Goodbye to our friend, Bailey

Today we said goodbye to our dear friend, Bailey.   He was a good dog and I truly believe he's happier now, as his recent weeks/months were not healthy ones.  It was really hard to let him go, though, and still a bit difficult to believe he's not here.

There are still paw prints on my hardwood floors.


No need to get bundled up tonight to take him outside.

The hallway looks weirdly empty without him in his poofball bed.

I got him when I found out I was going to grad school at the end of my senior year in college.  He's been around for my entire adult life and our whole married life.  Our family, minus Bailey, is going to take some getting used to.  On his last morning it was just the two of us.  It seemed appropriate, since that's how we started out 15 years ago.

I found the following prayer online, and thought it was beautiful. I said it with Bailey in his last moments here and we said it again before we laid him to rest:

In the name of God the Father,
who created you and all the animals,
in the name of Jesus the Son,
who spoke of you in parables and stories,
in the name of the Holy Spirit,
in whom every creature lives, moves, and has their being,
go now in peace, dear friend.
May you find rest near refreshing waters,
may you lie in cool, green pastures,
and may you warm yourself under the sun that never sets.
You have been my constant companion,
my shadow and confidante,
my comfort and playmate.
You filled my days with life and brought me endless joy.
For this I give thanks to God who gave you to me.
Now return to your Maker who eagerly waits for you
as you waited for me at the end of each day.
In the Father’s arms, let there be no more pain.
Let there be no more suffering.
Let there be only light as it was on the day God created you.
For our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
Blessed be the name of the Lord, now and forever. Amen.

All dogs go to Heaven, right?  He was preceded in death by several of his good buddies (Missy, Moki...), so it's comforting to think of him wrestling and playing again with them. We sure do miss him, and hope he's feeling better now.  We love you, Pupper-dog!