Grieving for Bailey

I lost my best friend on April Ist, 2007 and am afraid I am not coping very well with the void that he has left. My friend weighed appoximately 30 pounds, was the scruffiest crony a person would ever call friend but I did. I loved him very much. There are times when I'm just on the brink of sleep and I find myself groaning audibly over the loss of my most trusted companion so I think I will try and speed the healing process by relating some of my most precious memories.
I was on my way to the Okanagan to pick up my children, it was a dreary, wet west coast day but my spirits were buoyed by the anticipation of seeing my children again after a very long separation. Deciding to take the less travelled route I found myself coasting along that glorious region between Kelowna and Vernon. I had been on the road for several hours so I decided to take a short break at one of the rest stops. By this time the rain was falling steadily, my legs were cramping up and a breath of fresh air, a cup of coffee from my thermos (Cuban roast with a hint of cinnamon) and I would be refreshed and ready to continue on my journey. Sitting at one of the picnic benches under a canopy of pine trees I thought I heard something, very faint, coming from the direction of the lavatories. Listening intently, trying to separate this particular sound from the cacophony of birds, rain and water I heard it again. Peering through the latticework of lacey green undergrowth I was able to make out two little dark brown eyes peering back at me. And then, the sound again. A mewling, whining little cry such as would not necessarily be heard if not were it meant to be. To be continued...