Pearl Bailey is now a robust ten-year-old and frolics with the best of them. But back in the beginning of our relationship we spent our time sequestered in an idyllic cottage nestled by a riverbank on a horse farm in the quaint antique town of Royal Oak, Maryland. Without the benefit of an fenced area for Pearl Bailey, she and I would take long languid walks through the farm several times a day. A pretty good way to start a life.
The Professor arranged for our stewardship of Miss Bailey after the devastating losses of our two boy dogs within five weeks of each other. He sought out a breeder whose bloodline breeding program was specifically developed to produce dogs with quality health, personality, and temperament. Pearl Bailey also graduated through the breeder’s extensive training program earning herself a Ph.D level degree of excellence in behavior! (“What!”, you say? I know my sentiments exactly.)
The Professor and I were in transition at the time of our acquisition. Our Maryland home was sold and we had a couple of months’ worth of work commitments to finish up before our relocation to Florida. It wound up that I would stay at the cottage during the week with PB, and the Professor would stay in town close to his office. Weekends were reserved for time all together at the cottage.
There is something very sacred about walking along a country road. I think it so spiritual to lose your angst and invite in the beauty of what surrounds you. It transports a soul.
When I came upon this photo in my cache, I reflected back on the beginning of my love affair for Pearl Bailey. We were glued to each other, eager and anxious for all that life had waiting for us. Happiness pervaded our psyches and it showed every day. I finished my third book down there on that horse farm, and Pearl Bailey spread her wings and grew into a wonderful companion canine and muse. All from taking those long walks down a country lane.