Bailey.
Dear sweet lovable Bailey.
Without question the smartest dog I’ve known. From bringing a box of tissues upon hearing “Achoo!,” to turning on the lights when asked, you were an amazing member of the family. Equally at home cuddling on the couch, as in the woods searching for ruffed grouse, you were as affectionate as you were a bird hunting machine. Watching you work was joy in its purest form.
I think of you often.
* * *
Hunter
Hidden beneath your bark and bulk, lies sensitivity beyond measure. You’re 85 pounds of yellow affection. When expressing happiness, your tail is never enough, only a full body wag will do.
Still a puppy at heart.
Jeff Sinon Photography 
Beautiful companions. My “Bailey” is an amazing chocolate lab.
Thank you Melanee. Since I now longer hunt with anything other than a camera, our next dog will likely be a rescue. But if we choose a pure-bred, there is absolutely no doubt it will be a lab.
Wonderful post!
Thank you!
Great stuff Jeff – I see we share a love of dogs also.
How can someone not love dogs? They drool, they shed, they always want to be with you. The best cure for the crappiest day is a wagging tail, what’s not to love? 🙂
Those eyes speak wonders.
They are both amazing dogs. Both are smart in their own way, but with Bailey you could see her trying to figure out the problem. I don’t know if I’ll ever have another dog as intelligent as she was.
Thanks for making me cry. VERY touching though.
Don’t think I wasn’t getting choked up while writing about Bailey.
I do know what you mean about the hankie – sniff
Loyal companions and a GREAT header too!
Thank you. You’ll have to tell me which header you like so much. There are several and they’re randomized so you get a different one each time you visit.
I will the next time I see it!
beautiful kids, dogs are love…….
You are so, so, right!
Dogs truly are man’s best friend. And I too need a hankie. My wife and I still can’t believe what we do for our two Cairns.
We bought a king sized bed just so there’d be enough room for them 🙂
Fantastic post! I own a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever and I’m lucky to still have him. I can’t imagine life without my trusted companion but alas I know the day will come so for now we enjoy every moment. Best Mark
It is truly a sad day when you have to say goodbye. Hopefully yours will be with you for a long time to come.
Well said and well photographed, as usual. 🙂
Thanks Cris.
We’ve fostered several rescue dogs, who now have forever homes, but they each have a special place in my heart.
janet
I sincerely applaud you for that. I couldn’t do it. Their new “forever” home would end up being with us. 🙂
We unfortunately couldn’t give them forever homes at the time or that would have been true for us, too. We’re going to be moving into a rental where no pets are allowed, so fostering will have to wait for a bit (or getting our own rescue.)
Finding a rental that allows pets can be tough, that’s for sure. Even more so if like me you’re a fan of larger dogs.
I like larger dogs as well. But the companion I posted for this challenge is even more difficult to place!
So cute !
Beautiful portraits, Jeff. We lost our lab mix almost two years ago, and we still miss him.
They’re family, no other way to put it.
Pure love!!! These photos show us how much they meant/mean to you ….
I’m glad it shows. They are our kids after all. Long before Nicole came along Bailey and Hunter were being spoiled by us. 🙂
🙂 I would be willing to adopt Hunter’s puppy some day 🙂
Alas, that could never happen. We had/have no desire to breed either of them, and both were spayed/neutered early on.
awwwwww 😦 I have already seen myself holding a little hunter that will remain a puppy for ever 😉
Two absolutely wonderful and moving portraits, in pictures AND in words!
Best regards from southern Texas,
Pit
Thanks Pit, we love them both, and think about Bailey often.
As I keep thinking of Buster [http://pitstexasexpatblog.wordpress.com/2013/06/28/weekly-foto-challenge-companionable/] and love Sally and Chiquita [http://pitstexasexpatblog.wordpress.com/2013/01/20/news-about-our-four-legged-crew/].
Best regards from southern Texas,
Pit
Beautiful! I’m sorry for your loss. I feel your pain, my Lab/Dutch Shep passed away a few years ago, I had him for 14 years. He was without a doubt the most amazing creature I had ever known. I have yet to fill his place with another pup, the wound hasn’t healed enough yet.
Thank you Stephanie. Bailey has been gone for almost two years now, but she was such an amazing dog I still think of her. Hunter is still very much with us, as much a lovable doofus as ever. When I look at him, and the way he still acts, it’s hard to believe he’s almost 12.