Home Family Stories Bailey the Pup

Bailey the Pup

by Jamie

MyHandsomeHusband and I have never owned a pet in the past 26 years of our marriage. Not a dog or a cat or even a lizard. (We don’t even like to pet or woo or swoon over other peoples dogs, cats or lizards!) We did come home from a White Elephant Party once with a goldfish in tow.  We were able to keep that poor fish alive for all of 12 hours.

Suffice it to say, we are not pet people.

But that was pre-corona.

That was back when kids went to school every day, husbands commuted to work, saints could attend church and no one ever dreamed of wearing a face mask to the grocery store.

Over the past 7 months life has changed so much, hasn’t it? It really is astounding.

Our kids saw this change as their window of opportunity. They had begged and pleaded for a dog for years and we (in our corona state of mind) were finally convinced that they needed one.

And they did.

 

 

What we didn’t know was that MyHandsomeHusband and I needed her too. Say hello to Bailey the Pup.

She’s so adorable none of us can resist her. She’s given us something to share, take care of, talk about, puzzle over, work together on and has generally wrapped our hearts around her in ways we didn’t know were possible.

 

It’s been fascinating to see her adapt to our family and learn new things.

One thing she is not a fan of is going on walks. The poor little lady is absolutely terrified of leaving our house.

I have to tuck her under my arm and walk her seven or eight houses away before she is brave enough to follow me out on an adventure. More often than not she’ll sit in the middle of the sidewalk and stare at me with eyes that say “No. I will not walk away from that safe place again today.”

I tuck her under my arm again while the poor pup literally shivers with fear. We walk for a bit while I say things like…”You got this, girl!” and “Be brave, little lady. There are a lot of great things to see!” and “You’re going to like how this turns out! Truly! There is life beyond our house!”

After this coaxing, encouragement and sometimes with the pull of a leash, she’ll trot along for a time. Pretty cautiously, and very slowly.

However, once we turn around and start to head for home this pup is on a dead run. Full steam ahead, she runs back to the security of home with adorable enthusiasm.

And boy can I relate with Bailey the Pup. I want to stick with the familiar, with what I know is good and wonderful. I long for many of the securities of our pre-corona world. Simple things I took for granted before, like…knowing my boys will be able to go to school every day, all year long. I want to gather with large groups of people and be able to see their faces without the barrier of a mask, I want to hug old friends I run into at the grocery store, I want to hop on a plane and travel, I want to worship in the temple whenever I choose.

2020 has definitely been a bumpy ride, full of unpredictability and a lot of fear. And yet, if I’m being honest…looking back over the past 7 months not only has our world changed a lot, but so have we. We are better at handling disappointment. We are more able to adapt to change. We’ve had more time together as families becoming more dependent on and appreciative of each other. Life has slowed down in some areas, and that has been a relief.

Looking forward to a new version of normal, I can’t help but think there are great things ahead for all of us. I’m grateful for a loving God who sees the whole picture. The whole path. The whole journey. The whole plan.  I imagine him coaxing and encouraging us along the way with words like…”You got this, girl!” and “You are going to like how this turns out.” I’m hoping for that.

This is my adorable niece with Bailey the Pup. Couldn’t you just kiss them both until the end of time. 🙂

My love to all of you!

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19 comments

Vicki Russell October 14, 2020 - 10:22 am

She is precious. I love her.

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Daelene Groff October 14, 2020 - 10:41 am

She is adorable! Congratulations!

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Linda October 14, 2020 - 11:25 am

Cute dog! We are a no animal family. My children would love a dog. What kind is Bailey? Will he/she grow much bigger?

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Kendra Davis October 14, 2020 - 11:27 am

Congratulations!! I’m sure you’re already in love!! She is adorable!!!

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Kim L October 14, 2020 - 11:39 am

What a great post. I hope you enjoy being a pet parent. It sounds like you have all adapted well.

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Anne October 14, 2020 - 11:47 am

Absolutely love the pictures of your lovely family and the wee pup, Bailey. I have been following you for as long as I can remember and I create your recipes and share with all of my family and friends. Cheers, Happy Thanksgiving and also…Happy Halloween xox

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Dusky October 14, 2020 - 11:54 am

What a cutie! My husband was a no animal person and I changed him with our pets. He does admit, they are a great addition to our family.

Love your recipes! They have been a Godsend since the pandemic. Give that pup a hug for me!

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BeckyB October 14, 2020 - 11:54 am

ADORABLE!!!!!!

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Jamie October 14, 2020 - 1:09 pm

Oh my goodness! Look at that adorable lille face. Serious snuggles waiting to happen there!

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Denise October 14, 2020 - 1:46 pm

ADORABLE

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k f kellogg October 14, 2020 - 2:50 pm

You have three kids and a husband, you think you know love, you feel love everywhere right? Well girl the love of a dog is way different! You are now going to feel completely what love really is all about.

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June October 14, 2020 - 2:56 pm

What an adorable puppy! My love to all of you. You have the best recipes.

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Margaret Matlock October 14, 2020 - 3:27 pm

What a cutie!! A great addition to your family.

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Susan October 14, 2020 - 8:09 pm

Great post! And I totally agree, life is much different for all of us, but for some of us, better in several ways.

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Marylu October 15, 2020 - 10:31 am

Congratulations! Our family is in the same situation and have decided to get a dog too. We’ve never owned a dog in our lives, but are really looking forward to it. I love your blog and your recipes are just fantastic. I’ve cooked quite a few of them over the years. Well, here’s to new pet parents Good Luck!!

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Terri October 15, 2020 - 3:28 pm

She so stinking cute and you guys will enjoy her lots

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Traci Heffernan October 26, 2020 - 7:48 am

there’s no meal plan for this week, huh? I can’t live without it lol!

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Denise R. November 18, 2020 - 6:30 pm

Thanks for sharing, Jamie. So beautifully said! Bailey is adorable. Your analogy to our loving Savior was beautiful.

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Peggy Dietz February 11, 2021 - 8:42 am

Hi, what kind of dog is Bailey?

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