Saying Good Bye to Bailey

A day I had dreaded for a long time came...on Monday, January 19th, I said my final good bye to my fur baby Bailey.  It was a very difficult decision to make, but I know I did the right thing.  For over two weeks, Bailey was not really eating, he was quickly losing weight, and he was just not himself.  As much as I wanted to keep him longer, I knew he was suffering.  He had lived too long and too good of a life to end it suffering.  So, I took him to Family Pet Hospital on that Monday morning, held him in my lap, and watched him peacefully go to sleep.  This was by far one of the hardest things I have ever had to do.  I am happy for Bailey that he is in a place where he no longer hurts, but I am sad...every single day...that he is not with me.  For the past 15 and a half years, Bailey has been my constant.  He knows every secret in my life, and he knows all of my sadness.  He was with me during the happiest times of my life, and he was there with me during some of my hardest/saddest times.  No matter what, he was always so happy to see me.  Whether I had been gone for a week or an hour, he was just as happy regardless.  Bailey's favorite place to be was next to me.  He followed me everywhere and panicked when I left him.  Everyone knew Bailey, and everyone knew how important he was to me.  He was more than my dog...he was my companion, my friend, my comforter, my baby.  I never knew how much I would miss my "shadow" until these last 11 days.  It feels so weird coming home to an empty house.  It feels so weird him not following me.  It feels so weird not seeing him, and I constantly find myself looking for him.  I know time will heal, but I really am just sad.  I miss Bailey so much.  I was so lucky to have him in my life and to be his Earthly mother, and I hope he knows how much I love him.  Until we meet again, I find comfort in this scripture...
"The same fate awaits man and animals alike."  Genesis 9:13
I love you Bailey and can't wait until we are together again.