No hmmm today. My subject for this posting is one of those rare, pure and unequivocal gifts that grace our lives for a season and then pass on.
His name was Bailey and he was a little piece of heaven on earth. A sweet, loyal, loving and courageous little dog that won the heart of everyone who knew him. His days drew to a close this week. I believe the world shuddered and sighed when he took his last breath.
Bailey spent the first 3-1/2 years of his life with masters unknown to me. The next few years he blessed the lives of my wife and I. Since we split up, Bailey has lived with my ex along with Chance and several feline buddies.
Bailey was a Brittany Spaniel cross – a small dog with a heart the size of Texas. These are but a few of the glittering gems of precious memory I will forever carry with me.
Bailey’s animated expression that made him look like he was forever grinning.
His floppy ear like a winking eye.
On my, how Bailey loved to run! Tracing perfect figure 8’s as he ran full tilt for the pure joy of it. Changing direction in a heartbeat leaving his canine pals bewildered by his agility.
Grand champion of the “off” command. In obedience school he broke the record – sitting patiently while 48 doggie toys were tossed into a box before he reached for one.
Conquering his fear of the water with a hail mary flying leap off the dock convinced his beloved master was in trouble in the water.
A standoff with a bulldog left to run free by some irresponsible owner. Bailey would, I have no doubt, have given his life to protect his master.
Ambling down the hall of our house cheerfully dragging along his best buddy Muffin the kitten who was wrapped around his hind leg.
Shadow boxing with Muffin in a game they never tired of playing.
His curious eating routine. Scoop up a few pieces of kibble, walk in a circle eating them, back to the bowl for another mouthful, another circle, another mouthful, over and over until he had had his fill.
Play wrestling with his new best buddy Chance when we introduced a new dog to the the family.
Children’s voices ringing out “Bailey!!” when we walked him through the neighbourhood. He would sit patiently with his trademark grin as they lavished attention on him.
And yes, oh yes, he was a metaphor for pure, unconditional and wildly extravagant love. He offered it up freely for those he knew to be his family asking only that it be returned in kind.
Bailey has passed from this frail, earthly realm but he is not gone. His spirit endures in many incarnations. He is in the resonance of laughter that rises above the din and clamour. He is in the gentle arms that embrace without need of words. In the living memories of joy turned to grief and back to joy that chimes in our remembrance lest we forget. He is in the quiet moments when life stills to harken to that quiet voice that whispers: Slow down. Breathe. I am here.
Farewell and fair winds sweet Bailey but not goodbye. For you go but before us to the sacred place from which you came. Now you await us in that place where all things chaste of heart ascend to in their given time.
I will miss you evermore, Bailey. Such joy as you is seldom found and treasured all the more.
Run, Bailey-boy, run! Until we meet again.
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Michael Robert Dyet is the author of “Until the Deep Water Stills – An Internet-enhanced Novel”. Visit Michael’s website at www.mdyetmetaphor.com or the novel online companion at www.mdyetmetaphor.com/blog.
Tags: Britanny Spaniel · cat · dog · joy · love · metaphor · Michael Robert Dyet · requiemNo Comments