26 May The Life Of Riley
Well, my humans couldn’t have picked a better name for me ~ cuz boy did I live it!
The world shone a little brighter the day me and all my brothers and sisters arrived on Sept. 13, 2006. There were about 8 of us with me, by far, the most adorable. Mom was a Labrador and so was Dad but he had some hound dog in him so all of us puppers got extra ears and longer sniffing noses. We could sing ba-roooooooo like rock stars!
One day, this human family came to visit us. I really liked them and showed them all of my smarts. I was jet black and the only one that still had blue eyes. They couldn’t resist me and I don’t blame them. Soon I went for my first car ride. Jaime held onto me in the back seat while Mom Kelly drove and Kara kept reaching back from the passenger side to soak up my cuteness.
Kelly really liked it when I pee’d or pooped in the house at first because she’d run to it immediately then reward me with letting me outside. One day I pooped outside and I got a treat. I never got treats when I did it inside so I outsmarted them and refused to ever do my business in the house again.
The teen years were tough. Boy Jaime and Kara interrupted so many of my deep snorey snoozes!! Kelly always took me everywhere and even insisted on loading me into the car in the wee hours to pick up Jaime or Kara. Sometimes Kelly would mumble about making them walk. Walk? She wanted to walk too!!! Yippee!!!!
Throughout the years I got all kinds of nicknames. Of course I learned to answer to all of them. I never stopped amazing myself or my humans! Kara was the one who made them up. She’s so funny. I was Moofus, Moofonzio, Nation, FonzNation, Mudscup and sometimes Roo! I really liked the sound of their voices when they looked at me…. It was almost as beautiful as the sound of a cheese wrapper opening from three rooms away with the music blaring loudly. Regardless, I would report to my kitchen post immediately!
Everyday I’d wake up and let them know how much I loved everyone. I took heroic steps to protect them too. I’d always do my best to remember to rip open and scatter the garbage when they weren’t home to make sure there were no dangers in there. If they went to Costco and bought bread or bagels, well, we all know carbs are the enemy. I made darn sure to swipe them off the counter as soon as I could and devour them in Mom’s office. These acts of love were endless. There were ripple affects too ~ so much of what I did was to help Mom remember to vacuum!
I was also an extreme athlete. All things tennis balls made me happiest. I knew that every ball hockey game on the street was an invitation for me to take their ball and show them how fast I could run away with it. Did I mention I was also part porpoise? I saved so many sticks from Lake Erie I should have probably been awarded a medal. And one time, in a very fleeting lapse of coordination, I fell off a boat in Lake Saint Clair and single handedly fought off some very rude swans and geese!!
Soon Mom and I moved to the waterfront and everyday, a few times a day, I got to stroll by the most amazing scenery and snack on some goose droppings. It weirded Mom out. I wish Kelly was more adventurous. All of my new neightbours loved me and were amazed at how I remembered they kept treats in their pockets. I’d show them their pockets whenever I saw them just to make sure nothing went stale in there.
My purpose in this life was to fill my Mom, Kelly’s heart, with love everyday. She did the same for me. One day I heard Kelly complaining that she was gaining weight. I then decided it was best to lie right infront of the fridge door when she was cooking or to listen for the toaster to pop and plot my thieving strategy. Riley, always to the rescue…. I just loved her that much!! Bottomless love to match my appetite! Afterwards I’d roll over like a walrus to allow Kelly to rub my belly. I’d smile showing her my fancy little bottom teeth.
When Kelly bought her convertible beetle I started touring the county in style. Kelly thought people were looking at the car (she’s so naïve). I knew they were admiring me and all of my nobility as my ears danced in the wind!!!
A few days ago, I could no longer hide that my 12 years and 8 months of life were catching up to me. I kept it in for so long that Kelly was really upset when she saw me. We started to talk a lot with our eyes and did so for a few days. I wanted her to know that I was going away but my love wasn’t. I wanted her to know that her friend Tricia is right, I will always lead the way for her. I wanted her to know that I will take a bit of her with me and leave a lot of me behind, so she is never really without me. I wanted her to know that she will see me again. I may look different and feel different but my spirit will be within.
On May 24, 2019, after a happy meal and milkshake in the park that I grew up in, the four of us were together as we said goodbye….just like when we said hello.
Riley ….You made me a better human being. Thank you for coming into our lives. I will be listening for you…..
Telling Stories …..one fur baby legacy at a time.
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