Celebration

[Jespah]

Thank you everyone - today is blistering hot and we have a wadding pool set up for the dogs - I'll think of you all today - here's to our beloved companions!

Cheers!

Deb and Rupert

[CorgiMum]

Cheers back to you from our home to yours!

[Fluffypants]

You have very wonderful & caring friends Deb!

(it is Sunday, so I am hugging Jackie right . . . . now!)

[ChloeLouise]

I am so hoping that you will be posting some photos of this gala event! Thinking of you both this afternoon with love and care!
Margo

[corgimom]

Deb,

I am wondering how your special day in Riley's honor went?

linda

[Jespah]

Hello all,

I wish you all could have been at the celebration of the Life of Riley on Sunday. It was a perfect summer day and there was lots of room for people and dogs to enjoy themselves in sun or shade.

There were about 25 people and 9 dogs in attendance and it was so nice. There were a couple of minor incidents with the dogs, but for the most part they were all very well behaved. They all freaked out a bit when a friend brought her 9 month old giant Great Dane, Miss Ella May. Things calmed down, and they were all good after a bit.

We had barbecued burgers, hot dogs and veggie burgers and lots of wine and cold drinks. I kept my speech short and sweet and thanked all who came out and who supported me during Riley's illness and since her passing. I also thanked all of my "virtual" friends here and on Dogster for their support, of which I have been so grateful. We all raised a glass and drank in Riley's honour. I brought some photo albums and a custom wood carving I had made of her (I have one of Rupe too) and we all reminisced about her life. Everyone thought it was such a wonderful idea to get together - no one had ever been to a wake for a dog before but felt it was a fitting celebration for a friend.
I hope none of you have to go through losing your wonderful companions any time soon, but if you do, I hope you have half of the support, kindness and understanding I have received since I lost Rile. If you have family and friends that love them too, then get together and celebrate their lives - they are truly worth it.

Deb and Rupe
(I didn't get a chance to take too many photos - but there are a few in my gallery).

[Michael Romanos]

Deb - I am so glad everything went off well in breaking new ground in your celebrating, reflecting and commiserating the life of your beloved Riley.

What you and your friends/neighbours did was to present a lot of ideas to Go Corgi members to take into consideration when their loved Corgis depart this world.

[CorgiMum]

deleted...

[corgimom]

Deb,

It sounded like a wonderful, comforting day for you with your friends supporting you and honoring Riley. I am sure she was watching

linda

[disraeli]

Awww, what a lovely event for Riley. I wish we could have been there to help you celebrate your little angel.

[Fluffypants]

Me too - Wish jackie and I could have been there in person, but we were there in spirit! Glad you had a nice day. It really was a great way to celebrate Riley. Too often we have to go through that sort of thing alone. I'm glad you haven't had to.

[Shelly]

What wonderful compassionate neighbors you have. Only those who have not loved and been loved by a pet could pass it off as not being relevant in one's life. When you spend years with a pet, be it a dog, cat, bird or whatever, it becomes family. My condolences.