Bailey Stamm

Bailey Stamm of Greenfield, Indiana, a seven-year-old Yorkshire Terrier of Sherry and Greg Stramm, passed away in his mama’s loving arms as she held him while he crossed over the Rainbow Bridge on Saturday, August 17, 2024. This sweet little terrier was found wandering alone on the streets of the east side of Indianapolis. He was picked up and taken to the local animal shelter. Hancock County P.A.W.S., a foster-based rescue located in Greenfield, Indiana, stepped in and rescued this little boy from the crowded shelter. The staff at P.A.W.S.gave this little homeless boy the name "Duffy." Through the P.A.W.S. organization, this young terrier was being fostered by a sweet lady who was also fostering nine other puppies. This little guy needed a loving family who could give him a place to call home. On the other side of town, the Stamm family was dealing with their own personal heartache. Sherry’s beloved father had recently passed away. Sherry was so grief-stricken that she was advised to get a pet to help with the grieving process after losing her father, as pets can provide a sense of security and unconditional love for people who have experienced trauma. Luckily, a close friend of the Stramm’s also happened to be connected to the director of the Hancock County P.A.W.S. rescue and relayed to the director that Sherry was struggling with this immense grief and was in dire need of a pet to hopefully help ease some of her grief. Arrangements were made for Sherry and Greg to come to see a Yorkshire terrier named “Duffy” that was up for adoption, along with 18 other families waiting to see him. Due to the stress of Sherry’s grief, she was moved to the top of the list as a “priority” to adopt. Bouncing through the door came this little, spunky boy with long legs and disheveled hair, barking all the way. He headed straight onto the lap of Greg. Greg looked around at everyone and announced, “You can all go home now; we have found our pup.” It was love at first sight for both Sherry and Greg as soon as they laid eyes on this little bundle of fur. This was just the puppy that the Stamm family needed to help mend their broken hearts. The foster family relayed that this puppy loved to sit “on laps,” and since he felt so comfortable crawling onto the lap of Greg, he fit in perfectly with the Stamm family. This sweet boy was a perfect addition to their family, and the decision was made to officially adopt him, but they felt he was more of a “Bailey” than a "Duffy,"  so on Tuesday, December 19, 2017, “Bailey Stamm was officially adopted and became a member of the family. When he rode home in Sherry and Greg’s BMW to live in his forever home, he was treated like a little prince. Bailey’s throne was forever on the lap of either Sherry or Greg, whom he absolutely adored. Bailey’s first night home included a bath. Sherry relayed that his bath was “an experience of enough dirt to plant a flower bed in the bottom of the tub.” It had been over thirteen years since Sherry and Greg owned a dog, and family members and friends started to come to their home to visit and see their new little addition. Bailey loved everyone, and they loved him in return. Bailey accepted everyone with his love. Bailey developed such a bond with his family that if he sensed they were not feeling well, he would never leave their side. Friends would volunteer to watch Bailey when Sherry and Greg were away. They hated to leave Bailey alone and would often stay for dinner, watch television with him, and just sit and chat to be around him. Bailey was a character; he loved people but didn’t hesitate to let guests know when it was time for them to go home. When he felt like it was time for them to go, he would show them to the door and start barking for them to leave. Bailey had his little quirks about him too. His special toy was Piggy, a pink stuffed pig from Ikea that, unfortunately, had been discontinued. Sherry and Greg worried about what they would do if something happened to his piggy because he loved it so much. He was always sleeping with it or hiding it under their deck. Bailey’s piggy had never had a bath in the 7 years Bailey had it. Sherry and Greg were too afraid of what would happen if they did. If it fell apart, they were afraid Bailey would never forgive them. What Bailey did not like was having his paws touched, playing “Roly Poly,” and the sound of Sherry and Greg kissing. Bailey absolutely hated The Chipmunks Christmas song. He would throw his head back and howl like a coyote. Although Bailey didn’t have the traditional dog “training” and didn’t do tricks, he was sharp and knew when it was time for his dinner. When it was treat time, he would patiently sit on the corner of the rug and wait for his treats. He was Greg’s 7:00 a.m. alarm clock every morning, awakening him by pouncing on his chest to let him know it was time to get up and fix his breakfast. Before waking in the morning, Bailey would be snuggled up with Sherry and Greg under the covers, his head laying on the pillow beside them. Sometimes he would snore so loudly, even louder than some humans. Everyone knew when it came to little Bailey, he needed to be treated like the prince he was because if he wasn’t treated with extra special care, there would be hell to pay from Sherry. Bailey was her baby, and everyone knew that if something happened to Bailey, Sherry’s heart would break. In the winter of January 2023, Sherry and Greg received some bad news. Bailey was diagnosed with diabetes. Bailey didn’t let it slow him down. He was so smart that when it was time for his insulin, he would start barking to alert Sherry and Greg. Although he had lost most of his sight, Bailey was a tough boy. He didn’t let his illness stop him from chasing bunnies, playing with all the grandkids, taking his daily walks to Dollar General to see his friend Mr. Steve, and playing with his puppy friends. Bailey continued on until his poor little body could no longer tolerate this awful disease. In what was surely a sign from above, a rainbow appeared over the Stamm home just a little before Bailey took his final breath. With his little stuffed piggy by his side, Sherry lovingly held her sweet boy as he left his world and crossed over the Rainbow Bridge. Knowing his time was drawing near, Sherry softly had his favorite song “The Rainbow Connection” playing as he crossed over, where he would patiently await his precious owners, Sherry and Greg, whom he adored. Sherry and Greg are heartbroken by the loss of their beloved Bailey. In addition to his human parents, Sherry and Greg, also mourning the loss of sweet Bailey are his uncle Corey, Aunt Jessie, Leslie, Mandy, Sophie, Nora, Rania, and especially his Zane. Bailey, Parker, and Bryant, his pals Bindie, Pepa, and Puppy, and so many other lives that little Bailey has touched. There will never be another Bailey. Everyone who was blessed to have met this sweet boy loved him. Arrangements have been entrusted to Always & Furever In Our Hearts Pet Cremation in association with Liming Family Funeral Home, located in Shirley, Indiana. We are honored to serve the family of Bailey Stamm.

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