Bailey

The day we all knew would come but were hoping would hold off another year or two finally arrived. My parents' decided to put our old dog, Bailey, to sleep. Technically she was my younger brother's dog, but really she was the family dog. At 12+ years old, the hot summer days were pretty miserable for her. At the end, in pain and no longer able to stand, my dad had to carry her to the car (which was no small feat if you recall that Bailey was about twice the size of a normal golden retriever).

I was definitely sad to hear this news, but, to be honest, being so far away makes it feel less real. Bailey was such an everpresent character in our family for the past 12 years- always in the middle of whatever activity was going on, with a nack for laying down right in whatever walkway or path you might be needing. She is the center of so many good family memories- the christmas eve we spent washing her after she got sprayed by the skunk, the time she proudly covered herself in fresh buffalo dung at Yosemite, the brownie she sneakily stole at our bridal shower... I could share Bailey stories all day. Despite her being a dog, it is pretty easy to talk about her like she was a member of our family. And she was. There is a part of me that still expects to see her coming out to greet us the next time we visit.

She was a good dog and I am thankful we got to enjoy her for as long as we did. Rest in Peace, Bailey.