My Favorite Christmas Gift: A Child's Memories of Our Cherished Senior Dog

The essay reprinted here is my favorite Christmas gift.  It was written by my 10 year old daughter, Lucy.

My Dog

Have you ever had a special person in your life?  Well, my dog Bailey was like that for me.  Bailey wasn't a person, but he was a very good friend.  He watched over me, taught me the value of life, and he overcame obstacles and never gave up.  He was very important to me.

One example is that he watched over me.  I could always count on him to be there when I needed him.  I remember when Bailey used to pad through the halls of my house.  Every night he would always come into my room and listen to the stories my mother read me.  Then he would watch my brother Alex get ready for bed and watch TV with him, after he would lie down in my parent's room and doze while they watched the 10 o'clock news.  Bailey watched over my family and I and I think we had a special bond because of this.

Bailey overcame obstacles; he never gave up, and always tried his hardest.  One time Bailey was having trouble getting up the stairs.  He was panting and straining to get up each step.  But he did.  It hurt me to see him try so hard.  I helped him up the last of the stairs.  He never gave up, and always tried so hard to complete his daily routine.  He worked with what he had and was an inspriation to me because of this.

Another reason why Bailey was so important was that he taught me the value of life.  When he died, I realized how much he meant to me, and how valuable life really is.  Once after Bailey was gone I was up in my room, crying.  I felt like I would do anything to get Bailey back on this earth.  I went outside and looked up to the sky.  I asked if it could make a dog just like Bailey for me.  Later, I realized that Bailey was a one of a kind.  Nothing could replace him.  Ever.  I wouldn't let myself.

My dog, Bailey was a very important part of my life.  I will cherish his memory forever.  I used to think that I wasn't complete without him by my side.  That I could never go on without him.  But now I think that him being gone has made me ever stronger.  He taught me how to appreciate what I have.  He taught me to love.  He was more than just a pet and friend.  He was family.  He will always be in my thoughts and my heart.

Some may not stay with us long, but others may stay a while and leave foot prints on our hearts.

-Anonymous quote