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I have always been a dog lover, and I have owned quite a few dogs throughout my life. But, the "love of my life," when it comes to dogs, will always be my teacup Yorkshire Terrier, Bailey.

When I first laid eyes on Bailey, he was only four days old. Seven weeks later, he became a member of our family. From the moment I carried him through our front door, he captured the hearts of my entire family and became a part of us all.

In addition to being one of the most adorable little dogs you would ever want to see, he also had a personality that stood out, and everyone he came in contact with could not help but fall in love with him. While it may have been his adorable appearance and unique size (he weighed 3 pounds as a full grown, adult dog) that initially drew people to him, it was his spirit and obvious love for people that sucked you in and pierced your heart. Everyone who knew Bailey loved him. He was a sweetheart, plain and simple.

Surprisingly, even my husband, who wouldn't ordinarily admit to loving an animal, thought the world of Bailey. We would often catch him napping on the sofa, Bailey curled up asleep on his chest, and he never passed up the chance to play ball with the dog or take him for a ride in the car. Bailey slept with us, ate with us and went on trips with us, when it was feasible. He was, without a doubt, a big and important part of our lives.

Unfortunately, I suffer from frequent migraine headaches, and it is not uncommon for a severe headache to totally bring me down, confining me to bed for two to three days. When this would occur, it was Bailey who gave me the most comfort. He would stay by my side for the duration, leaving only to go outside and, of course, eat from time to time! As ridiculous as it may sound, I truly believe he understood the pain I was experiencing. He would curl up next to my face and often times lick my forehead when my pain was at its worst. I was never alone as long as Bailey was near.

My family and I woke on the morning of March 31, 2007, expecting to spend the day at our local little league field preparing the facility for the upcoming season. It was a bright spring morning, and we were excited at the passing of winter and the promise of the new season. We had no idea how this day was about to be forever etched in our memories or that our lives were about to drastically change.

While my husband and I sat together on the sofa enjoying a cup of coffee, Bailey lay between us, chewing on his favorite toy. It was 8:30 a.m.

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