Lost Dog. His Name Is Bailey.
My little dog is missing. Sometime this afternoon, between 1 and 6 p.m. he disappeared. We live on a very busy road and so we generally keep a close eye on him. However, I made two mistakes which probably contributed to the situation. A few days ago I gave him a bath and inadvertantly forgot to put his collar and name tag back on. And yesterday I took Skylar for a walk around the yard, and left the gate open. So, sometime today during one of his frequent trips to the backyard, he wandered away. I noticed him missing as I was scraping leftovers into a dish. It is one of his favorite sounds, and he always comes running. Not this time.
At first I thought he was likely closed up in a room. We looked all through the house. Then we went outside to search. He has been left outside before, and always stayed close to home, and usually at the door patiently waiting.
We have been everywhere searching. I've repeatedly walked and driven through the parking lots of the various factories and businesses, calling his name. If he were to hear, he would come running. I've checked the woods, railroad tracks, and up and down all the roads. I've carefully searched the roadsides, thinking he may have been hit by a car. He's always been smart enough to stay far from the highway.
I'm thinking that someone picked him up. He is a cute little dog, a cross of a York Terrier and Pomerranian. Without a collar and wandering lost, a good soul may have feared for his life and therefore scooped him up. At least I am hoping that is the story. Probably he would adapt quickly and well to any loving situation. Debbie asked if he would think about us. Probably not- if he gets attention and love, he would thrive. And that's what I would want.
The family is pretty broken up about the matter. My wife has lost her voice from several hours of calling for him. The kids are crying. And I'm in no mood to finish the touches on my sermon for tomorrow. I guess I can't skip the preaching because I'm mourning for my dog. But I kind of wish I could!
Monday we will check with the animal shelter, put up some signs and perhaps an ad in the newspaper, and continue to look. Who knows, maybe even tonight he will show up at the door, barking and severely happy to see us? I've prayed for God's help to find him, even as I thought it to maybe be a bit too trivial for the almighty. There are grieving parents with missing children. Considering how my heart is broken over the loss of my little dog, I can only imagine how life-crushing it would be to lose a child. And I'm not about to try to explain to someone how God helped me to find my dog when He did not help her to find her child. Still... I pray, because as strange and trivial as it may sound, I know that God cares that we are sad. God cares, and that is not so trivial.
After searching for quite a while, it got to where I thought I was seeing and hearing him at several places. And I realized it was time to stop the search for the night. This is tough. Debbie was asking how cold it was supposed to get for the night. I think it will be close to freezing. We hope Bailey is snuggled up inside a warm home. He's a good baby, and deserves it.
02.23.08 (8:58 pm) [
edit]
posted by:
OldSchool (
reply)
post date:
02.23.08 (6:03 pm)
What horrible news. Will pray for you and Bailey. Hope he returns to his family ASAP.
posted by:
squirrelzone (
reply)
post date:
02.23.08 (6:10 pm)
I hope he finds his way back home safe and sounds
posted by:
PirateGirl (
reply)
post date:
02.23.08 (6:14 pm)
Print out a pic and your phone # tonight! DON'T WAIT!
posted by:
auntconi (
reply)
post date:
02.23.08 (6:18 pm)
I am so sorry!
posted by:
FinalyFree (
reply)
post date:
02.23.08 (6:25 pm)
I know how frustrating losing a pet can be, praying Bailey finds his way back to you.
posted by:
PirateGirl (
reply)
post date:
02.23.08 (6:27 pm)
We're praying here too PD
posted by:
kurtmaddox (
reply)
post date:
02.23.08 (8:04 pm)
I'm so sorry about Bailey! Like the Shepard who would leave the 99 to find the one lost sheep, I know you'd do anything to find lil' Baily. Animals are resilient and creative when it comes to survival. I'll bet Bailey's in a house somewhere safe and you'll get him back soon!
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
02.24.08 (2:50 am)
Reply to: kurtmaddox
Resilient and creative- good words. Thanks. It's 6 a.m. Soon as it gets daylight, I'll make another round through the neighborhood.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
02.24.08 (2:51 am)
Reply to: PirateGirl
Thanks. My daughter and her friend made posters, and went to the area businesses and posted them around the area. We are hoping and praying.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
02.24.08 (2:53 am)
Reply to: FinalyFree
So, you know the feeling? We have a cat that I say I would not mind if he were to choose to wander away. But, not really. This little dog has never spent a night outside. I sure hope he is in a warm home, somewhere. We posted on Craigs List, and interestingly found another dog looking a lot like ours, and missing in a community about 60 miles away. I'm sure they are broken hearted, also.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
02.24.08 (2:55 am)
Reply to: auntconi
Thanks. Hopefully this will have a happy ending. In the movies, dogs travel hundreds of miles to find their families. My little dog is smarter than any of those lassie look alikes.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
02.24.08 (2:55 am)
Reply to: squirrelzone
Still looking and hoping. Thanks for your kindness.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
02.24.08 (2:56 am)
Reply to: OldSchool
Thanks. We will continue to make a diligent search. Who knows? Good news could be just around the corner.
posted by:
mimi (
reply)
post date:
02.24.08 (4:02 am)
hoping the light of a new day brings little Bailey back to you! Sending love and light your way and many prayers for his safe return. xoxoxo
posted by:
PirateGirl (
reply)
post date:
02.24.08 (6:57 am)
Reply to: PastorDave
Oh good - when you said you were waiting until Monday it made me worry. In fact I couldn't stop thinking about Bailey all night.
I continue praying for Baily's safe return back home to you all - (and praying for all of you too)
-PG
posted by:
fractalmom (
reply)
post date:
02.24.08 (8:16 am)
since I believe NOTHING is too trivial for the Almighty, I will pray for the safe return of your family sweetie. there, you are off the hook now with your parishoners.
posted by:
mest2007 (
reply)
post date:
02.24.08 (8:39 am)
hey- my new username is....timm17
posted by:
lorischuster (
reply)
post date:
02.24.08 (8:45 am)
:( that is so sad. I would be beside myself if Coco were lost. The good news is that people aren't afraid of little dogs so I'm sure that someone is taking care of him until they find you. PD...you can't feel bad about praying for something that is painful to your family just because someone else has it worse...it is affecting you and the people you love and it hurts. If that were the case we wouldn't ever be able to pray for anything because someone somewhere ALWAYS has it worse than you do. I would go forward with posters and an ad right away. I'm sure someone is just trying to find where he belongs. Hope your prayers are answered soon.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
02.24.08 (11:45 am)
Reply to: mimi
Still no Bailey. I put up some large signs in front of the house.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
02.24.08 (11:47 am)
Reply to: PirateGirl
Thanks, that means a lot. Interesting how very attached I have gotten to a dog! He's my buddy. I can't imagine going for my daily walk without him. And, waking up this morning without him anxious for some petting and a trip outside was sad.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
02.24.08 (11:48 am)
Reply to: fractalmom
Nothing too trivial? You're right, of course.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
02.24.08 (11:48 am)
Reply to: mest2007
Is this yet another new user name?
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
02.24.08 (11:50 am)
Reply to: lorischuster
Thanks. You make a lot of sense. God is a mystery with how he deals with our prayers, and I simply but profoundly surrender to that mystery when I pray. I appreciate your concern.
posted by:
Sis-in-law (
reply)
post date:
02.24.08 (11:51 am)
I'm sure he will find his way home. Even if someone found him, when they let him out to use the bathroom, he will come back home to you. Keep the faith.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
02.24.08 (12:00 pm)
Reply to: Sis-in-law
No sign of him yet. I just put up the big signs in front of the house. I'm trying to make my appeal in two directions. I printed "please help, he is part of the family", and also in big letters "REWARD!!!". Pity or greed, I'll take either if it gets my little fellow back home.
posted by:
bawdy (
reply)
post date:
02.24.08 (12:31 pm)
I hope he turns up soon!
posted by:
PirateGirl (
reply)
post date:
02.24.08 (1:58 pm)
Reply to: PastorDave
Not unimaginable - they love so unconditionally - and we all want that :)
Hope you find Bailey very soon!
posted by:
docsavage (
reply)
post date:
02.24.08 (8:36 pm)
I'm here to rescue the Internet, but, I wish I could help you find Bailey! I'm very sorry and will be hoping Bailey turns up soon.
posted by:
rosietulips (
reply)
post date:
02.25.08 (5:54 pm)
I can't imagine what you're going through! I hope Bailey comes home safe and sound soon.
posted by:
surrogate (
reply)
post date:
02.26.08 (4:04 am)
Any luck yet?
posted by:
intricategirl (
reply)
post date:
02.26.08 (11:39 am)
I've very sorry to hear this. I hope Bailey returns soon. :(
