Dogust
By, Cheryl Harwell Bailey
I love dogs!
My Mother,
wrote the following in my Baby Book.
Always!
Uncle Verner and I have gone to the dogs!
If one is on a plane,
in a room full of strangers,
or at a family reunion,
everyone has a dog story.
A dog person is never a stranger
to another dog person!
Will there ever come a time
when I will not love dogs?
Never!
I have always wanted a dog and a cat,
but alas I am highly allergic to cat saliva.
Since cats are fastidious
with keeping themselves clean,
I am not able to share my home with one.
I am blessed to have shared
my home and life with dogs.
I wonder where, the old old quote,
"A dog is mans beat friend," came from?
in a room full of strangers,
or at a family reunion,
everyone has a dog story.
A dog person is never a stranger
to another dog person!
Will there ever come a time
when I will not love dogs?
Never!
My Uncle Verner,
but alas I am highly allergic to cat saliva.
Since cats are fastidious
with keeping themselves clean,
I am not able to share my home with one.
I am blessed to have shared
my home and life with dogs.
I wonder where, the old old quote,
"A dog is mans beat friend," came from?
The most loved animal on earth is a dog.
And most of us love to talk about our dogs!
They steal even the hardest of hearts.
How many dog movies have you seen?
Dog books and movies break your heart,
do they not?
Dog books and movies break your heart,
do they not?
I have shed many tears over my lifetime,
for the dogs I have loved.
It started with,
"WENDY!"
Wendy, Grandma Harwell, and Lavern Hunt.
1949
Originally
Wendy belonged to my cousin Jody.
Like me, she loves dogs as well.
Rodney and Jody Harwell
They are not brother and sister, but cousins.
The first 2 of the 12 grand children.
Wendy actually became
THE DOG
to our big Harwell family.
She made each of us feel like
she loved us the most!
Our entire family, and the neighbors,
loved her dearly.
Our close family all lived in one town.
The center and heart of our family?
Grandma!
My grandparents country cottage breathed in
the life of 7 sons, 6 daughters-in-love,
and 12 grandchildren.
We didn't like it when,
Uncle Wally's family were transferred
to Saudi Arabia for Standard Oil.
Albeit, a great opportunity for his family.
We missed them so much.
They could not takeWendy.
My grandparents offered to keep,"Wendy,"
much to the delight of us all.
My cousins, Jody and Tommy,
returned home to us for the summers.
She is smiling! She was a happy dog!
for the dogs I have loved.
It started with,
"WENDY!"
1949
Originally
Wendy belonged to my cousin Jody.
Like me, she loves dogs as well.
They are not brother and sister, but cousins.
The first 2 of the 12 grand children.
Wendy actually became
THE DOG
to our big Harwell family.
She made each of us feel like
she loved us the most!
Our entire family, and the neighbors,
loved her dearly.
Our close family all lived in one town.
The center and heart of our family?
Grandma!
My grandparents country cottage breathed in
the life of 7 sons, 6 daughters-in-love,
and 12 grandchildren.
We didn't like it when,
Uncle Wally's family were transferred
to Saudi Arabia for Standard Oil.
Albeit, a great opportunity for his family.
We missed them so much.
They could not takeWendy.
My grandparents offered to keep,"Wendy,"
much to the delight of us all.
My cousins, Jody and Tommy,
returned home to us for the summers.
She is smiling! She was a happy dog!
Wendy is the first dog
I can really remember.
The first!
She was there before and after
I was born.
A constant.
A protector.
A comforter.
A gentle friend.
She fashioned my first concept of dogs for life.
She is the reason I love dogs.
The reason I trust, respect, and admire dogs.
"My first broken heart?"
I can really remember.
The first!
She was there before and after
I was born.
A constant.
A protector.
A comforter.
A gentle friend.
She fashioned my first concept of dogs for life.
She is the reason I love dogs.
The reason I trust, respect, and admire dogs.
"My first broken heart?"
When WENDY was hit by a car and died.
As my daddy gently told me the news,
I cried and cried and cried some more.
The next day we cousins,
and the neighborhood kids,
had a beautiful funeral for her.
First we placed large smooth stones,
in a variety of earthy colors around her grave.
We fashioned bouquets of colorful
hand picked flowers from grandma's garden,
tied with bright ribbons,
and rickrack from her sewing box.
For the finishing touch?
A cross made from two tree branches.
One of the boy's carved "Wendy," on the cross.
He placed it on the top of Wendy's grave.
Now it was time to clean up,
and dress up in our Sunday best.
It was time for Wendy's funeral.
The processional began.
We walked silent, slowly, single file to,
and around Wendy's grave, placing our bouquets on top.
I dried my 6 year old tears with my
beautiful miniature handkerchiefs,
tucked inside my little purse.
I needed all 3!
The handkerchiefs were a gift from
my sweet great great Uncle Doc,
who came to visit once a year.
He looked exactly like Disney's animated
"Doc,"
from the movie "Snow White."
EXACTLY!!!
The officiant for the service?
My big 8 year old cousin Tommy.
(We all knew he would go on to be a Pastor.)
Bible in hand, he proceeded to the top
of Wendy's grave and stood behind the cross.
We stood in a circle around her grave.
He opened in prayer, quoting
"The 23rd Psalm."
Together we sang the hymn, "Jesus Loves Me."
Tommy delivered the Eulogy, and sermon.
He closed with "The Lords Prayer."
This was Tommy's first sermon, and funeral.
It was the first time I attended a funeral.
We all knew we would see Wendy in heaven,
but my heart was broken.
Wendy lived a long and happy life,
with a big family who loved her.
I cherish her vivid memory.
Sophie
As my daddy gently told me the news,
I cried and cried and cried some more.
The next day we cousins,
and the neighborhood kids,
had a beautiful funeral for her.
First we placed large smooth stones,
in a variety of earthy colors around her grave.
We fashioned bouquets of colorful
hand picked flowers from grandma's garden,
tied with bright ribbons,
and rickrack from her sewing box.
For the finishing touch?
A cross made from two tree branches.
One of the boy's carved "Wendy," on the cross.
He placed it on the top of Wendy's grave.
Now it was time to clean up,
and dress up in our Sunday best.
It was time for Wendy's funeral.
The processional began.
We walked silent, slowly, single file to,
and around Wendy's grave, placing our bouquets on top.
I dried my 6 year old tears with my
beautiful miniature handkerchiefs,
tucked inside my little purse.
I needed all 3!
The handkerchiefs were a gift from
my sweet great great Uncle Doc,
who came to visit once a year.
He looked exactly like Disney's animated
"Doc,"
from the movie "Snow White."
EXACTLY!!!
The officiant for the service?
My big 8 year old cousin Tommy.
(We all knew he would go on to be a Pastor.)
Bible in hand, he proceeded to the top
of Wendy's grave and stood behind the cross.
We stood in a circle around her grave.
He opened in prayer, quoting
"The 23rd Psalm."
Together we sang the hymn, "Jesus Loves Me."
Tommy delivered the Eulogy, and sermon.
He closed with "The Lords Prayer."
This was Tommy's first sermon, and funeral.
It was the first time I attended a funeral.
but my heart was broken.
Wendy lived a long and happy life,
with a big family who loved her.
I cherish her vivid memory.
Sophie
Sophie was our last dog.
I loved her so much!
She was 21 years old when we lost her.
Not in dog years, but human years.
I wish dogs lived as long as humans.
To raise a little puppy from birth to death
is a wonder. She lived a long time.
She was a perfect dog to us all.
When we moved from
California to Tennessee,
Sophie received letters addressed to
'Sophie Bailey."
Letters of love from little children in our Church where my husband
pastored for 20 years.
She loved everybody!
And everybody loved her.
When I lost her,
I cried, and cried, and cried some more.
Like I did for Wendy, but even more.
Kendra and Sophie
Conner and Sophie.
Conner and Sophie.
My precious angel mama,
with Sophie and Penny.
Jessica, Sophie, Randall and I,
on Christmas Eve.
Caeden and Sophie.
Sophie is 2o years old in this photo.
Brier, my great niece, and Sophie.
Sophie crossing her paws!
She was a true "Lady!"
She never once allowed her bottom
to touch the ground when going potty.
Even when it snowed.
She balanced herself on her 2 front paws.
Her little doggy door is ready for another.
I still cannot believe how much I loved her.
How long it took
to not have a lump in my throat.
Sophie came into our lives
because of Jessica.
AND
Prissy
Prissy, with Jessica our daughter,
our niece Meaghan, and nephews
Michael and Ben.
On this day I heard them all giggling.
Finding them all piled on my bed,
even the dog, I had to snap this picture.
Prissy, was a gorgeous Sheltie.
Over a year old, I believe she was so happy
to be rescued, her whole desire
was to please and love us.
A true blessing to our family.
We loved her.
One Wednesday evening as we returned home from Church, our entire family heard something we had never
heard before or since.
As usual Prissy was waiting by the back door, happily wagging her tail.
As we all came busting through the back door,
I casually said, "Hello Prissy," and patted her on the head. We all stopped frozen in our tracks when Prissy replied
as crystal clear as can be,
"HELLO!"
Our astonished teenager, Kendra, cried out "Mom!" she talked! She said hello back!
Our little Jessica, cried out, she did, she did, mommy she did!
We saw her mouth form the word!
We heard her perfect enunciation of the word!
Stunned I said, Yes girls she sure did!
Hearing and seeing is believing.
We were so excited!
We laughed and cried tears of joy!
I so wish we had smart homes and phones
back then! To capture this moment in time. Prissy actually spoke!
Some will never believe it,
But we know she did.
Without question.
It was a God moment.
It was miraculous!
To this day, we still talk about it!
We actually saw and heard our dog talk!
Randall teases,
saying Prissy was filled with the Holy Spirit.
She was speaking in Tongues.
Perhaps she was.
She was a member of the family.
Everyday as I sat at my desk,
Prissy would lay on my feet.
She was such a comfort.
Being a Pastor's wife is an honor,
but it can be stressful at times.
A dog is a stress reliever, compassionate,
and loves unconditionally.
Shelties have beautiful long soft hair.
Prissy was my first long haired dog.
The girls and I brushed her coat each day.
We took Prissy to an amazing groomer
every other week.
She had her regular vet visits,
and her flea and tick meds.
My friends and family know,
I am a clean freak.
Yes, Shelties shed,
but with wood floors, my Dyson worked wonders in 2 minutes flat!
No problem!
Right?
However, our DNA, kicked in.
Kendra and I were ill with bronchitis.
The doctor did a scratch test.
We had been sick a lot lately.
The results revealed ....
we were allergic to Prissy.
No problem!
Right?
I bathed her everyday.
Stubborn, diligent love is also in my DNA!
Our groomer loved and admired our Prissy.
He told us about an older couple who had a Sheltie who was very much like her.
We met this couple, and the beautiful Sheltie.
She was Prissy's twin, just much older.
Spring was finally here.
My favorite time of the year.
The fragrance of "Lily of the Valley,"
began to fill my garden.
Prissy lie beside me as I planted snapdragons.
I felt such peace and contentment.
My husband at the office, my babies at school.
Looking up at the blue sky filled with white fluffy clouds, I prayed and praised God.
Randall pulled into the driveway.
He came home early to take Prissy to her appointment at the groomers.
I continued planting, praying, and praising.
On arrival to the shop, the groomer asked Randall to pray for the couple with the Sheltie! They were grieving,
from the loss their precious Sheltie.
She had lived a long pampered life,
but they were crushed.
Randall told me the whole story,
and I was so sorry for their loss.
The next 2 weeks went by fast!
I had been busy setting up for our annual Mother and Daughter Tea.
Randall dropped Prissy off at the groomers,
Randall and I will celebrate our 50th Wedding
Anniversary a year from April.
I can say, he is my greatest and only love, friend, and blessing! He has not given me an occasion to be angry with him.
But once!
Indeed, Kendra, Jessica, and I, cried, begged,
through a fit, had a conniption, and did not speak to him for a week.
He came home without Prissy.
No matter how appreciative this wonderful couple were for his gesture of kindness,
No matter how sick Kendra and I were,
due to allergies,
we wanted her back!
We 3 girls were in deep denial,
Randall wanted us to stay healthy.
He exhibited tough love as his wife
and little women, gave him the cold shoulder.
We cried, and cried, and cried some more.
But, the allergies cleared up,
and the bronchitis went away.
He is a wise, tender, compassionate man.
Jessica found a puppy!
Daddy, please, please?
We added a new member to our family.
A non- allergic 8 week old Poodle puppy.
We named her,
Sophie!
Caeden and Weston
Conner and Weston
Ben and Weston
I loved her so much!
She was 21 years old when we lost her.
Not in dog years, but human years.
I wish dogs lived as long as humans.
To raise a little puppy from birth to death
is a wonder. She lived a long time.
She was a perfect dog to us all.
When we moved from
California to Tennessee,
Sophie received letters addressed to
'Sophie Bailey."
Letters of love from little children in our Church where my husband
pastored for 20 years.
She loved everybody!
And everybody loved her.
When I lost her,
I cried, and cried, and cried some more.
Like I did for Wendy, but even more.
Kendra and Sophie
Conner and Sophie.
My precious angel mama,
with Sophie and Penny.
on Christmas Eve.
Caeden and Sophie.
Sophie is 2o years old in this photo.
Brier, my great niece, and Sophie.
Sophie crossing her paws!
She was a true "Lady!"
She never once allowed her bottom
to touch the ground when going potty.
Even when it snowed.
She balanced herself on her 2 front paws.
Her little doggy door is ready for another.
I still cannot believe how much I loved her.
How long it took
to not have a lump in my throat.
Sophie came into our lives
because of Jessica.
AND
Prissy
Prissy, with Jessica our daughter,
our niece Meaghan, and nephews
Michael and Ben.
On this day I heard them all giggling.
Finding them all piled on my bed,
even the dog, I had to snap this picture.
Prissy, was a gorgeous Sheltie.
Over a year old, I believe she was so happy
to be rescued, her whole desire
was to please and love us.
A true blessing to our family.
We loved her.
One Wednesday evening as we returned home from Church, our entire family heard something we had never
heard before or since.
As usual Prissy was waiting by the back door, happily wagging her tail.
As we all came busting through the back door,
I casually said, "Hello Prissy," and patted her on the head. We all stopped frozen in our tracks when Prissy replied
as crystal clear as can be,
"HELLO!"
Our astonished teenager, Kendra, cried out "Mom!" she talked! She said hello back!
Our little Jessica, cried out, she did, she did, mommy she did!
We saw her mouth form the word!
We heard her perfect enunciation of the word!
Stunned I said, Yes girls she sure did!
Hearing and seeing is believing.
We were so excited!
We laughed and cried tears of joy!
I so wish we had smart homes and phones
back then! To capture this moment in time. Prissy actually spoke!
Some will never believe it,
But we know she did.
Without question.
It was a God moment.
It was miraculous!
To this day, we still talk about it!
We actually saw and heard our dog talk!
Randall teases,
saying Prissy was filled with the Holy Spirit.
She was speaking in Tongues.
Perhaps she was.
She was a member of the family.
Everyday as I sat at my desk,
Prissy would lay on my feet.
She was such a comfort.
Being a Pastor's wife is an honor,
but it can be stressful at times.
A dog is a stress reliever, compassionate,
and loves unconditionally.
Shelties have beautiful long soft hair.
Prissy was my first long haired dog.
The girls and I brushed her coat each day.
We took Prissy to an amazing groomer
every other week.
She had her regular vet visits,
and her flea and tick meds.
My friends and family know,
I am a clean freak.
Yes, Shelties shed,
but with wood floors, my Dyson worked wonders in 2 minutes flat!
No problem!
Right?
However, our DNA, kicked in.
Kendra and I were ill with bronchitis.
The doctor did a scratch test.
We had been sick a lot lately.
The results revealed ....
we were allergic to Prissy.
No problem!
Right?
I bathed her everyday.
Stubborn, diligent love is also in my DNA!
Our groomer loved and admired our Prissy.
He told us about an older couple who had a Sheltie who was very much like her.
We met this couple, and the beautiful Sheltie.
She was Prissy's twin, just much older.
Spring was finally here.
My favorite time of the year.
The fragrance of "Lily of the Valley,"
began to fill my garden.
Prissy lie beside me as I planted snapdragons.
I felt such peace and contentment.
My husband at the office, my babies at school.
Looking up at the blue sky filled with white fluffy clouds, I prayed and praised God.
Randall pulled into the driveway.
He came home early to take Prissy to her appointment at the groomers.
I continued planting, praying, and praising.
On arrival to the shop, the groomer asked Randall to pray for the couple with the Sheltie! They were grieving,
from the loss their precious Sheltie.
She had lived a long pampered life,
but they were crushed.
Randall told me the whole story,
and I was so sorry for their loss.
The next 2 weeks went by fast!
I had been busy setting up for our annual Mother and Daughter Tea.
Randall dropped Prissy off at the groomers,
Randall and I will celebrate our 50th Wedding
Anniversary a year from April.
I can say, he is my greatest and only love, friend, and blessing! He has not given me an occasion to be angry with him.
But once!
Indeed, Kendra, Jessica, and I, cried, begged,
through a fit, had a conniption, and did not speak to him for a week.
He came home without Prissy.
No matter how appreciative this wonderful couple were for his gesture of kindness,
No matter how sick Kendra and I were,
due to allergies,
we wanted her back!
We 3 girls were in deep denial,
Randall wanted us to stay healthy.
He exhibited tough love as his wife
and little women, gave him the cold shoulder.
We cried, and cried, and cried some more.
But, the allergies cleared up,
and the bronchitis went away.
He is a wise, tender, compassionate man.
Jessica found a puppy!
Daddy, please, please?
We added a new member to our family.
A non- allergic 8 week old Poodle puppy.
We named her,
Sophie!
Our precious memories!
My grandson Conner and I in "Children's Church."
Teaching a series on Christian Sacrament's.
We had a Wedding!
(Max and Heidi getting ready.)
Max looks at Conner, his best man, as if to say,
"I don't know if my tie is straight!
Dogs love us. No judgment!
No matter what we look like.
No matter what we do.
No matter our age.
No matter where we live.
Unconditional love!
Our Daughter Jessica and Snickers!
My great niece's dog makes herself at home.
She knows I don't mind.
She knows I don't mind.
Weston,
The steady survivor grand dog,
comes to see me everyday.
comes to see me everyday.
He knocks on the back door, looks at me,
until I let him in. If I don't see him, he barks.
He comes in, wildly wagging his tail,
all the while, a big smile on face.
all the while, a big smile on face.
Pouring on the love like nobodies business!
The whole family!
Dad, Roscoe, Our Grand Dog, and Bethany!
Conner, Darla, Our Grand Dog and Erica.
Conner and Weston.
Opa, Oma, holding Caeden,
Conner holding Max.
