Rest in Peace, My Sweet Riley

My faithful friend, my constant companion, my Riley Roo, passed away early Saturday morning. I'm absolutely devastated, heartbroken and numb over it. It all seemed to happen too quickly and before I knew it, she was gone. She was diagnosed in June with a serious heart murmur. She took a turn for the worse on Wednesday night. It sounded as though she was struggling to breathe and she was coughing more than usual. I took her to the vet on friday and she told me everyday left with Riley will be a blessing. I cried my eyes out to her as I had been doing since Wednesday and we spent her last day outside in the sunshine or her snuggled in my arms. I don't think I let her go all day. I carried her everywhere as her heart was too weak for her to climb on the couch or walk a lot. I knew deep down I only had hours left with her, but I was still hoping for some sort of miracle and she would give me many more happy years. I brought her into bed that evening and she curled up in my nook as she always did. At some point in the middle of the night she jumped down and disappeared. I looked for her throughout the house, but couldn't find her so I figured she found a place to be alone. But she returned again and laid on a pillow I had next to the bed. She looked up at me with those loving eyes and I had Tom come over and pick her up and place her back on the bed. I put a blanket on her because she felt a little cold. When I woke up, she had passed away at the foot of our bed. Her little legs still crossed like the lady she was and it seemed she went peacefully. I knew she wasn't suffering any longer, but at that point, my heart truly broke. The house was eerily quiet and I missed every bit of her company from that point on.

Riley had a great life. She was an amazing little dog. Tom and I picked her out on New Year's Eve 2002 in Lakeland, FL. She was the fattest of the bunch and it was love at first sight. I brought her home a few weeks later. The breeder told me "Don't expect this dog to be a lap dog...they just aren't like that." On the way home, she was in her cage in the backseat when the whining began. I put her on my lap for the rest of the drive and from that point on we were inseparable. And ask anyone you know...Riley was the ultimate lap dog. She wanted nothing more than to cuddle with you. She traveled all over Europe with us too while we lived in Germany. Riley had been to France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Italy, Austria, and Switzerland. We took her everywhere we could.

She adored Ella from the moment we brought her home from the hospital and was quite protective of these girls even right up to the end. She endured endless dress up days, ear pullings, belly rubs, and Ella using her as a pillow. No matter what, she always liked the attention. The night before she passed, Ella kept telling us we needed to pack Riley's bag and food for heaven. The morning of she told me not to forget to walk Riley. Even Ella, at three years old, took care of Riley.

She was my only constant thing in my life for eight years straight. Always by my side. Never faltered, never complained, never talked back. She knew tricks and would do anything for a treat. Even though she was little, I would always bring in her in bed with me at night whenever Tom was away. She somehow made me feel a little safer. Now she's gone and I miss her more than I ever thought I could. I miss hearing her scratch her collar to be let out in the morning. I miss her waiting by her dish to be fed. I miss seeing her on her furry blanket on the couch just looking out at us. I miss her waiting at the top of the couch for Tom to come home everyday. I miss coming home to her so excited to see us. Shoot, I even miss her crazy barking. I miss seeing her give Tom huge hugs and I definitely miss her snuggling up next to me.

A piece of me is certainly gone. I find it so hard to smile and laugh and mean it. To some people, a dog is just a dog. But to me Riley was a part of our family. Ella told me the night Riley died that "Riley jumped on my bed and I tucked her in and said goodbye". Tall tale? Maybe. But I'd like to believe Riley did say her goodbyes before she passed. She loved all of us just as much as we loved her. It's hard to believe she's gone. I want my buddy back. :( So very heartbroken.

Riley Roo

Nov 22, 2002-Jan 15, 2011

"All Dogs Go To Heaven, mama"-Ella Petrini