Goodbye, Bailey

On Saturday, March 24, my beloved Bailey dog was put to sleep. :( I got a call from my mom that morning in tears saying they were going to have to put Bailey to sleep. For over a year now, she has been having hip problems. When I came to visit in December, she was essentially walking on 3 legs, not putting any weight on one of her back legs. Recently I guess her other back leg gave out and she couldn't really move. My mom said they were having to carry her outside to go to the bathroom. Poor baby. It was time for her to dog. For a purebred dog, she lived a long life. We got her when I was around 14 or 15 I think. She was MY dog! My dad bought her for me. That meant she was my responsibility. My mom was sure to emphasize that to me. Bailey slept in my room with me and I took care of her until I went away to college. Then I gave her over to the family.

Before I had Bailey, I thought Boxers and all similar-looking dogs were really ugly. I'm sure some of you still feel that way. :) But she totally changed my mind. I don't have any pictures on the computer from when she was really little, but she was so cute! Because of Bailey my love for Boxers grew and we found ourselves fostering 2 boxers at 2 different times in our first year of marriage with the Tulsa Boxer Rescue. I think Boxers will always be a part of my life. I truly believe they're one of the most loving, playful, kid-friendly dogs.

this is the oldest picture I could find on my computer of Bailey
taken in 2004

our foster dog, Bo, on the left, and Bailey on the right
you can tell she's quite a bit older

these pictures were taken from when we came to Kansas
for a visit with our foster dog in 2009

 

2009- moving my stuff from Kansas to Oklahoma before our wedding

It will be weird not to see her when I visit Kansas the next time but I'm not too sad because I know she was in a lot of pain. Goodbye, Bailey. You will be missed and forever loved.