Here is an incomplete list of the things I loved most about having Bailey in my life.
1. The way he greeted me with Phil at my car when I got home from work, tail wagging and wagging, beating against the Porsche.
2. Family Hug - When Phil and I would hug in the kitchen, as we often do, Bailey would stick his nose right in between us, as if to say, "Me too!" I always scratched his handsome head, including him.
3. Family Walk - when the three of us would take walks, long or short, they were always special.
4. The way Bailey would lay by our feet at the couch at night.
5. When Bailey would gaze up at me and rest his chin on my leg or on the couch.
6. Bailey chasing his tail - he did this throughout his ENTIRE life, and I'm convinced performed this purely for my entertainment.
7. The way Bailey would howl at sirens, but make almost no noise (too polite to actually make noise) just blowing air.
8. Bailey's "babies". He LOVED his stuffed animals! Was SO joyous every time he got a new one. I loved the way he would get as many as he could in his mouth and walk room to room showing them off.
9. The way Bailey would shake the hell out a toy in his mouth.
10. Bailey's superior tug-of-war abilities and his boundless love for the sport.
11. Family nap - All three of us on the guest bedroom bed for a little rest in the middle of the day.
12. Napping with Bailey on the couch.
13. The way he scratched at the back door when he was ready to come in.
14. The way Bailey cared about the way I felt and always wanted me to feel happy like him.
15. How Bailey would lay on the rug in the kitchen, right in the middle of everything, beacuse he was always, and rightly so, the center of attention.
16. How excited Bailey got when he heard me pick up my keys.
17. How excited Bailey got when he heard me pick up a plastic grocery bag - sure sign a walk was underway!
18. The way Bailey would nudge me, often under my arm or elbow, strongly but politely, requesting more head and/or behind-the-ear scratches.."
19. The way Bailey sometimes showed his jealous streak when another large dog was in our home... Kingsley would know all too well what that means!
20. How Bailey would jump in a circle when he would meet a new dog he liked.
21. The way he hid all over the yard at our house on Abernathy, finding new cozy spots to chill out in.
22. Bailey jumping up on the bed.
23. Bailey's eager greeting with a mouth full of toys whenever someone rang the doorbell.
24. Bailey's eager excitement when I picked up his leash.
25. The way Bailey would respond and and comply with; sit, shake and high-five.
26. The overwhelmingly excited response to the question, "You want to go runnin'?!"
27. The overwhelmingly excited response to the question, "You want to go see Angela?"
28. After getting so many Christmas gifts one year (mostly from Grandma) he would eagerly wait from then on, for any and all packages to be opened, clearly expecting there was always something in that box for him.
29. His picky sense when it came to treats and food - he only wanted the good stuff and inherently wanted healthy food.
30. The way he smiled - Bailey smiled all the time, and strangers would even comment on it.
31. How Bailey looks in pictures - so handsome and perfect.
32. His beautiful fur.
33. His beautiful eyes.
34. They way the hair between his toes for the first several years of his adult life, looked as if it was crimped.
35. When I lived in Playa, how Bailey would lay and sleep between my room and Erin's, keeping an equal eye on us both during the night.
36. The first time when Phil stayed over, his shirt the next day was mysteriously found near Bailey's bed in the living room.
37. How calm and sweet Bailey was.
38. How very smart and intuitive Bailey was.
39. How cooperative Bailey was.
40. How stubborn Bailey was.
41. Bailey's famous appearance and narration of an episode of "Blind Date."
42. Bailey's stellar performance in The Bold and the Fuel Efficient as "Professor Bailey."
43. The way Bailey would lay his paw, so purposefully upon my arm, sometimes many times in a row. It was as if he was saying, "I love you and all is well. Just relax and be happy."
44. His teeth, which somehow were always so very clean.
45. Bailey's swimming ability and LOVE for the sport.
46. Bailey's love for tennis balls. He was an excellent catcher!
47. The white fur on his chest and belly.
48. His undeniable pride, which he carried every single day of his physical life.
49. Bailey's bark. Never annoying, always with meaning.
50. Bailey enjoying his annual birthday steak.
51. The way Bailey never begged for food or drooled.
52. How Bailey would use his nose or paw if needed to open a door that needed opening.
53. Bailey waiting for me on the bath mat to get out of the shower.
54. His "on high alert" instinctive, hunting stance. He always looked so regal when he did that, tail and nose pointed, one paw up.
55. Bailey's always eager, hopeful and often stubborn request to come with us whenever we left the house without him.
56. The sound of Bailey's paws walking along the hardwood floor.
57. The way Bailey made people who didn't even like dogs, fall in love with him.
58. How Bailey would come nose to nose with me when I was sleeping and he would like to go outside. Without ever touching me, it always woke me up.
59. Bailey's unconditional love of chicken.
60. Bailey's unconditional love.