As a puppy above, he grew and grew and grew. The photo below was on their Christmas card a few years ago.
My son informed me last night that my precious 150 lb bullmastiff grand-dog named Bailey had died. He was 10 years old. He had gotten out of the yard a couple of days ago and they were frantically looking for him. They live in a rather large gated community and had hoped he would find his way home. He must have followed a car out of the gate as he was found by a park ranger on the Natchez Trace Parkway. The park ranger found their phone number on the tag on his collar. He had been hit by a car. :(
Though he was 150 lbs, he did not realize he was big and always wanted to climb into your lap. If you were standing near him, he had to have his body against your leg and he loved to step on your toes which hurt!
My two little grandsons could not say Bailey, so they called him Bay. As large as he was he was so gentle with them. They loved him and loved pushing the button on the feeder to give him extra food. Not too long ago I was in the yard playing ball with them. Bailey was right next to my leg. When Parker, who was not quite two years old walked towards me, Bailey got between us, curve his body and ever so gently knock Parker down. Bailey did not want to share me with Parker.
He came from a good blood line. His dad was named Beef and he won best of show at the Westminster Dog Show about 15 years ago.
Bailey had a wonderful life. My son and daughter-in-law took good care of him. He spent many weekends at the hunting camp and even learned to track deer. I remember a few years back, my son’s friend called and asked to borrow Bailey to help track a deer he had shot. Bailey found the deer. My son was so proud of his dog.
Big dogs generally do not live long and Bailey was definitely showing signs of aging. When I saw him a few weeks ago, the thought went through my mind that it might be the last time I saw him. It saddens me to think he was lost the last couple of days of his life and his life ended being hit by a car. I do hope he did not suffer after being struck by a car. It makes my eyes tear up to think about it.
I am grateful he was found so that my son, daughter-in-law and their two little boys have closure. I know Heaven has one big ole lovable dog.
…susan
I am so sorry that you beloved Bailey is gone. He sounds like he was a wonderful companion, and I truly understand how you must be feeling. I hope that he did not suffer; it's harder because you don't know what his last few days were like, and that makes it worse. I wish I could say something to make you feel better. Words won't do it, but perhaps knowing that others are empathizing with you right now, will help just a little.
ReplyDeleteSusan,
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry for your loss and my condolences go out to your son and his family. Losing a dog stinks, especially under circumstances like these.
Thanks Florida Sue and Paul for your soothing words. Sweet sweet Bailey...loved and was loved!
ReplyDeleteso sorry for your loss, it's so hard loosing a pet, he looks so cute :)
ReplyDeleteOh Susan--I am so sorry about Bailey. We are new to having a dog and I don't know what we would do without him. Give your kids a big ol' hug from your fellow bloggy friend.
ReplyDelete~Misti
Susan,
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry to hear about the loss of Bailey, my heart breaks for all of you.
I'm so sorry for your loss. It's so hard to lose our pets.
ReplyDeleteHi Susan
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry to hear this. My 16yr old Chihuahua went missing a few months ago, and we never found him again. I know how painful and disturbing it can be to know that you couldn't be there w/ them. I really wish you and your family the best
So sorry to hear about your grand-dog. We just have to be thankful that there was closure in finding him. :(
ReplyDeleteAwww, Susan, I'm so sorry about your son's dog. It's always so heart breaking to lose a dog, but this way is especially bad. They truly are like family.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry...we had to put down one of our dogs 2 weeks ago...it was hard. My older sister was quite upset that her niece dog was gone...
ReplyDeleteSusieQ
I am a supreme dog lover! So, naturally your news is disturbing. I'm very sad for the loss of Bailey and especially as to the manner of his passing.
ReplyDeleteI, too, hope he did not suffer and I really wish people didn't drive so haphazardly and fast and maybe this could have been avoided. A dog as large as Bailey can easily be seen, but, then again, I don't know all the circumstances.
Please convey my sympathy to your son, daughter-in-law, and grandsons. And you're right about Heaven because we know that's where he's at. Now, to find some tissues....
Oh, that is so sad! Makes me want to cry. It's hard to lose a beloved pet.
ReplyDeleteOh Susan, I'm so sorry to hear about Bailey 8-( Our dog Carbo died in September, and I still miss him more than anything. Even with three dogs in the house now, there's an empty spot that Carbo left behind that no other dog will ever fill.
ReplyDeleteOur pets are such a big part of our families and our lives. It's heartbreaking when we lose them.... but as hard as it is, life is so much better with them, even if it isn't for anywhere near as long as we wish it could be.
Hugs to you and your family....
Kelly @ DesignTies
It is so great that they found him. I lost my dog when I was young and I walked around the neighborhood for weeks calling his name, I was so broken hearted! Amazing how losing a dog is like losing a person they have their own wonderful personality that is so missed when they are gone.
ReplyDeleteAw...I'm so sorry. It's hard to lose a beloved pet. All my puppies and kitties are getting older. Agodor is the oldest at 11, but our oldest dog is around 10. They are such a big part of our lives, we just can't imagine what it will be like after them.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry to read about Bailey. So sad for his family.
ReplyDelete