Riley is in Doggy Heaven.

Riley

Age 10, August 14, 1999 - July 16, 2010

My best friend, my heart

Nickname: Mr Riley, Riley Biley Boo, Boo Boo Bear, Shieky Sh

I knew the first moment I saw you that you were my dog. I hadn't intended on getting a puppy that day but there you were - my dog. You looked so melancholy, I had to get you home to cheer you up.

I loved being with you and especially enjoyed taking you to work. When you were a puppy and would run and slide on the linoleum in the art dept or bark at the puppy in the mirror and run into the next room to play and be confused that he disappeared. I was so worried that you wouldn't acclimated but my fears were assuaged when I found you upside down in the arms of a very scary bike messenger. I remember worrying when I couldn't find you and then looked down the hallway and saw the man who had just delivered the Chinese food tossing you out of the elevator. I should have known then that you would always enjoy the Chinese delivery men! Broccoli, who likes to eat broccoli??

I loved that you tolerated all my traveling and came everywhere with you. I'm sorry that you had to go on planes, I know you experienced discomfort in yours ears. Man, we visited a bunch of cities....New Bedford, Mass was the first. You would hang out with James sitting in his guest chair, stole that donut off someone's desk and had them all fooled running in a circle, when those two dogs were playing tug of war with that rope toy and you just went and grabbed it in the middle. I also remember how much Seymour scared you with that big stuffed animal.
Albany - yeah they didn't like you so much you being a big begger but I guess everyone can't love us all the time. 9/11 - picking you up from daycare, taking a walk outside when it was so quiet, your dogwalker showing up in shock. That was the first crazy dogwalker who walked you with Hoover. Then you got Walter who walked you with Niko, your rock star. You really had a crush on that dog. Awww when Maggie broke your heart when she moved away, I was so happy when she moved back but you wouldn't welcome her home. Austin and Houston where you learned to love my family and tolerate Karen's dog Rex and Mom's dog, Scout. Killed me when I left you alone to go to Costa Rica and you were so mad at me when I got back, I never made that mistake again. Westport, CT you loved that dog run and we got to go back this year. You were always so happy to run and scout ahead of me. I guess I was too loud and scared the squirrels. Some of my best memories were the long walks ending with us just sitting on a bench watching the Sound. Pittsburgh - oh those were lovely walks, the doorman liked to greet you and that nice walk along the river. You had your first really great walker there too - that woman loved you and l cherish the notes she left behind each day. She was wise to your carb loving ways - you never did see a piece of bread you didn't love. I think you came to despise pigeons worse than squirrels as they ate your beloved bread. I did enjoy allowing you to chase off a flock of pigeons to see if they were snacking on bread. Man you were so smart. I was amazed the day I watched you studying that Rottie in the park as he jumped, flipped, twisted and then caught a tennis ball. You brought one over to me and I was astonished that you had learned how to do it by studying him. Astounding, really. Seattle you really liked those big windows so you could look out and survey your domain - the sidewalk, the lake. You had a nice dogwalker there who took you to that big park that ended in the lake. I never could entice you into the water. Michigan, so cold, you loved the snow and the carbs and tossing Hilary's yogurt cartons in the air. Which did you love more - dairy products or carbs?

All the dogs you loved over the years at the dog park - Bouche, Finley, Maggie, Otto, Seamus & Froggie, your neighborhood rockstar - Niko. And your people - you always did know who would give you treats - Eric, the drycleaner and Wayne who ran the park. You knew how to work the system.

I've just been reminiscing but not speaking about you and how you affected me. I think cause it still hurts too much. I always knew you weren't going to be here long but I didn't think when we woke up yesterday that it was your last day. I thought we had more time.

You were, without a doubt, the sweetest dog I've ever met. One of your faults was that you didn't acknowledge aggression in other dogs. They would raise their hair and growl and it was as if your response was "ooh scary, show me those teeth again". You thought everyone was your friend. Everything was for enjoying and playing. You were so social and loving towards most people and animals, always up for anything and never wanting to go to sleep if anyone was up - you were waiting for the party to break out. Riley, maybe I should learn from you and be more open and loving towards people. You were so full of fun and life that everyone saw it. Everyone you encountered said how sweet you were. I can't imagine a day without your light. Even now, I expect to turn behind me and see you snuggled between the pillows on the bed. If I could hold you one more time and kiss your forehead.

My heart is breaking that you are not here. I miss you so much it actually hurts. You were my one and only, forever dog. You can never be replaced. You were the password to my life.

I hope that you felt you were part of a special team with me. I hope you know how much happiness you brought into my life. I hope that i gave you as much love as you gave me.

You took my heart with you when you left. I love you so much.