As a puppy above, he grew and grew and grew. The photo below was on their Christmas card a few years ago.
My son informed me last night that my precious 150 lb bullmastiff grand-dog named Bailey had died. He was 10 years old. He had gotten out of the yard a couple of days ago and they were frantically looking for him. They live in a rather large gated community and had hoped he would find his way home. He must have followed a car out of the gate as he was found by a park ranger on the Natchez Trace Parkway. The park ranger found their phone number on the tag on his collar. He had been hit by a car. :(
Though he was 150 lbs, he did not realize he was big and always wanted to climb into your lap. If you were standing near him, he had to have his body against your leg and he loved to step on your toes which hurt!
My two little grandsons could not say Bailey, so they called him Bay. As large as he was he was so gentle with them. They loved him and loved pushing the button on the feeder to give him extra food. Not too long ago I was in the yard playing ball with them. Bailey was right next to my leg. When Parker, who was not quite two years old walked towards me, Bailey got between us, curve his body and ever so gently knock Parker down. Bailey did not want to share me with Parker.
He came from a good blood line. His dad was named Beef and he won best of show at the Westminster Dog Show about 15 years ago.
Bailey had a wonderful life. My son and daughter-in-law took good care of him. He spent many weekends at the hunting camp and even learned to track deer. I remember a few years back, my son’s friend called and asked to borrow Bailey to help track a deer he had shot. Bailey found the deer. My son was so proud of his dog.
Big dogs generally do not live long and Bailey was definitely showing signs of aging. When I saw him a few weeks ago, the thought went through my mind that it might be the last time I saw him. It saddens me to think he was lost the last couple of days of his life and his life ended being hit by a car. I do hope he did not suffer after being struck by a car. It makes my eyes tear up to think about it.
I am grateful he was found so that my son, daughter-in-law and their two little boys have closure. I know Heaven has one big ole lovable dog.
…susan
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