Riley entered my life in 2008. I still remember that day. I found her on Craigslist, paid a $60 “rehoming fee”, and she sat on my lap as I drove home with my new puppy. I was young and broke, living alone, and could barely afford my bills. It was an irresponsible decision to get a dog at that point in life, but I’m so glad that I was able to make it work.

She was a mix of two retrievers: Her mother was a chocolate lab and her father was a golden retriever. Somehow all of their puppies were black.

I had some experience with dogs before her, but I did not know about the amount of affection that retrievers are capable of. As I was getting to know her, I was pleasantly surprised to learn that she loved hugs so much, she even initiated them! Literally the sweetest dog I’ve ever met.

She was very smart. I was able to teach her most of her tricks in like ~10 mins each, while heating up frozen pizzas or whatever cheap garbage I ate back then.

She was the most consistent part of my bumpy path in life. She has been with me through tough breakups, my parents’ deaths, career changes, and many other ups and downs that come with adulthood.

She’s also the oldest retriever I’ve ever met. She would have been 17 years old next week.

We were together until her last breath. With my hand on her chest, I felt her final heartbeat.

And I will remember her until mine.

Riley was such a good girl.

  • CallMeButtLove@lemmy.worldEnglish
    9·
    6 days ago

    100% of posts like this never fail to break my heart. It takes me back to the day I lost my girl. I’m so sorry for your loss. There’s no feeling quite like this. I may not know you, but you aren’t a stranger. They say grief is just love with nowhere to go. What helped me was remembering how lucky I was for all those years.

    • percent@infosec.pubOPEnglish
      6·
      6 days ago

      Thank you. I think about that a lot too. She lived so much longer than I could have expected, and I’m grateful for those extra “bonus years” 🖤

      I’m sorry for your loss too.

  • ikidd@lemmy.worldEnglish
    12·
    7 days ago

    I lost my Chessie in April at age 12. We picked her up from the breeder when she was 6 weeks old and I held her as she died.

    I had a dream a few nights ago that we were walking in the forest and she had a stick she’d keep bringing back and looking at me with those eyes that say “throw the damn stick, buddy, you know how this works”. Then I got to sit with her and run my fingers through the curls on her neck and woke up crying.

    I’m so sorry for you, it’s hard to lose someone that would have laid their life down for you.

    • percent@infosec.pubOPEnglish
      5·
      7 days ago

      Aw what a beautiful dream. I really appreciate those dreams with lost loved ones. It’s the only way to form new memories with them, so they’re worth the tears, IMO.

      I’m sorry for your loss. Chessie must have been a great dog.

  • Lanske@lemmy.worldEnglish
    9·
    7 days ago

    I am so sorry for your loss. I know unfortunately how it is to lose your best furry friend…

  • Mossheart@lemmy.caEnglish
    10·
    7 days ago

    I’m so sorry for your loss. She sounds like she was the sweetest.

    Thinking of Riley tonight.

  • percent@infosec.pubOPEnglish
    1·
    5 days ago

    Many thanks to everyone for the love 🖤 This seems like such an amazing community.

    To those who have also lost a beloved dog: What did you do with your dog’s things?

    I have a nearly-full (but opened) bag of dry food and lots of canned food, but they’re prescription stuff — kidney support diet. Does anyone know what do do with that? I’d love to give it to someone whose dog has kidney disease, but not sure how to find someone like that.

    I imagine I could clean and donate her toys to a local animal shelter or maybe Goodwill, but open to suggestions for that too.

  • TheTurner@lemmy.zipEnglish
    6·
    7 days ago

    Sorry for your loss. Losing a dear dog is the hardest. I hope you remember all of the good you brought each other. Made me cry.

    • percent@infosec.pubOPEnglish
      11·
      7 days ago

      Thank you 🖤 Yeah I’ve been scrolling through photos since I posted this, and many of them made me smile.

      Here’s a random one of her being a goofball.

  • Edce@lemmy.caEnglish
    1·
    6 days ago

    I love reading these stories but I cry every fucking time. My two dogs passed away two years ago (black lab 13) and last year (blue nose pit 12.5). Both the goodest of boys in their own ways. I remeber their last heart beat too and will forever love them.

    Glad Riley was with you for so long. Dogs are the fucking best and we don’t deserve them.

    • percent@infosec.pubOPEnglish
      2·
      6 days ago

      I wish dogs could live longer. Humans have domesticated such an amazing animal, but nature’s like “Okay fine, but you only get to keep them for a small portion of your life. Also it’s really gonna hurt you when they leave.”

      I’m sorry for your loss. I’m sure they were both fun, happy boys in their own different ways.

  • Maeve@kbin.earth
    12·
    7 days ago

    That’s a long time. I know it’s raw and too real. I’m sorry for your loss.

  • NutinButNet@hilariouschaos.comEnglish
    9·
    7 days ago

    RIP Riley. I’m sorry for your loss, OP.

    It sounds like you two were blessed to have one another and you developed some beautiful memories.