The Love of a Dog

It was June and I just graduated high school. My mother and father knew what I wanted for graduation for a long time now but didn't know if it was the right time for me to get something that would take up so much responsibility when I already had a lot on my plate.

Everyone in my family already had their lifelong friend. My mom had her Cocker Spaniel named Molly, my brother had his Black Lab named Buddy and my sister had her Dachshund named Diamond. I always felt alone seeing everyone else in my family have someone to take with them wherever they went or have someone to cuddle up with in bed every night. I wanted a best friend too.

After graduation I decided to take a year off to travel. I ended up taking a job on Mackinac Island to get away for the summer. As I was on the computer finishing my application for the position my sister walks in the room and says, "Look at these puppies for sale, there's only two left!" I was very interested and thought they were so cute but knew I couldn't get a dog because I was moving away in a short couple weeks. A few days later my mother sits me down at the table and says to me, "You've wanted a puppy for a long time. I could always watch her when you're gone. She can be your responsibility when you are home." I was filled with excitement!

The next day my sister and I go to look at the litter of puppies. They are Australian shepherd, Border Collie, Shih Tzu mix. Such a strange but unique mix. They were all black and white with long hair. All of them were outside playing in the grass when I noticed there was one that was still in the barn by herself. She had shorter, wiry fur and caught my eye the second I noticed her. She was different than the other puppies, which I liked. I got on my knees and started to whistle for her to come to me. As she turned around and I saw her face I knew I finally found my life long best friend.

Bailey, Bailey, Bailey, Bailey

The puppy sat on my lap the entire ride home. I didn't want it to end. The excitement felt unreal, it was like opening presents on Christmas. Once we got home my mom asked me what I was going to name her. I wasn't sure because I wanted it to be the perfect name. I waited a couple days so I could see what her personality was like. She was very shy but once she warmed up to everyone she was very playful and outgoing. Everybody loved her! We all sat down and watched a movie in the living room called A Dog's Purpose. The dog in the movie was named Bailey. The name Bailey really caught my attention; it seemed to fit my puppy very well. I looked at her and I said, "Bailey, Bailey, Bailey, Bailey," and she tilted her head. I couldn't wait to let everyone know that I have found the perfect name. Bailey.

I took Bailey with me everywhere I went. I wanted to make sure she was comfortable enough being around other animals and people since I loved to travel and she was going to be with me wherever I went. She especially loved going to Home Depot. All of the employees there loved giving Bailey all of their attention and treats! One lady even told me, "If you ever need a dog sitter, you know where to find me!" Due to taking Bailey everywhere with me, she got very attached to me. Sometimes, whenever I'd leave and she was outside, she would jump the fence and run after my car. I started to worry about her getting hit, so whenever I leave now I have to make sure she's inside. She will now sit by the front window and watch me as I pull out of the driveway and will be there until I arrive back home. It's a good thing we have four other dogs in the house because I don't ever have to worry about her feeling alone when I'm gone.

The Love of a Dog

Bailey has grown a lot since I got her. She will be a year old in a short couple weeks. She weighs around 16 pounds and is more energized than she was when she was a puppy! She loves car rides and sticking her head out the window and chasing squirrels up trees. Bailey is the best thing to ever happen to me. I didn't think I could ever love something as much as I love Bailey. Always having a cuddle buddy when you're down, having someone to go on long car rides with and having a best friend who you can tell your secrets to is the best thing a girl can have. Bailey isn't just a dog, Bailey is apart of the family and I feel like the luckiest girl in the world to have such an amazing dog. All of those years wishing and wondering what it would be like to have a dog is nothing compared to how I feel today. It's so much more than anything I was expecting.