Pet lovers from day one,we  have had many dogs and even had dogs before children!  Our pets  have lived to "ripe old ages- in dog years".  Then the unthinkable, losing a pet to an accident- how do you go on, how do you cope.  Any pet lover knows the heartache, pain and tears that follow losing a pet no matter how they leave us.

Then a phone call, an e-mail and picture and your heart feels the connection...again! That is how the story began with Bailey, our new pet from SVFA. Receiving a call that there is dog that could be "just the right fit" for our family. With our 3 daughters grown and the empty nest except for our found dog Emma, would this be the right thing to do? Adopt?

The words were, "just come and meet her and see what you think"... now the rest of the story.

I was hooked at the first picture I saw, so into the vehicle I put a new collar and leash - off to Valley City we went to meet Bailey. It didn't take more than a few minutes for my husband to feel the same as me. We were in love with her, she had an energy level way above expectations, loved to be rubbed and show affection back. She could run for hours. Yes, she was the "one" and we couldn't be happier. She has the most agile body ever, loves to play fetch, taunt the older dog, chase rabbits, run with me or just lay quietly when asked to do so. She is so smart and has the groomer praising how good she is. Never a day goes by that we don't think of how lucky we were to recieved the information about her - the words "just take a look"  has become "get ready to fill up your hearts" she really did that for us! Thank you to SVFA for all you do and allowing Bailey to be a part of our lives. Bailey now has a middle name. It is Rae, and though it is spelled different she is our "Ray of Sunshine" every day.