Bailey

So I didn't really post much this month. I kept meaning to and life just got in the way. We have been busy visiting family though. We have been to my dad's house and spent time with him for his birthday. We went to my mom's and had an early Thanksgiving with her, my brother and sister-in law, my dad and Annie, and our good friends Kelly, James, and Katelyn. We also went to the Norfolk Zoo and the opening of Winter Wonderland while we were there.
Last week we went to Nate's parents house for the real Thanksgiving with his family. We went to visit Nathan and Kara while we were there and watch his family make apple butter. Bailey traveled with us to all of these places.
I know this blog is about Emily, but I have another baby that I am grieving over today. So forgive me this post about Bailey. She was 6 years, 9 months, and 17 days and yesterday evening around 6 pm we had to put her down.
It's funny how attached we become to our furry friends. She was not just our pet, she was a member of our family. Our first baby. The loss of her in our lives is more than we ever expected. It is the true loss of someone so close to you, someone you have loved and nurtured, taken care of when they were sick, and taught right and wrong too.
I can still remember the day we picked her out as ours. I always told everyone that she really picked us. And she did. She followed me and made it very hard for me to look at any of the other puppies. It was as if she was saying, "I am your dog, you are my people, no need to look at the rest of them." Nate always said it was me she picked, I was always her favorite.
I can remember the day we brought her home. She threw up on my lap. :) She was never fully happy unless she had both Nate and I with her. I have no memories in my current home without her.
In the end, the decision to let her go was mine. It's the hardest decision I have ever had to make. I know it was right for her. It was her time. But knowing that it was right didn't make the process any easier.
Wherever you are Bailey, I hope you are happy. I hope that you know how very loved you were and still are. You will always have a special place in our family.