, it took me several weeks to build up the strength to remove his presence from my house. I left his hair to scatter like tumbleweeds across the hardwood any time the front door was opened. I left his bowls untouched. The water he last drank from remained for more than a week after he was gone.

I finally forced myself to disinfect his bed about 3 weeks after his death. I still kept it off the floor because I couldn't bring myself to let Zoe lounge on it.

As you can see, I've come to terms with sharing Bailey's bed with Zoe. She sleeps on it often, but not nearly as much as Bailey did. She prefers to sleep right next to me.

The bed used to be set up in front of the fireplace, but I moved it Sunday night so I could vacuum. Later in the evening I was surprised to discover that I had no idea where Zoe was, as she's usually right under my feet. I found her snoozing on Bailey's bed under my dining room table. I wish he could still be there with her!

Lazy alligator

The lazy alligator throne always belonged to Bailey. I'm sure he wasn't the first to do so, but my friend Jim coined the phrase for Bailey and me. The first time he saw Bailey in full-stretch he yelled, "Awesome lazy alligator!"

I've never seen another dog stretch out as thoroughly and strategically as Bailey did on a daily basis. Gosh I miss my sweet elkhound!

But here we have Zoe in her standard "relaxed" position. She looks like a frog - short legs splayed behind her little butt, front legs stretched out. I think she does a pretty good lazy alligator given her short tiny body!

Thank you Bailey fans!

Thank you SO much to everyone who followed along my week-long tribute to the sweetest Norwegian Elkhound ever to live. Your comments and shared thoughts mean more than I could ever tell you. I know Bailey feels the same.

I looked up a few books recommended for those who've recently experienced pet loss and found two that I really like. I would love to receive either of these from a friend :wink: but I know I'll keep them in mind should any of my doggie friends lose a buddy in the future.

For Every Dog an Angel by Christine Davis. Despite the cheesy cover art, I found the excerpts I read online to be very touching and sweet without inserting too much religion into the message.

Paw Prints in the Stars: A Farewell and Journal for a Beloved Pet by Warren Hanson. This book got great reviews and I love the idea of the inclusion of blank pages for personal photos and notes.

I successfully dried the rose the vet's office had delivered to me the day after Bailey died, and it has been added to his memorial shelf in my bedroom. I also added his collar, name tag, paw print and a tiny framed photo. I feel it's complete now and absolutely perfect.

Again, thank you so much for your support! I promise that barring any unforeseen tragedy :knocks on wood: my next post will not be a tear jerker!
xo from Angel-Bailey, Zoe and me

Bailey week, day 7

This is the last post of Bailey week, but I'm sure he'll crop up in future posts since he'll always be a part of my life.

This photo was taken in January of 2000 when I lived in an apartment in Raleigh. We got 22 inches of snow and Bailey was in heaven. He was treated to off-leash romping and went hog wild.

I hope it's snowing for him in doggie heaven!

Bailey week, day 6

I labeled this photo "Pepto Puppy." Bailey always had a sensitive stomach. Doggy diarrhea was a common occurrence. In turn, I was often beside myself as to what to do for him. On the most desperate occasions, I poured Pepto Bismol down his throat. I took the photo below after realizing that more than 12 hours after a dosage Bailey still sported a hint of Pepto on his nose.

Photo was taken in 2009.

Bailey week, day 5

Always an avid UNC fan, I photographed Bailey wearing one of my UNC caps. I love my friend Jen's description of this photo and others like it. She says he looks like an old grandpa thinking, "Time to go to the game kids. C'mon. Grandpa gets tired early."

Photo was taken in 2005.

Bailey week, day 4

This photo was taken in December 2005. Bailey still looks so healthy! He'd just turned 8-years-old. Abby was four-years-old.



I made the shadowbox below shortly after adopting Zoe - probably early 2006. The bottom right photo - the one you can't see very well - was taken in early 2002 in Michigan. Bailey loved the snow!

The shadowbox resides on a shelf in my bedroom, under which now resides Bailey's memorial: his ashes, a framed copy of the Rainbow Bridge and my beloved "angel dog" from my mom. Bailey is my angel dog!

Quote of the day

My friend Kerry gave me the sweetest card today, and this quote was on it. I thought it was perfect for Bailey week.

"All that we love deeply becomes a part of us"

-Helen Keller

Bailey week, day 3

This photo was taken in December of 2003. We'd been back in NC for about 4 months.

Sierra, the other dog in the photo, belongs to one of Kerry's friends who now lives in California. Both doggies are waiting patiently at attention for the delivery of a treat.

Bailey week, day 2

One of my friends requested a Bailey puppy post, so here you go Caro!

I don't have regular electronic files of these pics, so I scanned and cropped them from my scrapbook pages. Bailey is about 8-9 weeks old and approximately 7 pounds.

I love his puppy belly!