It has been a trying week. We had to put our family dog Bailey to sleep as a result of tumors and cancer throughout his body. I know many of you have probably had to do the same thing, but putting your best friend and pet to sleep is really a traumatic experience. I have attempted to look at his passing in so many different ways in an attempt to understand, but no matter how much I have contemplated his passing I still miss my best friend.
I have shed tears, thought about the good times together but there is still an empty void in our home. I really never realized how much his presence created such a joy. He would lay by my side, snore at night, chase lizards, lights and balls and was just an all around clown. I loved Bailey so much and he will always be missed.
I have been attempting to make sense of his passing and determine what personal growth can come from losing your dog and best friend. I have come up with a few insights which have helped me to put this event in perspective. First, nothing lasts forever and this is true with everything in life. When it comes to people and beloved pets in your life it is difficult not to get attached. I was very attached to Bailey and really did not realize it until his passing. Secondly, we only have the present moment, nothing else exists so enjoy every moment. I took for granted his time here on the physical plane and really never gave the fact that he might die one day much thought. But as his time drew nearer and nearer I noticed that my patterns of behavior changed. I was spending more time petting him, wiping his mouth, talking to him, and sitting by his side to comfort him during his time of pain. Oh how I’d long just to have a few more precious minutes with him to kiss his head and lay by his side.
The life lessons that I have taken from this experience is that the pain is temporary and will ultimately reside, but the memories can never be taken away. Enjoy the precious moments, the little things that the people and pets in your life add to truly enrich your life experiences. True happiness is only attained when it is shared with another soul. Our souls grow and become enriched as a result of all of our life experiences, be they perceived as good or bad. You see our whole life and reality is a result of how we relate to the issues, circumstances and events that occur in our life. I have a choice to remember Bailey for all the joy, happiness, love he brought into my life. I had twelve wonderful years with a pet that will always bring found memories when I think of him. His love for life, his funny ways and endearing nose poking people in the crouch every time they came to our front door. Yes, I can laugh when I remember all of the moments tied together for they forever will be the special memories of an incredible doggy soul that touched my life forever. I LOVE YOU BAILEY.
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I didn’t want to read this because I knew I would cry when I did. A beautiful tribute to a beautiful (and crazy) dog. Thanks Dad.
Love
Sean
Sean,
Ya, Bailey was a real special dog. He is a dog that I will never forget. I loved him so much and really did not know how much until this last week when the house has this real empty void.
Thanks for your comment, I know you will keep Bailey in your memory forever.
Love,
Dad
I had a chocolate lab and her name was Bailey. On October 16, 2006, I had her put to sleep due to the pain she was suffering from spinal cancer. I would gladly have traded years of my life if they could have been added to hers. She was the dog nobody wanted, but I loved her more than most can imagine. Maybe it’s pathological to love a dog like this: I’ve cried for her every day and I’m sure it won’t get any easier. I have another dog now and I love her dearly, but Bailey will forever be in my memory.
No one seems to know if there is an afterlife for dogs, but surely if one exists for man, then dogs, oftentimes more nobler than humans, deserve a place in that realm. I have her ashes (as well as those of Suzie, another beloved black lab of mine) and our co-mingled remains will be buried together one day.
We are very lucky to have known and loved such fine friends.