Hello friends,

Today I made a huge decision and I think it's a good one. I brought home a new baby. Her name is Bailey. She's an 8 week old jack russell/patterdale terrier mix and she's a rescue. She was abandoned and picked up by animal control on Friday. She was saved by a rescue site in Akron, which is nearly 2 hours from where I live. I saw her on petfinder.com and could not take my eyes off her. I drove up today and she's officially mine.

I had stopped feeling compelled to light the red love candle for Abby a few nights ago. I still miss my precious Abby with every fiber of my being and will always long to be with her again. But I also know that I'm a dog person and I'm a good, loving mom.

I have had twinges of guilt today but they are completely overshadowed by the joy of finding another soul mutt- I know that wherever Abby may be, she is happy for me and like me, can't wait until we're together again.

But for now, Bailey and I will share this earthly life together, along with my 2 cats (they're still trying to figure out what the heck is going on and they're feeling "some kinda way" about the whole thing at the moment but I know that will change in time).

Ah time, what an amazing thing it is. When I first lost Abby, I thought I'd NEVER be ready to let another dog into my heart and I thought that no other dog would ever live up to her. I have since realized that it's so not about that. Abby had her own very special personality and so does Bailey. It's like having 2-legged children. A mother can have many and love them all the same and appreciate the uniqueness of each one.

I am excited to embark upon my journey with Bailey (she's actually Bailey Rose)...she's the color of Bailey's Irish Cream and the collar she came to me wearing has roses on it.

Thank you all again for the support that you offered to me during this extremely difficult time in my life. I am certain that I couldn't have made it without this site!

May you all find peace with your loss and joy in starting the earthly journey again with a new furbaby-

Abby's and now Bailey's Mom

Oh what an adorable puppy! A bundle of loving fur. I get how you feel about feeling a twinge of guilt about Abby - I felt a lot of that when I got my Rufus after only three weeks. I'm still very broken up over Gretta - write doggie-words to all the folk songs I know. But I love Rufus for himself, like you love you new baby for herself - just like, as you point out, our two-legged kids.

The best for you and the newbie. Hooray for all of you - here and in the perfect world.

Gretta (and Rufus's) mom

Hi Abby's and Bailey's Mom

I know how you feel about moving on with a new pet. When we lost Sammy in Dec 2009 (she was my first dog and pet ever) I swore I'd never get another pet or put myself through that awful trauma of losing one ever ever again. I don't know what compelled me - but I started looking at Westie puppies on the internet while I cried for my lost Sammy. To make a long story short - last August 2010 we got another Westie puppy who was 9 weeks old at the time -- we named her Bailey Sam -- and she's a delight. I will always miss Sammy -- but there are days when I almost feel that Sammy's spirit is back in Baileys body - there are so many similarities it's almost eerie ---she's been good for all of us -- and I now know what some people mean when they say the best thing you can do for yourself after you lose a beloved pet is to get another one and share all the love that you have inside....

Have a wonderful life with Bailey Rose.


Sharon

Hi Abby's Mom....Congrats on your new beginning! You did the right thing. I know Abby is smiling down on you and your Bailey......Bailey is so cute.

Wishing you all much happiness in your new earthly journey.

LoveMyMickey

Hi, Abby's Mom, congratulations on your new lifetime companion - - Bailey. What an adorable little girl!!! I do believe your precious Abby guided the two of you together. What a WONDERFUL gift from your precious Abby, and please know that your precious Abby is watching over you and Bailey.

Thank you so very much for sharing this new beginning with you and Bailey with us. Please know you both are in my thoughts and prayers, and will look forward to knowing how things are going with the both of you.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

Dear Abby's Mom,

Congrats on your new baby! She's adorable. I confess I'm partial to her name, too. One of my cats was named Bailey, and Kayla's middle name was Rose. I hope you guys have a long and happy time together.

Shelby (kaylasmom)

Thanks everyone for your wonderful comments. I feel like I have a purpose for the first time in such a long time. Abby's decline was slow and I spent much of it in denial because I could not bare the thought of being without her. I now realize that I was experiencing a depression of sorts, months before she passed away. Since I got Bailey on Sunday, I have found myself with more energy and once again can't wait to get home.

Moonbeam, I do believe that my Abby had a paw in bringing Bailey and I together. I was looking at another puppy just about an hour from my home. I emailed the rescue site last week and thought I'd set up a time to meet her on Saturday. But when I got there they told she'd been adopted earlier that day. I was really bummed...almost devastated, as I had reconciled myself to make a huge decision in bringing a new baby home.

I went home and got back on petfinder.com. And suddenly Bailey's sweet picture appeared. I emailed right away and filled out an application to ensure no one would foil my plan- The rescue place accepted me on the spot and set up a time to meet the very next day. I took one look at this little bundle and was hooked (very much like I was with Abby all those years ago).

Tonight we were sitting out on the deck and I swear she made a move that reminded me so much of my first little girl. I felt sad and happy and nostalgic and hopeful all at the same time in that milisecond.

I am a blessed human at this moment.

Nite all,
A&B's Mom

Hi, A&B's Mom, thank you so very much for sharing with us how you and your precious Bailey are doing. The name for what you were going through with your sweet Abby's physical decline is called "Anticipatory Grief." It is different from the grief we experience when our beloved companions join the angels. During Anticipatory Grief we know their earthly journey with us is becoming extremely limited, but our hearts and lives still have their physical presence with us - - and we are hoping for just one more minute, one more hour, one more day, one more - - lifetime - - with them. This is normal, A&B's Mom.

And I am so very happy that you have your precious Bailey, and so is your precious Abby. Enjoy this time of blissfulness, A&B's Mom. Let your heart be happy and content. Enjoy each precious moment you have with your sweet Bailey confident in knowing that your precious Abby is always with you and Bailey. Please know you and your sweet Bailey are in my thoughts and prayers, and look forward to knowing how you're doing.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

Hi Abby's mom

How much several of our stories are alike! Crushing grief, heart shot out, robot walk, crying at the drop of a thought - and swearing that we'll never have another pet - or at least for a LONG LONG time - crying even when we envision it. And then one day, just like they always did in life, our fur baby nudges us into another adventure - they send us a little brother or sister. When we're least expecting it. We suddenly find our selves robot-typing onto petfinder or local rescue sites. And, like your Abbey, my Gretta put herself in the way of a near-mistake for me. The half chocolate (Gretta was a chocolate) half Chessie (my second favorite dog, who lives next door to my dad) seemd like it was the PERFECT mix - both my most beloved dogs rolled into one. But it was not to be so. When I went to meet her, there was no trace of lab - probably large terrier or schnauzer. And that day she had attacked not one but TWO other dogs. NOT the dog for me - I wouldn't even have felt safe in my own home, let alone being able to guarantee the safety of others. Then Gretta again took over my fingers and I robo-typed back to the site from which Gretta had come and took another look at an 8-year old black lab mix - whom I had looked at before, but thought she was a little too young for me (I'm only a few years away from a fixed income and worry about paying vet bills then). But it was GRETTA'S decision ... so I picked up the phone and asked if I could visit Rufus as a first step in adopting him. Since his foster was in Wisconsin and I am in Minnesota, we met mid-way, signed the papers then and there ..... and I had a new living being in my home again. My love had somewhere to go!! They DO live on and they DO keep watching over us and guiding us and teaching us and , most importantly, loving us.

May your new fur baby bring you all the joy and peace that every special soul-dog brings.

Gretta's mom

I agree with Greta's Mom, Abby's Mom - our fur children have guided new ones into our lives that need love too. I believe Tom brought Tang into my life as did Abby bring Bailey into yours. Peace and Tail hugs....

You guys are the absolute best! I have had the best couple of weeks with my Bailey! She's a hoot and so loving and curious and FULL of energy. There are times when I wonder if I can keep up with her but of course I do-

Today she found not one but two tennis balls under the deck. Who knows how long they'd been there. One was red and surely part of a Christmas stocking that belonged to Abby. And clearly Abby hadn't known about or played with them in who knows when, which is why I guess it didn't bother me. I started throwing the balls for Bailey and she took off like a shot every time...my goodness how it reminded me of days gone by with my precious Abby. She'd run iwth all her might, retrieve the tennis ball and bring it back just out of my reach...I'd always have to walk somewhere to get it. Bailey did the same and then had herself a little field day playing with it, rolling in the grass.

It was comfortable and new all at the same time. It was Abby. For just a moment, Abby was there in Bailey and my heart lept.

Please don't think that I'm comparing the two. I totally love Bailey for herself and she is very diferent from Abby already. I think she's going to be more defiant and hard-headed. I suppose she'll learn all about that the hard way as she finds her way with my two older cats LOL-

In any event, I am blessed by this baby and by all of you-

Dear Abbey and Bailey's Mom, Thanks for sharing your lovely Bailey update!! I'm just so happy for you and your Bailey Rose, your post made me smile so much - I just know your Abbey is smiling too!! Hope you have a fantastic day!

Hi, Abby's and Bailey's Mom, thank you so very much for sharing with us how you're doing. I'm so very glad you are finding joy in Bailey's company and in the loving memories you have of your earthly journey with your precious Abby. Rest assured that your precious Abby is doing her "happy dance" with the angels and is keeping faithful company with you as she coaches little Bailey to bring comfort and happiness to you.

Abby's and Bailey's Mom, I hope today is being kind to you and your little Bailey. Please know you both are in my thoughts and prayers, and look forward to knowing how things are going for you.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam