Riley

[Jespah]

Dear friends,

This afternoon I held Riley in my arms as she passed peacefully into a place where I pray there is no pain or suffering.
The chemo treatment she had last week totally destroyed all of her white blood cells and she was unable to eat or do much of anything. She lost 3 pounds this last week and she was no longer my lovely bright and happy little girl. I did not want her to suffer in order to try and make her well enough to try chemo again. I made this decision with extreme pain, but with only her in mind. I am devastated, as I had hoped we would have more time together.

Rupert and I were with her as she gently closed her eyes and was gone. I know that wherever she is, it is always summer and she can swim and run to her hearts content.

I want to thank all of you for your prayers and kindness during her illness. Even though I've never met any of you, I call you friends, as you were there for me when I needed support.
Thank you so very much for everything,

Deb and Rupert

[CorgiMum]

I am so sorry that you have lost one of your beloved companions,

Rest well at the Bridge Riley. You gave the final act of kindness.


{{{{{{Deb}}}}}}

[lricch565]

Deb, I am so very sorry for your loss. What a tough week it must have been for you. But be assured that Riley is now in a place where there is no more pain and suffering.

You and Rupert are in my thoughts,
Lisa

[glencorgi]

Oh Deb, I am so sorry. Thank you for sharing her with us and letting us be a part of her most special weekend of swimming and favorite things at the lake. A friend from another list often uses this as a signature line and I think it certainly most fitting now.

"The first time I laid eyes on you, I knew right from the start, that you were
meant for me alone, you put pawprints on my heart....."

Hugs and thoughts are being sent your way.

Debbie

[corgimom]

Deb,

Bless you and your family - I know how hard it is to lose your beloved dog. I had planned on writing to you today to see how Riley was coming along.

Remember all the good times with her and she will rest at the rainbow bridge
until you can be together again.

So very sorry for your loss

Linda

[Chip's Mom]

Deb:

I am so sorry to hear that. It is one of the hardest things that a person has to do in this lifetime but you loved her enough to let her go and that is the most important part. I am so glad that you were able to be with her. At the last minute, I couldn't be there for Digger - my daughter put me to bed with tranquilizers my Dr. gave me just for that time. I have always felt that I let Digger down. Please know my heart goes out to you and yours. They say the grief will go away but when I don't know - I still cry for Digger. Again, I am so sorry.

Bonnie

[minnesotaCorgi]

After reading through your posts about Riley, I believe you did the most unselfish thing you possibly could, and at the best possible time. I had a younger pet struggle with lymphoma for about a year. I kept trying to treat it, but looking back, all the treatments just prolonged his suffering and hurt the quality of our relationship—animals live in the moment. I wish I would have done what you did for Riley. I just thought you should know that. Take care.

[darci]

I am so sorry for your loss, Hugs to you and Rupert.
Letting her go as stated above was such a wonderful selfless act that she needed you to be brave to do for her.
Run free Riley.

[KatC]

Heartfelt love and sympathy to you. Though the pain and anguish is almost unbearable, you were so right to make the decision, and not let Riley suffer. It is wonderful that Rupert could be with you and Riley.

Riley is with you now wherever you go.

Kath.

[disraeli]

Oh, what can I say? Poor dear Riley. I hope my little efforts to get her some love and good wishes helped at least a bit.

I am so sorry for you and the family. I'm sure dear Riley is having the best time where she is and - one day, a long time from now - you will see her again and she will be exactly like you remember her.

Tana

[Michael Romanos]

I think KatC summed it up very well. Take that Deb as the feelings from 'downunder.'

My mother was going to live well past 100 and she was nearly 95 and still driving a car and living at her home, and doing everything for herself - including cooking large meals for grandchildren and great grandchildren and looking after a Peke dog and was a whizz at scrabble and cards and a great fan of the All Blacks (NZ rugby representative team). And what happened. She suddenly didn't feel too well. She was diagnosed with cancer and within a few months this person who was unlike most 94 year olds who are confined and remote and vacant, was dead.

So it is with Riley only more so. She was struck down with a cancer that showed no pity, and she was in a prime age which enabled her to have a stronghold of knowledge and wisdom and a physical presence and be treated with much respect and love.

Deb went the extra mile when the situation was grim and she knew just when she had to pull the plug. It is a sad time for Go Corgi, No one will replace THE RILEY. But we hope A RILEY will emerge from the heavens above and light up the lives of any lucky person/people wherever they may be, just as THE RILEY did.

[Jeni D]

I'm terribly sorry to hear about Riley. It definitely makes you realize how fragile life is. Stay strong.

Jeni

[Jespah]

Wow, I can't thank you all enough for your sympathies and kindness. When I joined GoCorgi only a few weeks ago I didn't know how much it would help me in a time of great difficulty and pain. All of your words and deeds to help support Riley and me through this have made a big difference.

Sometimes we break our own hearts by listening to to our heads, but I know I did everything I could for my little girl and I don't regret trying to help her. A friend told me a great quote to get me through these past couple of weeks:
"Stay calm, be brave, and watch for the signs." I did that for her and I know she didn't want to spend her remaining days in a hospital.

We all do what we can for our beloved animals, and I don't judge anyone by what they can or can't do for their pets in a time like this. I felt I owed Riley the comfort of me being with her when she left this place. It was one of the hardest things I ever had to do, but it brings me a certain peace to hope I could pay back some of the unconditional love she's given me these last 5 1/2short years.

Rupert is out of sorts and I am now trying to "listen" to what he needs so he'll be okay. He was very bonded with Riley and he knows that she's gone. I think we'll have a rough couple of weeks ahead of us, but we'll get through it together.

Again, I cannot express how much you and the Dogster folks have helped me during all of this. I look forward to continuingto be a member of this Corgi community and being able to help others when they need it.

Deb and Rupert