Happy 12th Birthday Bailey!

WOW! Bailey is 12 today, and I cannot believe it. A little less than 12 years ago, I picked him out of a litter in Georgia and carried him back home to Hopkinsville. And, just for the record, my mom was NOT happy (and that is putting it lightly). Over time, Bailey grew on her, and now she loves him...I think. She tries to act like she doesn't, but she did sleep with him on the tiled kitchen floor when he had to have a surgery that required a drain and therefore he couldn't be on the carpet....yeah, she loves him.

Bailey has been such a blessing in my life. He has gone everywhere with me (literally, he follows me EVERYWHERE in the house...still). Since my mom wasn't happy about me bringing home a puppy to live with us, I HAD to take him pretty much anywhere I went (Thanks Means family for allowing him to spend lots of time at your house). He was/is a good travel partner. When I moved to Clarksville, Bailey was my roommate...it was just the two of us. It was so nice having him to come home to everyday versus an empty condo. Bailey is a super friendly dog and never meets a stranger. So, when Kyle came along, Bailey looked at him as a new friend. Kyle knew when we started dating, that Bailey and I were a package deal, so Kyle took to Bailey quickly...smart guy :). As a matter of fact, Kyle proposed to me on Bailey's birthday in 2002.

As Bailey has gotten older, his quirkiness (mainly separation anxiety) has gotten worse. He MAJORLY stresses when he is left alone or when he cannot be with me. So after trying several doggy medicines, he now takes Prozac (the real deal) everyday. Yes, I am "that girl" that goes to Walgreens to get her dog's meds refilled. Other than a slight loss of hearing, he is in good health. Bailey is sometimes worrisome (like when we are eating or if a kleenex is left out), but most of the time he is just super snuggly and sleeps.

One of my main concerns while pregnant with Kathryn was bringing her home with Bailey here. Bailey is a real "Momma's Boy," so I was not sure how he would adjust. Much to my surprise, he did great. He loves her almost as much as she loves him.

I truly love Bailey so much. He is my sweet boy. I won't ever love another dog as much as I love him. Sometimes he stresses me out, but his unconditional love out weighs any of that stress.

HAPPY 12th BIRTHDAY BAILEY! WE LOVE YOU!!!

Above are some pics from his early years