In Loving Memory: Riley
Riley 2013-2025
"Sometimes the smallest things take up the most room in your heart."--Winnie the Pooh
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Riley |
My family and I always wanted a Yorkie. However, we could never really afford one, and that was at prices comparable to those of yesterday.
On the few times we did go to the beach, my mom picked up a magnet at a gift shop with a black and white photograph of a Yorkie. She said that's my future dog.
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January 2013 was a brutally cold winter. We had a family dog, more of a sibling than a child named Cocoa. She was 15, a Yorkie-Poo. The local news was broadcasting a major animal rescue in North Benton, Ohio by Animal Charity of Ohio. They were taking around 105 {mostly Yorkies} out of a breeding-puppy mill situation where the animal conditions, inside a barn, were deplorable.
The animals were taken away & taken to Animal Charity's original building which was too small & under-equipped. Always having something going on in our lives, sick grandparents or something, my mom & I went down to the shelter to just see. Walking into the over-packed room where all the dogs stayed {both from that North Benton raid & dogs there prior} it was pure chaos. Cages were stacked with little Yorkies shivering, barking, & peering out from. Inside a cage, all by his lonesome sat a stoic little Yorkie with ears bigger than his body, sitting straight up in the air. Riley. My special boy. The little Yorkie on that beach magnet.
Riley's story is truly a popper-to-prince story. Except Riley wasn't fussy, stuffy, or snooty. Riley was an old soul. Truly, the greatest love of my life. He was part Paddington the Bear, part Winnie the Pooh. He had a happy turkey trot & the most beautiful coloring. When summer came, he was a blonde beach baby. As autumn approached, he was an amber fox. A foodie at heart & happily took his dried cranberries later in life as his healthy snack option. He was a warrior from start to finish.
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Riley, spring 2023 |
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Riley & Bentley |
Riley loved stroller rides, & his car seat, & took great comfort in hanging out {all day if he could} in his carrying case {which we nicknamed his 'hut'}.
Riley was born in the summer, but he loved the 'Ber-Months.' He loved all things cozy. He was a creature of comfort. Cozy blankets, chicken, fireside naps, stroller rides, pumpkins, & me. I think he loved me & my mom most of all. He loved all of his siblings. Cocoa & Bentley have since passed. However, I think he loved Finley, his current little brother most of all.
Riley passed away on January 18th, 2025. He was only 11 years old. Recently, I published a post on where I shop for winter pet clothing. I never would have thought this time last year I would be burying Riley on a snowy cold winter night on Jan 19th. Aside from my grandfather, Riley was the only other soul I dreaded having to say goodbye to.
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Finley saying goodbye |
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Riley, summer of 2024 |
Riley was selfless & when he looked at you with his big brown eyes, you knew he was talking to you. When Finley arrived, Riley gave him one of his special little plush Lady & the Tramp dog, Finley still loves Tramp.
It's so easy to get caught up in the drama of life. The bleak outlook of the Trump Administration is morally depressing. However, why dwell on things you can't change or chase likes on social media when the heart of your home is no longer in your home?
I have been through too many deaths-at-home deaths of pets to care to go through this again. However, sadness isn't something Riley would want. Riley loved his home. Riley loved his family. Riley loved his little brother, Finley.
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Riley & Finley |
To keep Riley's light & love alive, I am holding myself accountable to let past grudges, hate, hostility, & anger go.
As each season began, I always took that as an opportunity to photograph my dogs. I wanted {want} to document their life-capture their essence on camera. Looking back, I think I learned photography by photographing my dogs. I took countless images of Riley. Yet I sit here wondering if I took enough.
Did I tell him I loved him enough? Did I kiss him enough? Did I hug him enough? Enough wouldn't be enough.
Our time is limited. Please don't dwell on the toxic things we cannot control in life. If you are blessed enough to have a dog who loves you even half the amount Riley loved me--loved his family, go give them a big kiss. Because, in the end, enough is never enough.
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On of my favorite photos of Riley |
Note: I have some posts automatically scheduled until May 2025. I took a big blogging break in the hopes that come May/June I will be inspired to blog more in real-time posts.
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